Students

ACCG8150 – Accounting Capstone

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Andreas Hellmann
andreas.hellmann@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
See iLearn for details.
See iLearn for details.
Moderator
Nandini Krishna Kumar
nandini.kumar@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp in ACCG or ACST or AFIN or BUS or ECON or MGMT or MKTG units at 8000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit aims to consolidate learning across postgraduate studies in accounting, preparing students for employment in complex business environments. Leadership and entrepreneurship are discussed as well as the importance of risk management in business decision making. Using real life case studies, reviews of industry reports and research as well as presentations by industry leaders and student alumni, this unit develops the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a professional accountant. This unit requires students to think critically, ethically and strategically in solving business problems whilst integrating technical knowledge and professional skills.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
  • ULO2: Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
  • ULO3: Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
  • ULO4: Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
  • ULO5: Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
  • ULO6: Explain the components of an organisation’s governance framework, internal control procedures, and risk management framework.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Skills development: Key Trends 30% No Week 5
Professional practice: Case Study 40% No Week 9
Professional practice: Research Report 30% No Week 13

Skills development: Key Trends

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to reflect on key trends in Accounting as identified during the unit.   You will prepare a reflection on the key trends and topics discussed during the unit with a focus on their impact on contemporary accounting.   Skills in focus: - Critical Thinking - Communication - Digital Skills   Deliverable: Reflective Essay [max: 1,500 words] Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
  • Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
  • Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
  • Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.

Professional practice: Case Study

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to draw on published research to identify adopted impression management strategies and develop specific recommendations on how to improve corporate communication of sustainability issues.   You will prepare a group report and group presentation analysing the sustainability report of a listed company that adopted the Global Reporting Initiative standards.   Skills in focus: - Global Ethical & Environmental Citizenship - Critical Thinking - Problem Solving - Communication - Work Readiness   Deliverable: Written Group report [mx: 2,000 words] and presentation [ max: 15 mins] Individual and Group assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
  • Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
  • Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.

Professional practice: Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to apply your expertise in corporate governance to research issues and develop recommendations.   You will prepare a research report which recommends potential solutions to the issues identified.   Skills in focus: - Global Ethical & Environmental Citizenship - Critical Thinking - Problem Solving - Communication - Work Readiness   Deliverable: Written report [max: 1,000 words] Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
  • Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
  • Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
  • Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
  • Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
  • Explain the components of an organisation’s governance framework, internal control procedures, and risk management framework.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Please see iLearn for details of delivery.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

1

Introduction / Employability Masterclass

2

Application of IT/E-business   

3

Sustainability 1

4

Sustainability 2

5

Leadership

6

Project Management

7

Strategy Formation

8

Students Presentations

9

Students Presentations / current topic

10

Professionalism, ethical codes and the public interest

11

Governance

12

Strategy Implementation

13

Strategic Control of Operations

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Topics and assessments changed from the previous offering.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
26/02/2025 Change of the moderator.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook