Students

ACCG8150 – Accounting Capstone

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor, Lecturer
Tas Husain
tas.husain@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 344, Level 3, 4 Eastern Road
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 Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional practice: Research report 30% No 28/08/2026 Individual Yes Open
Skills development: Key trends 30% No 09/10/2026 Individual Yes Open
Professional practice: Case study 40% No Week 13 Individual and Group No Observed

Professional practice: Research report

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 28/08/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

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 and environmental citizenship
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Work readiness
Deliverable(s): Written report [max 1000 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.

Skills development: Key trends

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 09/10/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

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 and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Collaboration skills
  • Digital skills
Deliverable(s): Reflective Essay [max 1500 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: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

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 presentation analysing the disclosures of a listed company.
Skills in focus:
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Work readiness

Deliverable(s): Presentation

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.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Please see iLearn for details

Unit Schedule

Week starting

Topic
Week 1 - Week Starting 27 July

Introduction to the Capstone
Week 2 - Week Starting 3 August

Leadership
Week 3 - Week Starting 10 August

Governance
Week 4 - Week Starting 17 August

Professionalism, ethical codes and the public interest
Week 5 - Week Starting 24 August

Assessing and Managing Risk and Strategic Control of Operations
Week 6 - Week Starting 31 August

Evaluating, Enabling, and Implementing Strategic Change : Applications of IT/E-business 
Week 7 - Week Starting 7 September

Evaluating, Enabling, and Implementing Strategic Change : Process Redesign and Project Management
Week 8 - Week Starting 14 September

Sustainability 1 - CSR and Sustainability Reporting 

21 September to 5 October - MID SESSION BREAK
Week 9 - Week Starting 6 October

Sustainability 2 - Impresssion Management in Sustainability Reports
Week 10 - Week Starting 12 October

Financial Analysis and Insights in Comtemporary Organisations
Week 11 - Week Starting 19 October

Reflections and Employability Master Class
Week 12 - Week Starting 26 October

Reflections and Employability Master Class
Week 13 - Week Starting 2 November

Student Group Presentations

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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

Change of topic sequence.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook