Students

ACCG835 – International Accounting

2013 – MQC S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Moderator
Stephen Haswell
stephen.haswell@mq.edu.au
Contact via stephen.haswell@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Charles Koh
charles.koh@mqc.edu.au
Contact via charles.koh@mqc.edu.au
Appointment via email.
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG611 or admission to MAdvProfAcc or admission to MCom or MIntBus or MEc or MActPrac prior to 2011
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is concerned with issues in both financial and management accounting in international contexts. Particular attention is given to the impact of national culture and to how an understanding of cultural differences provides insights into cross-national differences in accounting behaviour and practice. Students are also taught the fundamental principles of ethical behaviour in accounting, and the different approaches used to 'manipulate' accounting numbers. Current issues in accounting standard-setting in an international context, including the debate on international harmonisation, are also examined. With respect to management accounting, the unit examines issues and problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating their global operations.

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:

  • Understand some of the differences in accounting methods and disclosure practices we might find when we compare the financial reports of companies from different countries.
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Develop and strengthen their generic skills in the areas of report writing and topic discussion.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Class Test 15% Week 4 and 7
Group Project 25% Weeks 9-12
Final Examination 60% University Examination Period

Class Test

Due: Week 4 and 7
Weighting: 15%

During Week 4 (covering Weeks 1-3) and Week 7 (covering Weeks 4-6) short tests will be conducted during class time. Each test will account for 7.5% of your overall assessment. The first test in Week 4 is an early diagnostic assessment, the results of which will be indicative of the student’s application to achieving the learning outcomes of the unit.

Submission: Attendance is compulsory.

Extension: No extension will be granted without a special consideration application being approved.

Penalties: Zero mark for non-submission.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand some of the differences in accounting methods and disclosure practices we might find when we compare the financial reports of companies from different countries.
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

Group Project

Due: Weeks 9-12
Weighting: 25%

Students will work in groups of four to five people for this assignment. Each group presents a different topic (there are 12 topics). Further details are provided on iLearn.

Submission: Soft copy of the report to be submitted on iLearn (Turnitin) and hard copy of the report to be submitted in class during the respective week.

Extension: No extension is available.

Penalties: 20% of the available marks per day (or part thereof) that your project is submitted late. See iLearn for further penalties regarding plagiarism.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Develop and strengthen their generic skills in the areas of report writing and topic discussion.

Final Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 60%

The final exam is of three hours and ten minutes duration. The final exam is designed to test you against the learning objectives of the unit. Students in ACCG835 for 2013 will be required to do a final exam that tests them on all the material covered during the session. The University Examination period in the Second Half Year 2013 is from Monday 11 November - Friday 29 November.

Submission: Attendance is compulsory

Extension:The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration.

Penalties: Students who miss this exam will score zero marks. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.

To pass the unit students must pass the final exam and achieve an overall passing grade in their overall assessment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand some of the differences in accounting methods and disclosure practices we might find when we compare the financial reports of companies from different countries.
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Develop and strengthen their generic skills in the areas of report writing and topic discussion.

Delivery and Resources

 

Contacting staff

 ·           Consultation times

The most effective way for students to contact staff is via email.

 Students experiencing significant difficulties with any topic in the unit are strongly encouraged to seek assistance immediately.

 

Classes

 ·         There are 3 hours of contact for learning per week consisting of 1 x 3 hour seminar (lecture and tutorial).

 

Required and Recommended texts and/or materials

ACCG835 International Accounting by Dr Parmod Chand, 4th edition, 2011, Pearson Australia, ISBN 9781442556751.

This text is a composite book made of selected chapters from four different texts published by Pearson Education Australia. By using a composite text we can focus only on chapters that are suited to this unit, which is cost-effective to the student.

This text is available for purchase from the Co-op book shop at Macquarie University. Two copies of the custom publication are available in the reserve section of the library.

 

 

No changes in the text since the last offering of this unit

 

Technology Used and Required

You will need basic skills with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. The research report e-copy can be submitted in Word or PDF.

You will also be required to access the Internet in order to conduct research and Macquarie University’s iLearn teaching facility (refer to the detail contained below in Unit Web Page).

 

UNIT WEB PAGE

The university’s on-line learning site “iLearn” is used to provide announcements, forms, some course materials (including weekly lecture notes) and to submit e-copies of the assignment. Login at http://learn.mq.edu.au/

Reading material for this unit is all available on the Library’s e-Reserve. Access to the e-Reserve is made using the student number and password supplied to you by the Library. A link will also be provided on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

 

SUMMARY OF ACCG 835 PROGRAM: SESSION 2 - 2013

Week

Commencing

Topic

1

July 29

Introduction, distribution of material and organization of student work groups.

2

Aug 5

The concept of culture and its relevance to international accounting diversity.

3

Aug 12

Ethical behaviour in accounting.

4

Aug 19

Management planning and control. (Class test)

5

Aug 26

Management planning and control in an international context: performance evaluation Case study - Del Norte Paper Company (C).

6

Sept 2

Management planning and control in an international context: transfer pricing Case study – Del Norte Paper Company (A).

7

Sept 9

External reporting in an international context: similarities and differences. (Class test)

 

 

September 16th  to 27th: MID-SESSION BREAK (2 Weeks Break)

8

Sept 30

External reporting in an international context: preparing and adjusting financial statements for international accounting standards: Noresia Limited case study.

9

 Oct 7

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — USA.

10

Oct 14

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — Japan and China.

11

Oct 21

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — The Netherlands, France and Germany.

12

Oct 28

International convergence of accounting: historical background, benefits and problems, global players, recent developments and controversies.

13

Nov 4

Revision lecture

 

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Grades

Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:

 

·         HD - High Distinction

·         D - Distinction

·         CR - Credit

·         P - Pass

·         F – Fail

 

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie

University Grading Policy which is available at:

 

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

 

For further information, please refer to page 71 of the 2013 Calendar of Governance, Legislation and Rules- Postgraduate Rules at

 

http://universitycouncil.mq.edu.au/pdfs/2013-Postgraduate_rules.pdf

 

Grade Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing

 

If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.

 

http://www.city.mq.edu.au/reviews-appeals.html

 

Special Consideration Policy

 

The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level.The policy is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

 

The University defines serious and unavoidable disruption to studies as resulting from an event or set of circumstances that:

  • could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student; and
  • was beyond the student's control; and
  • caused substantial disruption to the student's capacity for effective study and/or the completion of required work; and
  • substantially interfered with the otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of unit or course requirements; and
  • was of at least three (3) consecutive days duration within a study period and/or prevented completion of the final examination.

A Special Consideration application is deemed to be valid if all the following criteria have been satisfied:

·         The Special Consideration application is completed by the student and submitted online through www.ask.mq.edu.au within five (5) working days after the due date of the associated assessment task / final examination.

·         The application contains supportingevidence to demonstrate the severity of the circumstance(s) and that substantial disruption has been caused to the student’s capacity for effective study. (The University will not follow up on outstanding evidence, nor contact any person or body on behalf of the student. The application will be considered as submitted.)

·         The original supporting documentation has been sighted by MQC reception staff within five (5) working days after the due date of the associated assessment task.

·         Where the particular circumstances are medical in nature, a Professional Authority Form including the health professional’s Medicare Provider Number is included. (If a Professional Authority Form cannot be obtained, an original medical certificate indicating the severity (serious / not serious) and impact of the circumstances must be included with the application.)

·         Where the particular circumstances are non-medical in nature, appropriate supporting evidence indicating the severity (serious / not serious) and impact of the circumstances is included with the application.

·         The student was performing satisfactorily in the unit up to the date of the unavoidable disruption. (If a student’s work in the unit was previously unsatisfactory, subsequent unavoidable disruption will not overcome the fact that the earlier work was unsatisfactory).

Unacceptable grounds for Special Consideration

 

The University has determined that some circumstances are not acceptable grounds for claiming Special Consideration. These grounds include, but are not limited, to:

  • routine demands of employment
  • routine family problems such as tension with or between parents, spouses, and other people closely involved with the student
  • difficulties adjusting to university life, to the self-discipline needed to study effectively, and the demands of academic work
  • stress or anxiety associated with examinations, required assignments or any aspect of academic work
  • routine need for financial support
  • routine demands of sport, clubs and social or extra-curricular activities.

Acute Problems

The University defines acute problems as those involving fewer than three (3) consecutive days within a study period. In these cases, students should not apply for special consideration via ask.mq.edu.au, but contact their Unit Convenor within 5 working days of the assessment due date so that a local solution may be discussed, except where the disruption affects completion of a final examination. (If a final examination is affected, the student should submit a special consideration application via ask.mq.edu.au.)

Prior Conditions Conditions existing prior to commencing a unit of study are not grounds for Special Consideration, except in the event of unavoidable deterioration of the condition. The student is responsible for managing their workload in light of any known or anticipated problems. Students with a pre-existing disability/ chronic health condition may contact the Disability Service for information on available support.

In submitting a request for Special Consideration, the student is acknowledging that they may be required to undertake additional work and agreeing to hold themselves available so that they can complete any extra work as required. The time and date, deadline or format of any required extra assessable work as a result of an application for Special Consideration is not negotiable.

 

Attendance

 

All Students are required to attend at least 80% of the scheduled course contact hours each Session.  Additionally MQC monitors the course progress of international students to ensure that the student complies with the conditions of their visa relating to attendance.

This minimum level of attendance includes all lectures and tutorials. Tutorial attendance will be recorded weekly.  If any scheduled class falls on a public holiday this will be rescheduled as advised by your Lecturer. Attendance at any mid-Session or in-class test is compulsory unless otherwise stated.

 

Unavoidable non-attendance due to illness or circumstances beyond your control must be supported by appropriate documentation to be considered for a supplementary test.  Other non-attendance will obtain zero for the test. You should refer to the section below on Special Consideration for more details about this.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

UniWISE provides:

  • Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
  • Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
  • The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
  • Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.

Student Support

Students who require assistance are encouraged to contact the Student Services Manager at Macquarie City Campus. Please see reception to book an appointment.

 

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.

At any time students (or groups of students) can book our Student Advising rooms on Level 6 by emailing info@city.mq.edu.au with a day and time and nominated contact person. There are additional student study spaces available on Level 1.

Macquarie University Campus Wellbeing also has a presence on the City Campus each week. If you would like to make an appointment, please email info@city.mq.edu.au or visit their website at: http://www.campuslife.mq.edu.au/campuswellbeing

UNIWISE provides:

·         Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.mq.edu.au/learning_skills

 

·         Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions

IT Help

If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.

IT Help

 

If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/ or call 02 9850-4357.

 

When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.

 

Students must use their Macquarie University email addresses to communicate with staff as it is University policy that the University issued email account is used for official University communication.

 

Students are expected to act responsibly when utilising Macquarie City Campus IT facilities. The following regulations apply to the use of computing facilities and online services:

 

·         Accessing inappropriate web sites or downloading inappropriate material is not permitted.

·         Material that is not related to coursework for approved unit is deemed inappropriate.

·         Downloading copyright material without permission from the copyright owner is illegal, and strictly prohibited. Students detected undertaking such activities will face disciplinary action, which may result in criminal proceedings.

 

Non-compliance with these conditions may result in disciplinary action without further notice.

 

If you would like to borrow headphones for use in the Macquarie City Campus computer labs (210, 307, 311, 608) at any point, please ask at Level 2 Reception. You will be required to provide your MQC Student ID card.  This will be held as a deposit while using the equipment.

 

For assistance in the computer labs, please see a Lab Demonstrator (usually they can be found in Lab 311, otherwise ask at Level 2 Reception).

 

 

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand some of the differences in accounting methods and disclosure practices we might find when we compare the financial reports of companies from different countries.
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Test
  • Group Project
  • Final Examination

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand some of the differences in accounting methods and disclosure practices we might find when we compare the financial reports of companies from different countries.
  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.
  • Comprehend the issues and problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Develop and strengthen their generic skills in the areas of report writing and topic discussion.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Test
  • Group Project
  • Final Examination

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Appreciate how accounting and corporate disclosure is regulated in a range of different nations, and the role that the accounting profession, government and other bodies have in that regulation.
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and how accounting numbers can be manipulated.

Assessment task

  • Group Project