Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Dr Vicki Baard
Contact via accg828@mq.edu.au
E4A 237
Thursday 4:00pm to 6:00pm
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ACCG613 or ACCG921 or admission to MAdvProfAcc
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is concerned with the design and operation of management control systems, in particular, accounting-related control. There are two main aspects to understanding accounting-related controls operations: control techniques and the behavioural implications of those techniques. Research findings will be used to underpin management control theories.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Turnitin
All text based assessments must be submitted through Turnitin as per instructions provided in the unit guide. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is submitted correctly prior to the due date. No hard copies of assessments will be accepted and only Turnitin records will be taken as records of submission.
Multiple submissions may be possible in some units via Turnitin prior to the final due date and time of an assessment task and originality reports may be made available to students to view and check their work. All identified matching text will be reconsidered carefully. Students should note that the system will not immediately produce the similarity score on a second or subsequent submission - it approximately takes 24 hours for the report to be generated. This may be after the due date so students should plan any resubmissions carefully. Please refer to these instructions on how to submit your assignment through Turnitin and access similarity reports and feedback provided by teaching staff. Should you have questions about Turnitin or experience issues submitting through the system, you must inform your unit coordinator immediately. If the issue is technical in nature may also lodge OneHelp Ticket, refer to the IT help page.
It is the responsibility of the student to retain a copy of any work submitted. Students must produce these documents upon request. Copies should be retained until the end of the grade appeal period each term. In the event that a student is asked to produce another copy of work submitted and is unable to do so, they may be awarded zero (0) for that particular assessment.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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1. Case Study | 30% | No | 23 October 2017 (Week 11) |
2. Assignment | 25% | No | 31 October 2017 (Week 12) |
3. Class Participation | 20% | No | Weekly (Week 2 - Week 12) |
4. Class Test | 25% | No | 6 November 2017 |
Due: 23 October 2017 (Week 11)
Weighting: 30%
This assessment requires students to undertake qualitative research in teams, apply synthesized management control system (MCS) knowledge to a real-world organizational context, and design an MCS for a real-life organization of your choice. Students must write a case study, constituting a written document of 6,500 words in length, outlining their detailed organizational analysis and MCS design. The team must consist of students enrolled in ACCG828, where teams mainly consist of four (maximum) team members from your seminar that you are enrolled in. In some exceptional circumstances, and at the Unit Convenors' (UC) discretion, a team may consist of three or five team members.
45 (Forty-Five) dedicated hours spread from Week 3 to Week 11 including the mid-session recess from seminars.
Please refer to the detailed grading process for this assessment on the units' website. The written Case Study will be marked in accordance with a grading rubric available on iLearn, and prepared by the Unit Convenor to be discussed with the students to provide a team mark. Using peer assessment (see iLearn for peer assessment form), an individual mark based on the overall team mark is calculated to provide students with an individual mark. Should there be any complaints concerning an individual team members' marks, this must be reported to the Unit Convenor in writing. Following such a report the whole team will meet with the Unit Convenor to discuss the issue and the UC may re-allocate marks appropriately. In the event that any team member does not attend such a meeting then the necessary re-allocation of marks decision will be made on the basis of discussions with those who do attend.
Students receive individual written feedback using Grademark two weeks after the Team Case Study is submitted.
Submission
The Team Case Study must be submitted by no later than 11:55pm on Monday the 23rd of October 2017 through Turnitin (see also "General Assessment Information). Please consult the 'Assessment Guide' on iLearn for further submission instructions.
No extensions will be granted, except for instances in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. In the case of a late submission feedback on the assessment task may not occur within two weeks.
Due: 31 October 2017 (Week 12)
Weighting: 25%
This assessment requires students to individually reflect on the Case Study Assessment undertaken in teams. Students are required to keep a self-reflective journal starting in Week 3 (14th of August 2017), on your experiences, opinions, thoughts, feelings, and extent of skill development when doing research and working in teams. Your journals constitute evidence to support your writing of your reflective exercise consisting of 1,500 words. Students are provided with guidelines concerning the content of this assessment on iLearn.
Estimated Student Workload
20 (Twenty) dedicated hours spread from Week 3 to Week 11.
The reflective exercise is marked in accordance with a grading rubric prepared by the Unit Convenor, which will be discussed with students and is available on iLearn.
Individual written feedback is provided two weeks after the assessment task is submitted using Grademark.
Students must individually submit their assignments, by no later than 11:55pm on Tuesday the 31st of October 2017, through Turnitin (see also "General Assessment Information"). Please consult the 'Assessment Guide' on iLearn for further detailed submission instructions.
Late assignments will not be accepted, except for instances in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. In the case of a late submission, feedback on the assessment task may not occur within two weeks.
Due: Weekly (Week 2 - Week 12)
Weighting: 20%
This assessment allows student to demonstrate that they are working continuously throughout the session to achieve the learning outcomes of the unit. This assessment is based on: 1) students completing their required readings prior to seminar attendance; 2) the completion of weekly assigned seminar activities (see iLearn); 3) engaging in seminar discussions; 4) reflective activities to support course integration and the transfer of knowledge to practical situations; 5) peer evalution of self-study activities; 6) students working individually, in pairs or teams on various learning activities; 7) completing the learning diagnostic; 8) contributions to on-line discussion forums and workshops; 9) completing online quizzes (if applicable); and 10) generating discussion notes and other documentation to support their class participation marks.
36 hours during seminars and 29 (Twenty-nine) dedicated hours, spread from Weeks 1 to 13. Workload for this assessment may overlap with the preparation of other assessment tasks (i.e. Class Test) for this unit.
Individual class participation will be calculated from Week 2 up to and including Week 12, except in those weeks indicated on the Unit Schedule. Students will be awarded a weekly mark, based on a grading rubric, explained in Week 1 and posted on iLearn. These weekly marks are averaged to arrive at a final mark for this assessment overall.
Verbal feedback from the Unit Convenor during seminars is provided to students. If students contribute to online discussion forums and workshops, students receive online written feedback. If required, students receive personal written feedback to your official Macquarie University student email address. Participation marks are provided on iLearn on a weekly basis.
Continuously during and outside (e.g. online discussions) seminar time, that is weekly from Week 2 ending in Week 12.
This assessment relies on students attending the 3-hour seminar and/or participating in real-time online seminar activities, hence extension cannot be granted for this assessment. Students who, due to unavoidable disruption, are unable to attend a seminar are required to submit a Special Consideration Application, see 'Policies and Procedures section of this unit guide. Consequently the average mark for this assessment will be adjusted.
Students who do not attend a seminar and/or who do not participate in real-time online seminar activities, and consequently do not engage in seminar participation will be awarded a mark of zero, except for cases in which a application for disruption of studies is submitted and approved.
Due: 6 November 2017
Weighting: 25%
A written time-limited invigilated assessment held in class which provides assurance that: 1) the product belongs to the student, 2) the student has attained the knowledge and skills (i.e. Graduate Capabilities) tested in the exam, 3) the student has achieved the learning outcomes associated with this assessment, and 4) documents the level of individual student achievement on the class test which contributes to the final grade and mark for ACCG828. Feedback is not provided on class tests.
The results of the class test will not be released to students, the result is reflected in the final mark and grade achieved for this unit.
The class test is a closed book assessment, that is students are not permitted to bring into the class test any notes, textbook or other prescribed materials. Students are provided with a copy of the case study and questions pertaining to the case study at the start of the class test by the Unit Convenor.
Students will be provided with a case study one week prior to their final seminar in Week 13. The case study covers at least seven of the twelve topics in ACCG828. Students will be provided with an opportunity to discuss the case study during seminar time in Week 12 in groups. During this time students may ask questions about the content of the case study.
A grading rubric will support the grading of this assessment including showing how the questions and marks are associated with the grading criteria. Students are provided with the grading rubric for the class test in Week 12 and will be discussed with students at this time.
The class test is two (2) hours 50 minutes in duration with ten minutes provided for reading time.
Twenty (20) dedicated hours of continuous learning (including reading and seminar preparation) from Weeks 1 to 13; these hours may also be shared with other assessments.
The class test is marked in accordance with a grading rubric and moderated marking guide prepared by the Unit Convenor. Students are provided with the grading rubric for the class test in Week 12 and will be discussed with students at this time.
On Monday the 6th of November 2017, you are expected to present yourself for the class test in the room where you normally have your weekly seminar for this unit. You must bring your student ID with you to the class test, otherwise you will not be allowed to write your class test. Students will write the class test during the normal seminar time. The class test will commence at 6:00 pm in accordance with the starting time of the seminar.
The only exception to not sitting your class test is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for disruption to studies.
If another class test is granted as a result of the disruption to studies process, the class test will be scheduled during the official examination period held from the 13th of November to the 1st of December 2017. Please note that the make-up class test will be of a similar format to the official class test.
Students who do not present themselves for the class test and who do not submit a special consideration application to support their absence from the class test examination will receive a mark of zero for this assessment task.
Seminars
This course comprises a maximum of 10 seminars comprising of 3 hours face to face teaching per week held from weeks 1 to 13, including the two week study period. As seminars constitute a critical learning experience of this unit, there is an expectation that you will attend all of them. A high participatory teaching strategy with inclusive practice is adopted, where students can engage with their fellow students and the Unit Convenor. Please note the 2nd of October 2017 (Week 8) is a public holiday, therefore there will be no formal seminar in Week 8. Students do however have team-based tasks to complete (see Assessment Guide and iLearn). Please also note that Seminar 10 (16 October 2017) and Seminar 11 (23 October 2017) are self-study seminars and students are not required to attend seminars during these weeks. Students are required to complete work for these seminars online, including participation activities.
The timetable for seminars can be found on the University website at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au
Satisfactory Completion of the Unit
To satisfactorily complete this unit, students are required to achieve a minimum of 50% of the available marks for this unit.
Prizes
For academic excellence in ACCG828, the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance offers a certificate of merit to the student achieving the highest mark.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Required textbook: Merchant, K.A. & Van der Stede, W.A. (2012) Management Control Systems (Prentice-Hall, 3rd edition). Relevant chapters and cases from the textbook can be accessed electronically through the library, with the exception of the case study "Controls at the Bellagio Casino Resort". Students will need to make a copy of this case using the textbook which is also available in the library. Whilst purchasing the textbook from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop is encouraged, it is also optional. Other required readings, such as academic papers are all available electronically through the library. The unit schedule contains a summary of the required chapters, cases and academic papers. Please note that whilst the Unit Convenor monitors the availability of learning materials available from the library, accessibility of these materials is directly under the control of the University library.
Additional materials:
Additional readings and other materials are available on iLearn, including power point slides for each topic (if applicable).
Unit Web Page
1. Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn).
2. The web page for this unit can be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
3. Consult the web page for this unit frequently. You will find administrative updates (announcements), lecture notes, seminar activities and the assessment guide posted there.
4. If you are unable to access the website because you are not aware of or have forgotten your username and password, please see the URL http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/ on how to obtain assistance from the IT helpdesk. The IT help desk will also be able to assist you with using iLearn. You may also refer to the help feature in iLearn.
5. Please remember to log out when you have finished using iLearn. Failure to do so could result in unauthorized access to your iLearn account.
Technology Used and Required
Students are required to use information technology in this unit.
Students will need to use:
Date |
Topic |
Textbook ChaptersReadings |
Assessments / Activities |
Week 1 31 July |
The Nature of Management Control Systems (MCS)
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Chapter 1 Management and Control Reading: Langfield-Smith (2007),pp.754-755
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None |
Week 2 7 August |
A Typology of Management Controls |
Chapter 2 Results Control Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.214-215) Case Study: Armco Inc. Midwestern Steel Division |
Class Participation Team Formation - see Assessment Guide |
Week 3 14 August |
A Typology of Management Controls |
Chapter 3 Action Controls (pp. 81-88) Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.210-214) Case Study: Controls at the Bellagio Casino Resort |
Class Participation Team Formation - see Assessment Guide |
Week 4 21 August |
A Typology of Management Controls |
Chapter 3 Personnel and Cultural Controls (pp.88-95) Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.210-214) Case Study: Controls at the Bellagio Casino Resort |
Class Participation Learning Diagnostic
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Week 5 28 August |
Designing and Evaluating MCS |
Chapter 4 Control System Tightness Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.215-217) Case Study: Armco Inc. Midwestern Steel Division |
Class Participation Team Contracts |
Week 6 4 Sept. |
Design and Evaluating MCS |
Chapter 5 Control System Costs Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.217-218) Case Study: Philip Anderson |
Class Participation |
Week 7 11 Sept. |
Strategy and MCS |
A Contingent Framework for MCS Design (Week 7 to Week 12) Reading: Harlez and Malagueño (2016) Reading: Langfield-Smith (2007: pp.755-757) Reading: Chenhall (2003: pp.150-152) |
Class Participation |
18 Sept.to 29 Sept.
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Mid-Session Recess from Seminars |
Self-directed Activities on Team Research Case Study and Reflective Assignment |
See iLearn for additional information |
Week 8 2 Oct. |
Public Holiday - No formal seminar |
Team Progress Review - see iLearn Team Case Study - Part 1 Draft Complete |
Team Progress Reports Submitted |
Week 9 9 Oct. |
Environment and MCS |
Reading: Janke, Mahlendorf & Weber (2014) Reading: Environment: Chenhall (2003: pp.137-139) |
Class Participation |
Week 10 16 Oct. |
Environment, Size, Structure and MCS Self-Study Activity (No Seminar in Week 10) |
Reading: King, Clarkson & Wallace (2010) Reading: Structure: Chenhall (pp.144-147)
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Online Seminar Work Online Class Participation |
Week 11 23 Oct. |
Organizational Culture and MCS Self-Study Activity (No Seminar in Week 11) |
Reading: Heinecke, Guenther & Widener (2016) Reading: Henri (2006) |
Online Seminar Work Online Class Participation Case Study (Team Research Project) |
Week 12 30 Oct. |
Size, Service Processes and PMS Design |
Reading: Amizawati (2014) Reading: See Week 2 |
Class Participation Assignment (Individual Reflection) Class Test (Case Study) Discussion |
Week 13 6 Nov. |
Management Control Systems: Research, Theory & Practice |
Class Test on Assigned Case Study |
Formal Individual Work |
The readings are available on the unit website.
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://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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:
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:
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:
There are three changes from the previous offering of ACCG828.
First, students are required to prepare a self-reflective journal on doing research and working in teams. The compilation of this journal supports continuous self-reflective thinking and constitutes evidence to support your writing of the reflective exercise. Consequently, an additional five (5) hours workload has been allocated to the reflective assignment to accommodate the preparation of your journals. The weighting of this assessment has also been increased from 20% to 25% in recognition of the additional work required.
Second, the final examination for this unit has been replaced with a class test focused on a case study, requiring students to apply critical, analytical and integrative thought and integrate discipline-specific knowledge to address management control system issues / problems in an organisation. This change is consistent with the teaching philosophy and beliefs that underpin the student-centered approach to ACCG828. The weighting of the class test is 25%, in contrast to the 30% weighting of the final examination.
Third, a review of the current research academic papers assigned to this unit, was undertaken and where appropriate updated readings have been assigned to this unit to reflect new research in Management Control Systems.
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 at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/grading/policy.html.
All final grades in the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
The final grade and mark awarded to a student reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
Please also refer to the relevant pages in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies.
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 valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
This unit addresses global and sustainability issues as direct areas of study and as necessary implications arising from the materials, assessment and academic discussion and debate in classes/seminars. We promote sustainability by developing the ability in students to research and locate information within the management accounting discipline, and work cooperatively in teams. We aim to provide students with an opportunity to obtain skills which will benefit them throughout their career.
The unit materials have a reference list at the end of each chapter/module/text containing all references cited by the author. These provide some guidance to references that could be used to research particular issues.
This unit draws on current published research to examine the influence of contingent factors on the design of Management Control Systems. This supports students in devising an effective management control package based on research, and to apply and synthesize conceptual knowledge to recognize and solve problems.