Course Overview
The objective of the course is to provide an introductory knowledge of accounting to students of all disciplines such as business, professions, arts, engineering, health, medical and sciences. A general overview of accounting principles relating to the preparation of financial and managerial reports will be presented. The primary focus is to illuminate how accounting information is utilised by a variety of stakeholders in planning, controlling and investing decisions. Topics include: accounting information in its decision making context, record of accounting transactions, understand and analyse financial statements, cost behaviour, determination of product costs, cost-volume-profit analysis, performance management, and budgeting.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the key concepts that underpin the preparation of general purpose financial reports
2. Analyse and interpret financial statements
3. Evaluate the accounting information needs of management
4. Understand and apply key principles of budgeting
5. Apply various management accounting techniques to analyse decisions faced by management
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
| University Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome(s) |
|---|---|
Deep discipline knowledge
| All |
Critical thinking and problem solving
| All |
Teamwork and communication skills
| All |
Career and leadership readiness
| All |
Intercultural and ethical competency
| All |
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
|
Learning & Teaching Modes
Weekly tutorials: One weekly 1 hour tutorial. Tutorials begin in the second week of the semester and finish in week 12. See your Access Adelaide enrolment to find your tutorial details.
The aims of the tutorials are threefold: to develop a conceptual understanding of key accounting principles, to review and refine the technical competencies required to perform accounting calculations, and to gain an insight into the implications flowing from accounting information including the financial statements.
During the tutorials students are encouraged to ask questions about the topics. It is expected that each student will actively involve in tutorial discussion. In general, a good participant will, among other things:
· take the initiative and lead the discussion; and
· be prepared to work cooperatively and productively in small groups.
It is not expected that you will always have the “right” answer and, indeed, it should be recognised and understood that valid alternative points of view might well exist on an issue. A “good” answer will be one that is grounded in, among other things, references to relevant and valid accounting concepts. Preparation prior to attending the tutorial is important to get benefits from the tutorial discussion and activities.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Students in this course are required to attend all lectures and Tutorials throughout the semester, tutorial preparation and participation will form part of the overall assessment as outlined in the assessment section below.
Learning Activities Summary
- Introduction to financial accounting
- Financial statements
- Recording accounting transactions
- Non-current assets
- Financial Statement analysis
- Introduction to management accounting & ethics
- Cost behaviour
- Cost-volume-profit analysis
- Budgeting for planning and decision making
- Performance management system: Balanced Scorecard
The University’s policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
The assessment tasks are:
| Assessment Task | Type | Weighting | Learning Outcome |
| Tutorial participation and engagement | Individual | 10% | 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 |
| Test 1 (Online at MyROU) Week 5 * | Individual | 10% | 1, 2 & 3 |
| Test 2 (Online at MyROU) Week 9 * | Individual | 20% | 1, 2 & 3 |
| Group assignment (submission at MyROU) Due: week 10 | Group | 10% | 2, 3 & 4 |
| Final exam Duration: 2 hours | Individual | 50% | 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 |
| Total | 100% |
The specific time and date for the Final Exam will be informed at MyROU Course Homepage.
Assessment Related Requirements
- All assessment tasks are compulsory and none are redeemable.
- Students are not permitted to submit or use assessment from any previous or other course towards the assessment in this course.
- Details of the assessments will be informed at MyROU course homepage.
Assessment Detail
Tutorial participation and engagement — 10%
The participation grades are based on a student’s active participation and contribution in tutorial classes
throughout the semester. Students must only attend the tutorial they enrolled in.
Assignment — 15%
The Assignment will involve a small group work. The Assignment will be submitted electronically through MyROU. Details of the
Assignment are available at MyROU course homepage (under Assignment folder).
Mid-semester test — 25%
Mid-semester Test will take place (at MyROU online platform) on 17th of September (Thursday) between 9 am and 11 am Adelaide time. Details of the test will be posted at MyROU (as Announcement).
Final exam — 50%
There will be a three (3) hour exam. Details of the final exam will be posted at MyROU (as Announcement).
Submission
Workshop Solutions must be submitted to the workshop facilitator at the beginning of each the workshop in order to be considered for assessment.
The Assignments will be submitted electronically through MyROU. Further details will be provided in due course.