The course provides a user perspective on the role of accounting and financial reporting in capturing and conveying economic information about an organisation. Through a series of workshops, case studies and exercises, you will acquire confidence in using the concepts and vocabulary of accounting to analyse and communicate about business performance and resource allocation. You will become familiar with the format and use of financial statements and the role of accounting in making business decisions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Read, understand, interpret and analyse general purpose financial reports;
2. Understand differing accounting policies and their impact on financial statements;
3. Evaluate different types of performance measurement systems in accounting and commonly used financial control systems;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of management accounting concepts and techniques; and
5. Make sound financial decisions in real world settings.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws upon real-life business case studies in combination with  the research experience of the convenor. The assignment is set in a real world context and requires students to conduct research by drawing on past accounting journal articles.

Required Resources

Suggested Text: Atrill, P and McLaney, E, 2019 Accounting and Finance for Non-specialists, 11th edition, Pearson Education Limited 

An ebook version of the text is available from the Chifley Library (https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.virtual.anu.edu.au/lib/anu/detail.action?docID=5601287).

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

As a further academic integrity control, students may be selected for a 15 minute individual oral examination of their written assessment submissions.

Any student identified, either during the current semester or in retrospect, as having used ghost writing services will be investigated under the University’s Academic Misconduct Rule.

COMMUNICATION

Email and Forums on the Wattle Course Website

Email and the Wattle course website are the preferred ways of communication. Student forums are set up on Wattle for each topic and can be viewed by all enrolled students and teaching staff. Students are encouraged to post any questions they have in the appropriate forum.

If necessary, the lecturer and tutors for this course will contact students on their official ANU student email address. Students should use this email address when contacting staff as spam filters used by ANU may not allow other email addresses to be received.

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations. Notifications of emergency cancellations of lectures or tutorials will be posted on Wattle or on the door of the relevant room.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction, financial reporting framework, definitions, concepts & principles
2	Balance Sheet & business transactions
3	Income Statement and Statement of Cash Flows
4	Analysis and interpretation of financial statements – part I	Quiz 1
5	Analysis and interpretation of financial statements – part II	Due: Syndicate assignment part A
6	Capital investment decision, firm valuation
7	Full Costing, Activity-based costing (ABC)	Quiz 2
8	Cost/Volume/Profit analysis, decision making with or without constraints
9	Budgets	Due: Syndicate assignment part B
10	The management of working capital	In-class group presentation
11	Performance measurement	Quiz 3
12	Performance measurement and case study	Due: Individual case study

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Syndicate assignment Part A	10 %	25/03/2021	02/04/2021	1, 2
Syndicate assignment Part B	30 %	06/05/2021	21/05/2021	1, 2, 3, 5
Quizzes	15 %	17/03/2021	17/03/2021	1, 2, 3, 5
In-class group presentation	5 %	12/05/2021	19/05/2021	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Individual case study	15 %	26/05/2021	02/06/2021	1, 2, 3, 4
Final exam	25 %	03/06/2021	01/07/2021	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

Details regarding materials and equipment that is permitted in an examination room can be found on the ANU website:

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Information regarding permitted examination materials for the course will be available on the examination timetable website when the examination timetable is released:

http://timetable.anu.edu.au/

Assessment Task 1

Syndicate assignment Part A

Due Date: Week 5 via Turnitin

Length: Less than 5 pages (excluding appendices), 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing

Weighting (%): 10%

Syndicates: Both assignments Part A and Part B are to be completed by the same students working in syndicates, comprising three or four individuals. It is important that syndicate members begin to meet and collect information about the chosen company early in the term.

Instructions: Syndicates are required to:

1. choose a profitable trading company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange;

2. analyze the current and future economic environment of the chosen company;

3. discuss the implications of the economic environment for the future operating outcomes of the chosen company (including income statement and balance sheet performance)

4. analyze the current and future industry condition of the chosen company (including Porter’s five force analysis);

5. discuss the implication of the industry condition for the future operating outcomes of the chosen company;

6. analyze the business strategy of the chosen company (including SWOT analysis);

7. prepare a 5-page report for potential investor (who is not an accountant, financial adviser or professional investor);

8. each group should also submit a statement: that the contribution of each of the syndicate members is equal. If the contributions are unequal, setting out the reasons why they are unequal and the level of contribution of each syndicate member.

Notes: For the purposes of this assignment a trading company is a company which trades in goods. For example it could be a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer or active miner. It should not be a services company or a company whose principal business is exploration.

You may not choose the annual report of:

· JB Hi Fi Ltd

(This company will be analysed and discussed in class.)

Students who are repeating the course are not permitted to choose the same company that they previously analysed.

The final submitted work must be your own syndicate’s original work and may not contain material from other sources other than those that are appropriately referenced.

Each member of the syndicate is expected to contribute substantially to the work of the syndicate. In the event that an individual fails to do so his/her mark for the assessment associated with the syndicate tasks may, at the discretion of the Course Coordinator, be reduced to reflect the contribution he/she made.

You are also required to keep brief notes of syndicate meetings and major conversations between syndicate members, including the details of the topics discussed, the duration of these meetings and conversations and the syndicate members involved. These notes should not be submitted with the assignment but must be made available to the Course Coordinator if he wishes to read them.

The standard of the report, including the quality of its English expression, will be taken into account in the assessment.

This course adopts the Harvard referencing system.

Assessment Task 2

Syndicate assignment Part B

Due Date: Week 9 via Turnitin

Length: Less than 15 pages (excluding appendixes), 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing

Weighting (%): 30%

Syndicates: Both assignments Part A and Part B are to be completed by the same students working in syndicates, comprising three or four individuals.

Instructions: Using the same company chosen for Part A, syndicates are required to:

1. interpret and analyse the current and past two years’ annual reports, including financial statements, of the chosen company;

2. interpret and analyse the current and past two years’ annual reports of at least one competitor of the chosen company;

3. gather and interpret other relevant information (such as company’s continuous disclosure and media comments etc.);

4. prepare a report for a potential investor (who is not an accountant, financial adviser or professional investor) on the financial strengths and weaknesses of the company;

5. each group should also submit a statement: that the contribution of each of the syndicate members is equal. If the contributions are unequal, setting out the reasons why they are unequal and the level of contribution of each syndicate member.

6. a copy of the latest annual report of the chosen company must be lodged with the assignment

Notes: For the purposes of this assignment a trading company is a company which trades in goods. For example it could be a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer or active miner. It should not be a services company or a company whose principal business is exploration.

You may not choose the annual report of:

· JB Hi Fi Ltd

(This company will be analysed and discussed in class.)

Students who are repeating the course are not permitted to choose the same company that they previously analysed.

The final submitted work must be your own syndicate’s original work and may not contain material from other sources other than those that are appropriately referenced.

Each member of the syndicate is expected to contribute substantially to the work of the syndicate. In the event that an individual fails to do so his/her mark for the assessment associated with the syndicate tasks may, at the discretion of the Course Coordinator, be reduced to reflect the contribution he/she made.

You are also required to keep brief notes of syndicate meetings and major conversations between syndicate members, including the details of the topics discussed, the duration of these meetings and conversations and the syndicate members involved. These notes should not be submitted with the assignment but must be made available to the Course Coordinator if he wishes to read them.

This course adopts the Harvard referencing system.

Assessment Task 3

Quizzes

Due Date: In week 4, 7 and 11 via Wattle. The due date and feedback date are the earliest possible dates.

Length: 1 hour X 3 quizzes

Weighting (%): Total 15%, with each quiz worth 5%

Instructions: Three quizzes (10 multiple-choice questions each, individual tasks) to be completed online (Wattle) in week 4, 7 and 11 prior to the respective weeks’ seminars.

Assessment Task 4

In-class group presentation

Due Date: During Week 10's seminars.

Length: Less than 10 Minutes

Weighting (%): 5%

Instructions: Present the finding of your Syndicate assignment Part A and Part B. All members are expected to present. The presentations are expected to be professional. Failure to attend the presentation by individual students without approval will result in 0 mark.

Further Instructions: TBA in class, and information on the marking guidelines will be provided at least two weeks before the presentation.

Assessment Task 5

Individual case study

Due Date: Before Week 12's seminar via Turnitin

Weighting (%): 15%

Instructions: Individual case study materials will be provided in week 11. Students submit via Turnitin prior to week 12’s seminar. 

Further Instructions: TBA in class

Assessment Task 6

Final exam

Due Date: During University exam period

Length: TBA

Weighting (%): 25%

Instructions: The final exam covers all topics, particularly topics covered from weeks 1 – 12 inclusive. Details of the final exam will be provided no later than Week 12

There will be a supplementary final examination for eligible students.

Centrally administered examinations through Examinations, Graduations & Prizes will be timetabled prior to the examination period. The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Please check ANU Timetabling for further information. Information regarding exam script viewing will be provided in due course.

Information regarding permitted examination materials for the course will be available on the examination timetable website when the examination timetable is released:  http://timetable.anu.edu.au/

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students