The course focuses on the nature and scope of business reporting and the need for financial and non-financial information for business decision-making. It provides students with fundamental financial management knowledge in the contemporary business environment. The course commences with an introduction to the use of business reports and the financial reporting regulatory environment. The concepts of primary financial reports and specific reporting issues are then discussed, with a focus on the preparation and analysis of financial statements from the perspectives of business report users. The course proceeds with discussions on the basic financial decision tools, the use of past and future-oriented information and how the knowledge is applied to managerial decision-making, including planning, control and investment opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Illustrate the relationship of business reporting to the social and economic environment;
2. Explain who are the main users of business reports, and the main purposes for which the information is used;
3. Describe the major differences between sole traders, partnerships and companies.
4. Distinguish between income, expenses, assets and liabilities;
5. Apply the principle of duality to the accounting equation;
6. Prepare an income statement, balance sheet and a statement of cash flows;
7. Analyse financial reports with regard to key aspects of performance such as profitability, solvency and liquidity;
8. Explain what the planning and control processes are in relation to company objectives;
9. Evaluate investment opportunities, including cost-volume-profit analysis, capital investment decision making, and budgeting.

Research-Led Teaching

This course introduces fundamental knowledge and skills in business reporting and analysis that can be applied to real world business research applications, but also addresses the research findings related to the central accounting concepts where relevant. Students are encouraged to discuss the underlying research with their lecturers and tutors and they are expected to perform basic research tasks in the preparation of the assignment.

Examination Material or equipment

Details regarding materials and equipment that is permitted in an examination 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/

Required Resources

Birt, J., K. Chalmers, S. Maloney, A. Brooks, J. Oliver and D. Bond, 2020. Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd (hybrid version – hard copy + ebook ISBN 9780730369325). 

Students are expected to have access to a copy of the prescribed book for the duration of the semester. A few copies of the text are available for 2-hour loan in the reserve loan section of the Chifley Library. An e-book version of the text is available from the Library https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b6458354.

You will need access to a calculator to complete exercises required for this course.

Recommended Resources

It is recommended that students have a personal computer with a microphone and a webcam and a reliable internet connection to be able to participate in any Zoom tutorials or consultation times and to be able to complete the online invigilated exams.

Staff Feedback

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

• verbal or written feedback on the return of assessment tasks
• verbal feedback during class discussions or during consultation with lecturers and tutors.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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 Integrity Rule.

COMMUNICATION

 

Email and 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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to accounting and business decision making
2	Business structures Recording business transactions I	Tutorial preparation 1 Tutorial discussion 1
3	Recording business transactions II	Tutorial preparation 2 Tutorial discussion 2
4	Measuring and reporting financial position (Balance Sheet)	Tutorial preparation 3 Tutorial discussion 3
5	Measuring and reporting financial performance (Income Statement)	Tutorial preparation 4 Tutorial discussion 4
6	Analysis and interpretation of financial statements	Tutorial preparation 5 Tutorial discussion 5 Mid-semester exam
7	Measuring and reporting cash flows I (Cash flow statement)	Tutorial preparation 6 Tutorial discussion 6
8	Measuring and reporting cash flows II (Cash flow statement)	Tutorial preparation 7 Tutorial discussion 7
9	Planning and budgeting	Tutorial preparation 8 Tutorial discussion 8 Group assignment
10	Introduction to cost behaviour, cost volume-profit analysis, relevant costing	Tutorial preparation 9 Tutorial discussion 9
11	Capital investment decisions	Tutorial preparation 10 Tutorial discussion 10
12	Working capital management and financing the business	Tutorial preparation 11 Tutorial discussion 11

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities/tutorials/workshops so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Please see Wattle for tutors’ information.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial preparation	10 %	01/08/2022	19/08/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Tutorial discussion	5 %	01/08/2022	19/08/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Group assignment	15 %	07/10/2022	28/10/2022	7
Mid-semester exam	20 %	29/08/2022	07/10/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Final exam	50 %	03/11/2022	01/12/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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.

Participation

Course delivery: on-campus lecture (recording on Echo360), weekly tutorials (delivered on-campus and via live Zoom) and weekly workshops (delivered on-campus and via live Zoom). Please check the course Wattle website for details closer to the start of semester.

Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (h).

Examination(s)

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

Tutorial preparation

Due date: The due date listed in the Assessment Summary above indicates the earliest possible due date. This task is assessed weekly starting from Week 2. Typically, work will be due on Tuesday of each tutorial week.

Return of assessment date: The return date listed in the Assessment Summary above indicates the return date for the first tutorial preparation. Marks will be posted on the course Wattle website no later than two weeks after each tutorial.

There will be 11 tutorial preparation tasks with questions linked to the lectures and readings of the preceding weeks to be submitted via Wattle. The questions you need to complete as part of the tutorial preparation for each tutorial will be available on the course Wattle website at least on Tuesday the week prior to each tutorial. You are expected to read the relevant textbook chapters and prepare answers to the tutorial preparation questions prior to each tutorial. Each tutorial preparation task will need to be completed on the course Wattle website, and Wattle will score the work out of 10 marks, based on the correctness of the answers.

Tutorial preparation marks will be allocated according to the following:

0/1: If marks provided by Wattle are between 0 and 2.5.

0.5/1: If marks provided by Wattle are between 2.5 and 7.5.

1/1: If marks provided by Wattle are between 7.5 and 10.

The sum of the best ten marks will be considered as the overall tutorial preparation mark. Any missed tutorial preparation task will be marked with 0. Any adjustment must be approved by the course convenor. You are required to provide medical certificates (or other documentation) for all missed tutorial preparation tasks in the case of adjustment. Appropriate documentation will need to be provided which, situation dependent, may require documentation covering the full period from the release of the tutorial questions. This documentation should be sent via ANU email to the course convenor within 3 working days after the missed tutorial preparation task. Solutions to the tutorial preparation questions are available for review on the course Wattle website after the due date.

Assessment Task 2

Tutorial discussion

Due date: The due date listed in the Assessment Summary above indicates the earliest possible due date. This task is assessed weekly starting from Week 2.

Return of assessment date: The return date listed in the Assessment Summary above indicates the return date for the first tutorial discussion. Marks will be posted on the course Wattle website no later than two weeks after each tutorial.

There will be 11 tutorials during the semester. In each tutorial, tutorial discussion questions linked to the lecture and readings of the preceding week will be discussed. Tutorial discussion questions will be available on the course Wattle website at least on Tuesday the week prior to each tutorial. You are expected to read the relevant textbook chapters and prepare answers to tutorial discussion questions prior to each tutorial. The marks are assigned by the tutor for active participation in and contribution to tutorial discussions.

The halved sum of the best ten marks will be considered as the overall tutorial discussion mark. Any missed tutorial or tutorial attendance without participation and contribution to tutorial discussions will be marked with 0. Any adjustment for absence must be approved by the course convenor. You are required to provide medical certificates (or other documentation) for all missed tutorials in the case of adjustment for absence. This documentation should be sent via ANU email to the course convenor within 3 working days after the missed tutorial. Solutions to the tutorial discussion questions are available for review on the course Wattle website on Friday of each week.

Rubric

	1 mark	0 mark
Tutorial discussion 1	Demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship of business reporting to the social and economic environment; Be able to explain who are the main users of business reports, and the main purposes for which the information is used; Demonstrate a good understanding of the major differences between sole traders, partnerships and companies.	Not showing an understanding of the relationship of business reporting to the social and economic environment; Not being able to explain who are the main users of business reports, and the main purposes for which the information is used; Not showing a good understanding of the major differences between sole traders, partnerships and companies.
Tutorial discussion 2-3	Be able to distinguish between income, expenses, assets and liabilities; Be able to apply the principle of duality to the accounting equation.	Not being able to distinguish between income, expenses, assets and liabilities; Not being able to apply the principle of duality to the accounting equation.
Tutorial discussion 4-5	Be able to distinguish between income, expenses, assets and liabilities; Be able to apply the principle of duality to the accounting equation. Be able to prepare an income statement and a balance sheet.	Not being able to distinguish between income, expenses, assets and liabilities; Not being able to apply the principle of duality to the accounting equation. Not being able to prepare an income statement and a balance sheet.
Tutorial discussion 6	Be able to analyse financial reports with regard to key aspects of performance such as profitability, solvency and liquidity.	Not being able to analyse financial reports with regard to key aspects of performance such as profitability, solvency and liquidity.
Tutorial discussion 7-8	Be able to prepare a statement of cash flows.	Not being able to prepare a statement of cash flows.
Tutorial discussion 9	Be able to explain what the planning and control processes are in relation to company objectives.	Not being able to explain what the planning and control processes are in relation to company objectives.
Tutorial discussion 10-11	Be able to evaluate investment opportunities, including cost-volume-profit analysis, capital investment decision making, and budgeting.	Not being able to evaluate investment opportunities, including cost-volume-profit analysis, capital investment decision making, and budgeting.

Assessment Task 3

Group assignment

The group assignment requirements will be distributed through the course Wattle website in Week 6. The assignment will need to be submitted via Turnitin, with the cover sheet submitted via a separate link provided on the course Wattle website. Feedback on the assignment are available for review on Turnitin on the return of assessment date.

Assessment Task 4

Mid-semester exam

The mid-semester exam will assess topics covered in lectures from Weeks 1-4 inclusive (those topics will be further discussed in the tutorials and workshops from Weeks 2-5 inclusive). The mid-semester exam will have to be completed online on the course Wattle website. It will include a combination of multiple choice questions, theoretical discussion questions and calculation questions. The mid-semester exam duration will be 120 minutes and it will be invigilated using Proctorio (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/proctorio-faqs). Centrally administered examinations through Examinations, Graduations & Prizes will be timetabled prior to the examination period. Mid-semester exams will be held in either Week 6 or Week 7. The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Please check ANU Timetabling for further information. Information regarding exam viewing will be provided in due course.

Assessment Task 5

Final exam

The final exam may assess all topics, with an emphasis on topics covered in lectures from Weeks 5-12 inclusive. The final exam will have to be completed online on the course Wattle website. It will include a combination of multiple choice questions, theoretical discussion questions and calculation questions. The final exam duration will be 210 minutes and it will be invigilated using Proctorio (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/proctorio-faqs). 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 viewing will be provided in due course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your group 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 of group assignment 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.

For all other assessment tasks, if submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on group assignment will be provided via the Turnitin link from the course Wattle 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

No resubmission of assessment tasks after due date is accepted.

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 Access 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