This course provides students with an appreciation of management accounting concepts related to decision-making, planning and control. The course introduces a range of management accounting tools, including job and process costing, activity based costing, budgeting and variance analysis, and the balanced scorecard. The course also introduces the application of management accounting tools for the purpose of pricing, cost allocation, budgetary control, and performance evaluation.  Students will learn how to assess these through cost-benefit analysis.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. demonstrate an understanding of the management accounting tools, including cost accounting system, budgeting system and performance measurement system;
2. apply management accounting tools for the following purposes: cost allocation, budgetary control, performance evaluation, pricing and cost management;
3. appraise the costs and benefits of different conventional and modern costing systems (e.g., absorption and variable costing, standard costing, activity-based costing);
4. demonstrate an appreciation of the need for a balance between financial and non-financial information in decision making, control and performance evaluation applications of management accounting;
5. collaborate with team members for successful completion of assigned tasks.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws upon business practices, case studies and the research experience of the convenor. The team assignment is set in a practical business context and requires students to conduct research and refer to past empirical accounting research.

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

Horngren, C., Datar, S., Rajan, M., Wynder, M., Maguire, W. and Tan, R. (2018) Cost Accounting. A Managerial Emphasis, 3rd Australian Edition, Pearson Education.

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 ebook version of the text is available from the Chifley Library (http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b4744387).

Recommended Resources

Other References (available from the Chifley Library)

Cielens, M. and Aquino, M. (1999). The Business of Communicating, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill/ Irwin.

Dwyer, J. (2009). Communication in Business: Strategies and Skills, 4th edition, Pearson Education.

Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st Century. 3rd edition, John Wiley and Sons.

May, C. B. and May, G. S. (2003). Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants, 6th edition, Prentice Hall.

Windschuttle, K. and Elliot, E. (1999). Writing, Researching, Communicating: Communication Skills for the Information Age, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups and individuals

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

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.

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. Information about your enrolment and fees from the Registrar and Student Services' office will also be sent to this email address.

 

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations.

Scaling

Your final mark for the course will be based on the raw marks allocated for each of your assessment items. However, your final mark may not be the same number as produced by that formula, as marks may be scaled. Any scaling applied will preserve the rank order of raw marks (i.e. if your raw mark exceeds that of another student, then your scaled mark will exceed the scaled mark of that student), and may be either up or down.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Cost Terms and Concepts
2	Cost Behaviour & CVP Analysis
3	Job and Process Costing Systems (1)
4	Job and Process Costing Systems (2) & Inventory Costing Methods	Quiz 1
5	Activity-Based Costing & Activity-Based Management
6	Transaction Processing, Databases, and Enterprise Information Systems	Mid-Semester Exam
7	Budgets and Flexible Budgets
8	Variance Analysis	Team Case Study Due
9	Allocation of Support Department Costs
10	Performance Measurement Systems	Quiz 2
11	Decision Making (Pricing and Relevant Costing)
12	Sustainability & Management Accounting

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 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	5 %	25/07/2022	02/09/2022	1,2,3,4
Workshop participation	5 %	25/07/2022	02/09/2022	1,2,3,4,5
Quizzes	5 %	15/08/2022	22/08/2022	1,2,3,4
Mid Semester Examination	20 %	29/08/2022	07/10/2022	1,2,3
Team Assignment (Case Study)	15 %	30/09/2022	28/10/2022	1,2,3,5
Final Examination	50 %	03/11/2022	01/12/2022	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 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), pre-recorded tutorial and weekly workshop (delivered on-campus and via live Zoom). Please check Wattle 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).

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial preparation

Purpose: To engage students and encourage students to take responsibility in the learning process.

Form: Tutorial questions are in the textbook, unless otherwise suggested. A file "Reading materials and tutorial questions" provides the reference numbers for the assigned tutorial questions for each topic and is available on Wattle Overview section and Tutorial section by week 1.

Submission: Students submit prepared work through Turnitin submission tools in the Tutorial section.

Due Date: The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Tutorial preparation is due weekly at 8am on the Monday of each teaching week, commencing Monday of Week 2 (i.e. Tutorial Preparation Week 2 is due Monday Week 2).

Assessment: Each tutorial preparation is worth a maximum of 1 mark and the overall tutorial preparation mark is the sum of top five marks.

Tutorial questions for each topic are designed to help students to achieve all four learning outcomes (demonstrate an understanding of the management accounting tools; apply management accounting tools; appraise the costs and benefits of management systems; demonstrate an appreciation of the need for a balance between financial and non-financial information in decision making and performance evaluation). It is important for students to put substantive effort in completing tutorial questions.

Tutorial Preparation Rubric:

0/1 does not demonstrate an effort to understand, apply or appraise management accounting tools

0.5/1 demonstrate little effort to understand, apply or appraise management accounting tools

1/1 demonstrate substantial effort to understand, apply or appraise management accounting tools

Feedback: Solutions and recording that demonstrates steps to complete tutorial questions are available once the prepared work is due. Tutorial preparation marks will be provided at two points of time. One is by the end of Week 6 for the first four tutorials (this is the feedback date in the Assessment Summary table). The remaining tutorial preparation marks will be provided before the final exam starts. The marks will be released on Wattle Gradebook.

Assessment Task 2

Workshop participation

Purpose: To engage students and encourage students to take responsibility in the learning process.

Form and submission: The live workshops are available face-to-face or through live Zoom classes. The live workshops cover workshop questions for the tutor and students to work together. Students participate in workshops.

Due Date: The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date.

Assessment: Each workshop participation is worth a maximum of 1 mark and the overall workshop participation mark is the sum of top five marks.

Workshop questions for each topic are designed to help students to achieve all four learning outcomes (demonstrate an understanding of the management accounting tools; apply management accounting tools; appraise the costs and benefits of management systems; demonstrate an appreciation of the need for a balance between financial and non-financial information in decision making and performance evaluation). Students often form teams to discuss workshop questions, so to collaborate with team members for successful completion of assigned tasks. It is important for students to actively participate in workshops.

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

Feedback: Solutions are released within each workshop through discussion. Workshop participation marks will be provided on workshop participation at two points of time. One is by the end of Week 6 for the first four workshops (this is the feedback date in the Assessment Summary table). The remaining workshop participation marks will be provided before the final exam starts. The marks will be released on Wattle Gradebook.

Workshop Participation Rubric is as follows:

Rubric

	1 Mark	0.5 Mark	0 Mark
Workshop Weeks 2-12	Actively participate in all activities that help to understand management accounting tools; apply management accounting tools; appraise and appreciate measurement system; Good collaboration with team members for successful completion of assigned tasks	Some participation in all activities that help to understand management accounting tools; apply management accounting tools; appraise and appreciate measurement system; Good collaboration with team members for successful completion of assigned tasks	No participation in activities that help to understand management accounting tools, including cost accounting system, budgeting system and performance measurement system; Not collaborating with team members for successful completion of assigned tasks

Assessment Task 3

Quizzes

Purpose: To engage students in the learning process and prepare students for the examination styles in the mid-semester and final exams.

Form and submission: Online quizzes through Wattle Quiz.

Due date: Week 4 and Week 10 quizzes. Each quiz opens after the last workshop in the corresponding week and is available for 24 hours for students to complete.

Duration: 10-15 minutes each

Content: Week 4 Quiz covers lectures and tutorial questions related to Topics 1, 2, and 3. Week 10 Quiz covers lectures and tutorial questions related to Topics 7, 8, and 9.

Assessment: Each quiz contains 5 questions with each question worth 0.5 mark. The overall mark is the sum of two quizzes marks.

Feedback: Marks are released through Gradebook. General discussion of each quiz will be provided in workshops in Week 5 and Week 11. Individual review is available during consultation hours.

Assessment Task 4

Mid Semester Examination

Purpose: To engage students in the learning process and give feedback on students' learning.

Form, duration and submission: The mid semester examination will be 90 minutes (writing time) in duration and be available online via Wattle.

Format: Wattle quiz and worked problems to be submitted through Turnitin.

Content: Topics covered from Weeks 1 to 5 up to, and including, “Activity-Based Costing & Activity-Based Management”.

Administration: 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.

Invigilation tools may be used. Information regarding exam script viewing will be provided in due course.

Feedback: General discussion will be provided during workshops in the week following the mid-semester exam and individual review is available during consultation hours. Marks will be released through Gradebook one week after the mid-semester exam.

Assessment Task 5

Team Assignment (Case Study)

Purpose: Apply understanding of management accounting practices to cases studies.

Form and submission: This is a team assignment to be completed in teams of 3 to 4 students. Students are free to choose their own team members and there will be a forum to help find team members on Wattle. Students are encouraged to have formed a team by Week 6 to allow ample time to complete the team assignment due in Week 8. The formation of the team will be discussed in Lecture Week 1. Assignment tasks will be available on Wattle latest by the end of Week 4. Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site.

Due Date: 30th September 2022 (Week 8 Friday)

Presentation requirement: Assignments are to be word-processed, using the Times New Roman font size 12 (or equivalent). The line spacing must be at least a line and a half and there must be a minimum page margin 2.5 cm on all sides. The use of strict and professional expression is expected.

Feedback: Written feedback on each assignment will be available through Turnitin. Assignment marks will be available through Gradebook.

Assessment Task 6

Final Examination

The final examination will be 180 minutes (writing time) in duration and be available online via Wattle.

Format: Wattle quiz and worked problems to be submitted through Turnitin.

Administration:

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. Invigilation tools may be used. Details will be provided no later than Week 10. Information regarding exam script 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 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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. 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

The team assignments will be returned to students through Turnitin by the end of Week 12.

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

This course does not accept resubmission of assignment.

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