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Unit of study_

ACCT5002: Managerial Accounting and Decision Making

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces the context and processes of managerial accounting, with financial and non-financial information literacy to inform both understanding and application of key managerial accounting techniques. Critical business career skills of ethical behaviour in difficult situations, collaboration, problem-solving, time management, persuasive communication and following instructions are fostered across the areas of cost accounting, business performance, and strategic value creation in management accounting. Through weekly 'business practicals', students get real-world like experience in addressing practical managerial accounting issues in organisational contexts. Students become familiar with the many kinds of managerial accounting decisions concerning the techniques, benefits and risks of accounting frameworks chosen. The unit is completed with a capstone case study which consolidates learning and allows students to use their new knowledge and skills gained in identifying and addressing operational and strategic issues facing organisations concerning competition, innovation and government regulation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ACCT5002
Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ACCT5001
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Reaven Yu, lichen.yu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final exam
Written exam with closed books
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Small continuous assessment group assignment Application of knowledge
Team analysis, interpretation, and implementation of material in class
25% Ongoing Throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Small continuous assessment Participation
Active interaction with team peers to share knowledge and assist
5% Ongoing Throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Mid-semester exam
Written exam with closed books
20% Week 07
Due date: 17 Oct 2020 at 10:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Application of knowledge: From an assigned case, students will use their knowledge of concepts, analytical frameworks, calculative techniques, qualitative factors, and implementation considerations gained in this unit of study to present their findings in a written report.
  • Mid-semester exam: A closed book exam in which students will display knowledge using the analytical frameworks, calculative techniques, theory, and practical insights gained in this unit of study. The task will cover material from weeks 2-5 inclusive.
  • Final exam: A closed book exam in which students will display knowledge using the analytical frameworks, calculative techniques, theory, and practice insights gained in this unit of study. The exam will cover material from weeks 1-12 inclusive. This assessment is listed as MANDATORY which means you must undertake the assessment and achieve at least 45% of the available marks in that assessment. Students who fail to achieve this minimum standard in this assessment, even when their aggregate mark for the entire unit of study is above 50%, will be given a Fail grade for this unit. As a result a student's academic transcript will show a Fail grade and the actual mark achieved if the final mark of the unit is between 0-49 and a Fail grade and a capped moderated mark of 49 for all other final marks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to management accounting: an overview Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Strategy: External and Interview perspectives and introducing resources Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Capital budgeting (Capex): An accounting perspective Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Cost Volume Profit (CVP) as an example of marginal costing Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Conventional cost allocation using job order costing Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Cost refinement with (1) increasing cost groups and cost pools (2) Using Activity based costing (ABC), and its variant time driven Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Inventory management in the merchandising sector Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Operational planning using an articulated master budget Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Cost variances with a flexible budget: Their analysis, interpretation & relationship with one another. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Cost management & activity management Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Review of the issues and decisions facilitated by the managerial accountant Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: You should attend lectures to familiarise yourself with the topic. You should participate actively in the synchronous classes.See Assessment for information and also see Canvas.

Class requirement: ACCT5002 is oriented to the work of a manager in business. This means you are expected to prepare before class by doing homework because you will apply that knowledge in class. If you have not prepared before class you may not be succeessful in the class assessment. See Canvas for details.

Lecture recordings: Only the formal lecture is recorded. It will be available on Canvas for your student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee the lecture will be recorded. See your timetable for the time of the formal lecture.

Exam: Any replacement exam may have a different format to the scheduled exam e.g., oral questions and answers.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Hilton, R.W., and Platt, D.E. (2016). Managerial Accounting: Creating Value in a dynamic business environment (11th ed.), Dubuque: McGraw-Hill Education.

This textbook is used for completion of self-study homework questions.

Additional readings where required can be accessed through Canvas (Library eReserve)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify managerial accounting issues associated with making costs visible, improving business performance, ensuring effective controls, and implementing organisational strategy
  • LO2. identify, use, and critically evaluate underlying theories, concepts, relevant principles, techniques, technologies, assumptions, and arguments required to understand managerial accounting issues
  • LO3. recognise the strategic and operational implications of managerial accounting issues and the linkages between them to meet new business challenges with deadlines
  • LO4. obtain or select, and then analyse relevant data leading to the formulation of options (alternatives), determining the preferred recommendations to resolve managerial accounting issues
  • LO5. appreciate the dynamic business environment in which managerial accounting issues emerge and evolve and, through examining reputable source materials, appreciate the evolving nature of the knowledge required to resolve such issues
  • LO6. communicate effectively and to a professional standard, to individuals and groups, both orally and in writing, in order to manage, persuade, and challenge others
  • LO7. appreciate the ethical dimensions and challenges to acting ethically in conducting your work, within and beyond the classroom, by acting in accordance with the accounting profession's codes of conduct.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes in sequence of topics and delivery are intended to encourage greater interaction and thereby learning.

Detailed information is provided on Canvas. You are recommended to watch the interactive video on the ACCT5002 home page and select material of interest available from the “Week 0” page in Modules (found under Left hand menu of Canvas for ACCT5002).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.