Outline

Overview

This unit provides an understanding of the contemporary Australian financial reporting environment. Particular attention is paid to accounting theory and concepts, mandatory reporting practices and reporting policies that reflect either a choice from among several mandated alternatives, or those areas where regulation has not occurred. The unit is intended for those who will be involved in the preparation or use of company financial statements. The unit provides an understanding of accounting techniques, both in terms of technical method and their relative impact on a corporation's financial statements. The emphasis throughout is on both the 'techniques' and the related explanations for their use.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Accounting, Governance and Regulation
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	ACCT5001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Eagle Zhang, eagle.zhang@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Closed book exam covering Topics 1-12	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Tutorial Presentation Students are advised to refer to Canvas for further information.	10%	Multiple weeks	1.5 hours per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test ?	Mid-Semester Exam Closed book exam covering topics 1-5.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Sep 2025 at 12:10	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Tutorial report Students are advised to refer to Canvas for further information.	10%	Weekly	1.5 hours per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial Report: Each week, students are required to interact with a generative AI tool to enhance their comprehension of complex financial accounting principles. This process involves formulating relevant questions, critically evaluating the responses generated by the AI, and compiling their findings and reflections into a tutorial report. Students are advised to refer to Canvas for further information.
Tutorial Presentation: Students will be randomly selected each week to present their tutorial reports during the tutorial sessions. The presentation should cover the key questions posed, insights gained from the AI responses, a critical evaluation of those responses, and reflections on how the process enhanced their understanding of financial accounting principles. Students are advised to refer to Canvas for further information.
Mid-Semester Test: The mid-semester test will cover Topics 1-5 inclusive. It will be a closed book exam. Further details will be provided on Canvas.
Final exam: The final exam will cover the material from topics 1-12 inclusive. The final exam is a closed book examination. The final exam is a HURDLE TASK which means you must undertake the exam and achieve a mark above a minimum standard. Students who fail to achieve this minimum standard in this assessment, even when their aggregate mark for the entire unit is above 50%, will be given a Fail grade for the unit. As a result a student's academic transcript will show a Fail grade with the actual mark achieved if between 0-49 and a Fail grade with a capped moderated mark of 49 for all other marks. The hurdle mark for this assessment is 45%.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Australia financial reporting environment and the Conceptual Framework	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Property, Plant and Equipment	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Intangible Assets	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Leases	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Provisions and contingent liabilities and introduction to accounting for income taxes	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Income Taxes	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Financial instruments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Equity-preference shares and compound financial instruments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	The Political Economy of Income Measurement	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Revenue	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Extractive Industries	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Choice of accounting methods; Ethics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

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

Henderson, S., Pierson, G., Herbohn, K., Artiach, T., and Howieson, B. (2017). Issues in Financial Accounting (16th ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Pearson

Details of prescribed readings can be found on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. apply appropriate accounting standards to produce information for financial reporting purposes.
LO2. read and interpret basic financial reports.
LO3. analyse financial reporting practice and accounting choices.
LO4. demonstrate knowledge of contemporary financial reporting issues within the profession, the standard setting bodies, and the financial press.
LO5. critique financial reporting practice and its implications for users.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The in class quiz has been replaced with tutorial assessment. This adjustment is made in response to students’ feedback, with the aim of providing more updated and relevant assessment tasks to enhance learning experiences and outcomes.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ACCT6001: Financial Reporting and Analysis

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links