Outline

Overview

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 incorporates managerial accounting research 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 governance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Accounting, Governance and Regulation
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	ACCT5001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ACCT5002
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chang-Yuan Loh, chang.loh@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Reaven Yu, lichen.yu@sydney.edu.au
	Chang-Yuan Loh, chang.loh@sydney.edu.au
	Geoff Frost, geoffrey.frost@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Ann Sardesai, ann.sardesai@sydney.edu.au
	Sabrina Shen, sabrina.shen@sydney.edu.au
	Gigi Wongwaiwetch, gigi.wongwaiwetch@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 Written exam; closed book	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Debate	Business Practicals Team presentations, challenges and rebuttals based on group analysis of case studies.	25%	Ongoing	Approx. 60 minutes in weekly workshop	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test ?	Mid Semester Exam Written exam; closed book	25%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Sep 2025 at 18:10	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Business Practical: Weekly in-class case study analyses and presentations. Students will - as part of a team - analyse a business case with the aim of making an informed business recommendation (option selection). Teams will then present their analysis to justify their recommendations, defend against challenges from other teams (rebuttals) and issue challenges of their own to opposing teams.

Mid Semester Exam: This is a 90 minutes closed book exam to be held in Week 7. Date/time to be advised – please pay attention to Canvas for announcements and updates.

Final Exam: Closed book exam (120 minutes duration) to be held during the formal exam period.

The final exam is an assessment listed as a HURDLE TASK. It means you must undertake the assessment 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 the student's academic transcript will show a fail grade and the actual mark achieved if between 0-49 and a fail grade and a capped moderated mark of 49 for all other marks. The hurdle mark for this assessment (the final exam) is 45%.

Exams (Mid Semester and Final): Exams will assess topics covered in the lectures, readings and workshops. The exams will typically include a mix of calculations and short answer and extended discussion questions that require student analysis of a business case.

Replacement Exams (Mid Semester and Final): Any replacement exam may have a different format to the scheduled exam e.g., oral questions and answers.

More 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.

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	Introduction to management accounting: an overview	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to costs	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Cost Volume Profit (CVP) as an example of marginal costing	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Conventional cost allocation using job order costing	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Activity based costing (ABC) and cost management (Part 1)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Allocation of supporting department(s) costs and cost management (Part 2)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Mid Semester Exam week - no classes. Date TBA.	Individual study (3 hr)
Week 08	Operational planning using an articulated master budget	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Variance analysis for direct and overhead costs	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Capital budgeting (Capex): financial & non-financial performance measures	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Accounting, operations and strategies	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Management accounting, data analytics and platform organisations	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Review of the unit of study	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: You should attend all workshops to familiarise yourself with the topic. Business Practicals are assessed in class and account for 25% of your overall grade in this unit.

Class requirement: ACCT6008 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 successful in the class assessment. Pre-class study materials (pre-recorded lecture modules, reading and homework questions) will be made available weekly via Canvas.

Lecture recordings: Pre-recorded lecture modules (for weeks 1 to 13, unless otherwise communicated) will be available on Canvas. Workshops will not be recorded.

Generative AI: GenAI is allowed in the workshops. You are encouraged to use GenAI responsibly to assist your learning, but you should be aware that GenAI can and do make mistakes, including being prone to "AI hallucinations". Remember also, that GenAI will not be accessible in the Mid Semester Exam and Final Exam. In our experience, students who rely solely on GenAI output in class tend to underperform compared to students who use GenAI to supplement their own learning.

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. (2023). Managerial Accounting: Creating Value in a Dynamic Business Environment (13th Edition), McGraw-Hill Education.

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

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. 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

ACCT6008 workshops will be delivered in the new PNR ConnectSpace studio. The aim of this is to improve engagement within the classroom and better coordinate student feedback and performance. The Business Practical assessment has been updated to encourage responsible AI co-learning and to address student feedback.

Additional information

Study commitment

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

Attendance and class requirements

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

ACCT6008: Managerial Accounting and Decision Making

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

Attendance and class requirements

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