Availabilities:

LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Melbourne
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
PerthN/A
Session2
Sydney
Session2
Session2

Unit description

Introduces students to the general nature of accounting theory and its function in relation to problems confronting the accounting profession. Accounting practices including accounting rules, principles and process are examined within the context of contemporary theoretical perspectives and socio-political behaviours of market participants.

Unit content

Topic 1 Contemporary issues in accounting

Topic 2 The conceptual framework for financial reporting & Standard setting

Topic 3 Measurement

Topic 4 Fair value accounting

Topic 5 Theories in accounting

Topic 6 Products of the financial reporting process

Topic 7 Corporate governance

Topic 8 Capital market research and accounting

Topic 9 Earnings management

Topic 10 Sustainability and environmental accounting & International accounting

 

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1make a clear distinction between different theories of accountingCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
2relate various concepts of value and capital maintenance to the measurement of both assets and incomeCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
3explain and evaluate managers' incentives and opportunities to choose specific accounting policiesCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
4identify and evaluate the issues related to the regulation of external financial reportingCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
5define corporate governance and assess the effectiveness of various corporate governance mechanismsCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
6describe issues related to corporate social responsibilityCreativityEthical practiceCultural competence
7critically evaluate contemporary external company reporting practices.CreativityEthical practiceCultural competence

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. make a clear distinction between different theories of accounting
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  2. relate various concepts of value and capital maintenance to the measurement of both assets and income
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  3. explain and evaluate managers' incentives and opportunities to choose specific accounting policies
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  4. identify and evaluate the issues related to the regulation of external financial reporting
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  5. define corporate governance and assess the effectiveness of various corporate governance mechanisms
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  6. describe issues related to corporate social responsibility
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  7. critically evaluate contemporary external company reporting practices.
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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