Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ACCT2019: Management Accounting

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with an introduction to the core knowledge requirements of management/cost accounting; it equips them with basic skills to use an industry-standard accounting system and management accounting information efficiently and effectively. Areas specifically covered include: cost terms and purposes, cost behaviour, cost - volume - profit analysis, cost estimation, basic and alternative product costing methods, detailed study of the mechanics of the budgeting process (master budgets, flexible budgets, standard costing and variance analysis, capital budgeting), decision making using relevant costs/revenues and cost allocation. This unit also exposes students to key topics linking to the value chain framework, management controls, Balanced Scorecards, strategy maps, responsibility accounting, transfer pricing and organisational structures.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(ACCT1001 or ACCT1005 or BUSS1030) and (ACCT1002 or ACCT1006)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ACCT2012
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Vijaya Murthy, vijaya.murthy@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ravi Seethamraju, ravi.seethamraju@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Munna Salekin, munna.salekin@sydney.edu.au
Gigi Wongwaiwetch, gigi.wongwaiwetch@sydney.edu.au
Mark McCoy, mark.mccoy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam hurdle task Final exam
Written exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group SAP assignment
Case study
30% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2020 at 16:00

Closing date: 07 May 2020
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment In-class assessment
MCQ
10% Weekly 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Online assessment
Written task
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • In-class assessment: This assessment consist of quizzes that will be done in tutorials.
  • Online assessment: This is a homework assessment which will be completed online. 
  • Group SAP assessment: This assessment is divided into both individual and group components, worth 15% each. In the first component, each student is required to map the given case study context and data in SAP Accounting system. For the second component, students will work in small groups of 2 to 3 within the
    same tutorial class and analyse the case study given to them and make recommendations to the senior management.
  • Final exam: The final exam is designed to test students’ ability to analyse, synthesise, and apply the concepts and tools introduced within the unit in specific contexts. The final exam is listed as a HURDLE TASK which means you must complete the assessment in order to pass the unit. Students who fail to complete 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.

Replacement exams: The Business School has determined that second replacement exams (both mid-semester and final) will not be offered for this unit of study should a student submit two special considerations for the same exam as this unit forms part of the professional accounting accreditation pathway. Should a student be granted a replacement exam via special consideration, and is then unable to attend or does not complete the replacement exam, any subsequent special consideration will result in a DC grade (Discontinue Without Fail).

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 1. Introduction to management accounting; 2. Role and purpose of management accountants (costing, decision making); 3. Strategic focus, cost concepts and cost behaviour Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 02 1. Costing allocation; 2. Absorption and variable costing Lecture (1.5 hr)  
1. Introduction to management accounting; 2. Role and purpose of management accountants (costing, decision making); 3. Strategic focus, cost concepts and cost behaviour Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 03 Cost volume profit analysis Lecture (1.5 hr)  
1. Costing allocation; 2. Absorption and variable costing Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 04 Management accounting systems and information technologies Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Cost volume profit analysis Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 05 Application of management accounting systems for management decision making Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Management accounting systems and information technologies Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 06 Budgeting systems Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Application of management accounting systems for management decision making Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 07 Flexible budgeting and variance analysis Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Budgeting systems Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 08 Activity analysis: costing and management Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Flexible budgeting and variance analysis Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 09 Short-term decision making: relevant costs and benefits, joint costs Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Activity analysis: costing and management Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 10 Long-term decision making - capital budgeting and strategic investment decisions Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Short-term decision making: relevant costs and benefits, joint costs Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 11 1. Customer profitability, costing and pricing decision; 2. Balanced scorecard and strategy maps for management control Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Long-term decision making - capital budgeting and strategic investment decisions Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 12 Organisational structure for responsibility accounting and transfer pricing Lecture (1.5 hr)  
1. Customer profitability, costing and pricing decision; 2. Balanced scorecard and strategy maps for management control Tutorial (1.5 hr)  
Week 13 Review and summary Lecture (1.5 hr)  
Organisational structure for responsibility accounting and transfer pricing Tutorial (1.5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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

Management Accounting, 2020, Eldenburg et al., 4th edition, John Wiley and Sons Publishers. [ISBN 978 0 471 20549 4]

  • Week 1: Chapters 1 and 2 (2.1 and 2.2)
  • Week 2: Chapters 3 and 9
  • Week 3: Chapter 4
  • Week 4: SAP reading materials and lecture PPTs
  • Week 5: SAP reading materials and lecture PPTs
  • Week 6: Chapters 5 and 6
  • Week 7: Chapters 10 and 11
  • Week 8: Chapter 12
  • Week 9: Chapter 13
  • Week 10: Chapter 15
  • Week 11: Chapters 16 and 19
  • Week 12: Chapter 18

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. manage, analyse, evaluate, and use management accounting information efficiently and effectively
  • LO2. think critically and apply management accounting theories and concepts to business problems and practice
  • LO3. communicate confidently and coherently to a professional standard expected of management accountants, and plan and achieve goals, and meet challenges and deadlines, working individually or in a group setting
  • LO4. apply ethical decision-making criteria and sustainability considerations as part of management accounting expertise, in a broad business context
  • LO5. employ technologies effectively in communicating information relevant to management accounting practice, and demonstrate ability to work with an industry-standard management accounting system.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.