Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to the core knowledge requirements of management/cost accounting useful for managerial decision making. Students develop the basic skills to use an industry-standard accounting system and management accounting information efficiently and effectively. Students learn to apply relevant numerical and analytical skills as a basis for understanding developments in management accounting and the current theoretical knowledge that is the context for these skills. Areas specifically covered include cost terms and purposes, cost behaviour, cost-volume-profit analysis, cost estimation, alternative product costing methods, detailed study of budgeting process mechanics (master budgets, flexible budgets, standard costing and variance analysis, capital budgeting), decision making using relevant costs/revenues, and cost allocation. Key topics include the value chain framework, management controls, Balanced Scorecards, strategy maps, responsibility accounting, transfer pricing and organisational structures. Students are exposed to contemporary developments in management accounting and learn to use costing information for planning and control to evaluate the performance of an organisation.

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
Lecturer(s)	Vijaya Murthy, vijaya.murthy@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Gigi Wongwaiwetch, gigi.wongwaiwetch@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Munna Salekin, munna.salekin@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Written exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online MCQ N/A	10%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group & SAP assignment Submission of written assignments	30%	Week 10 Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 May 2024	Part A, B (group, individual) 5000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	In-class assessment Written task	10%	Weekly	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

In-class assessment: This assessment consist of in-class work. This will allow students the opportunity to practice, discuss and be assessed on, the practical and technical skills taught throughout the modules.
On-line Quizzes: Online MCQ tests will be conducted via Canvas in week 3 and week 12. These MCQs are designed to test BOTH theoretical and practical knowledge.
Group SAP assessment: This assessment has both group and individual component. The first part (PART A), which is group work requires groups to consider a management accounting problem they are given, and to research, solve and present on their problem as though presenting to management. 2500 word count
The second part (PART B), which is individual work requires each student to map the given case study context and data in SAP Accounting system. 2500 word count. Submission of both parts is MANDATORY.
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. An assessment that is listed as HURDLE TASK 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 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 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.

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 2023 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 2023. 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	1. Introduction to management accounting. 2. Role and purpose of management accountants (costing, decision making). 3. Strategic focus, cost terms and purposes.	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	1. Job Costing 2. Allocation of Support Department costs 3. Common costs, and Revenues.	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	1. Introduction to management accounting. 2. Role and purpose of management accountants (costing, decision making). 3. Strategic focus, cost terms and purposes.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 03	1. Cost-Volume-Profit analysis 2. Inventory costing	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 03	1. Job Costing 2. Allocation of Support Department costs 3. Common costs, and Revenues.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 04	1. Activity-based Costing 2. Activity-based Management	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 04	1. Cost-Volume-Profit analysis 2. Inventory costing	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 05	1. Master Budgets. 2. Responsibility Accounting	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 05	1. Activity-based Costing 2. Activity-based Management	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 06	SAP 1: Management accounting systems and information technologies	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 06	1. Master Budgets 2. Responsibility Accounting	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 07	SAP:2 Application of management accounting systems for management decision making	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 07	SAP 1: Management accounting systems and information technologies	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Flexible Budgets, Direct-cost variances and Management Control 2. Flexible Budgets, Overhead Cost Variances and Management Control	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 08	SAP:2 Application of management accounting systems for management decision making	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Short-term decision-making and Relevant Information 2. Pricing Decision and Cost Management	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	1. Flexible Budgets, Direct-cost variances and Management Control 2. Flexible Budgets, Overhead Cost Variances and Management Control	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 10	1. Long-term Decision Making: Capital Budgeting and Cost analysis.	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 10	1. Short-term decision-making and Relevant Information 2. Pricing Decision and Cost Management	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 11	1. Cost allocation and Customer Profitability Analysis 2. Balanced Scorecard.	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	1. Long-term Decision Making: Capital Budgeting and Cost analysis.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 12	1. Management Control Systems. 2. Transfer Pricing, and 3. Multinational Considerations.	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	1. Cost allocation and Customer Profitability Analysis 2. Balanced Scorecard.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 13	1. Review 2. Exam preparation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	1. Management Control Systems. 2. Transfer Pricing, and 3. Multinational Considerations.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All recorded learning content will be available on Canvas for student use after lectures are conducted. 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.

Please note that according to Business School Resolution, students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities (including F2F lectures) for any unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, previously arranged disability adjustment or by the Associate Dean. For more information please visit https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbook/business_school/rules/faculty_resolution.shtml

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

Horngren’s Cost Accounting. A Managerial Emphasis. Global Edition, 2021 17 edition, Datar and Rajan. ISBN 13: 978-1-292-36307-3

Week 1: Chapter 1, Chapter 2
Week 2: Chapter 4, Chapter 16
Week 3: Chapter 3, Chapter 9
Week 4: Chapter 5
Week 5: Chapter 6
Week 6: SAP reading materials and lecture PPTs
Week 7: SAP reading materials and lecture PPTs
Week 8: Chapter 7, Chapter 8
Week 9: Chapter 12, Chapter 14
Week 10: Chapter 22
Week 11: Chapter 15, Chapter 20
Week 12: Chapter 23
Week 13: Review

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.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - TCA07. Management accounting
	CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - TCA07. Management accounting
	CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - TCA07. Management accounting
	CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - TCA07. Management accounting
	CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand - TCA10. Information and communications technology

Responding to student feedback

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

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

Additional information

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

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ACCT2019: Accounting Analysis for Management Decisions

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect