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Unit outline_

ACCT6014: Contemporary Technologies in Accounting

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

This unit of study introduces students to the concepts and approaches associated with contemporary accounting systems and technologies and equips them with skills in their evaluation, design, and adoption. It explores the differences between the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and multi-national business firms and the challenges they face in the adoption of contemporary accounting systems and technologies. The unit of study introduces students to the concepts and application of emerging technologies such as data analytics, dashboards, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to accounting. Students develop hands-on skills in contemporary industry-standard accounting systems such as SAP and MYOB and are introduced to other emerging technologies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ACCT5001
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ravi Seethamraju, ravi.seethamraju@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Abdul Razeed, abdul.razeed@sydney.edu.au
Ravi Seethamraju, ravi.seethamraju@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Case studies, essay-type questions and MCQs
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Skills assessment (technology tools)
Demonstration of skills using technology tools such as SAP, AI & Blockchain
20% Week 08
Due date: 16 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Apr 2024
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Group Assignment
Group project/case study assignment
20% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 May 2024
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment In-class assessments
Practical assessment and class participation
20% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • In-class assessment: Students must work in seminars on case studies, take quizzes, complete workshop exercises using technology in workshops/labs, and actively participate in both the workshops and seminars. For details, please check Canvas site.
  • Group assignment: Students as a small group are required to analyse a case and/or redesign an accounting system for a small and medium-sized organisation and submit a report demonstrating the application of concepts and effective adoption of contemporary technologies to a firm. For details, please see Canvas site.
  • Skills assessment: Students are required to demonstrate their specialist software/technology skills in the mapping, designing & execution of accounting system parameters for a given business scenario in a supervised environment. For details, please see Canvas site.
  • Final exam: This is a closed-book examination and covers all the content covered in lecture workshops as well as in lab workshops throughout the semester and all the associated readings and unit materials. The final exam is listed as a HURDLE TASK, which 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%

Replacement exams: Replacement exams will be offered as per the University Assessment Procedures.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For all the late submissions after the due date not covered by an approved special consideration) or submitted after the extension granted under a special consideration, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied for every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date 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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit; Impact of technologies on accounting and accounting systems. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Introduction to ERP systems for transaction processing in an SME context (e.g. MYOB, Xero etc.) and their key features (chart of accounts, source documents, processes & reports) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
MYOB and/or XERO exercises on purchases, sales and reports Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Evaluation and adoption of enterprise system software and associated technologies for SMEs. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
MYOB and/or XERO exercises on purchases, sales and reports and design for an SME Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Accounting systems for large enterprises – the concept of integration & integrated enterprise-wide (ERP) system; Introduction to SAP an ERP system - benefits & challenges of adoption Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
SAP - foundations, logging-in, navigation of SAP screens Workshop (2 hr) LO3
Week 05 Configuration and setting up of ERP system (accounting) - data types, documents, workflow, processes and reports, upgrades and maintenance Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
SAP exercises on master data & transactions Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Key elements of ERP systems (financial & management accounting) for large enterprises - charts of accounts, processes, internal controls. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
SAP exercises on accounts payable, accounts receivable, cost allocations and reports Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Analytics, data visualization and dashboards for accounting and business performance Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Mapping of business scenarios in SAP, creation of relevant master data, execution of relevant transactions and production of reports Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation technologies in accounting systems and processes Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Skills assessment workshop Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 Blockchain technology in accounting and accounting systems Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Exposure and introduction to Blockchain and AI technology tools Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Evaluation of an accounting system and the potential adoption & impact of contemporary technologies. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Group project work Independent study (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Group project/Case study presentations and discussion Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Summary and review of the unit Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Each student must attend one two-hour lecture workshop per week for 13 weeks and one two-hour lab workshop per week for 8 weeks (in weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 & 12).
  • Lecture recordings: All 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. Recordings are not a replacement for attending and participating in lecture workshops. Students should attend and participate in all lecture and lab workshops to achieve learning outcomes.

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

Seethamraju, R. (2024) (compiled) "Contemporary Technologies in Accounting - Readings", Custom book edition, Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

In addition, several readings are listed in the Canvas.

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. explain the concepts, principles and processes in the design and improvement of accounting systems
  • LO2. identify, develop and apply the selection criteria relevant to the evaluation, re-design and adoption of a packaged accounting system with focus on changes to business processes, inputs, controls and reporting and benefits realisation
  • LO3. construct a recommendation for the design of a suitable accounting system to a real-world business organisation integrating concepts, best practice processes, internal controls and specialist software skills
  • LO4. examine basic requirements for reports and reporting that will assist managers in decision making.

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.

Introduction of new topics, expansion of some of the old topics, and changes to the sequence of the topics and materials have been made in response to student feedback since the unit was last offered.

Consultation and discussion forum: Consultation times will be posted in Canvas. Students are encouraged to use Canvas discussion forums for clarifications about the unit including the content, lectures, workshops, assessments and others.   

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.