Useful links
Unit of study_
ACCT6120: Corporate Governance and Accountability
2025 unit information
Corporate governance has been defined as "the system by which companies are directed and controlled" (Cadbury 1992). As the capstone unit for the MPACC, this unit assures the learning from prior management accounting, audit, financial reporting and analysis units by exploring how accounting information is used (and at times abused) in enabling corporate governance and accountability. The unit introduces students to key theories which are drawn upon to understand corporate governance: agency, stakeholder and stewardship theories. It then explores the central relationships and practices upon which effective governance depends; relationships between a CEO and directors, the board and its risk, audit, remuneration and nominations sub-committees, board members and their external auditors and other advisers, and relationships between the board, financial analysts, investors and shareholders. While these issues are generally explored in the context of the Anglo-American system of corporate governance which privileges the interests of shareholders, the unit also explores alternative systems of corporate governance in a transitional economy, principally that of China. Wider issues of corporate social responsibility in relation to the globalisation of product and capital markets, as well as climate change, are also examined. As an integral part of their learning experience and assessment, students are required to present an internationally focussed case study that is updated as they progress through the range of topics explored in the unit.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Business (Business School)
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Accounting |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
ACCT6010 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
CLAW5001 or CLAW5214 |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the key roles and relationships through which corporate governance is practised – including the role of accounting, boards and board sub-committees, executive and non executive directors, institutional investors and codes
- LO2. understand the different interests and academic perspectives which define the 'problem' of corporate governance
- LO3. understand some of the common causes of corporate governance failures and the effectiveness of regulatory remedies
- LO4. understand key differences between national systems of corporate governance in both developed and transitional economies
- LO5. research and present to the class around specific governance topics
- LO6. understand some key issues related to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2024
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
|
Semester 2 2024
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
