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Unit outline_

BUSS1030: Accounting for Decision Making

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

There are many uses for accounting data. This unit of study investigates the fundamentals of accounting at an introductory level to provide students with a user-focused understanding of accounting information. The unit of study introduces key accounting concepts from a user perspective, introducing simple financial statements, internal business planning and working capital, as well as evolving topics such as sustainability and corporate governance. Students develop desirable graduate attributes such as critical-thinking and decision-making skills via a range of knowledge building tasks. Authentic assessment is used to evaluate and assist students in the learning process.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ACCT1001 or ACCT1002 or ACCT1003 or ACCT1004 or ACCT1005
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Olga Gouveros, olga.gouveros@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Wes Hamilton-Jessop, wes.hamilton-jessop@sydney.edu.au
Simon Tan, simon.tan@sydney.edu.au
Olga Gouveros, olga.gouveros@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
Closed book: no reference materials/resources are permitted
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Fortnightly Quiz
Online Quiz
20% Multiple weeks 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Tutorial Participation and Engagement
Tutorial participation and engagement
5% Ongoing All semester
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2
Small test Online Quiz
Online Quiz #EarlyFeedbackTask
5% Week 03 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester exam
This is an in-semester test. It will be a closed book exam.
20% Week 06
Due date: 07 Sep 2024 at 11:40
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial engagement and participation: Students are expected to closely engage and actively participate in discussions in the tutorial to receive marks.
  • Online quiz (early feedback task): This online quiz, scheduled for Week 3, is an early feedback task.
  • Fortnightly quiz: 4 online fortnightly quizzes will be run during the semester.
  • In-semester test: This is a closed book supervised test.
  • Final exam: The final exam is a closed book examination. This assessment is listed as 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%.

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.

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 Accounting Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Introduction to Accounting Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 03 Developing a Business Plan - CVP Analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 04 Developing a Business Plan - Budgeting Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Revision Week Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 The Accounting System - Concepts and Application Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Internal Control - Managing and Reporting Working Capital Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Income Statement Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Balance Sheet Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Statement of Cash Flows Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Short Term Planning Decisions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Evolving Topics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Revision Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students must complete their online learning module each week. Students must attend their tutorial each week. Attendance in tutorials is compulsory.

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

The textbook we will be using is Accounting Information for Business Decisions (4th Edition), by Cunningham et al., Cengage.

Please refer to Canvas on how to access the e-text.

 

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. demonstrate an understanding of the role of accounting in business decision-making through the analysis and interpretation of accounting information
  • LO2. prepare and use conventional financial reports - statement of financial position, statement of financial performance and cash flow statements
  • LO3. apply accounting concepts and techniques to new contexts and scenarios
  • LO4. analyse and critically interpret accounting information to inform everyday business decisions
  • LO5. develop technical competency in accounting skills/techniques to demonstrate their application in business contexts and scenarios.

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.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Work, health and safety

Students SHOULD NOT attend classes if they are showing any flu like symptoms.

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.