University of Technology Sydney

22788 Accounting Practices and Tools

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 3 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 220788 Accounting Practices and Tools AND 22747 Accounting for Managerial Decisions AND 22800 Understanding Accounting and Financial Reports

Description

This subject offers solid financial accounting and management accounting grounding to candidates. This knowledge allows candidates to understand the financial opportunities and challenges inherent in any business endeavor.

Candidates will subsequently better understand the position and performance of initiatives undertaken in the context of the broader strategies and objectives of an organisation. Such an understanding will help candidates make critical cost-benefit trade-offs.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. investigate and analyse financial statements in practice
2. apply financial ratios for purposes of understanding and synthesizing business position and performance
3. apply a range of management accounting techniques to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts to improve decision making

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The subject introduces students to a range of accounting practices, tools and techniques, and how these can be applied to address complex business challenges and opportunities. Students will further apply the gained knowledge and skills in the studio-type subjects.

This subject is aligned with the following Graduate Attribute(s):

  • Professional and technical competence

This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objective(s):

  • Integrate complex business concepts and practices with professional integrity to critically evaluate the purpose and management of businesses for transformation and growth (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered through a mix of online learning, three live online webinars and online consultations. The subject features a mix of theoretical concepts and application in the contemporary context that is designed to apply evidence-based judgement, analytical and creative skills to solve complex business problems.

Students have access to online resources, and self-directed learning activities and are expected to study online content provided via the UTS learning management system. They are required to complete online learning activities, which will help identify knowledge gaps and inform discussions. They are required to engage in online discussions with their peers and academics. Webinars are designed to present the theory and practice of the subject’s content. Students are required to complete pre-work activities before attending webinars. Discussions focus on the application of concepts, techniques and methods.

A mandatory, online formative assessment provides students with further feedback to direct their self-study. Ongoing general and individual feedback will be provided throughout the subject via consultation sessions. A summative assessment provides feedback on students' comprehension and application of learning. Students also receive formal feedback on assessment tasks.

Content (topics)

  • Financial statements – Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet
  • Financial statements – Cash flows
  • Analysing position and performance next to strategy – strategic ratio analysis
  • Understanding and budgeting fixed and variable costs in organisations
  • Cost Volume Profit Analysis
  • Relevant costing and tactical pricing

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Performance and ratio analysis and insights (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1 and 2

Weight: 50%
Length:

There is no set assessment task length

Criteria:
  • Application of complex business concepts
  • Analysis of complex issues taking into account of influencing factors, supporting data/evidence and different perspectives (diversity, ethics, sustainability, multiple stakeholders)
  • Demonstrate advanced critical and creative thinking in solution development
  • Develop realistic and achievable strategies/course of action
  • Identification of limitation and contradictions (in data, practices, assumptions)
  • Information is communicated effectively for specific audience

Assessment task 2: Case analysis (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

Weight: 50%
Length:

Students are required to complete the questions related to the case study in the provided document. There is no formal word-count.

Criteria:
  • Application of complex business concepts
  • Analysis of complex issues taking into account of influencing factors, supporting data/evidence and different perspectives (diversity, ethics, sustainability, multiple stakeholders)
  • Demonstrate advanced critical and creative thinking in solution development
  • Develop realistic and achievable strategies/course of action
  • Identification of limitation and contradictions (in data, practices, assumptions)
  • Information is communicated effectively for specific audience

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts

There is no required textbook. Resources will be made available through the learning management system as required.

References

Birt, J., Keryn Chalmers, Suzanne Maloney, Albie Brooks, Judy Oliver, David Bond (2020) Accounting: Business Reporting For Decision Making 7th Edition, Wiley.

Carlon, S., Rosina McAlpine-Mladenovic, Chrisann Palm, Lorena Mitrione, Ngaire Kirk, Lily Wong, (2016) Financial Accounting: Reporting, Analysis and Decision Making 5th Edition.

Wiley Hoggett, J., Lew Edwards, John Medlin, Keryn Chalmers, Andreas Hellmann, Claire Beattie, Jodie Maxfield (2015) Accounting, 9th Edition, Wiley.