22208 Accounting, Business and Society

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 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Accounting
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 22108 Accounting and Accountability OR 22108c Accounting and Accountability
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 22207 Accounting for Business Decisions B

Description

This subject provides students with the preparer perspective of accounting information and develops students’ critical understanding of business issues underpinning the demand for financial and management accounting information. Accounting information is prepared for various organisational forms using contemporary analytical tools including excel which require the use of technical skills. The implications of accounting issues are also discussed with an emphasis on ethical decision-making by preparers who need to balance the economic objectives of the primary users of accounting information while also considering broader legal, social and environmental issues.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Apply the principles of accounting and professional judgement when recording common business activities
2.	Advise on the impact of legal, societal, ethical and sustainability issues on accounting information and decision making
3.	Cooperate with peers to address accounting and business problems using relevant technology
4.	Explain accounting concepts and accounting’s role in business and society to a broad audience through a multimedia artefact

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject focuses on the preparation and use of accounting information to facilitate the evaluation of contemporary issues facing business and develops an understanding of the practical uses of accounting in addressing these issues. Further, the subject introduces the use of analytical tools used to interpret accounting information to support complex business decisions by stakeholders, comprising both, internal (managers) and external (e.g. shareholders) users of various organisational forms while addressing key legal, ethical, social and environmental considerations.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

• Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
• Social responsibility and cultural awareness
• Professional and technical competence

This subject also contributes specifically to introduce the learning required to deliver the following Program Learning Objectives (PLOs):

• Apply evidence, creativity and critical reasoning to solve business problems (1.1)
• Apply technical and professional skills to operate effectively in business (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Student learning is facilitated in this subject through online content delivery, independent study, and interactive learning through collaborative workshops and tutorials which provide students with the opportunity to learn from academic staff and work with student peers.

Students are expected to work through learning content provided within the Canvas subject site to understand the framework of each topic area before attending workshops.

The workshops provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and get assistance with learning content, discuss key concepts within each topic and engage in active learning by applying knowledge to practical scenarios. Here, students will work in groups to complete activities with the guidance of the lecturer. This provides students with hands-on experience in each topic before attending tutorials.

The tutorials will further develop student understanding and skills by having students engage in small group problem solving, providing an opportunity to collaborate with peers to share ideas, discuss accounting issues, and work on more advanced questions with the support of their tutor.

Students will have access to feedback via multiple methods – this includes automated feedback through learning activities, feedback from educators and peers in workshops and tutorials, and from markers/assessors on their assessment submissions.

Extensive use is made of Canvas and associated interactive platforms, with all subject material posted electronically with discussion forums providing students the ability to raise queries with teaching staff and develop ideas with peers outside of class.

Content (topics)

• Understanding the use and users of accounting information
• Recording economic transactions, and preparation of financial statements and financial statement analysis using analytical tools
• Accounting in various organisation forms and related legal considerations
• Understanding and accounting for legal, ethical and social issues in accounting

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Learning Portfolio (10% Individual and 20% Group)*

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3
Weight:	30%
Length:	There is no formal word-count. However, concise writing, the use of graphs and figures, and focusing the report on interesting aspects of the business is valued.
Criteria:	Part A Extent of the student’s understanding of fundamental concepts Extent of student’s ability to apply fundamental concepts to scenarios Part B Extent of the group’s collaboration while working on the tutorial problem Extent of involvement in class discussion Extent of the use of professional skills in preparing their tutorial submission Extent of their ability to demonstrate an understanding of theory *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and will be awarded a mark of zero. Students who fail to submit 5 (of 10) quizzes and/or 5 (of 10) class submissions will have the weighting of that component of the assessment task added to the final examination, conditional on the student submitting, receiving approval and complying with the requirements of special consideration in accordance with the UTS rules. If no such approval is given then a mark of zero will be awarded and no further opportunities to sit for the quiz or make a class submission will be given. If the composite mark for the final exam is more than 50 percent and the student is in the final subject of their degree, the UTS rules on borderline result (range of 45-49, inclusive) shall apply whereby students will be allowed to undertake a supplementary final examination. Where a student completes and passes a supplementary examination, the maximum mark awarded for the subject will be 50 Pass

Assessment task 2: Communicating accounting using modern modes of media (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 4
Weight:	20%
Length:	The video should be a maximum of 90 seconds long and designed for a vertical video platform (such as TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts). The video must include the student talking.
Criteria:	The extent to which the news media item chosen is suitably linked to their studies in the subject The extent to which the accounting concept(s) and/or the role of accounting is accurately described The extent to which the accounting concept(s) and/or the role of accounting is conveyed in a way that is suited to a broad audience The extent to which appropriate techniques related to creating multimedia including audio, video and visual elements have been effectively and appropriately utilised by the student

Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2
Weight:	50%
Criteria:	The extent to which students can appropriately apply the principles and rules of accounting in varying situations The extent to which students can provide appropriate advice based on accounting analysis The extent to which students can advise on the impact of legal, societal, ethical and sustainability issues on accounting information and decision making

Minimum requirements

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

Required texts

The Accounting, Business and Society (ABS) Textbook can be accessed online here: Accounting Business and Society – Simple Book Publishing (pressbooks.pub)

This textbook is also available for students to download free of charge as a PDF by clicking the "Download this book" option from the above website link.

This book is OUR learning resource - we have prepared a draft of the book for use this session and we want your feedback. If anything is confusing, or requires clarification - please do let us know. This means YOU are part of refining and guiding your learning experience.

Recommended texts

Optional topical reading (selected chapters within the following introductory accounting textbooks):

Deegan. (2020). Financial Accounting (9th edition.). McGraw Hill Education Australia Pty Ltd.

Eldenburg. (2019). Management Accounting (4th edition.). Wiley.

Hoggett. (2020). Accounting (11th edition.). Wiley.

References

Accounting and the business environment is rapidly changing in a world of new technology. References to additional readings such as newspaper articles and professional reports will be made available in the Canvas site.

Other resources

U:PASS is a great and free resource that is available to all students - via on-campus and online offerings. You'll be receiving direct emails from the U:PASS team on how to attend these free sessions. You can find out more on the U:PASS website: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/upass/upass