22108 Accounting and Accountability
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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 22105 Accounting A AND 22107 Accounting for Business Decisions A AND 22600 Accounting Skills for Managers
Description
The subject provides students with a user perspective on accounting information, focusing on the types of accountability that most business students use in their professional careers. Through the lens of accountability, it emphasises the key role of accounting in decision-making in business and society. Students use spreadsheet software to assist in the analysis of financial reporting and internal business decision making. Students are introduced to legal principles and rules related to the use of accounting information.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Understand the role of accountants and accounting information in business |
|---|---|
| 2. | Demonstrate how to use accounting information in the external and internal decision contexts in business |
| 3. | Apply analytical skills to process accounting information, interpret accounting information and analysis and construct accounting reports |
| 4. | Evaluate fundamental business information provided in the popular media |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The objective of this subject is based on the premise that in business, accounting information is used for decision-making. Thus familiarity with accounting concepts, processes, reports and analysis is important. This subject equips students with fundamental knowledge and skills to deal with accounting information in the business environment. The subject also provides the opportunity for students to develop skills concerning the communication and dissemination of accounting information.
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:
- Apply evidence, creativity and critical reasoning to solve business problems (1.1)
- Make judgements and business decisions consistent with the principles of social responsibility, inclusion and knowledge of Indigenous peoples (3.1)
- Apply technical and professional skills to operate effectively in business (4.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is taught in large collaborative workshops and smaller tutorials. Students should work through learning content on Canvas before attending their workshop. The workshops will enable students to engage in hands on activities with their peers related to assessment tasks, improve skills related to academic success and engage in discussions around accounting within the context of national and international events. The tutorials provide an opportunity for students to work on more advanced problems with support from their peers and tutor. Students will have access to feedback via multiple methods – this includes automated feedback through learning activities on Canvas, feedback from educators and peers in workshops and tutorials, and from markers/assessors on their assessment submissions. Extensive use is made of Canvas and other interactive platforms, with all learning resources posted electronically and discussion forums providing a response within 24 hours (during business days). Please note that any online tutorials are not recorded unless an Accessibility request is received.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to the use and users of accounting information
- Financial accounting: Organisational reporting, including non-financial reporting, and analysis
- Management accounting: Use of information by internal business decision makers including costing, budgeting, costing volume profit analysis and relevant decision making
- Introduction to analytics to make decisions using accounting information
- Introduction legal principles and ethics in accounting
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Learning portfolio (25% Group and 10% Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Criteria: | Reweighting policy for multiple missed quizzes and submissions: Students who fail to submit 6 (of 11) quizzes and/or 6 (of 11) 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: Written reflection (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | Stage 1 - 500 words. Stage 2 - 500 words. |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Required texts
There are no expensive textbooks for this subject - instead we've written a FREE TEXTBOOK for everyone to use.
White, A. (2022) Accounting and Accountability. https://oer.pressbooks.pub/utsaccounting1/
This textbook is available for students to download free of charge as a PDF and also access online.
This book is OUR learning resource - this book is a living and breathing resource. If anything is confusing, or requires clarification - please do tell us. This means YOU are part of refining and guiding your learning experience.
References
The accounting profession and business environment is rapidly changing in a world of new technology. References to additional readings such as newspaper articles and professional reports are available in the Canvas site.