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 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(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. | Demonstrate the process of recording economic events |
|---|---|
| 2. | Identify and address practical issues in accounting |
| 3. | Compare and contrast economic events and accounting information across different business structures |
| 4. | Assess legal, societal, ethical and sustainability issues in accounting |
| 5. | Demonstrate the ability to work in a group to solve complex problems and present solutions to a business-oriented audience |
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 (15% Group and 15% Individual)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3, 4 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | There is no formal word-count. However, concise writing, and focusing your report on interesting aspects of the business is valued. Graphs and figures are a great way to illustrate financial ratio trends (a picture tells a thousand words). |
| Criteria: | *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and 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: Applied Case Study (15% Group and 5% Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Stage 1 - One-page summary of responses to case study (minimum font size 12pt, references not included in one-page limit) Stage 2 - 300 words |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
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