22421 Information for Decisions and Control
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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 marksRequisite(s): 22321 Cost Management Systems
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject examines the role of management accounting in the use of financial and non-financial information to support managerial decisions and control within organisations. Students learn the approaches to design and use management accounting systems, and understand the associated behavioural issues. Specifically, the subject covers performance measurement, planning, performance evaluation and incentives. Students also develop an understanding of how information and communications technology influences management accounting and control in contemporary organisations.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | critically analyse the institutional, organisational and individual influences on management accounting systems |
|---|---|
| 2. | form professional judgments about the appropriateness of the design and operation of management accounting systems |
| 3. | apply theory to design management accounting systems in real-world organisational contexts |
| 4. | develop communication and teamwork skills |
| 5. | understand the role of information and communication technology in performance management and decision-making |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and with others as a member of a team to achieve an agreed goal (2.2)
- Apply technical and professional skills to operate effectively in business (4.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the Accounting Major of the Bachelor of Business by building on the fundamental management accounting concepts and techniques introduced in 22321 Cost Management Systems, to examine the role of accounting information and mechanisms in facilitating decision-making and control in organisations. Specifically, this subject develops students' competencies in relation to the Faculty Graduate Attributes by developing their ability to ‘locate and critically evaluate relevant data and literature to address business problems through a research approach ', through the analysis and application to different organisational settings of relevant theoretical concepts relating to management decisions and control. This subject also contributes to the Faculty Graduate Attributes by assuring students' ability to ‘convey information clearly and fluently in high quality written form appropriate for their audience’.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
- Communication and collaboration
Teaching and learning strategies
The material in this subject is presented through a combination of lectures and tutorials. Class contact comprises a 1.5-hour lecture and 1.5-hour tutorial. Students will have the opportunity to enrol in a face to face lecture or an online lecture. The content in each is identical and students in both lecture formats will be engaging in interactive elements during the lecture.
Students are expected to prepare by reviewing weekly background material, before participating in interactive lectures, where fundamental concepts are introduced and illustrations of applications in practice are discussed. The focus of the tutorials is to enable students to gain feedback on their independent homework study and to provide opportunities to apply their knowledge through interactive in-class activities, through a combination of practical exercises, case studies, debates and discussion. Students also take part in independent individual and group project work to explore selected topics in greater depth.
Content (topics)
- Strategy analysis of contemporary business organisations
- Design of performance measurement systems
- Planning and budgeting
- Performance evaluation and rewards
- Decision-making and ethics
- Information systems and internal control
- Digitalization of management accounting and control
- Tableau data visualization software
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Five quizzes (Individual)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Each in-class quiz contains 10 MCQs to be completed in 10 minutes. Access to the learning materials is NOT permitted throughout the quiz. The take-home quiz takes no more than 15 minutes to complete and must be completed within 48 hours. |
| Criteria: |
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Assessment task 2: Assignment – written report and presentation (Group and Individual)*
| Intent: | Group report (20%) Group presentation (5%) – assess individually |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 2.2 |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 1. Early group performance evaluation (see explanation below). 2. Written report: 10 pages maximum for the main text 3. Group presentation: 10 minutes per group Students are required to complete an early group performance evaluation in Week 7, which is part of the assessment for Program Learning Objective 2.2. The evaluation contains a set of survey questions on group members' contributions, including the quality and timeliness of the tasks completed. It aims to provide informative feedback on individual members' performance in the process of completing the assignment. The evaluation is anonymous. Refer to the Group Assignment Brief for details. Marking rubrics for the group report and presentation are also provided in the document. |
| Criteria: | Report:
Presentation (individually assessed):
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 4.1 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Two hours |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
A student must achieve 50% or more of the subject’s total marks AND achieve 40% or more in the final exam to pass the subject.
A Fail (X) Grade is awarded to a student who attains 50% or more of the overall subject assessment marks but attains less than 40% of the final exam marks. To pass the subject, the student must then attain 50% or more of the marks in the supplementary task, in which case the student is awarded an overall mark of 50P.
Required texts
Eldenburg, L.G., Brook, A., Oliver, J., Vesty, G., Dormer, R., Murthy, V., & Pawsey, N. (2020). Management Accounting, 4th Edition. Wiley.
This is the same text used in 22321: Cost Management Systems.
References
Weekly readings and background material
It is recommended that students engage with a broad range of material, including relevant chapters in the prescribed textbook (Eldenburg et al., 2020), excerpts from seminal management accounting books, academic journal articles, practitioner literature, news articles, as well as videos and online materials. These materials are accessible via Reading List on Canvas.
Other resources
Canvas is not intended to replace 'live' workshops and tutorials but to provide a supplement to students learning in the subject.
The subject guide, pre-recorded lecture videos, workshop and tutorial preparation guide, and additional information regarding the subject are made available on the Canvas website. Announcements are used to notify students about issues regarding the subject throughout the semester. Please enable the Announcement notification function on Canvas and check the Announcements regularly and before you make enquiries.
If you have problems accessing Canvas (e.g. taking a really long time to load pages, errors about username or password, etc.), please contact directly: ITD HELP DESK (02) 9514 2222.
Student Membership of Professional Accounting Bodies
You are encouraged to join, as a student member, the below professional accounting associations. Membership is generally free and it is a great way to gain access to resources and meet future employers.
- CPA Australia is one of the world’s largest accounting bodies with a global membership of over 160,000 finance, accounting and business professionals in 118 countries. The work of professional accountants is fundamental to the stability, efficiency and sustainability of individual companies, financial markets and economies. CPA Australia Network gives you access to exclusive events, mentoring and graduate employment opportunities to help you develop your career. Connecting you to business leaders and CPAs, join the CPA Australia Network and get the career edge you’ve been wanting. Subscribe at: cpaaustralia.com.au/network
- CAANZ: Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents 117,000 current and aspiring business leaders working in diverse roles in commerce and industry, academia, government, and public practice across the world. Members have completed CA’s internationally recognised qualification providing them with exceptional commercial acumen, professional scepticism, critical thinking methodology and a framework for making ethical decisions. Free student membership gives access to resources including employer evenings. https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/become-a-member/memberships/student.
- IPA: The Institute of Public Accountants is one of three professional accounting bodies recognised in Australian legislation. The IPA has contributed significantly to the profession and corporate life since the inception in 1923. Uniquely IPA is 100% Australian and focus on supporting and servicing accountants and practitioners running their own practice (SME/SMP). Free student membership provides access to: IPA's Weekly Job Boards; Invitations to Events, Discussion Groups and Networking Forums with Top Accounting and Finance Leaders and more. For free student membership & Student Pulse https://www.publicaccountants.org.au/students.
- ACCA: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres with more than 7,300 Approved Employers worldwide. For more information please go to http://www.accaglobal.com/an/en/student/sa.html
- CIMA: By studying CIMA, you will develop the critical knowledge and skills that employers are looking for and be ready to work in any business – large or small, public or private, all around the world. We have more than 229,000 members and students in 176 countries, and with the formation of a new accounting association, once you become a Chartered Global Management Accountant, you'll become part of a world-wide community of over 600,000 current and next generation finance professionals. https://www.cimaglobal.com/Starting-CIMA/Starting-CIMA/Entry-Routes/undergraduates-and-graduates/