Key facts

UNE unit code: AFM501

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 2 - On Campus
  • Trimester 2 - Online
  • Trimester 3 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Your ability to discriminate between fact and opinion in the context of accounting theory and reports is essential in contemporary accounting practice.

Studying this unit, you will explore accounting theory, financial reporting and regulations and hone your critical cognitive and communication skills to add value in your role.

You will examine theories that underpin accounting methods, regulations and disclosure by reporting entities, including normative and positive accounting theories, new conceptual frameworks for accounting reports, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Integrated Reporting (IR).

You will also explore unregulated corporate reporting decisions, capital market and behavioural research in financial reporting and measurement in financial accounting.

Examining the nature of ethical decision making, you will assess the role of ethics in the accounting profession, including in the context of fraud and failure.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 2On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 2Online
Trimester 3Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
AFM301 or AFM401 or GSB601

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Gabriel Donleavy
Gabriel DonleavyDeputy Head of School - UNE Business School

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an advanced and integrated knowledge of the main theories relating to accounting and apply these to accounting problems;
  2. demonstrate an expert knowledge of the main alternative accounting treatments of items whose valuation is controversial;
  3. use a range of research, cognitive and communication skills to review, analyse, consolidate, synthesise and reflect critically on relevant information drawn from a range of sources in solving complex accounting related problems;
  4. work independently and collaboratively demonstrating mastery of desk research, use of appropriate online resources and the ability to present a viewpoint, argument or summary succinctly and clearly;
  5. demonstrate the ability to analyse, summarise and communicate clearly a range of ethical issues and decisions relevant to accounting professionals; and
  6. demonstrate a deep understanding of the factors driving the variations between the ways in which different countries and economic blocks prepare annual corporate accounting reports.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Online QuizzesNo10%All offerings

There are eleven multiple choice online quizzes. Students must complete at least three but may complete up to eleven. The marks for the best three quizzes will be used to calculate the mark for this component. Word count is nominal owing to the quantitative nature of the questions.

No. Words: 1000 (equivalent)

Research ProjectYes50%All offerings

Essay

No. Words: 4500

Final ExaminationYes40%All offerings

Students must obtain at least 50% in the examination (and at least 50% overall) to receive a pass (or better) in the unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

An Introduction to Accounting Theory

ISBN: 9788740313918

Donleavy, G.D., Bookboon.com 2nd ed. 2018

Note: This eBook is available free on charge from Book Boon.

Text refers to: All offerings

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