BUSN104 - Money Matters

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Incompatible

ACCT100 Introduction to Accounting , BUSD104 Money Matters

Teaching organisation

150 hours over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period

Unit rationale, description and aim

Without knowledge of ethical accounting and financial analysis skills the business world could collapse. This unit will provide a non-specialist grounding in accounting and financial management so that you can appreciate the financial dimensions of decisions within business. Moreover, the unit considers corporate social responsibility within the context of financial management and sustainability in the promotion of stewardship for social good. The unit will enable you to understand the impact of economic transactions on a business' financial and operating capability as well as to recognise the use of accounting information in decision making without getting bogged down in the mechanics of the system. Building on this, you will develop fundamental financial planning and forecasting skills so that you can utilise these skills in life or in business. The aim of this unit is to introduce accounting and financial management skills in a non-technical way so you will be able to develop financial and accounting literacy as a life skill.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Explain the importance of accounting and its role in decision making by various users and understand the importance of corporate social responsibility in the context of the common good, the environment and society (GA2, GA5)

LO2 - Recognise types of organisational structures and functional and operational areas including concepts for authority delegation and how these integrate an organisation’s governance framework and the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders that ensure ethical professional values (GA3, GA5)

LO3 - Show knowledge of communication theory and information literacies by applying relevant knowledge, skills and judgement for business and academic audiences (GA5, GA9)

LO4 - Measure the effect of recording basic business transactions and other events for different types of business that report financial position and performance using the principles of the duality of accounting (GA5)

LO5 - Analyse cost behaviour and the drivers of costs as well as internal and external factors that influence the strategy of an organisation (GA5, GA8)

LO6 - Analyse aspects of the global environment, that may influence the risk management approach of an organisation towards international trade and finance (GA5, GA6)

Graduate attributes

GA2 - recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society 

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA6 - solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

Content

Topics will include: 

• Organisational structures and operations
• Business strategy and planning 
• Measuring and reporting accounting information 
• Corporate social responsibility and ethical professional values 
• Communication and information literacies
• Corporate governance 
• Fundamental finance and risk
• Cost behaviour analysis 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit takes an active learning approach to guide students in the analysis and synthesis of knowledge associated with managing money and finances. Students can explore the knowledge base through online learning material and a series of workshops. These workshops are designed to support students to actively participate in the construction and synthesis of this knowledge both individually and in groups. By participating in these workshops, students will systematically develop their understanding of the how and why management is critical to the achievement of sustainable business outcomes. This unit takes an experiential approach to support students by tapping into the knowledge of other participants, sharing stories and insights and reflecting on experiences. This approach is designed to interest students who prefer to learn within a social environment. The following resources will be accessible to students online: 

• unit outline; 
• notices/announcements; 
• assessment information, submission, marking and return of results/feedback;  
• learning resources (readings, direction to further sources of online information, lecture slides, audio and video recorded material); and 
• Interactive online self-study activities and quizzes 

Mode of delivery: This unit is offered in different modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants and maximise effective participation for isolated and/or marginalised groups.  

Attendance Mode 

In a weekly attendance mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in specific physical location/s. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops, most students report that they spend an average of one hour preparing before the workshop and one or more hours after the workshop practicing and revising what was covered. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise. 

Blended Mode 

In a blended mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in blocks of time determined by the School. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise.  

Online Mode 

This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of the essential knowledge associated with managing money. Students can explore the essential knowledge underpinning this unit and develop knowledge in a series of online interactive lessons and modules. Students are given the opportunity to attend facilitated synchronous online seminar classes with other students and participate in the construction and synthesis of knowledge, while developing their knowledge. Students are required to participate in a series of online interactive workshops which include activities, knowledge checks, discussion and interactive sessions. This approach allows flexibility for students and facilitates learning and participation for students with a preference for virtual learning.  

ACU Online

This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress. 

Assessment strategy and rationale

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Assessment tasks in BUSN104 are aimed at measuring and developing student’s achievement of both the learning outcomes and graduate attributes noted above. In this unit there are multiple forms of formative assessment for a student to assess their progress against the learning objectives as well as three (3) main pieces of summative assessment. The same assessment strategy applies to all modes of delivery. 

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Attrill, P 2017. Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists, 10th edn, Pearson, Melbourne.  

Birt, J, Chalmers, K, Maloney, S, Brooks, A, Oliver, J. & Bond D. 2023. Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 8th edn. John Wiley and Sons, Milton. 

Dwyer, J 2020, Communication for Business and the Professions: Strategies and Skills, 7th edn, Pearson, Melbourne. 

Hoggett, J, Medlin, J, Chalmers, K, Beattie, C, Hellmann, A & Maxfield J 2017, Accounting, 10th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton. 

Nobles, T, Mattison, B, Matsumura, E, Best, P, Fraser, D, Tan, R. & Willett, R 2016 Horngren’s Accounting, 8th edn, Pearson, Melbourne. 

Snyder, J & Frank, L. 2016. The essential guide to business communication for finance professionals. Business Expert Press