Unit rationale, description and aim
Managerial accounting systems are a primary source of financial and accounting information for managers. Heightened competition has amplified the nature of management accounting information which now encompass both quantitative and qualitative non-financial information to help not just managers but also other members of organisations to support planning, control, decision-making and sustainability strategies of organisations. This unit examines the role of management accounting information to manage an organisation efficiently and effectively to create value, ensure corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour. The aim of this unit is to develop knowledge and skills in the application of managerial accounting techniques for strategic planning, decision-making, costing and budgetary control and performance management in organisations.
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.
Demonstrate knowledge of communication theory and ...
Learning Outcome 01
Articulate the importance of ethical professional ...
Learning Outcome 02
Categorise and evaluate various types of organisat...
Learning Outcome 03
Appraise organisational performance, its products ...
Learning Outcome 04
Ascertain the strategic direction of business and ...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Contemporary managerial accounting in a global competitive environment
- Cost concepts, cost behaviour and cost estimation
- Activity-Based Costing
- Performance evaluation and behavioural impact
- Organisational strategies and decision Making
- Corporate social responsibility
- Measure and reporting sustainability
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessments are used primarily to foster learning. ACU adopts a constructivist approach to learning which seeks alignment between the fundamental purpose of each unit, the learning outcomes, teaching and learning strategy, assessment and the learning environment. Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Assessment tasks in this unit 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 graded summative assessment.
For assessment, students will be required to evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives through research, integration, and analysis. Students will also need to apply critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems, inform judgments, make decisions, reach well-reasoned conclusions and make recommendations where applicable. Students are expected to communicate clearly and concisely when presenting, discussing, and reporting knowledge and ideas in formal and informal situations.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an overall score of at least 50%. Using constructive alignment, the assessment tasks are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome. 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. The same assessment strategy applies to all modes of delivery
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Individual presentation This assess...
Assessment 1: Individual presentation
This assessment requires students to demonstrate communication literacies and critically evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives through research, integration, and analysis that examines the role of management accounting and explains the importance of ethical professional values and how these can impact organisations performance towards the concept of social responsibility.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Critique and presentation
Artefact: Written critical review and presentation
30%
Assessment 2: Open Book Exam This task requires s...
Assessment 2: Open Book Exam
This task requires students to undertake an invigilated examination between Weeks 8 and 11 of the semester. Students will be provided an article or case study ahead of time with questions on the day.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Invigilated examination
Artefact: Written response
30%
Assessment 3: Case Study This assessment requires...
Assessment 3: Case Study
This assessment requires students to demonstrate knowledge of communication and information literacies and ascertain organisational strategies and performance, its products and business segments through key performance indicators that capture financial and non-financial information to measure business performance and their potential behavioural impact on organisational effectiveness and efficiency.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Case Study
Artefact: Written paper
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Practice and applied practical activities are essential for learning accounting. Therefore, students are expected to adopt an ‘active’ learning strategy and learn by doing. ACU’s teaching policy focuses on learning outcomes for students in the form of knowledge, capabilities and background. Our teaching aims to engage students as active participants in the learning process while acknowledging that all learning must involve a complex interplay of active and receptive processes, the constructing of meaning for oneself, and learning form others. ACU promotes and facilitates learning that is autonomous and self-motivated, is characterised by the individual taking satisfaction in the mastering of content and skills and is critical, looking beneath the surface level of information for the meaning and significance of what is being studied. The workshops provide an interactive environment for involving in class discussions and exchange ideas. Learning materials used in the unit encompass readings, lecture slides, lecture recordings, audio and video materials, self-tests, case studies, solutions to selected problems and other online relevant tools.
Mode of delivery: This unit is offered in different modes. These are: “Attendance” mode, “Multi” mode and “Online” mode. This unit is offered in three 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.
Multi-Mode
In a multi-mode, students will require intermittent face-to-face attendance 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
In an Online mode, 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.