Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

All firms, regardless of industry type, make use of a range of existing management accounting techniques to accumulate and track costs of their products or services. These data are used to develop both long-term and short-term plans and strategies which help firms achieve and maintain their competitive advantage. Accordingly, accountants need to know about the costing techniques used by firms, understand cost terminology and cost allocation methods, and be able to identify and provide management with relevant information to inform their decision making.

Aims

The aim of the course is to equip students to prepare reports used by management for costing, budgetary planning and control, decision making, and performance evaluation purposes. It also considers a range of possible strategic outcomes for firms.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action

Unit Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the available management accounting systems which are widely used
2. Prepare costing reports using different budgeting and costing systems
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role costing reports have in the management decision making process, and use such reports in decision-making
4. Be able to use these data for decision-making

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The content of this unit has been selected with the specified aim and objectives in mind. The majority of the unit examines the accumulation and analysis of information prepared for the traditional needs of management and is still relevant today, e.g. data for budgeting, product costing, decision-making and performance evaluation. Later lectures introduce strategies and techniques which are particularly applicable for contemporary systems.

Students should note that the techniques covered in this unit, while specifically developed for a manufacturing environment, are frequently able to be adapted for service industries. Furthermore, the unit has a global perspective because cost and management accounting techniques tend to be consistently used across many different countries.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

While the basic content of most of the unit is similar to the equivalent undergraduate unit, a different approach is taken to the teaching of the unit, and additional issues are covered as appropriate, taking account of the background of the participants in the course.

Classes have been allocated 3 hours each week. The 3 hours will be divided between lecture material and problem-solving. For most weeks you will be required to download material to bring to class. Full lecture notes and seminar questions will be available prior to the class each week. Practice questions with solutions are also provided for each topic.

This unit will encourage you to conceptually link the theoretical aspects with the practical aspects and, in so doing, you will be able to apply your knowledge to a wide variety of accounting situations.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Online Quizzes
Description: Three on-line quizzes (linked to the textbook) are provided (via Blackboard) approx. two weeks prior to the due date. They are administered as both an assessment and a learning tool.
Length/Duration:Students will have a minimum of two weeks to complete each quiz. There are three quizzes, each quiz consists of 20 questions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 6, 8 & 10

Assessment name: Written Assignment
Description: The assignment is a case study which addresses problems identified by management of a firm. The case requires students to prepare answers to management questions. In addition it requires students to prepare management accounting reports under different costing systems to assist management in their analysis. Students may elect to complete the assessment individually or as a group (max. 4).
Length/Duration: 1,000 words (maximum)
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: The examination will consist of both practical and theoretical questions covering lecture 1 and lectures 6-12.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text

Horngren, C. T., Datar, S. M., Foster, G., Rajan, M. V., Ittner, C., Wynder, M.,Maguire, W., & Tan, R. (2011) Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis 1st Australian Edition, Pearson Australia.

References
Horngren, C. T., Datar, S. M., Foster, G., Rajan, M. V. & Ittner, C. (2009). Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis (13th edition). Pearson Education. New Jersey.

Langfield-Smith, K., Thorne, H. & Hilton, RW. (2009). Management Accounting: an Australian Perspective (4th edition). McGraw-Hill. Sydney.

Mowen, M. M., Hansen, D.R., Mitchell, G. & Tibbits, G. (2007). Management Accounting. Thomson, Melbourne.

Other Resources

Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 24-Jan-2013