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

Important: There is a restriction on the total enrolments in this unit. Initial enrolment is restricted to students who have been pre-approved.

For continuing students, pre-approved study plans are provided on the School of Accountancy Postgraduate Student Community Blackboard site (the link for this site should appear on the QUT Blackboard homepage and listed under My Communities).

For students who are yet to commence their QUT study, your pre-approved study plan will also appear on the School of Accountancy Postgraduate Student Community Blackboard site which will be periodically updated to allow access to your pre-approved study plan. Alternatively, you may contact the Postgraduate Administration Officer (sarahjane.barker@qut.edu.au ) for study plan advice.

If resources permit, then consideration will be given to students who wish to seek approval to amend their pre-approved study plan.

Post-graduate students in the business environment need a working knowledge of factors that contribute to fraud, corporate failure and the forensic examinations thereof. Without an exposure to these factors and the environment in which these issues are resolved, it is difficult for them to relate to these occurrences, when they are subsequently reported in the corporate world or when they come across potential problems in their subsequent work environment.

Aims

The unit is designed to provide students with an understanding of the risks of fraud or corporate failure occurring and an appreciation for the subsequent forensic review and processes. An understanding of control environments and their adequacies and inadequacies should also be derived.

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

Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. demonstrate coherent, current, theoretical and practical content knowledge in forensic accounting;
2. identify and discuss the critical factors which may lead to fraud and/or corporate failure;
3. critically evaluate the forensic reviews and the due processes to be followed in prevention and detection of fraud in a business litigation environment.

Other Graduate Capabilities

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
A. use analytical and critical thinking skills to determine how to prevent and detect fraud and corporate failure;
B. employ effective written and interpersonal communication skills;
C. develop appropriate research skills by identifying, collecting, analysing and using information;
D. demonstrate increased technical literacy in the use of computer and communication technology.


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

Content

Topics covered in this unit include:
· Fraud in Australia
· Fraud methods
· Fraud prevention
· Fraud detection
· Fraud investigation
· Management fraud
· Corporate failure
· Expert Witness
· Fraud resolution

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This course consists of lectures/seminars. Lectures will introduce new topics. Seminars will discuss cases and readings from the previous week. Review of presentation readings before lectures and presentations will provide a foundation for active participation by all students and is therefore essential. Each student is required to lead the discussion of cases or readings at allocated seminars. Each discussion leader is required to give other students a brief outline of their powerpoint presentation.

Assessment

Student grades are determined by the Faculty Academic Board. The Unit Coordinators provide the detailed assessment results to the Board, working through the relevant School. These results are advisory in nature and do not necessarily constitute the final grades awarded by the Board. In its decisions the Board compares results both within units and programs, using as a guide a set of standard distribution criteria. These criteria enable the Board to systematically compare student performance, but are not applied in a prescriptive fashion. The overall assessment will consist of the following items:

1. Seminar presentation 20%
2. Individual project 20%
3. End-of-Semester Examination 60%

Assessment can be formative or summative. Formative assessment is assessment that provides useful feedback to students on their progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes. Summative assessment determines grades or marks and counts towards the award of credit for study.

Late Submission of Work

A penalty of 10% per day of the total mark will be applied to late submission of assignment work without the prior approval of the Unit Coordinator.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: Seminar Presentations
Description: This assessment involves submission of a report and a presentation on a case study or reading which demonstrates your understanding of forensic accounting concepts. The written report should comply for Faculty Reference Requirements (e.g.: http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/).
Length/Duration: 10-15 minutes; approximately 800 words plus appendices
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.2)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 2-9

Assessment name: Individual Project
Description: Students are required to complete a project on a fraud, corporate failure or related issue. The project report must include an introduction, body, conclusion and bibliography and conform to Faculty referencing requirements.
Length/Duration: 5 - 6 pages plus appendices
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: End-Semester Exam
Description: The End-of-Semester Examination will include topics covered in Weeks 1-12.
Length/Duration: 2 hours plus 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), KS (1.2), CTA (2.1).
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
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
· W S Albrecht, C C Albrecht, C O Albrecht & M F Zimbelman (2012), Fraud Examination. Fourth edition. Thomson/South-Western.

Other References
· CCH (2002), Collapse Incorporated: Tales, Safeguards & Responsibilities of Corporate Australia, CCH.
· I Freckleton & H Selby (2002), Expert Evidence: Law, Practice, Procedures & Advocacy, Lawbook Co.
· R Hoffman, W Finney, P Cox & K Cooper (2007), The Accountant as an Expert Witness: A basic guide to forensic accounting, CCH.
· Koletar (2003), Fraud Exposed: What you don't know could cost your company millions, Wiley.
· G M Zack (2003), Fraud and Abuse in Non-Profit Organisations. Wiley.
· A Deitz, J Buttle, (2008) Anti-Money Laundering Handbook, Lawbook Co
· H Silverstone & M Sheetz (2006), Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation by Non-Experts, Wiley & Sons, 2nd Edition
· T W Singleton and A J Singleton (2010), Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting, Wiley & Sons, 4th Edition

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