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

One of the essential elements in the real world is the ability to solve unstructured, multi-disciplined accounting problems. This unit integrates elements of the accountancy discipline using a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. The unit addresses issues faced by a professional advisor/consultant by presenting students with simulated real-world problems. These problems require students to work together in teams, research issues, gather information, and form conclusions. Students should therefore be better prepared for the various situations they will face in their accounting career.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop students' ability to reason, research, discuss and solve unstructured problems as typically encountered by a professional advisor/consultant. In attaining this aim, students should develop research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Students should also be able to fully justify their recommendations for each problem encountered.

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 appropriate content knowledge in solving accounting problems
2. Apply accounting knowledge to real situations
3. Appreciate and be aware of the dynamic nature of laws, standards and regulations which impact on accounting

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 following provides a brief overview of the five topics to be covered:
· Business Planning and Structuring
· Operations/Transactions
· Employment Issues
· Reporting (Internal and External); and
· Taxation.

Refer to the AYN520 Week 1 Unit Information document for a more detailed schedule.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate the aims and objectives of the unit. This unit is based on a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model/approach. The unit adopts a 'less teaching, more learning' philosophy. The emphasis of this subject is on active problem solving, rather than on technical content.

In the first discussion forum (which commences in Week 1), students will be asked to form into groups of four, five or, in some cases, six. The maximum number of groups in any one discussion forum is four (4). These groups will remain intact for the entire semester to simulate the real world workplace where groups with varying skills work together on specific projects - in this case to discuss and solve unstructured accounting-related problems typically encountered by graduates entering the profession.

There are no lectures in AYN520. Instead, for each of the five topics, students are expected to download Powerpoint Slides from the AYN520 blackboard site. These Powerpoint Slides merely present an overview of the topic. They do not provide ¿answers¿ to the problems that students will be presented with for each topic.

The Powerpoint slides are not intended to provide detailed information in the form of lecture notes on each topic. They are provided as a form of reference material only. The Powerpoint slides should be viewed as merely the starting point of your research on each topic and constitute reference material only. Students are responsible for their own learning and gathering information on the content of each topic.

It is recommended that students download the Powerpoint Slides from the AYN520 Blackboard site and go through the content before attending their discussion forum. Furthermore, students are encouraged to bring a printout of the Powerpoint slides to each discussion forum.

The discussion forums are conducted in the presence of a facilitator. A facilitator is similar to a tutor, however the facilitator will not be providing the students with answers to the PBLs. Instead, the facilitator's role will be to guide students through the problem solving process, rather than to coach them or provide them with the answers to each problem.

The facilitator will move between each group in the classroom. This way, the facilitator will observe first-hand the efforts of students, their contribution to group discussion and witness the process that each group takes to solve each problem. There are some additional facts that the facilitator may provide to each group (provided relevant questions are asked). The ability to ask the ¿right¿ questions is a key element of this subject.

Laptops are strictly not permitted to be used at any time during the discussion forums for any reason whatsoever. The reason being is that students have two weeks to research the problem (outside of the discussion forum). When a client is present (ie. the facilitator), the idea is to ask the client questions to gather additional information. Most clients would consider it ¿rude¿ if their advisor was to sit in front of them searching information on the laptop whilst in a client meeting.

There are two discussion forums held for each topic. As there are five topics in this subject, there are ten ¿active¿ discussion forums. The first discussion forum (ie. Week 1) will be used to provide students with an overview of the unit, its objective, assessment and a discussion as to how discussion forums will be conducted and what is expected from students.

Discussion forums are held each week of the semester. Accordingly, the discussion forums commence in Week 1. Each discussion forum is two (2) hours in duration.

Each of the five topics contain two PBLs (PBL 1 and PBL 2). These PBLs will be handed to students at the beginning of the first discussion forum for each topic and subsequently be made available to students on the AYN520 Blackboard site at the conclusion of the last discussion forum for that particular day (typically 8 pm).

These problems will form the basis of discussion between group members over the two discussion forums for each topic. Marks will be allocated by the facilitator based on individual student contribution to group discussion in the discussion forums.

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: Assessment in Discussion Forum
Description: Written Submission of PBL 1 (32%, being 4 summative topics x 8% each): Each group is required to submit their answer to PBL 1 on group firm letterhead. Each written submission will be marked by the group's facilitator and returned by the following week.
Technical correctness of PBL 2 (12%, being 4 summative topics x 3% each): By the end of the second discussion forum for each topic, each group will be asked to present their answer to PBL 2 to the rest of the class. Each group will be assessed on the technical correctness to their answer for PBL 2.
Facilitator assessment of contribution (16%, being 4 summative topics x 4% each): Each facilitator will award a total mark out of 16 in respect of each student's individual participation and contribution in discussion forums throughout the semester.

Length/Duration: For the written submissions, a maximum of 1,000 words for each PBL 1
Formative or Summative: All marks awarded in respect of Topic 1 are formative, whilst Topics 2, 3, 4 and 5 are summative.
Due Date: In terms of the written submission for PBL 1, fortnightly (at the beginning of Discussion Forums 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13). The first submission of PBL 1 in Discussion Forum 4 is not assessable and is formative. In terms of PBL 2, students will present their answer to the class at the end of the second discussion forum for each topic.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), TW (4.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Fortnightly

Assessment name: Integrated Case Study
Description: Each student (or group of two) will be required to complete an integrated case study. The case study is worth 40% and requires each student/group of two to review a client's MYOB data file and make appropriate end-of-year adjustments to this data file.
Each student (or group of two) will also be required to prepare an annual report for the client (which contains the external financial statements, directors' report, directors' declaration and accountant's compilation report). Each student (or group of two) will also be required to draft the income tax return for the client. Finally, calculations for several key financial ratios outlined in the business plan will also be required. For those financial ratios that not met, students are required to advise the client as to what specific strategies the client could adopt in order to improve business performance.
Group or Individual: Students will have the choice of completing this case study either by themselves or with another student enrolled in the unit. Groups of three or more students are strictly prohibited.
Length/Duration:TBA
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1, 1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End of semester

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
There is no prescribed text for this unit. However, as Integrated Issues in Professional Practice draws together elements from other accountancy units studied, students are encouraged to refer to textbooks used in other units studied in their degree.

Furthermore, there are no detailed notes for the AYN520 Integrated Issues in Professional Practice. Instead, students are responsible for their own learning and gathering information on the content of each topic.

A concise Powerpoint slide presentation summarising the most important aspects of each topic will be placed on the AYN520 Blackboard site for students to download and review before attending class.


Useful Websites
In Integrated Issues in Professional Practice, students are primarily responsible for researching issues and gathering information themselves, rather than relying on staff to provide them with technical content. To this end, the internet is vitally important and is an excellent source of information. Some of the more useful websites are:


1. Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB)
2. Australian Business Register (Apply for an ABN)
3. Australian Business Register (Search for an ABN)
4. Australian Financial Review
5. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
6. Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)
7. Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
8. CCH Online
9. CPA Australia
10. Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
11. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
12. International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
13. Legislation (Federal)
14. Legislation (Queensland)
15. Office of Fair Trading (Queensland)
16. Office of State Revenue (Land Tax)
17. Office of State Revenue (Payroll Tax)
18. Office of State Revenue (Stamp Duties)
19. Taxpayers Australia
20. Taxation Institute of Australia http://www.taxinstitute.com.au
Other Resources
Students would normally be expected to print Powerpoint slides, problems and the case study from the AYN520 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: 21-Feb-2013