Accounting Reports and Analysis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces students to the nature of accounting and its role in both financial markets and within organisations. Topics covered provide an overview of key financial and managerial accounting concepts and include: the constituent elements of financial statements; alternative accounting method choice for key assets and managerial incentives associated with method choice; the analysis and interpretation of financial statement data; the use of accounting information within organisations to support managerial planning, control and decision making. The coverage and treatment of material in this course is specifically designed to meet the needs of undergraduate students from all disciplines. The focus is on the informed use of accounting information rather than the preparation of accounts.

• Explain the purposes of accounting within financial markets and business organisations;
• Identify different business structures and their information requirements;
• Define and describe the major categories of assets, liabilities and equities, revenues and expenses;
• Analyse and interpret major financial statements and the accounting policy choices that influence their preparation;
• Analyse cost and revenue information for internal planning and decision making;
• Interpret accounting information in subunit performance reports;
• Explain the concepts of corporate governance, ethics and ‘good governance’ and its influence on accounting;
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of accounting information relative to the purposes it serves.

• 3 hour end of semester examination (70%)
• Group assignment(s) totalling not more than 2000 words, or equivalent (20%) due at regular intervals during the semester
• Tutorial work (10%)

Successful completion of this subject requires a minimum 50% pass in the end of semester examination

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• High level of development: collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis.
• Moderate level of development: oral communication; written communication: critical thinking; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
• Some level of development: statistical reasoning; synthesis of data and other information.