Overview

The aim of this unit is to provide a framework to learn accounting concepts. Students will learn how accounting concepts can be applied in business and provide useful information for evaluating and decision-making. Whatever aspect of business students intend to specialise in, they will need to be familiar with the concepts and principles underlying the practice of accounting. Such knowledge will enable students to understand the importance of financial information in decision-making and thereby provide them with the necessary financial literacy for their future roles in the world of business.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start and end dates
10-March-2025
08-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
23-March-2025
Census date
04-April-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
03-November-2025
08-February-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-November-2025
Census date
28-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-January-2026
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Discuss and evaluate the role that financial information plays in practice within an environment of business decision making
  • Apply accounting tools to prepare financial reports for both external and internal business use
  • Research and evaluate financial information in order to solve problems and to aid business decision making
  • Organise and communicate financial information, supported by well-reasoned arguments as appropriate
  • Work both independently and as a member of a team

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On-campus
Lecture		 1.00  1 week 1
Online
Lecture (asynchronous)		 1.00  11 weeks  11
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 9.50  12 weeks  114
TOTAL     150

Swinburne Online 

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentGroup 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
ExaminationIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4 
Online TestsIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Business Reporting - Financial reporting - Introduction to financial reports and their use in decision making
  • Business Reporting - Recording & reporting business transactions using accrual accounting
  • Business Reporting - Preparation and use of Cash Flow Statement
  • Performance Assessment - Analysis & Interpretation of Financial Reports
  • Performance Assessment - Introduction to Performance Evaluation - business unit & business unit manager
  • Business Planning - Revenue & Cost Determination
  • Business Planning - Cost Behaviour & Cost Volume Profit Analysis (CVP)
  • Business Planning - Operational Decision Making

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.