Overview

The primary aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the theoretical framework underlying the discipline of accounting. This will entail a study of the major theoretical concepts and principles in accounting, and the manner in which these concepts and principles are applied in practice.

Requisites

Prerequisites
ACC20013 Company Accounting
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
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:

  • Evaluate and discuss the role of regulation in financial reporting and the political forces at play
  • Evaluate and discuss whether information provided in financial reports is useful to investors and creditors
  • Apply a conceptual approach to the definition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income, revenue, and equity
  • Explain the role of positive accounting theory in explaining and predicting accounting policy choice, the behaviour of the capital markets and the behaviour of relevant individuals, including ethical issues that may arise
  • Research, analyse and discuss complex contemporary financial accounting issues, formulate well-reasoned and coherent arguments and reach well-considered conclusions in relation to those issues

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

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
AssignmentIndividual 20 - 30% 3,4,5 
ExaminationIndividual 50 - 70% 1,2,3,4 
TestIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,3 

Content

  • Regulatory frameworks
  • Accounting theories
  • Accounting conceptual framework
  • Measurement issues in accounting
  • Application of theories and measurement issues
  • Non-financial corporate reporting information and issues

Study resources

Reading materials

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