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

Prerequisites

50 cps

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
06-July-2026
04-October-2026
Last self-enrolment date
19-July-2026
Census date
04-August-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
25-August-2026
Results released date
27-October-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Study Block 4
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
28-September-2026
29-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
28-September-2026
Census date
20-October-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
10-November-2026
Results released date
15-December-2026
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-August-2027
31-October-2027
Last self-enrolment date
15-August-2027
Census date
31-August-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
21-September-2027
Results released date
07-December-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 
  1. Discuss and evaluate the role that financial information plays in practice within an environment of business decision making.
  2. Apply accounting tools to prepare financial reports for both external and internal business use.
  3. Research and evaluate financial information in order to solve problems and to aid business decision making.
  4. Organise and communicate financial information, supported by well-reasoned arguments as appropriate.
  5. Apply digital tools and technologies to analyse financial data and support informed decision making.

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
Assignment 1 Individual 30 - 40%  2,4,5
Assignment 2 Individual  30 - 50%  1,3,4,5
Test Individual  20 - 30% 1
1

Content

  • Fundamentals of accounting
  • Financial statements preparation
  • Cost-volume-profit analysis
  • Tactical decision-making
  • Capital investment evaluation
  • Digital accounting tools
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Sustainability reporting

Study resources

Reading materials

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