Overview
This unit introduces you to the role of accounting in business and to key financial and management accounting concepts. You will be given a different listed company and are introduced to the actual financial statements of your firm, completing simple analyses of your firm's financial statements using Excel. You will also be supported to develop your skills to learn more effectively and to communicate and collaborate online.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
Students suggested some incremental improvements to the Company Spreadsheet template used in the unit to make it more user-friendly.
The UC will make some adjustments to the Company Spreadsheet to assist with its use by students.
Feedback from Student feedback
Some students requested that recordings of the workshops be made available as soon as possible each week after the online classes.
The UC will seek to edit and load video recordings of the workshops by the morning of the day after each week's workshop in Term 1. These recordings for all weeks will then be provided in Terms 2 and 3 at the beginning of term.
- Explain the main types of financial statements
- Discuss the usefulness of accounting information to management
- Use accounting information to analyse the performance of a business
- Use Excel to perform simple manipulation and analysis of accounting-related information
- Develop skills to learn more effectively and better communicate and collaborate online.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Word
- Excel
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.tyler@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Nov 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Find your Company: Friday Week 1, 5:00 PM AEST
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Nov 2025Module/Topic
A Way of Viewing Business/Accounting Rules
Chapter
Introduction,1,2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#1 Steps 1 - 4
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Nov 2025Module/Topic
Introducing Financial Statements
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#1 Steps 3 - 6
Week 4
Begin Date: 01 Dec 2025Module/Topic
Introducing Financial Statements
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#1 Steps 3 - 6
Week 5
Begin Date: 08 Dec 2025Module/Topic
Assignment 1 & Assignment 2
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#1 Steps 3 - 6
Week 6
Begin Date: 15 Dec 2025Module/Topic
What is Learning (Revisited)?
Chapter
Introduction, 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 1-3
ASSIGNMENT 1 Due: Week 6 Monday (15 Dec 2025) 11:00 am AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 22 Dec 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 29 Dec 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 05 Jan 2026Module/Topic
Ratio Analysis
Chapter
5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 1-3
Week 8
Begin Date: 12 Jan 2026Module/Topic
Understanding Key Cost Relationships
Chapter
6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 3-5
Week 9
Begin Date: 19 Jan 2026Module/Topic
Understanding Key Cost Relationships
Chapter
6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 3-5
Week 10
Begin Date: 26 Jan 2026Module/Topic
Budgeting
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 5-7
Week 11
Begin Date: 02 Feb 2026Module/Topic
Capital Expenditure Decisions
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work on ASS#2 Steps 5-7
Week 12
Begin Date: 09 Feb 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Feb 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Feb 2026Module/Topic
No Exam in this unit
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
The AI Scale Level applicable to this assessment is AI Scale Level 2: AI Planning - AI may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis, and ideation, and this assessment should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
This is your first assignment for this unit. It is made up of six steps.
You will be given your company at the end of Week 1.
This assignment will give you the opportunity to explore what your own company does and what your firm’s financial statements may have to tell you about your firm.
The key things to achieve in your ASS#1 is to find your company’s latest annual report and to have a look at it; to get a feel for what your firm actually does and what you are able to understand about your firm from your first look at its financial statements.
You will also input your company’s last four years of financial statements into your spreadsheet. As well, you will have the opportunity to experience how interacting with others in the unit may be able to help you to better understand your firm.
This assessment allows for a resubmitted attempt in certain circumstances. If you have achieved between 40–49% of the total marks for this assessment item, you may request the Unit Coordinator for this unit to allow you to make a resubmission. You must make this request in writing via email within three calendar days of receiving your marks and feedback for this assessment.
The Unit Coordinator has the sole discretion for allowing a re-submission attempt. If the Unit Coordinator allows a resubmission attempt, the decision will be conveyed to you in writing via email to your student email address. The notice will include instructions for you on:
· What has to be done by you
· When and how you must resubmit (no more than seven calendar days from the decision being emailed to you will be allowed).
Your resubmission will result in no more than 50% of the allowed marks for this assessment item being awarded in total. That is, if you are allowed a resubmission, you can achieve no more than 50% for this assessment item, regardless of how well you perform in your resubmission.
No extensions will be allowed for your resubmission.
Week 6 Monday (15 Dec 2025) 11:00 am AEST
Your Assignment 1 will be marked promptly; and within 2 weeks. You will receive a mark, individual feedback, general feedback and exemplars.
Step 1 KCQs = 5 marks
Step 2 Introductory words in Description box = 1 mark Photo and description = 1 mark Link to your blog/Set up blog = 1 mark
Step 3 Background information on company = 7 marks Comments/KCQs = 5 marks Top 3 blogs = 3 marks
Step 4 Input company’s financial statements = 7 marks
Step 5 KCQs = 5 marks
Step 6 Individual feedback with other students = 5 marks
TOTAL 40 marks.
- Explain the main types of financial statements
- Use accounting information to analyse the performance of a business
- Use Excel to perform simple manipulation and analysis of accounting-related information
- Develop skills to learn more effectively and better communicate and collaborate online.
2 Written Assessment
This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
The AI Scale Level applicable to this assessment is AI Scale Level 2: AI Planning - AI may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis, and ideation, and this assessment should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
The second assignment is your final assignment for this unit. It is made up of seven steps.
Step 1: (5 marks) Step 1 involves you writing down some of your ideas, reflections and reactions to reading Chapter 6 ‘Understanding Key Cost Relationships’ in the Study Guide.
Step 2: (6 marks) Step 2 involves you classifying your firm’s financial statements into Operating and Financial items.
Step 3: (10 marks) Step 3 involves you identifying three products or services of your firm and estimating their selling price and variable cost and calculating their contribution margins - and commenting on the contribution margins and constraints.
Step 4: (19 marks) Step 4 involves you calculating some ratios for your firm and assessing its business performance.
Step 5: (10 marks) Step 5 involves you developing a capital investment decision for your firm and completing a simple analysis of this decision using payback period, NPV and IRR.
Step 6: (5 marks) Step 6 involves you writing down some of your ideas, reflections and reactions to reading Chapter 8 'We Have Got to Make Some Decisions' in the Study Guide.
Step 7: (5 marks) Step 7 involves you providing (and receiving) feedback to three other students in our unit on their draft ASS#2.
Week 12 Monday (9 Feb 2026) 11:00 am AEST
Your Assignment 2 will be marked promptly - and within 2 weeks. You will receive a mark, individual feedback, general feedback and exemplars.
Step 1 KCQs – Chapter 6 = 5 marks
Step 2 Classify your firm’s financial statements into Operating and Financial items = 6 marks
Step 3 Identify three products or services of your firm = 3 marks Estimate selling price, variable cost & CM = 3 marks Commentary – contribution margins = 2 marks Constraints – identify & commentary = 2 marks
Step 4 Calculation of ratios = 7 marks Commentary – ratios = 12 marks
Step 5 Develop capital investment decision for your firm = 2 marks Calculation of payback period, NPV & IRR = 6 marks Recommendation & discussion = 2 marks
Step 6 KCQs - Chapter 8 = 5 marks
Step 7 Individual feedback with other students = 5 marks
TOTAL 60 marks
- Discuss the usefulness of accounting information to management
- Use accounting information to analyse the performance of a business
- Use Excel to perform simple manipulation and analysis of accounting-related information
- Develop skills to learn more effectively and better communicate and collaborate online.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
