AYN418 Advanced Financial Accounting
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | AYN418 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | AYN416 or enrolment in BS11 Accountancy major (BS11MJR-ACCOUNT) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | AYN418 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | AYN416 or enrolment in BS11 Accountancy major (BS11MJR-ACCOUNT) |
| Coordinator: | Tracy Qu | tracy.qu@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Financial accounting is concerned with communicating information about an entity's financial position and performance to meet the decision making needs of external parties. In this unit, you will examine the accounting and reporting practices of reporting entities, particularly listed public companies. You will develop an understanding of, and the ability to critically evaluate, the various regulatory requirements governing financial reporting. You will gain an overview of the financial reporting environment and the theories that explain accounting policy choices made by management.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the Australian financial reporting requirements and apply them to practical situations. [KS1.1, HO2.1]
- Identify and analyse problems in financial reporting encountered by accountants and auditors in practice and communicate in written form, to relate these problems to broader analytical frameworks. [KS1.1, HO2.2, PC3.1]
- Analyse and evaluate relevant financial accounting literature, and communicate research‑based insights clearly and professionally in written form. [HO2.2, PC3.1]
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical principles in relation to issues in financial and non-financial reporting. [SE5.1]
Content
You will learn about the financial reporting environment and theories that explain accounting policy choices. You will explore a range of specific issues in financial accounting, with an emphasis on both the application of accounting techniques and the critical evaluation of issues arising from the application of alternative accounting methods.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in learning activities that focus on discussion and analysis of questions, problems, and case studies drawn from academic literature and professional accounting practice. You are expected to prepare carefully each week, participate actively in discussions, and review and refine your work over time. These learning approaches are designed to develop advanced critical thinking skills by enabling you to analyse and evaluate competing accounting theories, apply theoretical perspectives to complex accounting issues, interpret and critique accounting information and research, and communicate well‑reasoned written arguments expected of accounting professionals.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
The assessment aims to support your achievement of the learning outcomes for this unit. It has been designed in order to allow you to both:
- receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes (formative assessment); and
- demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Assignment
In this assessment, you will investigate, research, and critically evaluate contemporary accounting issues for Australian listed companies.
You will demonstrate your discipline knowledge, research skills, decision-making skills, and written communication skills within the context of a specific accounting problem.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)
Assessment: Business Report
In this assessment, you will apply your research from Assessment 1 to a practical, contemporary issue by analysing an accounting-related announcement by an ASX-listed company.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE(5.1)
Assessment: Final Exam
In the final exam, you will answer a mixture of theoretical and applied questions, drawing on any topics covered during the semester.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This invigilated examination requires attendance on campus or at an assessment centre, regardless of your attendance mode for the unit.
This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Deegan, C. Australian Financial Accounting (2020), 9th edition.
Sydney NSW: McGraw-Hill
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Online
| Unit code: | AYN418 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | AYN416 or enrolment in BS11 Accountancy major (BS11MJR-ACCOUNT) |
Overview
Financial accounting is concerned with communicating information about an entity's financial position and performance to meet the decision making needs of external parties. In this unit, you will examine the accounting and reporting practices of reporting entities, particularly listed public companies. You will develop an understanding of, and the ability to critically evaluate, the various regulatory requirements governing financial reporting. You will gain an overview of the financial reporting environment and the theories that explain accounting policy choices made by management.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the Australian financial reporting requirements and apply them to practical situations. [KS1.1, HO2.1]
- Identify and analyse problems in financial reporting encountered by accountants and auditors in practice and communicate in written form, to relate these problems to broader analytical frameworks. [KS1.1, HO2.2, PC3.1]
- Analyse and evaluate relevant financial accounting literature, and communicate research‑based insights clearly and professionally in written form. [HO2.2, PC3.1]
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical principles in relation to issues in financial and non-financial reporting. [SE5.1]
Content
You will learn about the financial reporting environment and theories that explain accounting policy choices. You will explore a range of specific issues in financial accounting, with an emphasis on both the application of accounting techniques and the critical evaluation of issues arising from the application of alternative accounting methods.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in learning activities that focus on discussion and analysis of questions, problems, and case studies drawn from academic literature and professional accounting practice. You are expected to prepare carefully each week, participate actively in discussions, and review and refine your work over time. These learning approaches are designed to develop advanced critical thinking skills by enabling you to analyse and evaluate competing accounting theories, apply theoretical perspectives to complex accounting issues, interpret and critique accounting information and research, and communicate well‑reasoned written arguments expected of accounting professionals.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
The assessment aims to support your achievement of the learning outcomes for this unit. It has been designed in order to allow you to both:
- receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes (formative assessment); and
- demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Assignment
In this assessment, you will investigate, research, and critically evaluate contemporary accounting issues for Australian listed companies.
You will demonstrate your discipline knowledge, research skills, decision-making skills, and written communication skills within the context of a specific accounting problem.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)
Assessment: Business Report
In this assessment, you will apply your research from Assessment 1 to a practical, contemporary issue by analysing an accounting-related announcement by an ASX-listed company.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE(5.1)
Assessment: Final Exam
In the final exam, you will answer a mixture of theoretical and applied questions, drawing on any topics covered during the semester.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This invigilated examination requires attendance on campus or at an assessment centre, regardless of your attendance mode for the unit.
This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Deegan, C. Australian Financial Accounting (2020), 9th edition.
Sydney NSW: McGraw-Hill
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.