Unit rationale, description and aim

The unit is a foundation unit for Accounting. Accounting is a discipline that is becoming more and more in demand with the growth and evolution of the world’s diverse economy. This unit introduces basic concepts and procedures of accounting and the application of these concepts in decision-making by a wide range of potential stakeholders. Students will learn how to reflect and integrate the ethical, theoretical and technical knowledge of accounting to promote corporate social responsibility including sustainability. Students will be able to identify the fundamental elements of accounting and learn how business transactions are recorded in order to prepare financial statements. Students will be introduced to the regulatory environment and accounting framework and standards that govern financial reporting. Building on this, students will develop the skills to evaluate organisational performance through analysis of financial statements and communicate student’s interpretation to stakeholders. As students develop their accounting skills they will learn how to evaluate and manage internal control aspects of an organisation’s accounting elements. Ultimately, the aim of this unit is to ground students in the primary aspects of accounting to prepare them for further education in the discipline.

2026 10

Campus offering

Find out more about study modes.

Unit offerings may be subject to minimum enrolment numbers.

Please select your preferred campus.

  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Online Scheduled
  • ACU Term 1Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 3Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

BUSN104 Money Matters

Incompatible

ACCT100 - Introduction to Accounting

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Explain the ethical role of accountants and the co...

Learning Outcome 01

Explain the ethical role of accountants and the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the importance of compliance within the accounting profession
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC6

Communicate accounting and financial information, ...

Learning Outcome 02

Communicate accounting and financial information, business insights, analyses, recommendations and rationale using knowledge of communication theory and information literacies to diverse audiences using a range of media
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC9

Analyse financial information and related disclosu...

Learning Outcome 03

Analyse financial information and related disclosures including non-financial data and information such as sustainability reports, integrated reports and extended external reporting
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC7

Distinguish and apply Generally Accepted Accountin...

Learning Outcome 04

Distinguish and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2

Apply the duality of accounting treatments and int...

Learning Outcome 05

Apply the duality of accounting treatments and internal control used to record basic business transactions for various types of businesses over a complete accounting cycle
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC8

Content

Topics will include:

  • The ethical role of accounting and accounting professionals
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Conceptual Framework of accounting
  • Generally accepted accounting principles and accounting standards for financial reporting
  • Communicating effectively to inform
  • Financial statement analysis and interpretation
  • Sustainability reporting, integrated reports and extended external reporting
  • Recording and analysing business transactions for various businesses and elements using double entry accounting
  • Principles underlying accounting practice and internal control

Assessment strategy and rationale

To pass this unit, students must achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Assessment tasks in ACCT210 are aimed at measuring and developing student’s achievement of both the learning outcomes and graduate attributes noted above. In this unit there are multiple forms of formative assessment for a student to assess their progress against the learning objectives as well as three (3) main pieces of summative assessment. The same assessment strategy applies to all modes of delivery. If learning mode is online, Assessment will be conducted online.

Students must comply with the university’s Student Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy. This includes avoiding unauthorised or undisclosed use of artificial intelligence, such as using generative AI, paraphrasing tools, or translation software, unless explicitly authorised in the assessment requirements and properly acknowledged. Breaches of academic integrity will be addressed in accordance with university procedures.

Overview of assessments

Overview of Assessments

Assessment 1: Analytical Report This task requir...

Assessment 1: Analytical Report

This task requires students to analyse and interpret financial and non-financial information—including sustainability reports, integrated reports, and extended external reporting—while considering the ethical responsibilities of accountants and the application of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the accounting profession.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Analytical Report

Artefact: Assessor generated summary as per rubric

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC6, GC7

Assessment 2: Written report This assessmen...

Assessment 2: Written report

This assessment task requires students to review an organisation’s financial and sustainability disclosures based on GAAP, including financial statements endorsed therein to determine organisational performance.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Written Report 2000 words

Artefact: Written Business Analytical Report

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC6, GC9

Assessment 3: Examination This is a practical a...

Assessment 3: Examination

This is a practical assessment that requires students to demonstrate their understanding and application of fundamental but critical accounting concepts/techniques covered in the unit.

Submission Type: Individual

Assessment Method: Examination (Equivalent 1800 words)

Artefact: Submitted answer.  

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO4, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC8

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

ACU’s teaching approach focuses on achieving learning outcomes by engaging students as active participants in constructing knowledge. Learning involves both independent inquiry and collaboration with others, allowing students to critically engage with material, apply higher-order thinking, and develop real-world problem-solving skills. The unit follows an experiential learning model, encouraging students to apply accounting concepts in practical scenarios. Learning activities are scaffolded, building skills progressively to support student development and professional readiness.

Mode of Delivery:

The unit is offered in three modes—Attendance, Multi, and ACU Online—to accommodate diverse learning needs and increase accessibility.

Attendance Mode: It is delivered in a flipped classroom format with face-to-face lectures and workshops. Students complete preparatory work before attending, followed by revision and practice. Online resources supplement in-class learning through interactive content.

Multi-Mode: It combines online learning with scheduled face-to-face workshops. Students engage with recorded lectures, complete online tasks, and apply knowledge during in-person sessions.

ACU Online: It is delivered fully online through asynchronous learning. Students explore content independently, contribute to online discussions, and apply learning to real-world situations. Ongoing feedback supports their progress and achievement of learning outcomes.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Birt, J, Chalmers, K, Maloney, S, Brooks, A, Oliver, J. & Bond D 2023. Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 8th edn. John Wiley and Sons, Milton. Dwyer, J 2020, Communication for Business and the Professions: Strategies and Skills, 7th edn, Pearson, Melbourne.

Carlon, S., McAlpine, R., Lee, C., Mitrione, L., Kirk, N. and Wong, L 2022. Financial Accounting: Reporting, Analysis and Decision Making, (7th edition). John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

Contemporary Accounting Research: Wiley at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/loi/19113846

Cunningham, BM, Nikolai, LA, Bazley, JD, Kavanagh, M, Slaughter, G & Simmons, S 2018, Accounting: Information for business decisions 3rd edn, Cengage Learning, Melbourne.

Dwyer, J 2020, Communication for Business and the Professions: Strategies and Skills, 7th edn, Pearson, Melbourne.

Hoggett, J, Medlin, J, Chalmers, K, Beattie, C, Hellmann, A & Maxfield J 2020, Accounting, 11th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton. 

Romney, M, Steinbart, P, Summers, S & Wood, D 2024. Accounting Information Systems, 16th edn, Pearson, Hoboken, NJ.

Gelinas, U, Dull, R, Wheeler, P & Hill, M 2024. Accounting Information Systems, 12th edn, Cengage, Boston.

Turner, L & Weickgenannt, A. 2024. Accounting Information Systems: Controls and Processes, 4th edn, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability journal: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/acronym/aaaj

Accounting, organizations and society [The journal focuses on the relationships between accounting and both human behaviour and organizations' structures, processes, social, and political environments], Elsevier Publishing https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/accounting-organizations-and-society

Locations
Credit points
Year

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs