Unit rationale, description and aim
Without knowledge of ethical accounting and financial analysis skills the business world could collapse. This unit will provide a non-specialist grounding in accounting and financial management so that students can appreciate the financial dimensions of decisions within business. Moreover, the unit considers corporate social responsibility within the context of financial management and sustainability in the promotion of stewardship for social good. The unit will enable students to understand the impact of economic transactions on a business' financial and operating capability as well as to recognise the use of accounting information in decision making without getting bogged down in the mechanics of the system. Building on this, students will develop fundamental financial planning and forecasting skills so that students can utilise these skills in life or business. This unit aims to introduce accounting and financial management skills in a non-technical way so students will be able to develop financial and accounting literacy as a life skill.
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 importance of accounting and its role ...
Learning Outcome 01
Recognise types of organisational structures and f...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply knowledge of communication theory and inform...
Learning Outcome 03
Evaluate the effect of recording basic business tr...
Learning Outcome 04
Analyse aspects of the global environment as well ...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Organisational structures and operations
- Business strategy and planning
- Budgeting
- Measuring and reporting accounting information
- Corporate social responsibility and ethical professional values
- Communication and information literacies
- Corporate governance
- Fundamental finance and risk
- Cost behaviour analysis
Assessment strategy and rationale
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and 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 BUSN105 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. The assessments include a written opinion editorial analysing governance, ethics, and sustainability in accounting; an individual presentation applying the duality principle and digital tools for recording transactions; and a final online assignment based on case-based scenarios using accounting concepts to assess financial strategies and organisational performance. These tasks develop critical thinking, technical skills, and professional communication aligned with learning outcomes.
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 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 the Assessments
Assessment 1: Written opinion editorials Student...
Assessment 1: Written opinion editorials
Students will evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives and apply critical thinking skills to explain the importance of accounting and an organisation’s governance framework, and how corporate social responsibility and sustainability are integrated. Students are also required to formally communicate how accounting can be used to promote ethical professional values.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Written opinion editorial (1000 words)
Artefact: Opinion Editorial
25%
Assessment 2: Individual presentation This asses...
Assessment 2: Individual presentation
This assessment requires students to present on how to record business transactions for different types of business that report financial position and performance using the principles of the duality of accounting and digital literacies.
Submission Type: individual
Assessment Method: Presentation
Artefact: Presentation
30%
Final Assessment: Online This is an online assig...
Final Assessment: Online
This is an online assignment in which students will solve and answer problem-based and/or case-study based scenarios using various accounting concepts/techniques to demonstrate how varying economic events, strategies and financial planning and control affect organisational performance.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Online Assignment
Artefact: Submitted answer
45%
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 business concepts in practical scenarios. Learning activities are scaffolded, building skills progressively to support student development and professional readiness. This unit will provide a non-specialist grounding in accounting and financial management so that students can appreciate the financial dimensions of decisions within business.
Mode of Delivery:
The unit is offered in Attendance and Online modes 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.
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.