Course Outline

ACC106 Accounting Principles

Course Coordinator:Leanda Garvie (lgarvie@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2025Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course is a key introductory course for students who wish to complete an accounting degree and pursue a career in the accounting profession. It is also beneficial for students from other disciplines as it stresses the importance of accounting knowledge in the modern business environment. It is structured so that you will learn how to apply the concepts and processes of financial accounting and develop an introductory understanding of how accounting information is used for management decision making. In this course you will apply critical thinking skills to analyse business transactions, complete the accounting cycle, prepare and analyse financial statements, and evaluate internal controls, and you will develop skills in digital literacy using business software applications. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Pre-recorded concept videos and associated activities 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – In-class workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Pre-recorded concept videos and associated activities 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Interactive zoom tutorial 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

Introduction to accounting and business decision making

Business structures

Business transactions

Statement of financial position

Statement of profit or loss

Statement of cashflows and cash controls

Analysis and interpretation of financial statements

Budgeting

Cost-volume-profit analysis

Financing the business

Performance measurement

Accounting software

 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
1 Understand and interpret accounting-related knowledge and information and apply such knowledge and information in a business context for decision making. Knowledgeable
PC3, PC3.1, PC6, PC6.2
2 Use critical thinking to identify, analyse and solve problems in diverse areas of accounting. Creative and critical thinker
PC3, PC3.1
3 Apply technical and software skills to the field of accounting. Empowered
PC1.1, PC1.2, PC1.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC1.2 Oral Communication
PC1.3 Digital Literacy
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC6 Career-ready
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Students will have online access to formative/practice quizzes throughout the semester. Feedback on incorrect responses will be automatically generated. Students will receive regular feedback on their progress during weekly tutorials and guidance on assignment preparation.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Technical and Scientific Individual 30%
N/A
Week 7 Online Submission
All 2 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Individual 20%
N/A
Week 11 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50%
90 minutes
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Accounting cycle simulation
Goal:
To apply introductory accounting concepts to practical scenarios and demonstrate completing the accounting cycle.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific
Format:
Completion of steps in the financial accounting process using an Excel spreadsheet template.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Analysis and interpretation of business transaction information to complete the accounting cycle
1
2
Application of creative and critical thinking skills to a practical business context
2
3
Demonstration of digital literacy applicable to the accounting profession
3
Generic Skills:
Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Practical accounting software application
Goal:
To demonstrate effective use of accounting software in relation to financial accounting transactions of a fictional business. To follow basic steps and to produce the required output.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Format:
Completion of steps in the financial accounting process using accounting software submitted with a small written summary.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Analysis and interpretation of business transaction information to enter into accounting software
1
2
Application of creative and critical thinking skills to a practical business context
2
3
Demonstration of digital literacy applicable to the accounting profession
3
Generic Skills:
Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Final Examination
Goal:
The aim is to assess the accounting knowledge and theory learnt in this course.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format:
This assessment task is an online, open-book and invigilated exam.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Interpreting accounting knowledge and applying to practical scenarios to make decisions.
1
2
Interpreting and applying knowledge to solve problems correctly.
2
Generic Skills:
Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Assessment to competency mapping

Programme Delivery Mode Assessment Type Title Competency Teaching Methods
2020 UniSC Business School Standards Undergraduate
All delivery modes Artefact - Technical and Scientific Accounting cycle simulation PC1.3 Assessed
PC3.1 Assessed
PC6.2 Assessed
Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Practical accounting software application PC1.3 Assessed
PC3.1 Assessed
PC6.2 Assessed
Examination - Centrally Scheduled Final Examination PC3.1 Assessed
PC6.2 Assessed

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Jacqueline Birt,Keryn Chalmers,Suzanne Maloney,Albie Brooks,Judy Oliver,David Bond 2023 Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 8th Edition 8 n/a

Specific requirements

It is your responsibility to have a calculator and access to a personal computer.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au