ACCTG 321 : Strategic Management Accounting

Business and Economics

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of the design of revenue and cost management systems to facilitate strategic decisions. This includes activity-based costing and activity-based management. The learning environment is student-centred with the seminar leader's role being that of facilitator rather than lecturer. Students work not only as individuals but also in teams. The learning environment is a combination of lectures, case studies and related readings.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the importance of management accounting systems in supporting organisational efforts to survive and prosper in today's competitive environment. Management accounting systems have an important role to play in the successful formulation and implementation of competitive strategy. An organization’s success in developing, implementing and managing its strategic objectives depends on its ability to foster appropriate strategies then monitor, evaluate and manage their implementation.
This paper is primarily organised around seminars, during which students participate in group presentations and discussions of the use of management accounting systems in case studies. It therefore requires reading of multiple case studies and related materials to identify key concepts and application of those concepts to the case studies. The course has a strong emphasis on student self-learning. In meeting the learning objectives students will acquire knowledge and skills that are valuable in the work environment.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ACCTG 221 or 291

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Prepare and interpret management accounting information to support the implementation and evaluation of an organization's strategic objectives. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Apply a structured approach to analyse complex, case-based accounting problems. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  3. Communicate a structured approach to analyse complex, case-based accounting problems. (Capability 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Work collaboratively to debate case problems and synthesise solutions to reflect business strategy, accounting evidence, and human factors. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Team Presentation 15% Group Coursework
Seminar Discussion 15% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Team Presentation
Seminar Discussion
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

During a typical teaching week there will be 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of seminars. You will be expected to spend 3 hours preparing the case study for the week, which includes reviewing background materials, reading and annotating the case, attempting calculations and recommendations, and submitting your work. For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals 72 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 120 hours of study, that leaves a total of 48 hours over the semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments, etc.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled weekly seminars to receive credit for the participation component of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings but weekly seminars will not be recorded.

The course will not include live online events for group seminar discussions.

Attendance on campus is required for the exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Learning resources comprise the readings provided, case studies, class discussions, the University library, fellow students, previous and concurrent courses, and teaching staff. Selected readings will be made available on Canvas.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

We were pleased that the course received a high course satisfaction score in 2023. Accordingly, our changes for the year ahead are fine-tuning our delivery.

Each semester, we discuss prior feedback and our intended changes with the incoming class representatives. For 2024 we will be continuing to support working effectively in teams.

Other Information

There is a strong emphasis on reading and interpreting case studies in this course. Success in assessments requires students to have an in-depth knowledge of all the case materials.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 09/11/2023 03:04 p.m.