ACCTG 702 : Governance Issues in Accounting

Business and Economics

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to the economic literatures relating to property rights, transaction cost economics, and agency theory. Application of these notions to the way in which organisations are structured. Identification of why some transactions are internalised and some are undertaken through markets. The application of these ideas to financial and managerial accounting.

Course Overview

This course examines the role of information, knowledge, incentives and measurement in contracting, organisational design and the governance of economic transactions. In doing so, it applies the academic frameworks of property rights, transaction cost economics, and agency theory and stewardship theory. Hence, students will read, understand and discuss articles that develop and apply these frameworks in ways that contribute to our understanding of accounting, management control, corporate governance, and finance issues.
Students will also read and review articles that address contemporary governance issues. This may include articles on different organisational forms and governance metrics, board structure and other relevant topics related to the governance of organisations.

Course Requirements

Restriction: FINANCE 702

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and explain the major factors that explain why some economic transactions are organised within firms, why some are organised through contracts, and the implications for the boundaries of the firm. (Capability 1)
  2. Describe and explain how and why economic institutions and their ownership and governance structures differ across countries. (Capability 1)
  3. Explain how different forms of innovation (organisation structures, processes and procedures; and business models) help firms to create and capture value.Have a framework to address practical questions such as: contract design, organisational architecture, the level and composition of CEO pay, the size and structure of boards and their committees, etc.The importance of ethics and integrity of the firm and its executives and employees. (Capability 2, 3, 5.1 and 5.2)
  4. Collaborate with fellow students in group assignments and /or presentations. Write and present clear critiques for academic and professional purposes. (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 5% Individual Coursework
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 55% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Discussions
Assignments
Presentation
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.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 6 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 1 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures/clinics to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including [group discussions/tutorials].
Attendance on campus may be required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including lectures/clinics to receive credit for components of the course.
The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials/lectures and these will be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement and be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

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.

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 against online source material 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 24/11/2021 09:04 a.m.