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Accounting and Accountability for Decision Making unit (BFA507)

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Unit year 2027

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Location: Melbourne Study Centre, Hobart, Online

Introduction

Accounting and Accountability for Decision Making is an introductory accounting unit that explores the evolving role of accounting in promoting organisational accountability, especially in social and environmental contexts. It emphasises that accounting is not just about financial reporting and cost management, but also about reflecting an organisation's sustainability and ethical responsibilities to enable informed decision making. In this unit you will learn about double entry, accrual accounting, the five elements of financial reports, financial analysis, budgeting, and cloud-based accounting software, while also exploring concepts such as life cycle analysis and how to measure and report on an organisation’s social and environmental performance. This contemporary approach ensures you will understand the broader impact of accounting on society and the environment.

Summary

Unit name Accounting and Accountability for Decision Making
Unit code BFA507
Credit points 12.5
College/School Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline Accounting
Coordinator Doctor Mitali Panchal
Delivered By University of Tasmania and Third Party(ies): ECA
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Melbourne Study Centre Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 21/2/2027 15/3/2027 18/4/2027 12/6/2027
Semester 2 4/7/2027 26/7/2027 29/8/2027 23/10/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply accounting and accountability concepts to accounting systems and reporting
  • Critique complex financial and non-financial reports for potential accounting issues
  • Prepare financial statements using contemporary accounting theory and practice to inform stakeholder decision-making

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
not applicable
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XPD509

Teaching

AssessmentOral presentation (25%)|Portfolio PLUS Weekly Draft Submissions due: Week 2 to Week 6 (35%)|MYOB Case Study (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Birt, J., Chalmers, K., Maloney, S., Brooks, A., Bond, D., and Oliver J.  (2026). Accounting: business reporting for decision making, 9th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.

Textbook Options:

Option 1 – eBook Subscriptions: Semester plan or Monthly plan

Students can purchase a subscription to the full interactive eBook from Wiley Business Now at: https://www.wileydirect.com.au/blog/buy/accounting-business-reporting-for-decision-making/

BONUS: Subscriptions to Wiley Business Now also include access to multiple prescribed resources, inclusive of extra learning tools like practice quizzes and media.

Option 2 – Buy-To-Own

A printed hardcopy of the prescribed text and/or lifetime access to the interactive e-text is available from Wiley Direct: https://www.wileydirect.com.au/blog/buy/accounting-business-reporting-for-decision-making/

Option 3 – Shared Library Access

An electronic copy of the required text is available on the Library website. Please note that the shared library e-book is not interactive, and you will not have access to the additional resources noted in Option 1. You can access the latest copy from the Reading List on the unit’s homepage in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.
Recommended

These materials will be useful to your developing knowledge and understanding of the content in this unit, but you are not required to purchase them. When seeking sources of evidence to support your assignment work, you will find these a useful starting point. These materials are available for a limited loan period from the University Library collection.

Deegan, C. 2023, An Introduction to Accounting: Accountability in Organisations and Society, 2nd Ed., Nelson ITP, Cengage Learning Australia, Melbourne.

Hoggett, J., Medlin, J., Chalmers, K., Beattie, C., Hellman, A., and Maxfield, J. 2024. Financial accounting, 12th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.