Assessment Details:
The assessments for this subject are described below. The description includes the type of assessment, its purpose, weighting, due date and submission requirements, the topic of the assessment, details of the task and detailed marking criteria, including a marking rubric for essays, reports and presentations.
Assessment 1
Assessment Type: Mid-trimester exam – invigilated open book exam – individual assessment. Students are expected to bring a non-programmable calculator to the test. No other materials will be permitted.
Purpose: The purpose of the mid-trimester examination is to test your understanding of course concepts and your ability to apply these concepts. This assessment relates to learning outcomes a, c and e.
Task:
The examination will include some multiple choice questions and some short and long answer questions which will require a mixture of calculations and theory to answer these questions.
Marking Guide: Marks will be allocated based on correct answers and other relevant detail provided in the answers such as explanations, reasons or calculations as relevant.
Assessment 2
Assessment Type: Group Assignment – Case study and Report
Purpose: To allow students to demonstrate their mastery of the subject, and further their team working skills. This assessment relates to learning outcomes a, b, c, d.
Topic: Accounting and control of business operations in an uncertain economic environment
Students are to form into groups of four to three. All students in each group are to be from the same tutorial class. Each group is to produce a report in two parts. The content of Part B will be based upon the findings and modelling presented in Part A.
A company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange will be allocated to each group by Week 4 and advised by tutor and lecturer as the subject of the case study and report. No two groups within a single tutorial group are to review the same business. Please note that only publicly available data should be collected, recorded, or analysed in recognition that further material may be commercially sensitive.
Part A
You are to review the 2020 and 2021 annual reports and the company announcements on the investor pages of your allocated company to specifically review the responses made in relation to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The group should also review and analyse what effects may be apparent on the operations and financial outcomes of this company including their costs and profit outcomes based on the changes reported from the 2020 to the 2021 annual reports and overall value creation.
Relevant operating outcomes presented in the annual report may include segment data, group operating profit, contribution margin and net profit. Groups are to concentrate on those numbers related to operational outcomes however for companies that carry inventory, ratios such as inventory turnover ratios may also be calculated and used in consideration of supply chain issues may have arisen in their operational practices and outcomes.
Part B
Students are to research academic literature related to the topics of cost control, cost management methods and supply chain management and produce a review of this literature for inclusion in the report.
Students are to relate how the operational challenges faced by the case company to this literature in relation to management accounting practices in providing relevant information to management for creating value.
Students should also, suggest three additional measures this company may make to their operations and suggest relevant financial or non-financial measures of performance to monitor and control management outcomes during this crisis period. These measures may include, supply chain changes, product mix changes and possibly pricing strategy changes. (LO b, c, d).
Marking rubric Assessment
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Criteria
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Fail
(0 – 49%)
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Pass (50 – 64%)
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Credit (65 – 74%)
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Distinction (75 – 84%)
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High Distinction (85 – 100%)
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Research – extent and application
Value 30% mark awarded
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Inaccurate, inappropriate or no use of literature.
Analysis not developed. Few original explanations provided.
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Minimum number of sources, not all current or relevant. Paraphrasing used throughout but not always accompanied by original explanations.
Theory relevant
but not always linked to analysis.
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Sound selection of theory from a range of sources to build and adequately justifies analysis. Paraphrasing used throughout but accompanied by original explanations.
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Thorough and appropriate selection of theory from a good range of current and relevant sources to systematically build and justify analysis.
Minimal paraphrasing.
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Inciteful integration and originality in the selection of relevant theory from a wide range of current and sources integrated in a systematic way to build and justify analysis
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Analysis of the organisation’s annual reports
Value 10% mark awarded
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Limited evaluation. Significant gaps in knowledge of the theory and lack of understanding of company’s operational measures presented.
No analysis provided. Disjointed or no discussion.
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Basic discussion of areas of strength and weakness in the organisation’s capabilities. Work reflects basic engagement with organisational context or relevant theory. Most aspects of the task completed but assessment lacks cohesion.
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Identifies and discusses areas of strength and weakness in the organisation’s operations and relevant measures.
Discussion of some relevant issues in theory and organisational content in evaluation providing some cohesion.
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Identifies and clearly explains areas of strength and weakness in the organisation’s operations and relevant measures. Links to organisational context and relevant theory in evaluation. All aspects of the task completed with minimal errors in cohesion.
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Identifies and insightfully discusses areas of strength and weakness in the organisation’s operations and relevant measures. Strong links to organisational context and relevant theory in evaluation. All aspects of the task completed in a comprehensive and cohesive
manner.
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Evaluation of impact of COVID-19 on
organisation’s operations and initiatives reported.
Value 25% mark awarded
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Insufficient clarity in modelling and budgeting presented and lacking any supporting theoretical link to models presented.
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Some basic links made to theory to justify the modelling and budgeting suggested.
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Some clear links made to theory to justify the modelling and budgeting suggested.
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Thoroughly displays links between theory to justify the modelling and budgeting suggested
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Extensive evidence of theory used in the application and creation of modelling and budgeting package.
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Proposal of workable initiatives and management control system
Value 25% mark awarded
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Less than three initiatives and limited evaluation of organisational context in selecting suitable controls or measurement system for selected company.
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Three initiatives with basic proposals with some methods of managing and controlling implementation of initiatives presented
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Three initiatives with sound reasoning and evaluation of a range of relevant measures of performance and managing control of the organisation
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Thorough evaluation of the organisation context evident in the selection of initiatives and measures of performance and control of the organisation supported by theory applicable to
context
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Extensive evaluation of the organisation context evident in the selection of initiatives and methods of managing control of the organisation fully supported by theory applicable to context
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Presentation
Value 10% mark awarded
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Referencing mostly absent / not systematic / incorrect however some effort has been made.
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Acceptable presentation – but errors demonstrate lack of attention to detail. Some attempt at referencing.
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Sound presentation overall but some errors.
Referencing is mostly accurate.
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Displays elements of critical presentation Minor errors in some elements. Correct referencing throughout.
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Excellent presentation – satisfies all elements.
Correct referencing throughout.
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Total Mark: / 100 30%
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COMMENTS:
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