The Bachelor of Accounting degree has been designed to give students a structured education in the disciplines of accounting and finance. The degree has been introduced at the request of the professional accounting bodies in Australia, and with the support of the Department of Employment, Education and Training. The course provides for accelerated learning, an integral component of which are the structured periods of industry-based learning. Students selected to undertake the degree will be awarded a scholarship of $4400 (or the equivalent in paid work-experience) per annum for each of the three years of the pass degree. The scholarships are provided by industry sponsors of the degree, who also play an important role in the industry-based learning sections of the course. During this time students work in commercial settings but also complete specified projects determined jointly by academics and sponsors. Over the length of the course, students spend time with a range of business organisations which have agreed to participate in the course. Admission to this course is limited to school leavers who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. A quota of fifty full-time places applies.
Course objectives
In addition to the common objectives that the Bachelor of Accounting degree has with the Bachelor of Commerce degree, students completing the course should:
* have experienced an academically challenging, accelerated academic program combined with an industry-based learning process which reinforces theoretical concepts in a practical work environment;
* have developed in a work environment interpersonal skills and group problem solving techniques;
* have developed effective communication skills through the preparation of project and industry-based learning reports;
* have developed personal attributes and skills at the workplace which are consistent with sponsor (employer) expectations as a consequence of the industry-based assessment.
Course structure
Refer to chart 1 in the section `Charts of degree structures'.
First year
Semester 1
* AAF1021/2 Accounting
* ECO1000 Economics
* ECM1020 Business and economic statistics
* AAF1110 Business law
Semester 2
* AAF1031/2 Accounting
* ECO1010 Economics
* ECM1031/2 Business and economic statistics
* AAF1140 Business finance
Summer Semester
* 12 week period of industry-based learning
Second year
Semester 1
* AAF2120 Financial accounting
* AAF3140 Business finance
* AAF3150 Income tax law
* Elective
Semester 2
* 14 week period of industry-based learning
Summer Semester
* 12 week period of industry-based learning
Third year
Semester 1
* AAF3120 Advanced accounting
* AAF2130 Management accounting
* Elective
* Elective
Semester 2
* AAF3110 Company law
* AAF3160 Auditing and systems
* AAF3130 Management accounting
* Elective
The sponsoring organisations are responsible for students during the ten months of industry-based learning. During this time, it is intended that sponsors will provide students with an integrated educational experience which illustrates and enhances their academic work. Participation in the industry-based learning component will be assessed by the use of:
* Student reports and diaries. These will be completed by the student and assessed by the institution. A copy of any assessment or report may be made available to the sponsor.
* Specified projects. Students will be expected to complete specified projects during the industry-based learning component which will be determined jointly by academics and sponsors. The projects will be designed to develop the student's analytic and problem solving skills, the student's interpersonal skills and they also provide an opportunity for the student to apply knowledge gained through the formal academic components of the degree program.
* Sponsors' reports. It is expected that the sponsor will induct the student into the organisation and that the usual performance reporting standards would be followed, eg formal and informal feedback, plus performance appraisals.
Electives
Electives can be taken from other accounting subjects or from the disciplines of economics, econometrics, and management or from other areas with the approval of the course director.
Progression to Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)
Students interested in undertaking the Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) should consult the head of the Department of Accounting and Finance or the course director.
For specific information on the structure and requirements of the honours specialisation see the section `Honours degrees' at the end of this chapter.