ACCT5931 Sustainable Management Accounting - 2023

Subject Code
ACCT5931
Study Level
Postgraduate
Commencing Term
Term 1
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
6
Delivery Mode
On Campus and Online
School
Accounting Auditing & Tax
This course outline is provided in advance of offering to guide student course selection. Please note that while accurate at time of publication, changes may be required prior to the start of the teaching session. To view other versions, visit the archives .

1. Course Details

Summary of Course

This course introduces emergent thinking about the interfaces between financial and business performance with a focus on adding value to the business, rather than emphasising financial control. The link between strategy and resource management is highlighted, in focusing on the effective use of an organisation’s financial and other resources in creating value for customers and shareholders. The course aims to introduce sustainable financial management as an integrated way of thinking about the key drivers of value in organisations.

Please note that Term 1, 2023 will be the last term whereby online seminars will be offered. All seminars will be conducted on campus thereafter.

Teaching Times and Locations

Please note that teaching times and locations are subject to change. Students are strongly advised to refer to the Class Timetable website for the most up-to-date teaching times and locations.

View course timetable

Course Policies & Support

Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

The course has the following aims:

  • To highlight and evaluate contemporary resource management practices;

  • To explore the linkages between these practices and enterprise performance;

  • To discuss the relevance of heightened organisation-wide awareness of the nature, and value creation potential, of enterprise resources;

  • To examine the implications of realigning existing organisational performance measurement systems to strategic aims and stakeholder value creation objectives.

Note: This course is offered by the School of Accounting within the Master of Commerce degree. In order to enrol in this course, the following pre-requisite must have been satisfied – ACCT5996: Management Accounting and Business Analysis. The course is not available to students who have completed ACCT3583 or ACCT3593 in the last three years.

2. Staff Contact Details

Position Title Name Email Location Phone Consultation Times
Lecturer-in-chargeMrJonathan Yuen
​Please refer to Moodle for consultation hours.
LecturerProfKerry HumphreysRoom 3110, Quadrangle building - Ref E15+61 2 9065 5527​Please refer to Moodle for consultation hours.
LecturerDrRachael LewisRoom 3071, Quadrangle Building- Ref E15+61 2 9065 2970​Please refer to Moodle for consultation hours.
The policies regarding staff contact in the School of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation are as follows:
  • All questions regarding course administration should be directed to the Lecturer-in-charge.
  • The full-time staff will be available for consultation starting from Weeks 2 to 10 and STUVAC period.
  • Consultation hours will be advised on the course Moodle page in a consolidated timetable.
  • Students are encouraged to consult with staff during online consultation sessions. Consultation will not be provided via email or phone.
  • Consultation times during STUVAC period will likely vary to the regular consultation during Term and be posted on the course webpage later in the Term.

While emails to staff should be a rare occurrence as noted above, in instances where it is warranted, please make sure that:
  • You use your UNSW email address when corresponding with the teaching staff on this course. Emails from other addresses (such as Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, 126, QQ, etc.) are not accepted and will not be replied to.
  • You must use appropriate communication level with staff, emails and discussion forum posts that use short-hand and “Texting” language are not acceptable, and communication must be in English. If your email cannot be understood then staff will not reply.
  • You must identify yourself by your full name, student ID and tutorial day and time.
  • Please be aware that Staff will not necessarily reply to students to inform them if their emails are non-compliant.
  • Full-time teaching staff only answer emails during regular working hours of Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Tutoring staff often have other jobs and require 48 hours within regular business office hours to reply to emails.
Complaints about the assessment and other aspects of this course should be directed in the first instance to the Lecturer-in-Charge (or Course Convenor) and if still unsatisfied with the response received then you are directed to contact the School of Accounting, Auditing & Taxation Grievance Officer, details available here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/accounting-auditing-taxation/contact-us

3. Learning and Teaching Activities

Use of your Webcam and Digital Devices: If you enrol in an online class, or the online stream of a hybrid class, teaching and associated activities will be conducted using Teams, Zoom, or similar a technology. Using a webcam is optional, but highly encouraged, as this will facilitate interaction with your peers and instructors. If you are worried about your personal space being observed during a class, we encourage you to blur your background or make use of a virtual background. Please contact the Lecturer-in-Charge if you have any questions or concerns.

Some courses may involve undertaking online exams for which your own computer or digital devices will be required. Monitoring of online examinations will be conducted directly by University staff and is bound by the University's privacy and security requirements. Any data collected will be handled accordance with UNSW policies and standards for data governance. For more information on how the University manages personal information please refer to the UNSW Student Privacy Statement and the UNSW Privacy Policy.

Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course

This course requires students be prepared to engage in a substantial amount of self-directed learning, including reading and preparation prior to class. Seminars, a textbook and course readings kit, and other resources are provided to help you learn. You are therefore required to attend all seminars, and read all required readings in order to fully grasp and appreciate the concepts of Sustainable Management Accounting. It is up to you to decide how much work you complete in each course component: preparing for seminars; completing assessments; studying for exams; seeking assistance to extend and clarify your understanding. You should identify an approach suited to your learning style and course goals. Seminar and practice questions are provided to guide your learning process. The teaching team has put a great deal of thought into the development and presentation of this course. As such, it is expected that students may experience a flexible, but directed, learning approach to Sustainable Management Accounting.

Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

Seminars

The course is held over 9 seminars (with a break in Week 6 for Flexibility Week). Students are required to attend the seminar in which they have registered via myunsw.edu.au. Each seminar is of approximately three hours duration, and is designed to be an active learning environment. Students will be provided with case problems and questions, and will be required to discuss, critique and address sustainable management accounting concepts in a team-based learning environment. They will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge to solve business problems and present their findings to their peers and seminar leader.

Self-Study

Self-study is a critical element of the learning design of this course with postgraduate students required to assume responsibility in the learning process, in order to utilise the active learning environment provided in seminars. Thus, the onus is on students to complete required readings and any pre-class seminar questions (where additional research is required), prior to attending each seminar. Staff will be available in consultation hours to assist with any difficulties experienced with these questions.

Consultation with Teaching Team

You are encouraged to seek help from any teaching team member on this course during their regular consultation hours (details will be provided in the first seminar). In special circumstances, an appointment may be made outside regular consultation hours. You may also email staff during consultation hours. Any email enquiries must be sent from your UNSW student email address. Responses to these email enquiries will normally be made during consultation times. Please note that common written etiquette must be observed when conducting any written communication with staff members, and students are asked to refrain from communicating using shorthand and “SMS” language. Please only use your Zmail account when corresponding with UNSW.

5. Course Resources

Course Readings

Required readings: Available via Moodle/Leganto.

Course Website: The website for this course is on Moodle. You are required to have a zPass and pin to access this website. In addition, you must be enrolled in the course to access the website. The website will contain announcements (including with regard to Assessments) and any other material deemed suitable by the Lecturer-in-Charge from time to time. We cannot place any material on the website that involves the use of student IDs or that raises issues with respect to privacy.

6. Course Evaluation & Development

Feedback is regularly sought from students and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. At the end of this course, you will be asked to complete the myExperience survey, which provides a key source of student evaluative feedback. Your input into this quality enhancement process is extremely valuable in assisting us to meet the needs of our students and provide an effective and enriching learning experience. The results of all surveys are carefully considered and do lead to action towards enhancing educational quality.

​ACCT5931 Sustainable Management Accountant is being continuously updated in response to student feedback. Recently, the teaching team has taken particular care to work with students to develop an online version of the course which delivers a high-quality learning experience that is equivalent to the on-campus mode.

Changes made in response to student feedback in 2022 include:

  1. Reduction in the total number of assessment tasks.
  2. Reweighting of assessment tasks to better reflect reported student workload.
  3. Incorporation of a Flexibility week break from seminars.
  4. Digitisation of all course resources to improve accessibility.
  5. Improved support for team development and performance.

7. Course Schedule

Note: for more information on the UNSW academic calendar and key dates including study period, exam, supplementary exam and result release, please visit: https://student.unsw.edu.au/new-calendar-dates
Week Activity Topic Assessment/Other
Week 1: February 13th

Introduction to Sustainable Management Accounting

Week 2: February 20th

Analysing the External Environment

Week 3: February 27th

Analysing the Internal Environment

Week 4: March 6th

Developing Strategy

Individual Video Blog (#1)

Week 5: March 13th

Measuring Strategic Performance

Week 6: March 20th

Recharge Week - no seminars

Team Case Project (REPORT)

Week 7: March 27th

Managing Performance Using a Balanced Scorecard

Week 8: April 3rd

Managing Environmental Performance

Individual Video Blog (#2)

Week 9: April 10th

Managing Social Performance

Week 10: April 17th

Conclusion to Sustainable Management Accounting

Team Case Project (PRESENTATION)

8. Policies and Support

Information about UNSW Business School program learning outcomes, academic integrity, student responsibilities and student support services. For information regarding special consideration, supplementary exams and viewing final exam scripts, please go to the key policies and support page.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Business School places knowledge and capabilities at the core of its curriculum via seven Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These PLOs are systematically embedded and developed across the duration of all coursework programs in the Business School.

PLOs embody the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are taught, practised and assessed within each Business School program. They articulate what you should know and be able to do upon successful completion of your degree.

Upon graduation, you should have a high level of specialised business knowledge and capacity for responsible business thinking, underpinned by ethical professional practice. You should be able to harness, manage and communicate business information effectively and work collaboratively with others. You should be an experienced problem-solver and critical thinker, with a global perspective, cultural competence and the potential for innovative leadership.

All UNSW programs and courses are designed to assess the attainment of program and/or course level learning outcomes, as required by the UNSW Assessment Design Procedure. It is important that you become familiar with the Business School PLOs, as they constitute the framework which informs and shapes the components and assessments of the courses within your program of study.

PLO 1: Business knowledge

Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.

PLO 2: Problem solving

Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.

PLO 3: Business communication

Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.

PLO 4: Teamwork

Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.

PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.

PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.

PLO 7: Leadership development

Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.


These PLOs relate to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.  For PG Research PLOs, including Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies, please refer to the UNSW HDR Learning Outcomes

Business School course outlines provide detailed information for students on how the course learning outcomes, learning activities, and assessment/s contribute to the development of Program Learning Outcomes.

UNSW Graduate Capabilities

The Business School PLOs also incorporate UNSW graduate capabilities, a set of generic abilities and skills that all students are expected to achieve by graduation. These capabilities articulate the University’s institutional values, as well as future employer expectations.

UNSW Graduate CapabilitiesBusiness School PLOs
Scholars capable of independent and collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their analysis, critique and reflection, and able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating and embracing innovation and change, as well as engaging and enabling others to contribute to change
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Professionals capable of ethical, self-directed practice and independent lifelong learning
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Global citizens who are culturally adept and capable of respecting diversity and acting in a socially just and responsible way.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

While our programs are designed to provide coverage of all PLOs and graduate capabilities, they also provide you with a great deal of choice and flexibility.  The Business School strongly advises you to choose a range of courses that assist your development against the seven PLOs and four graduate capabilities, and to keep a record of your achievements as part of your portfolio. You can use a portfolio as evidence in employment applications as well as a reference for work or further study. For support with selecting your courses contact the UNSW Business School Student Services team.





Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. This form of ethical scholarship is highly valued at UNSW. Terms like Academic Integrity, misconduct, referencing, conventions, plagiarism, academic practices, citations and evidence based learning are all considered basic concepts that successful university students understand. Learning how to communicate original ideas, refer sources, work independently, and report results accurately and honestly are skills that you will be able to carry beyond your studies.

The definition of academic misconduct is broad. It covers practices such as cheating, copying and using another person’s work without appropriate acknowledgement. Incidents of academic misconduct may have serious consequences for students.

Plagiarism

UNSW regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct. UNSW has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism at UNSW is using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own. All Schools in the Business School have a Student Ethics Officer who will investigate incidents of plagiarism and may result in a student’s name being placed on the Plagiarism and Student Misconduct Registers.

Below are examples of plagiarism including self-plagiarism:

Copying: Using the same or very similar words to the original text or idea without acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This includes copying materials, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document, presentation, composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, website, internet, other electronic resource, or another person's assignment, without appropriate acknowledgement of authorship.

Inappropriate Paraphrasing: Changing a few words and phrases while mostly retaining the original structure and/or progression of ideas of the original, and information without acknowledgement. This also applies in presentations where someone paraphrases another’s ideas or words without credit and to piecing together quotes and paraphrases into a new whole, without appropriate referencing.

Collusion: Presenting work as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people. Collusion includes:

  • Students providing their work to another student before the due date, or for the purpose of them plagiarising at any time
  • Paying another person to perform an academic task and passing it off as your own
  • Stealing or acquiring another person’s academic work and copying it
  • Offering to complete another person’s work or seeking payment for completing academic work

Collusion should not be confused with academic collaboration (i.e., shared contribution towards a group task).

Inappropriate Citation: Citing sources which have not been read, without acknowledging the 'secondary' source from which knowledge of them has been obtained.

Self-Plagiarism: ‘Self-plagiarism’ occurs where an author republishes their own previously written work and presents it as new findings without referencing the earlier work, either in its entirety or partially. Self-plagiarism is also referred to as 'recycling', 'duplication', or 'multiple submissions of research findings' without disclosure. In the student context, self-plagiarism includes re-using parts of, or all of, a body of work that has already been submitted for assessment without proper citation.

To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz

Cheating

The University also regards cheating as a form of academic misconduct. Cheating is knowingly submitting the work of others as their own and includes contract cheating (work produced by an external agent or third party that is submitted under the pretences of being a student’s original piece of work). Cheating is not acceptable at UNSW.

If you need to revise or clarify any terms associated with academic integrity you should explore the 'Working with Academic Integrity' self-paced lessons available at: https://student.unsw.edu.au/aim.

For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise. For information on student conduct see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing. If you are unsure what referencing style to use in this course, you should ask the lecturer in charge.



Student Responsibilities and Conduct

​Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed.

Information and policies on these topics can be found on the 'Managing your Program' website.

Workload

It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying for a course except for Summer Term courses which have a minimum weekly workload of twenty to twenty four hours. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.

View more information on expected workload

Attendance and Engagement

Your regular attendance and active engagement in all scheduled classes and online learning activities is expected in this course. Failure to attend / engage in assessment tasks that are integrated into learning activities (e.g. class discussion, presentations) will be reflected in the marks for these assessable activities. The Business School may refuse final assessment to those students who attend less than 80% of scheduled classes where attendance and participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g. tutorials, flipped classroom sessions, seminars, labs, etc.). If you are not able to regularly attend classes, you should consult the relevant Course Authority.

View more information on attendance

General Conduct and Behaviour

You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class.

View more information on student conduct

Health and Safety

UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others.

View more information on Health and Safety

Keeping Informed

You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.




Student Support and Resources

The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services and resources for students, including:

Business School Learning Support Tools
Business School provides support a wide range of free resources and services to help students in-class and out-of-class, as well as online. These include:

  • Academic Communication Essentials – A range of academic communication workshops, modules and resources to assist you in developing your academic communication skills.
  • Learning consultations – Meet learning consultants who have expertise in business studies, literacy, numeracy and statistics, writing, referencing, and researching at university level.
  • PASS classes – Study sessions facilitated by students who have previously and successfully completed the course.
  • Educational Resource Access Scheme – To support the inclusion and success of students from equity groups enrolled at UNSW Sydney in first year undergraduate Business programs.

The Nucleus - Business School Student Services team
The Nucleus Student Services team provides advice and direction on all aspects of enrolment and graduation. Level 2, Main Library, Kensington 02 8936 7005 / https://nucleus.unsw.edu.au/en/contact-us

Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee strives to ensure that every student is empowered to have equal access to education. The Business School provides a vibrant, safe, and equitable environment for education, research, and engagement that embraces diversity and treats all people with dignity and respect. BUSEDI@unsw.edu.au

UNSW Academic Skills
Resources and support – including workshops, individual consultations and a range of online resources – to help you develop and refine your academic skills. See their website for details.
academicskills@unsw.edu.au

Student Support Advisors
Student Support Advisors work with all students to promote the development of skills needed to succeed at university, whilst also providing personal support throughout the process.
John Goodsell Building, Ground Floor.
advisors@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

International Student Support
The International Student Experience Unit (ISEU) is the first point of contact for international students. ISEU staff are always here to help with personalised advice and information about all aspects of university life and life in Australia.
Advisors can support you with your student visa, health and wellbeing, making friends, accommodation and academic performance.
International.student@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

Equitable Learning Services
Equitable Learning Services (formerly Disability Support Services) is a free and confidential service that provides practical support to ensure that your health condition doesn't adversely affect your studies. Register with the service to receive educational adjustments.
Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building.
els@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services
Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building.
counselling@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 5418

Library services and facilities for students
The UNSW Library offers a range of collections, services and facilities both on-campus and online.
Main Library, F21.
02 9065 9444

Moodle eLearning Support
Moodle is the University’s learning management system. You should ensure that you log into Moodle regularly.
externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 3331

UNSW IT
UNSW IT provides support and services for students such as password access, email services, wireless services and technical support.
UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor).
02 9385 1333



Support for Studying Online

The Business School and UNSW provide a wide range of tools, support and advice to help students achieve their online learning goals. 

The UNSW Guide to Online Study page provides guidance for students on how to make the most of online study.

We recognise that completing quizzes and exams online can be challenging for a number of reasons, including the possibility of technical glitches or lack of reliable internet. We recommend you review the Online Exam Preparation Checklist of things to prepare when sitting an online exam.

ACCT5931