Unit Information

Asia Pacific College of Business and Law

ACT505
Accounting Theory

Credit points 10
Prerequisites Must have passed 2 units in {ACT501, STA510}
Assumed knowledge Nil
Equivalent units Not applicable
Semester/Year 2/2023
Mode & Location Internal and external; Waterfront (Darwin), External, Sydney
Learning method OLR
Unit Coordinator Professor Indra Abeysekera
Phone 08 8946 8807
Email Indra.abeysekera@cdu.edu.au
Consultation times By prior appointment by phone and email
Teaching staff detail Provided on the Learnline site

Unit Description
This unit focuses on explaining and discussing the alternative theories and perspectives, contemporary
issues and enhancing skills to conduct independent research. It enables students to appreciate the
principles and concepts that underlie accounting concepts and application through accounting research,
present relevant information to address issues arising in the practice of accounting. The course unit
assumes skills in research methods required in researching accounting issues.

Unit Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit a student should be able to:
1) Identify and critically analyse the nature of accounting theory and methods of theory.
2) Apply alternative theoretical frameworks in examining accounting issues and practices.
3) Analyse emerging issues in accounting and evaluate their implications for the accounting
profession.
4) Identify, develop, apply, and reflect on research skills to investigate accounting issues.

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Overview of Assessment
Item Description Value Relates to Due Dates
Learning
Outcomes
1 Weekly online quizzes 10 1,2,3 Study weeks 2 through
(Single attempt) week 12
2 Research Report - Written 40 1,2,3,4 Study week 11
Assessment (3000-3500 words)
3 Final examination 50 1,2,3 University notifies

To pass the Unit, Students must achieve an aggregate score of 50% or more overall.
Detailed assessment instructions are available below.

Unit Learning Schedule

Required
Readings Assessment
Week Topic
* s Due

1 Accounting for cultural capital towards First Nations

people self-determination
1
Introduction to Financial Accounting Theory
2 Fraud
The Financial Reporting Environment 2
3 Intellectual capital and knowledge management
The Regulation of Financial Accounting 3
4 Integrated reporting
International Accounting 4
5 Bitcoin, digital currency, and blockchain
Normative Theories of Accounting 6
6 Tax evasion
Positive Accounting Theory 7
7 Cybersecurity
System Oriented Theories 8
8 Sustainable development
Social and Environmental Reporting 9
9 Bigdata
Capital Market Research 10
10 Behavioural Research in Accounting Group report
11
11 Critical Perspectives of Accounting
12
12 Revision
13 Self-study week
14 Final examinations
15 Final examinations

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*from the prescribed textbook
The italicised words show Contemporary issues. You will find the relevant articles in the Reading List
folder of Learnline site.

Examinable reading articles.:

1. Abeysekera, I. (2022). Accounting for Cultural Capital—Sustainability Agenda of Charities
Serving the First Nations People towards Self-Determination—Evidence from the Northern
Territory, Australia. Sustainability 14(2), 949. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020949
Download from: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/2/949
2. Collins, J.C. (2017). Using Excel and Benford’s Law to detect fraud. Journal of Accountancy.
45-50.
Download from: https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2017/apr/excel-and-benfords-
law-to-detect-fraud.html
3. Abeysekera I. (2021). Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management Research towards Value
Creation. From the Past to the Future. Journal of Risk and Financial Management. 4(6), 238.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm14060238
Download from: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/14/6/238
4. Abeysekera, I. (2013). A template for integrated reporting. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 14(2),
227-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/14691931311323869
Download from: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/14691931311323869/
full/html
International Integrated reporting framework.
https://www.integratedreporting.org/resource/international-ir-framework/
5. Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. Download from:
https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf
6. Fitzgibbon, W. and Hallman, B. (2020). What is a tax haven? Offshore finance, explained.
Download from: https://www.icij.org/investigations/panama-papers/what-is-a-tax-haven-
offshore-finance-explained/
7. Borky, J. M. and Bradley, T. H. (2019). Protecting information with cybersecurity. Chapter 10.
Effective Model-Based Systems Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95669-5_
Download from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7122347/
8. Abeysekera, I. (2022). A Framework for Sustainability Reporting. Sustainability Accounting,
Management and Policy Journal, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 1386-1409. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-
08-2021-0316
Download from: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/SAMPJ-08-2021-0316/
full/html
9. Gandomi, A. and Haider, M. (2015). Beyond the hype: Big data concepts, methods, and
analytics. International Journal of Information Management. 35, 137-144.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2014.10.0070
Download from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268401214001066

CDU Census & Semester Dates

Census date is the final date you can withdraw without financial or academic penalty. This is also the
final date that domestic students can make payment of outstanding tuition fees or eligible domestic
students can opt for a HELP loan.

Census dates and all other semester dates are listed at www.cdu.edu.au/student-central/important-dates

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Teaching and Learning Strategies
This unit is available in both internal and external mode. Weekly lectures and tutorials will be available
on Learnline as well as on campus for internal students. Both face-to-face lectures and a range of multi-
media including video, audio and Presenter presentations will support the students learning experience.
The sessions will require regular attendance of either the online or on campus. Learning activities will
include reading, written assignments, online activities, application of accounting practice and a semester
exam.

Participation
This unit is conducted over a 13-week period. To successfully complete this unit, internal students
should attend the scheduled face-to-face lectures and tutorials or workshops each week. External
students should participate in the scheduled on-line tutorial each week. Lecture and tutorial and
workshop attendance or on-line tutorial participation are strongly advised. This unit requires in total 12
hours of student commitment per week. This includes participation in lectures, tutorials, workshops or
online sessions as well as 5-7 hours of private study commitment. Students will need to have reliable
broadband to complete unit requirements.

Tutorials:
In this unit tutorial times will be used for research paper presentations and discussions. There will be
marks for your presentations as well as your participation in the discussions. All students will be divided
into groups of three to four and assigned a reading which you will present in class using different
presentation aides such as power point. On conclusion of the presentation there will be a discussion.
External students will make their presentation on Learnline via Collaborate Ultra. There will of course be
the normal opportunity to ask questions at the lecture, tutorials and the discussion boards.

Lecturer Expectations
The lecturer EXPECTS that the student will:
• Take responsibility for their own learning by attending classes.
• Studying the study guide with its integrated text readings and questions.
• Participating in class discussions.
• Recognise that the classes may not cover the course content in total. In-depth understanding can only
be gained through students’ participation and undertaking the extra reading.
• As with most of the subjects you study, systematic preparation will help you achieve good results.
• Be critical in your thinking and reading and be prepared to spend an average minimum of 7
hours study per week, in addition to contact hours, on the subject.

The Lecturer will:

• Provide all learning materials (excepting the required texts), including study guide for each topic,
lecture notes and PowerPoint slides, supplementary readings, audio, and video of lectures, online quizzes
and assessment tasks via Learnline.
• Be available for student consultation at predetermined times or by appointment.
• Promptly answer students' questions raised via discussion board, telephone, and email.

Please be aware that you need to make yourself known to the lecturer if you are having trouble with
the unit - the sooner you talk to the lecturer the easier it is for the lecturer to help.

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Specific details of individual class times can be obtained by accessing the class timetable at:
http://www.cdu.edu.au/timetable

Student Conduct
The University is committed to providing a rewarding learning and research experience that empowers
students to achieve their full academic potential. Students have an obligation to conduct themselves in a
manner that complies with directions from staff, University security and law enforcement officers and
the University’s Code of Conduct, Charles Darwin University (Student Conduct) By-laws and
the Charles Darwin University (Student Residence) By-laws. They must also comply with all directions,
laws and governing documents relevant to an off-campus location.

If you have a concern about a student’s conduct, please contact the Complaints Management Unit for
advice: https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/values-and-culture/complaints/student

Unit Resources
Required textbook(s)
Deegan C, “Financial Accounting Theory”, Edition 4, McGraw-Hill Australia 2014. SBN
9780071013147

Important note: Be careful not to confuse this text with another text currently on the market by the
same author and publisher entitled “Financial Accounting in Australia”.

Required textbooks can be ordered from the CDU Bookshop through their website at
http://www.cdu.edu.au/bookshop

Learnline
Learnline is Charles Darwin University’s online learning platform accessed at
https://online.cdu.edu.au/

In this unit, Learnline may be used to:

• provide important announcements about the unit

• distribute lecture slides, and other study materials
• complete online assessments
• access feedback from tasks and grades for assessable work
• provide a communication point where you contribute to discussions as part of your assessment,
and to interact with other students in the unit.

You will need to have regular and reliable broadband access to complete unit requirements. Access to
Learnline may not be available until the first day of semester.

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CDU Library
The CDU Library includes a broad range of resources to support your studies. Access the Library
website here: www.cdu.edu.au/library

As well as study resources, the Library website and staff resources include assessment help, subject
guides, study skills, referencing guides, access to past exams, study space and printing.

You can contact a CDU Librarian for assistance by emailing askthelibrary@cdu.edu.au

The CDU Librarian working with the Asia Pacific College of Business and Law is Rachel Klesch.

eReadings Collection
The CDU eReadings Collection includes electronic copies of journal articles, book chapters and lecturer
notes that a lecturer has recommended as part of their unit reading requirements. You can access the
CDU eReadings Collection at http://ereadings.cdu.edu.au
The site is password protected and your CDU student login will provide you access. You can then search
for items by Lecturer, Unit Code, Title, Author, keyword, Year or Date as applicable.

Additional Resources
They are in the Reading List folder on the Learnline site.

Unit Assessment Details

Academic Integrity
Any breaches of academic integrity are regarded as a serious matter. Information on academic integrity
can be found here: https://www.cdu.edu.au/academic-integrity.

Assignment extensions
Submit all extension requests via eForms.
eForms can be accessed through the CDU Student Portal. The extension form is called Application for
Assignment Extension – Asia Pacific College of Business and Law. Refer to the guidelines available in
the form. Do not contact your lecturer directly for an extension.

CDU Support Services: where to find help

Service Support available – links to website

Academic Support Academic Language and Learning Success Program (ALLSP) – individual
support sessions, drop-in sessions, workshop program
Library Workshops
Liaison Librarians
Peer-Assisted Study Support (PASS) (relevant units only)
Study Skills Website
College Contacts & Email the College and your query will be directed to the appropriate staff
Course Coordinators member:

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 Business@cdu.edu.au
Law@cdu.edu.au
Personal Support Access and Inclusion
Services Equity Services: free and confidential counselling, careers counselling
Office of Indigenous Student Services
Student Advocacy
Respect.Now.Always.
Student Central Student Central for all student administration including:
- Admissions
- Enrolment
- Course transfers
- Fees
- Important dates
- eForms
- Timetables
- Examinations
- Graduations
- Student Progression
IT assistance Learnline Support Centre
CDU IT Support
CDU Security If you need assistance while on any campus, contact CDU Security on:

Freecall: 1800 646 501 (Australia-wide 24/7)

Waterfront Campus: 08 8946 8888 (business hours)
E: security@cdu.edu.au 
W: Security
In an emergency, you should call 000 immediately (medical, police or fire),
then contact CDU Security as soon as practicable on 1800 646 501.

CDU Distinctive Graduate Qualities 

CDU Distinctive Graduate Qualities refer to those skills, qualities and understandings that should be
acquired by students during their time at the University regardless of their discipline of study. See
the Distinctive Graduate Qualities Policy. The suite of Distinctive Graduate Qualities includes four (4)
determined by the University, and one (1) determined by each individual student. 

 CDU graduates are adaptable in complex, dynamic and challenging environments – Interpreted
broadly, this attribute includes changes that are human, environmental and technological.
Adaptability may be fostered through developing the habit and skills for critical inquiry and
consequential and/or anticipatory action. 
 CDU graduates are committed to professionalism and ethical values – The majority of the
University’s Higher Education coursework degrees are professionally accredited. However, the
concept of professionalism and ethical values is not limited to operating within the code of
conduct or other regulatory dimensions of a professional body. Rather, it extends to a
multidisciplinary understanding of professional and ethical challenges and responsibilities. 
 CDU graduates are appreciative and understanding of Indigenous Australians – Students will
develop an informed understanding of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, the gap between their
situation and those of non-Indigenous Australians, an appreciation of the mutual benefits that
can arise from closing these gaps, and a commitment to act accordingly, irrespective of a
student’s cultural background or identity. 

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  CDU graduates are committed to a sustainable world – Interpreted broadly, this attribute
includes sustainability of the environment (for example food production), cultures (for example
languages) and businesses, and addressing the tensions between these in a manner that ensures
the long-term survival of the human race. 
 Student-identified Distinctive Graduate Quality

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