Program Overview

Introduction to ACCG3015: PACE: Accounting and Governance in the Profession

Unit Overview

ACCG3015 is a PACE and Capstone unit designed for students undertaking accounting and cyber security governance studies. This unit integrates materials covered in first- and second-year accounting and business law units, applying them to an environment where accounting graduates become professionals.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Rahat Munir
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: 130cp including ACCG2000 or ACCG2024 or ACCG2050
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: None
• Unit Description: This unit is an accounting PACE and Capstone unit that focuses on developing personal and professional skills in sustaining a professional profile in business and the profession. It provides opportunities for students to engage with the community through panels from professional accounting bodies, community groups, NGOs, MQ alumni, public sector, and commercial organisations.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Analyse the environments in which professionals work, managing time and resources to achieve personal and professional commitments.
• Integrate the interests of different stakeholders in an organisation or professional environment.
• Develop personal, professional skills, and group work capabilities through identifying new opportunities, anticipating challenges, and planning potential solutions.
• Formulate and communicate strategic responses to problem areas in the chosen profession.
• Critique the chosen profession's contribution to society by considering the implications of professional values, ethics, and attitudes in decision-making.
• Develop a high level of personal standards of performance reviewed through reflective activity and feedback from others.

Assessment Tasks

• Professional Practice: Becoming an Accounting and Corporate Governance Professional (20%): Reflective writing due in Week 6.
• Professional Practice: Global and Ethical Challenges (40%): Essay due in Week 10.
• Skills Development: Investigating Current Issues (40%): Group report and presentation due in Weeks 8 and 9-12, respectively.

Professional Practice: Becoming an Accounting and Corporate Governance Professional

• Assessment Type: Reflective Writing
• Indicative Time on Task: 10 hours
• Due: Week 6
• Weighting: 20%
• Skills in Focus: Work Readiness, Critical Thinking, Communication Skills
• Deliverable: Written reflection (max. 2,000 words), individual assessment

Professional Practice: Global and Ethical Challenges

• Assessment Type: Essay
• Indicative Time on Task: 30 hours
• Due: Week 10
• Weighting: 40%
• Skills in Focus: Ethical and Global Awareness, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking
• Deliverable: Critical analysis (max 3,000 words), individual assessment

Skills Development: Investigating Current Issues

• Assessment Type: Presentation
• Indicative Time on Task: 25 hours
• Due: Week 8 (Group Report), Week 9 to 12 (Presentations)
• Weighting: 40%
• Skills in Focus: Ethical and Global Awareness, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking
• Deliverable: Research report (max 3,500 words) and presentation (10 minutes), individual and group assessment

Delivery and Resources

Learning and Teaching Activities & Strategy

This unit is structured as a participation subject, integrating materials covered in three years of accounting studies and applying them to a contemporary, global, and technologically driven environment. The unit objectives are to consolidate and investigate factors and contextual issues influencing the competitive business environment for an accountant.

Expectations and Workload

Students are expected to spend 150 hours working on this unit.

Unit Schedule

Please refer to iLearn for the weekly schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the Academic Appeals Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Progression Policy, Assessment Policy, Fitness to Practice Procedure, Assessment Procedure, Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public, and Special Consideration Policy.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct.

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. Resources and services are available to help students reach their potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development, and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students, including Academic Success, Library support, IT Support, Accessibility and disability support, Mental health support, Safety support, and Social support.

Student Enquiries

For any questions, students can contact Service Connect via the Service Connect Portal.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit the IT Help page. When using the University's IT, students must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy.