Advanced Financial Accounting

Subject 306-761 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours of seminars (Semester 1).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Master of Commerce by Coursework (Specialisation in Accounting and Business Information Systems) or the PhD program; 306-301 Financial Accounting (or equivalent) and permission of the Head of the Department.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview: An appraisal of the empirical literature in financial accounting. Emphasis is placed on the role of accounting information in capital markets, contracting and regulation. A major part of this subject will be the development of a research proposal.
Assessment: A take-home end-of-semester examination (30%), written assignments totalling not more than 20 pages (30%), seminar participation and presentations (40%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Selected Readings, Advanced Financial Accounting, Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems (2007).
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • Apply alternative paradigms to explain financial accounting practices;
  • Explain how accounting practices influence decision-making at macro-economic and micro-economic levels;
  • Evaluate the role of accounting information in security valuation;
  • Describe how accounting and accounting regulation impact upon firm value due to the use of accounting numbers in contracting and political processes;
  • Generalise and hypothesise on the potential motivations for, and consequences, of accounting choices.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Critical thinking, particularly in relation to accounting choices and accounting regulations;
  • Evaluation of the economic influence of accounting practice;
  • Application of research methodologies to inform practice;
  • Application of alternative statistical techniques to test alternative research questions;
  • Critical thinking;
  • Oral and written communication

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