Overview
In the majority of commercial organisations, the opinions of accountants carry the most weight. It is therefore necessary that logistics professionals understand accounting terminology and the accounting approach to business decisions. The unit develops an understanding of management accounting and the challenges of relying on accounting reports in a logistics setting. Based on accounting principles, students critically examine logistics operations to identify areas of financial strength and weakness in understanding and improving logistics operations. The unit analyses options for translating logistics operational events into management accounts and budgets and seeks to develop diagnostic and prescriptive skills in relation to accounting for the total costs of an organisation’s supply chains.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2019
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Need a bit more information on exam advise and make sure it has somewhere clearly outlined that the exam is open book.
Ensure that students are informed about the structure of the exam, format of questions, number of questions, topics coverd by exam, marks allocated, time available for the exam and whether closed or open book. Most importantly, any changes must be advised to students in advance to the extent this is possible.
- Critically analyse profit and loss statement and balance sheet as the basis for understanding the financial situation of your own organisation, suppliers and customers.
- Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) methodology and the influence of logistics activities on working capital, cash flow and cash to cash cycle of a business.
- Critically examine costing models for their benefit in improving supply chains and logistics.
- Assess and discuss traditional management accounting approaches against the cost information needs for analysing supply chains and logistics.
- Evaluate the methodology and structure of an annual budget and critically evaluate the basis of an annual budget verses a continuous budget for logistics operations.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Horngren's Accounting
Edition: 8th edn (2018)
Authors: Nobles, Mattison, Matsumura, Best, Fraser, Tan, Willett
Pearson Australia
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781486018000
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
There is eBook version of this text available for purchase directly through Pearson's website and the ISBN is 9781486021154, which includes access to MyAccountingLab as well.
If you prefer a paper copy, they are available with MyAccountingLab at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.k.griffin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to basic terminology, jargon, concepts, definitions; accounting standards; debit and credit; accrual accounting; the accounting discipline.
Chapter
Chapters 1, 2 & 17 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Double entry accounting; general journals; posting to the ledger; trial balance; accrual versus cash basis of accounting; cash flows statements; corporate governance and ethics in accounting; financial risk identification and mitigation.
Chapter
Chapters 2, 3, 4 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Perpetual & periodic inventory systems; journals and ledger accounts for perpetual inventory systems; inventory cards — FIFO and weighted average; effects of inventory costing methods; the LCM rule.
Chapter
Chapters 5 & 6 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Types of financial analysis - percentage analysis; ratios; limitations of analysis.
Chapter
Chapter 18 (Horngren).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Management functions; budgeting; decision making using CVP analysis; corporate social responsibility (CSR); financial accounting versus management accounting.
Chapter
Chapter 19, 20, 21 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Item 1
Essay Due: Week 5 Friday (16 Aug 2019) 12:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Consolidate
Chapter
No lecture
Events and Submissions/Topic
No events
Module/Topic
How managers make decisions; when to drop products; lease versus buy decisions. Strategic management process; systematic planning and control of technologies, materials and services; identification of need by the ultimate customer; minimising cost; ultimate goal is optimising the use of all resources throughout the entire supply chain.
Chapter
Chapter 22 (Horngren), Chapters 2, 3 & 4 (Cullen - refer Moodle LOGS12003 Resources site for link)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Framework for organisations developing supply chain performance metrics; linkages to different supply chain activities/processes (plan, source, make/assemble, deliver); different levels of organisational decision making (strategic, tactical, operational); overarching customer value management cycle.
Chapter
Chapter 3 & 5 (Cullen - refer Moodle LOGS12003 Resources site for link)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introducing Open Book Accounting, Value Chain Costing, Target Costing, Quality Costing, Performance Measurement, Make vs Buy (Outsourcing), Benchmarking, Activity Based Costing, Balanced Score Card.
Chapter
Chapters 20 & 21 (Horngren) Chapter 5 (Cullen - refer Moodle LOGS12003 Resources site for link)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Two case studies are examined - School Trends Ltd and Halfords plc, to reflect briefly on (a) the process used to identify supply chain management accounting techniques used in their respective organisations as illustrative examples, (b) the lessons learned, and (c) their applicability to organisations from other industrial contexts.
Chapter
Chapter 22 (Hongren) Chapter 6 ((Cullen - refer Moodle LOGS12003 Resources site for link)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Role of budgeting in the planning and control functions of management; importance of organisational structure in an effective budgeting system; importance of management participation in acceptance of budgetary accountability; benefits of budgeting; role of budgets in performance reporting and control.
Chapter
Chapter 19 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Periodic versus perpetual inventory approaches; methodology and structure of an annual budget; basis of an annual budget verses a continuous budget for logistics operations.
Chapter
Chapter 5, 6 & 19 (Horngren)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Requirements for final exam and sample final exam paper will be reviewed
Chapter
Topics 7 - 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Item 2
Case Study Report Due: Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 12:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Independent student revision
Chapter
Topics 1 - 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Written exam; weighting 40%; 120 minutes plus 15 minutes perusal. Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments). No calculators permitted. Closed Book. It is recommended that international students consider remaining in Australia until all your exam results have been finalised and confirmed.
Chapter
All topics 1 -12 will be covered in the exam.
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Task
This is an individual assessment task in which you will demonstrate and reinforce understanding of the terminology, jargon, definitions and financial statements used in the accounting discipline. You will differentiate between the functions of Management Accounting versus Financial Accounting. You will critically analyse profit and loss statement and balance sheet as the basis for understanding the financial performance and financial health of your own organisation, suppliers and customers. Word limit of 1,500 words +/- 10% and it should reflect the scope of work of the assignment.
Week 5 Friday (16 Aug 2019) 12:00 pm AEST
Each day that the assignment is late will incur a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assignment, which is in this case is 1 mark per day.
Week 6 Monday (26 Aug 2019)
Please note that assessment marks will be returned to students after marking and a review process is completed. Students will be notified of any delay in returning assessments via the unit Moodle site.
A marking rubric expanding on the criteria below will be provided on Moodle. Students are required to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter by:
- Defining key terms and utilising the accounting concepts presented in Topics 1-5 as they relate to an organisation’s annual financial statements (7 marks).
- Identifying the relevant accounting principles and differentiate Management Accounting from Financial Accounting providing practical examples of each of these two different accounting disciplines (7 marks)
- Demonstrating a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 5-6 academic sources (2 marks).
- Correctly using the APA referencing system to cite academic sources in-text and in the reference list (2 marks).
- Correctly using the essay structure and using appropriate conventions of academic writing (2 marks).
- Critically analyse profit and loss statement and balance sheet as the basis for understanding the financial situation of your own organisation, suppliers and customers.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Written Assessment
Task
Firms compete with each other on the basis of the relative merits of their respective supply chains, so management accounting practices must support this reality rather than provide information that is rooted in traditional organisational settings. Management accountants need to work with their management colleagues to support development of greater supply chain competitive advantage. All organisations, small or large, operate in this environment and must develop management accounting practices and methodologies that facilitate their long-term financial sustainability and viability within the competitive market in which they operate.
The second assessment is based on a case study that requires analysis of the case provided and further research of relevant articles and other publications. The output of this assessment is a Case Study Report in which the case information and additional relevant material sourced by research is synthesised and interpreted through well-reasoned arguments and discussion that lead to logical, rational, practical recommendations and conclusions, including:
- Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) methodology and the positive influence that logistics activities can have on working capital, cash flow performance, liquidity ratios and the overall financial health of a business;
- Critically examining costing models utilised by the enterprise for their benefit in improving the financial performance of supply chains and logistics;
- Assessing and discussing traditional management accounting approaches and methodologies against the cost information needs of the business for analysing supply chains and logistics; and
- Evaluating the methodology and structure of an annual budget cycle and critically evaluating the basis of an annual budget verses a continuous budget for logistics operations.
The objective is to gain greater understanding of the contextual factors of management accounting information resources applied to meet logistics and supply chain management needs and related decision making. Students are encouraged to collaborate to the extent practical given the remote learning format in undertaking the research, analysis and discussion for this assessment. However, the final written report must be completed and submitted individually and must reflect each student's individual contribution. Word limit of 2,500 words +/- 10% and it should reflect the scope of work of the assignment.
Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 12:00 pm AEST
Each day that the assignment is late will incur a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assignment, which is in this case is 2 marks per day.
Review/Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2019)
Please note that assessment marks will be returned to students after marking and a review process is completed. Students will be notified of any delay in retuning assessments via the unit Moodle site.
The report will be assessed as follows
- Defining relevant terms, theories and concepts presented in Topics 6-11 (10 marks)
- Explaining the relevant linkages between logistics / supply chain concepts and management accounting concepts and methodologies (10 marks)
- Explaining the benefits of applying management accounting techniques and costing models to improve the management of supply chains and logistics in organisations (6 marks)
- Identifying the potential pitfalls (i.e. risks) associated with adopting management accounting techniques and models to improve the logistics / supply chain management of an organisation (6 marks)
- Report structure with introduction, background, discussion, to arrive at a logical conclusion and well supported and practical recommendations based on clear concise reasoning (4 marks)
- Demonstrating a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 10-11 academic sources referenced in the APA style (2 marks)
- Using appropriate conventions of report writing and academic writing (2 marks)
- Evaluate the return on investment (ROI) methodology and the influence of logistics activities on working capital, cash flow and cash to cash cycle of a business.
- Critically examine costing models for their benefit in improving supply chains and logistics.
- Assess and discuss traditional management accounting approaches against the cost information needs for analysing supply chains and logistics.
- Evaluate the methodology and structure of an annual budget and critically evaluate the basis of an annual budget verses a continuous budget for logistics operations.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
