ACCTFIN 7001 - Ethical Principles in Finance & Accounting

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

The purpose of this course is to focus on the context of the theoretical and empirical underpinning of professional ethics in finance and accounting. The course seeks to link theory and research to the practical application of ethical choices facing the finance and accounting professions. The conduct of stakeholders responsible for preparing and using financial information including moral dimensions and ethical aspects are interpreted through the application of various accounting and finance theories. This reinforces the role of finance and accounting professionals in a dynamic business environment and their significance to society in general. In accordance with various principle-based Association and Regulatory Codes of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, a number of contemporary business issues are examined to illustrate these concepts.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ACCTFIN 7001
    Course Ethical Principles in Finance & Accounting
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites ACCTING 7019 & CORPFIN 7005
    Course Description The purpose of this course is to focus on the context of the theoretical and empirical underpinning of professional ethics in finance and accounting. The course seeks to link theory and research to the practical application of ethical choices facing the finance and accounting professions. The conduct of stakeholders responsible for preparing and using financial information including moral dimensions and ethical aspects are interpreted through the application of various accounting and finance theories. This reinforces the role of finance and accounting professionals in a dynamic business environment and their significance to society in general. In accordance with various principle-based Association and Regulatory Codes of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, a number of contemporary business issues are examined to illustrate these concepts.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Peter Lennox

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Analyse, evaluate and critically reflect on various theoretical and practice based principles of morals and ethics.
    2. Apply and explain ethical principles to the role of business in society including the reporting of financial information and the competing perspectives of the stakeholder and shareholder.
    3. Demonstrate an ability to exercise professional judgement consistent with an organisations ethical values and corporate social responsibility.
    4. Identify and discuss the application of professional body ethics and professional conduct standards to business decision-making and it's consequences in an ethical context.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1 & 2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3 & 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3 & 4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3 & 4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 3 & 4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3 & 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    CFA Standards of Practice Handbook, 11th edition (2014)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be taught in a standard lecture and tutorial format.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Required attendance at lectures: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks
    Required attendance at tutorials: 1 hour per week for 11 weeks
    Self-directed study and inquiry : 7 hours per week for 12 weeks
    Learning Activities Summary
    Interactive lectures comprising a historical and contemporary analysis of issues relating to each of the specified topics include; underlying theory and practical application of theoretical constructs, case study analysis, empirical research and evidence.

    Topic 1.   Introduction to Ethics
    Topic 2.   CFA Institute & Ethics and CFA Standard I - Professionalism
    Topic 3.   CFA Standard II - Integrity of Capital Markets
    Topic 4.   CFA Standard III - Duties to Clients
    Topic 5.   CFA Standard IV Duties to Employers
    Topic 6.   CFA Standard V - Investment Analysis, Recommendations & Actions
    Topic 7.   Applied Business Presentation and Communication Skills
    Topic 8.   CFA Standard VI - Conflicts of Interest
    Topic 9.   Accounting and Ethical Standards I
    Topic 10. Accounting and Ethical Standards I
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    ASSESSMENT TASK COLLABORATIVE/INDIVIDUAL WEIGHTING WORD COUNT/TIME DUE DATE LEARNING OUTCOME
    Class Test Individual 15% 90 minutes Week 7 1 & 2
    Group Presentation and Peer Review Collaborative 25% 20 minutes per group Weeks 9 to 11 1, 2, 3 & 4
    Personal Reflection Individual 5% 500 words Weeks 9 & 10 1, 2, 3 & 4
    Final Exam Individual 55% 3 hours and 10 minutes Week 14 1, 2, 3 & 4
    Assessment Detail
    Class Test: Combination of multiple-choice and true-false questions provided to students. Students will be required to identify, classify and apply ethical issues to contemporary business practices. Questions will be provided in the form of statements, scenarios and/or case studies of a nature similar to that included with the course topic materials.
    Assessment will be based on the correctness of the response marked against an answer guide.

    Group Presentation and Peer Review: A journal/newspaper article relevant to the topics covered in the course will be provided to student groups. Group members will be required to respond to various questions in relation to the given journal/newspaper article in the form of a class presentation/role play. In preparation for the class presentation/role play, student will be expected to undertake research and discussion with group members enabling them to articulate and communicate a broad range of knowledge and skills relevant to the course. All student groups will be required to provide the class with a summary of their presentation in the form of handouts and provide informed, constructive responses to end-of-presentation questions from other groups.
    A Peer Review will also be prepared and submitted by groups evaluating a student group presentation in their tutorial class based on a range of specified criteria including; content, use of visual aids, body language, teamwork and ability to respond to questions.
    Assessment will be based on a range of specified criteria including for the Group Presentation; the handout, content, use of visual aids, delivery techniques and end of presentation responses and for the Group Peer Review; the presented analysis undertaken and end of presentation questions and constructive comments.

    Personal Reflection: Individually submitted reflection on the students assessment of the Group Presentation process for their group and their input for the materials prepared and submitted by the group.
    Assessment will be based on the level of critical analysis undertaken by the student in their submission.  

    Final Exam: Combination of multiple choice and short-answer questions provided to students. Students will be required to identify, classify, explain and apply ethical issues to contemporary business practices. Questions will be provided in the form of statements, scenarios and/or case studies of a nature similar to that included with the course materials.
    Assessment of the final exam will take into account; the correctness of the student response to the question or task set and the clarity of detailing the process by which the student arrived at their answer including engagement with the course materials.
    Submission
    N/A
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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