University of Melbourne - ACCT10001: Accounting Reports and Analysis

This subject, Accounting Reports and Analysis (ACCT10001) - introduces students to the nature of accounting and its role in both financial markets and within organisations. Topics covered provide an overview of key financial and management accounting concepts and include: the constituent elements of financial statements; recognition, measurement and disclosure issues in the preparation of financial statements; accounting policy choices available to managers for key assets and incentives associated with policy choices; the analysis and interpretation of financial statement data; the use of accounting information within organisations to support managerial planning, control and decision making. The focus is on the informed use of accounting information rather than the preparation of accounts.

✔ On successful completion of this subject, you should be able to: 

• Explain the nature and purpose of accounting within financial markets and business organisations;
• Identify and explain different business structures and their external financial reporting requirements;
• Define and describe the major categories of assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flow activities;
• Discuss recognition, measurement and disclosure issues pertaining to various line items in financial statements;
• Analyse and interpret major financial statements and the accounting policy choices that influence their preparation;
• Analyse cost and revenue information for internal planning and decision making;
• Explain the concepts of corporate governance, ethics and 'good governance' and its influence on accounting;
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of accounting information relative to the purposes it serves; and, 
• Explain and apply the nature and purpose of budgeting and cost-volume-profit analysis as tools for internal decision making.