The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

ACCTFIN 7005 - Research Project in Financial Statement Analysis (M)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This research-based capstone course allows students to develop business research skills through the analysis of accounting, finance and industry information. This will be achieved through the delivery of a series of topics allowing students to develop research skills that will be applied in professionally-oriented research projects. Students will work in teams to design and execute a research project and communicate their findings. This course will require application of attained knowledge in previous accounting and finance courses. The pedagogy adopted for this course is deliberately designed to allow students to develop their own research style through the opportunity to source and synthesise a diverse range of material as part of the development of a business research report.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ACCTFIN 7005
    Course Research Project in Financial Statement Analysis (M)
    Coordinating Unit Accounting
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites ACCTFIN 7017 and (ACCTING 7020 or CORPFIN 7039)
    Assumed Knowledge Completion of 30 units in the Program
    Assessment Test, Participation, Oral Presentation, Research Proposals and Reports
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Janice Loftus

    Associate Professor Janice Loftus
    Location: 13:10, Level 13,
    10 Pulteney Street (Nexus 10)
    Telephone: 8313 1024
    email: janice.loftus@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Integrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of financial analysis and related areas
    2. Apply advanced technical knowledge and skills to critically analyse financial data to investigate problems in accounting or finance contexts
    3. Select and use information from data bases used in accounting and finance
    4. Design and execute research in collaboration with others
    5. Communicate research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences

    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1, 2, 3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 4, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 .

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Suggested readings will be provided, however extensive use of library facilities including texts, journal articles and databases is necessary.
    Recommended Resources
    • Rogers, J. 2019, Strategy, Value and Risk, 4th Edition, Springer.
    • Palepu, K. G., Healy, P. M., Wright, S., Bradbury, M., Coulton, J. 2020. Business Analysis and Valuation Using Financial
      Statements, 3rd Asia Pacific Edition. Cengage.
    • Subramanyam, K. R. 2014. Financial Statement Analysis, 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill New York.
    • Online databases: DatAnalysis Premium; Connect 4 Annual Report Database; IBISWorld.
    • Neuman, W.L., 2014. Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 7th edition, Pearson Education, Inc.
    • Benninga S. 2014. Financial Modeling, 4th edition, The MIT Press.
    Online Learning
    The course is supported by a course website on MyUni. Students will need to access this regularly for content, assignment submission and announcements.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is run in seminar mode combining the elements of lecture and tutorial in the one class, supported by recorded lectures and podcasts.
     
    To facilitate a full understanding of any topic, students are encouraged to both ask questions and participate in class activities. If there is material that any student does not understand, asking of questions at any time during the seminar is encouraged. Concepts from previous courses will serve as foundation for many of the topics under consideration.
     
    As this is a research based course there is a high expectation that students will
    1. engage in additional readings, as well as the provided readings to gain a full appreciation of all aspects of the course
    2. undertake their research activities prior to class to ensure that they have the ability to apply the topic under discussion to a number of possible scenarios.
    Workload

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

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. As this course is a 6 unit course it is anticipated that you will be undertaking more study time for this course than you would have undertaken in your previous 3 unit courses.

    Students in this course are expected to participate in all class activities
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week    Topic / Activities during class
    1 Financial statements and introduction to research
    2 Research in accounting and finance and introduce research projects
    3 Industry analysis technigues
    4 Portfolio anlaysis, test on topics 1 - 3
    5 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Using databases
    6 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Report writing workshop 1
    7 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Workshop on using and providing feedback on writing
    8 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Oral presentation workshop
    9 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Report writing workshop 2 (executive summary)
    10 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Practice presentations
    11 Developing research, teamwork and communication skills: Group meeting and consultation
    12 Presentation of report - oral presentations
  • 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 TaskTask TypeWeightLearning Outcomes
    Class test Individual 10%  1, 2
    Industry analysis Individual 20% 1 - 5
    Research proposal Group 10% 1, 2, 4
    Participation in group activities Individual 10% 4, 5
    Research project report - oral presentation Individual 10% 1 - 5
    Research project written report - individual component Individual 25% 1 - 5
    Research project written report - group component Group 15% 1 - 5
    Total 100%

    All assessment tasks are summative in nature, that is, all tasks form part of your overall grade for the course.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Groups: will consist of five people.
    Industry selection: each group will select sufficient industries to ensure each group member will have their own unique industry to investigate.
    Assessment Detail

    Class test (10%)
    Held online. Scope: topics 1-3 (ie material covered in weeks 1-3).

    Industry analysis (20%)
    Provide a written strategic evaluation of an indsutry utilising evaluation technique(s).

    Research proposal (10%)
    A written submission of a draft research design outlining the objectives and research methods of the grouip research project.

    Participation in group activiites (10%)
    Reflects engagement in group activities during class and peer assessment of contribution to the group project.

    Research project report (50% total)
    Each group must do an accounting research project OR a finance research project. The assessment of the group research project comprises:

    1. Individual oral presentation (10%)
    2. Written report (40%) comprising:a group component (15%)
    3. an individual component (25%)
    Submission
    Notes on assessment
    1. All assignments must be provided by the due date and must be genuine attempts, to complete the course.
    2. Presentation, and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process. You may lose marks because of poor presentation and/or poor grammar.
    Submission of assignments
    • Retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    • All written assignments must be submitted via the MyUni link provided. All team members are expected to contribute equitably to the group research project as outlined in the group research proposal.
    • Assignments not complying with the University’s policy on plagiarism will be forwarded to Academic Integrity for investigation.
    Communications skills guide
    A link is provided on MyUni. This resource provides guidelines on a range of other important communication skills including writing essays and management reports, making oral presentations etc. In preparing any written piece of assessment for your postgraduate studies it is important to draw on the relevant ‘literature’ to support critical analysis. Also essential is to reference the literature used. Correct referencing is important because it identifies the source of the ideas and arguments that you present, and sometimes the source of the actual words you use, and helps to avoid the problem of plagiarism. (Further information on plagiarism is provided later in this course outline.)
      
    The Harvard system is the preferred style of referencing for this course. Guidelines for the use of this style of referencing can be found in the Communication Skills Guide. Further assistance with referencing is available from the Faculty’s Learning Support Advisors.  
      
    In addition we encourage you to utilise the resources available via online links in the Student Support Section of this outline
      
    Return of assignments
    Every attempt is made to provide feedback on assessments within three (3) weeks of the due date. Assessment of the major component of assessment (the report) is anticipated to take longer than the nominal three (3) weeks.
    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.

    We acknowledge the benefit of feedback from students to assist our ongoing improvement of the course.


  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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