KEY FACTS

This subject introduces students to a basic understanding of financial accounting concepts. Students can go on to utilise these skills in the workforce at a very basic level or pursue further studies within accounting. It introduces the users of accounting information and the nature of business transactions, emphasizing the practical approach to record-keeping and the preparation of financial statements.

One of the aims of this subject is to introduce students to double entry accounting including GST. This subject is intended to provide students with a basic introduction to financial recording and reporting.

This subject introduces students to the use and management of information systems and technologies in modern accountancy. Accounting information systems use information technology and traditional accounting controls and methods to collect and process information relating to organisational business transactions. This information becomes the basis upon which effective business decisions are made.

The subject focuses on business processes and transaction cycles, as well as systems mapping; internal control systems; database concepts; enterprise information systems; and the increasing use of e-commerce.

This subject provides students with an up-to-date approach to management accounting using contemporary techniques that address the changing issues in a business. It provides an overview of the business environment in relation to costs in an organisation and the management of same, and covers businesses in the production or manufacturing sector, the retail sector and the service sector. It demonstrates the importance of a management accounting information system in all types of organisations, as the information provided by it assists managers in decision making, planning and control.

The main aim of this subject is to introduce students to a solid understanding of the fundamentals of cost and management accounting principles upon which they can build in the future, and to provide them with the tools needed to analyse the impact of choices that are made in the design, implementation and operation of management accounting systems.

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to economic theories, which will be relevant to understanding micro and macroeconomic events throughout their business careers. The subject demonstrates how economic theory can be used to explain and analyse current real-world scenarios. Economic concepts explored in this subject are very pertinent in business environments and include government intervention in markets, public goods, efficiency and equity and trade economics. It also considers theories relevant to macroeconomic policy to do with balance of payments, trade relations and developing economies. The subject is structured to accommodate student interests, as the assessments provide a choice of assignment topics. The subject concludes with a case study relating to the Global Financial Crisis and developing economies, which applies economic theory to addressing real-life questions about the sources of future economic growth and prosperity in a post-GFC world.

This subject is an introduction to investment management in the current context of a financial system rocked by a financial crises and systemic risk. The subject involves a comprehensive study of the valuation of fixed income and equity securities through considering theoretical models and their application to real-life case studies. Students will develop excel spreadsheet modelling skills over the course of the topic and grapple with the practical difficulties in applying finance theory to real-life valuation problems. The subject builds on previous finance subjects and is designed to prepare students for future studies in portfolio and funds management

This subject examines the key ‘operational’ aspects of hospitality and tourism management: namely, the process of procuring, preparing, and serving food and beverages in a commercial environment, the management and provision of accommodation and associated services, and the effective financial management of each of these areas. It explores the operational constraints on hospitality systems, with an emphasis on hygiene management, quality control, and menu planning. It considers the role of management systems and processes and how organisations monitor performance and maintain financial control of the overall process.

This subject concentrates on the management of human resources in the external and internal organisation context. It focuses on the contribution of HRM to competitive advantage via an analysis of HR planning, job design, staffing, reward systems, staff development, and HRM auditing. The relationship between the legal, ethical and industrial relations issues and HRM is also explored.

MAN201 Organisational Behaviour introduces students to the fundamentals of organisational behaviour and its relevance to twenty first century business operations. It begins with a general introduction to human behaviour in the workplace and discusses the evolution of and trends in organisational behaviour. It examines organisational behaviour from three perspectives: the individual, the team and the organisation. It discusses factors influencing individual behaviour in organisations, such as personality, values, perception, attribution, attitudes, emotions, stress, ability, and motivation. It investigates behaviour in groups and teams, such as communication, power and influence and leadership. It concludes with an examination of organisational structure, organisational culture and the management of change.

MAN203 Logistics and Supply Chain Management addresses questions about logistics planning, transport modes selection, vehicle routing, inventory policies, purchasing quantity and timing, and storage selection. The key elements of business logistics covered in this subject include logistics planning and strategy, customer service, procurement, transport, inventory, warehousing, and handling. At the completion of this subject students should understand the importance of logistics and supply chain management in assisting other functional areas of any business organisation, such as marketing, production; and engineering, human resources and finance and accounting; especially for an organisation involved in manufacturing and distribution that are addressing strategic goals.

Marketing research is most often the first step in the marketing process and so a thorough comprehension of (and an ability to apply) marketing research is vital for today’s marketers and marketing managers. MKT202 Marketing Research Essentials provides an introduction to the concepts and skills necessary to successfully undertake research to better understand customers, potential customers and the marketplace. Importantly, MKT202 Marketing Research Essentials, also introduces students to the growth of on-line data collection methods and other aspects of digital marketing research.

This subject focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• The role of marketing research in the organization
• The importance of problem definition and the different approaches to the research process
• The usefulness of secondary data
• The differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches
• The growing importance of on-line and other digital marketing research
• The range of primary data collection methods
• The requirements and methods of sampling
• Methods of data analysis
• Approaches to communicating the results of marketing research
• The ethics of marketing research

This subject aims to prepare students to enter the workplace with a deeper understanding of workplace contexts, cultures, recruitment practices and expectations of professionals across a range of industries. Students will be provided with a systematic approach to developing a strategy for entry into the employment marketplace. In particular, attention is focused on understanding the needs of employers and on communicating with them to secure a job. Students will also focus on understanding and developing skills to assist them as employees in the workplace and in cultivating their career path for the future. This subject directly prepares students for their internship in the following trimester.

This subject examines the nature of financial accounting theory, its construction and application to accounting regulation. It examines the conceptual framework of accounting, measurement theory and accounting measurement systems and provides students with an understanding of the regulatory and reporting environment in Australia. In relation to accounting and research this subject explores such areas as positive accounting theory, capital market research and behavioural research. International accounting and harmonisation, challenges or standard setters and emerging issues are explored in the contemporary issues part of the subject.

The main focus of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the accounting and reporting issues that pertain to the corporate form of entities operating within the Australian accounting framework, using the Australian Accounting Standards. This includes an in-depth study of the requirements of the preparation of financial statements for a group of companies operating under common control and continues on to examine accounting issues relating to foreign operations and other types of investments such as investments in associate companies. Corporate governance concepts and accounting for company liquidation, the issue of shares and debentures, and accounting for foreign currency transactions are also covered in this subject.

This subject builds on the material covered in Management Accounting 1. It explores some contemporary topics and issues in management accounting and provides students with an up to date approach to strategic management accounting. Contemporary techniques are used to address some of the changing issues within the discipline.

At present, management accounting finds itself in a period of change. While some businesses continue to use conventional methods others are increasingly adopting strategically oriented performance measurement and cost analysis methods. This subject considers the skills and competencies that management accountants need to develop to take advantage of the benefits flowing from these new techniques and systems.

A major objective of this subject is to develop the analytical and logical reasoning skills of students so that they can build on the understanding of cost and management accounting that they have already developed. This will provide students with the skills needed to make choices in the design, implementation and operation of management accounting systems. Students will need to have a sound knowledge of basic cost and management accounting techniques and a reasonable level of computer literacy.

This subject will consider the operation and function of derivative markets. The subject defines, in a real-life context, the function of derivative securities such as options, forwards and futures as well as examining swaps. Theories used to price options are explored and applied to real-life case studies and the sensitivity of prices to different factors are measured and calculated. Students are built up to understanding the construction of different hedging and risk management strategies involving derivatives and taught the theory behind these constructs. At the conclusion of the subject students should be able to price options and other derivative securities using live market data and understand strategies used to profit from price movements and to hedge against risks.

This subject focuses on corporate strategy decisions relating to capital budgeting, financing, corporate governance, ethics and mergers and acquisitions. Students will apply theory learned in previous subjects and their own judgement to corporate decision-making in a collaborative context. Students will also apply modelling excel spreadsheet skills to evaluate real-life problems. The assessments will testify to a student’s ability to apply financial concepts, terms and models to company decisions and will come in the form of an individual modelling assignment and a group presentation on a financial analysis brief submitted by a fictional company. Students’ ability to problem solve and present their solution in a professional and easy-to-understand manner to a panel of lecturers and/or industry professionals will determine whether they have gained sufficient skills to commence working in the financial industry or pursue further study.

This subject explores the key ‘operational’ aspects of food and beverage management namely, the process of procuring, preparing, and serving food and beverages in a commercial environment and the effective financial management of each of these areas. Students should develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of restaurant management from this subject. They should also develop an appreciation of the principles and techniques of food and beverage production from a management perspective. Students will also gain firsthand experience of a food production kitchen and a bar environment. It examines the operational constraints on hospitality systems, with an emphasis on food safety management, quality control, and menu planning. It considers the role of management systems and processes and how organisations monitor performance and maintain control of the overall process.

In this subject, students have the opportunity to explore, at some depth, topics of their own choosing within the areas of ‘Hospitality’ and ‘Tourism’. The subject encourages students to identify issues and innovations that are promoting change in the current business practices of hospitality and tourism activity, to undertake an in-depth systematic examination of the issues, and to report their findings in an effective but rigorous manner.

This subject introduces a range of change models, and recent developments in change theory and research. It will develop the student’s ability to manage both planned and unplanned change. It deals with change as a process and examines a range of strategies managers can use to successfully manage change. The course focuses on the skills needed to manage transitions and the psychological, structural and cultural issues people face when dealing with change.

MAN301 Business Research requires students to carry out a research project into an organisational problem of their finding. The ability to undertake such research projects is important because managers at all levels to be aware of and reasonably proficient in research ideas, techniques and analysis. Managers and business operatives are faced with a variety of organisational problems that require a capacity to research into situations and evaluate possible alternatives to determine their course of action. Whilst not a capstone subject, MAN301 Business Research is intended to help students to develop these research skills while integrating and consolidating
the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their Bachelor of Business studies to-date.

MAN303 Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides an introduction to the concepts and skills necessary to successfully develop and commercialise new products and services. This subject will teach students the skills to analyse business opportunities, and articulate them as a compelling business description, and pitch to an audience of investors, customers, or business partners. On completion of Entrepreneurship and Innovation students will:

• understand how organisational vision, change and structures determine the dynamics of innovative companies, new or established;
• understand the process of bringing “newness” into an organisation through internal innovation and/or through external strategic alliances;
• appreciate the complexities involved in managing the often-competing priorities and resources within a growing businesses;
• understand the importance of keeping abreast of new opportunities for technological support/ systems / processes in the business;
• recognise the opportunities that arise from a global perspective.

For marketers, understanding how buyers and consumers behave is an integral part of correctly identifying their real needs, and also of understanding how the seller and the buyer can engage effectively. MKT301 Consumer Behaviour examines the behaviour of consumers from both psychological and sociological perspectives, enabling marketing managers to critically analyse their strategies. Buyers of all types go through complex decision-making processes before they commit themselves to a purchase or consume a product or service. Therefore, this subject investigates buyer decision-making processes and the internal and external influences on the purchasing and consumption process.

This subject focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Market segmentation: segmenting, targeting and positioning for diverse consumer markets
• Consumer needs and motivation
• Personality and self-concept
• Consumer perception, attitudes, learning and involvement
• Social, family and class influences on consumer behaviour
• The influence of culture, subcultures and cross-cultures on consumer behaviour
• Consumer decision-making
• Consumer influence and the diffusion of innovations
• Public policy and consumer protection

Given the now complex and increasingly dynamic nature of international trade and whilst grounded in strong theoretical and conceptual foundations, MKT303 International Marketing provides contemporary ‘real-world’ examples of both small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) and multinational companies (MNCs) and their international marketing efforts. Attention is given also to the scale of international marketing – it considers those entities based locally and engaged in simple exporting and importing on a regional basis as well as companies that are committed to foreign direct investment and those whose reach is global.

• This subject focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the following areas:
• The external environments and structure of international marketing
• The cultural environments of international marketing
• Understanding customers internationally
  International marketing research and country risk
• Segmenting and positioning internationally
• International market selection and entry strategies
• Developing new goods and services for international markets
• International marketing communication
• Logistics, sourcing and distribution
• Export and import management
• International pricing
• Current trends in international marketing

BUS302 Project Management examines project management in the exciting, dynamic, innovative, and knowledge intensive organisational environment. It is designed to equip students with skills and knowledge required for managing projects over the various phases from concept to completion. Project management is primarily concerned with the coordination and management of projects or events from inception to completion. The high profile, high-risk aspect of project management demands multi-tasking, analytical thinking, excellent communication skills and superior organisational abilities. Although challenging, project management is also extremely rewarding, especially when projects are completed on time and under budget.

This Internship subject provides an opportunity for students to build on the real world experience gained in Internship 1 and broaden their understanding of the discipline and the workforce. The students will apply knowledge and skills gained throughout their studies and develop a practical understanding of the industry and profession.