The study of accounting is about learning the process of framing questions to acquire, record, analyse, interpret, and present information relevant to organisational planning and management. In doing so, students develop their knowledge and understanding of traditional processes and innovations in accounting conventions, principles, and applications. Students develop the skills to frame questions and to engage in investigations to generate solutions to organisational problems. They will research and synthesize information to present accurate reports and well-reasoned recommendations. Students will engage with regulatory, ethical and sustainability issues as central to inquiries and recommendations.

Students develop familiarity with standard accounting software, including Excel or Sheets. In addition, they become familiar with data analytics processes and develop their IT capacity. In reporting data, they become skilled at using software in visualizing data and presenting information in clear, engaging, and coherent forms. Students develop the capacity to work through problems and create solutions individually and collaboratively. They refine their communication skills for working in groups to negotiate work plans and agree on conclusions and recommendations.

Students further refine communication skills by writing and presenting reports to persuade stakeholders to adopt their positions. They reflect on their learning and learning habits and explore ways to improve. The study of accounting enables students to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance the well-being of all citizens locally, nationally, and globally. Accounting provides a continuity with many pathways into tertiary and industry studies.

The Accounting course is written under the BSSS COMMERCE Framework.

Achievement Standards for Accounting can be found within the Framework.

Commerce is the study of the exchange of goods and services between stakeholders, as well as the management of resources and provision of services locally, nationally and globally. Students explore the actions of stakeholders within the market and how and why that conduct is regulated. They study and interpret various commerce ideologies and their use and the impact they have on stakeholders Students understand how people individually and collectively can act to, create wealth, plan for sustainability, alleviate poverty and insist upon ethical practices.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding of the structure and operation of commerce models. They examine the relationship between theory and practice including the role of stakeholders and decision-making. Students develop insights into the impact of change on the commerce environment and how that might be planned for and managed. Courses written under this framework examine representations and interpretations of commerce issues.

Students develop the skills to create innovative solutions to commerce problems. They apply theories to case studies to understand and compare alternate solutions to problems, or where appropriate, students deduce theories from case studies. They research and analyse information to present logical and coherent arguments through an inquiry approach to learning. Students generate, analyse, represent and interpret data to inform decisions making and problem solving. Students assess the ethical implications and consequences of a changing commercial environment. Skills implicit in the study of commerce empower students to communicate in a variety of contexts and collaborate with others to reach their goals.

The study of commerce enables learners to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance the advancement of all citizens locally, nationally and globally by understanding how to combat poverty and generate wealth. They understand how sustainability issues, and the ethical conduct of the commerce activities that permeate people’s lives, are vital parts of planning for the future in commerce. Students become able to actively participate in the political, social and economic discussions about the allocation of resources, the distribution of wealth, and the regulation of contemporary commerce activity from an informed and critical perspective.

Commerce courses provide continuity with many pathways into work and tertiary studies. These key skills will allow students access to the entrepreneurial world that creates wealth and sustains lives.

Financial Accounting

In this unit, students learn how to acquire, analyse, and present relevant financial data to prepare reports and support decision making. They engage with accounting processes and in framing questions and determining the relevance of data and research for questions of enterprise planning and tracing activity. In framing inquiries, students engage with ethical issues in identifying the significance of data and conclusions, and implications of recommendations. They develop familiarity with relevant software, including Excel and Sheets and in presenting reports.

Advanced Financial Accounting

In this unit, students further engage with advanced financial accounting processes and analysis. They engage in advanced financial and associated non-financial analysis. Students engage with data analytics to frame and undertake investigations. They engage with accounting processes using software packages to gather and analyse data and make recommendations.

Management Accounting

In this unit students learn how to acquire a variety of relevant data and analyse and present data to draw conclusions and solve management problems. They engage with accounting information in framing questions in investigating management problems and provide clear visualisations of data to support decision making by managers. Students develop skills and knowledge to incorporate ethical factors into their analyses and recommendations about the management of organisations.

.

Contemporary Accounting

In this unit students investigate how managers use accounting to refine and improve their outcomes in the contemporary business environment. They address current issues facing organisations and how they impact the accounting function. They engage with non-financial analysis and accounting processes that measure the value of ethical and socially responsible practices in the management of contemporary organisations and businesses. Students investigate sustainability issues and reflect on the value of sustainable business practices. They apply accounting practices and tools to acquire, analyse and present information and make recommendations in order to support the management to address the needs and expectation of various stakeholders.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course.

Independent Study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent Study unit in each course. Students must have studied at least three standard 1.0 units from this course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Principal approval can also be sought by a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent Study unit and their third or fourth 1.0 unit in this course of study.

New Course from 2023

Accounting A/T/M   671 KB

Accounting A/T/M 290 KB