MAA310 - Accounting and Society
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Christine Contessotto Trimester 2: Jahan Khan |
| Prerequisite | For students who commenced the following courses prior to Trimester 1 2016: D301, D321, D322, D325, D338, D366, D388, M300.1 Pre-requisite: MAA363 plus MAA250 and MAA262 For students who commenced the course between Trimester 1 2016 and Trimester 3 2021: For students who commenced the course from Trimester 1 2022: |
| Corequisite | For students who commenced the following courses prior to Trimester 1 2016: D301, D321, D322, D325, D338, D366, D388, M300.1 For students who commenced the course from Trimester 1 2016: |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 1 x 3 hour on-campus seminar each week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment | 1 x 3 hour online seminar (recordings provided) each week |
| In-person attendance requirements | There is a compulsory attendance requirement for all students in weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
In this unit, you will explore the role of accountants in society. You will apply selected accounting theories to explain accounting choices and organisational outcomes and consider authentic contemporary accounting and societal issues. In the unit we take a problem-solving approach requiring students to apply critical thinking skills to real life issues, to make and justify their evaluations and decisions. The aim is to encourage integration and consolidation of key concepts covered in prior units and to focus on current topical issues to assist students in transitioning into the work environment.
Learning outcomes
Each unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all units develop and assess every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Interpret theories of financial accounting, regulation, corporate social reporting, and management accounting in the context of contemporary business practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Critically evaluate contemporary accounting and business issues. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Analyse and communicate financial and non-financial information to address business challenges and aid stakeholder decision-making. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO4 | Articulate career readiness through reflecting on and evidencing personal, and professional competencies/skills. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO5 | Evidence and reflect on the effectiveness of team contributions addressing complex business challenges and issues. | GLO7: Teamwork |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Individual) Report (Business) | 1800 words | 20% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2: Business Project Part A: (Group of 5) Seminar Presentation (Live) Part B: (Group of 5) Report (Analytical) Part C: (Individual) Video Recording | Part A: 10 minutes Part B: 2000 words Part C: 8 minutes (maximum) | Part A: 10% Part B: 20% Part C: 20% | Part A: in one of weeks 6 to 8 Part B: Week 9 Part C: Week 10 |
| Examination - Specified Resources | 2 hours | 30% | End-of-unit assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirements
Hurdle requirement: achieve at least 40% of the marks available on assessment tasks 2 and the examination, to evidence minimum proficiency in the aligned accounting discipline learning outcomes included in this unit. Successfully complete the professional literacy module to gain access to the assignment Dropbox.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for MAA310 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.