UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA
SYLLABUS OUTLINE
COLLEGE / FACULTY:
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
SCHOOL:
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
COURSE OF STUDY:
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
MODULE TITLE:
Accounting Issues Analysis
LEVEL:
Four
MODULE CODE:
ACC 4018
DURATION:
45 HOURS
CREDIT VALUE:
3
PREREQUISITES:
ACC2011 & ACC2013
1.0
MODULE DESCRIPTION:
The module will expose students to contemporary issues in the discipline, thus enabling
them to have a better grasp of, and appreciation for the accounting profession by
broadening their knowledge base, and providing a more in-depth understanding of the
application of accounting principles.
2.0
MODULE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to
1. Explain professions, professionalism, accounting as a profession and an
accountant’s role in society.
2. Assess the various codes of ethics (corporate, supply chain and professional).
3. Explain the various ethical theories and apply various ethical decision-making
models.
4. Articulate the scope of corporate governance.
5. Consider the application of agency theory and stakeholder theory in the context of
corporate governance.
6. Appreciate the concepts of social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
7. Consider the various risks faced by business entities.
8. Explain the process of assessing risks.
2.1
UNIT 1: THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTING
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Explain the attributes of a “profession” and “professionalism”.
2. Describe what is meant by “the public interest”.
3. Assess the widespread influence of, accounting as a profession in the
organizational context.
4. Analyse the role of accounting as a profession in society.
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5. Recognise accounting’s role as a value-laden profession capable of influencing
the distribution of power and wealth in society.
6. Critically evaluate issues surrounding accounting and acting against the public
interest
2.2
UNIT 2: ETHICAL THEORIES, AND CODE OF ETHICS
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Explain the ethical theories of relativism and absolutism.
2. Apply commonly used decision-making models in accounting and professional
context
3. Describe the areas of behaviour covered by corporate codes of ethics
4. Describe the content of, and principles behind, professional codes of ethics
5. Assess the code of ethics relevant to accounting professionals such as the IFAC or
professional body codes.
2.3
UNIT 3: GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Explain the meaning of corporate governance.
2. Evaluate the roles, interests and claims of the internal parties involved in
governance.
3. Evaluate the roles, interests and claims of the external parties involved in
governance.
4. Discuss the role and influence of institutional investors in corporate governance
system and structures.
5. Explain the term agency theory
6. Explain the nature of the principal-agent relationship in the context of corporate
governance.
7. Evaluate the nature of agency accountability in agency relationships.
8. Critically assess the concept of stakeholders and stakeholding in organizations
and how this can affect strategy and corporate governance.
2.4
UNIT 4: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Discuss corporate social responsibility in the context of corporate governance
2. Explain the concept of organisation as a corporate citizen of society
3. Evaluate the concept of “CSR Strategy” and “Strategic CSR”
2.5
UNIT 5: RISK MANAGEMENT
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2.6
Define and explain risks in the context of corporate governance
Distinguish between strategic and operational risks
Explain the sources and impacts of common business risks
Outline management responsibilities in risk management
Analyse the concepts of assessing the severity and probability of risk events.
Assess the importance of, risk transference, avoidance, reduction, and acceptance.
Evaluate the different attitudes towards risk and how these can affect strategy.
UNIT 6: ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the effective use of research tools available for accounting, taxation
and audit.
2. Analyse complex issues in tax, auditing and accounting
3. Critique research work in accounting, tax and audit.
4. Document literature in a clear and concise manner using APA guidelines
5. Present findings clearly and concisely in a professional format (oral and written)
using APA guidelines
2.7
UNIT 7: EMERGING TRENDS AND ISSUES
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Discuss current developments in accounting/audit/taxation
2. Evaluate the impact of current developments in business practices on the work of
professional accountants.
3. Discuss the impact of emerging technologies, including “cloud accounting” and
“cloud accountants” on the work of professional accountants.
3.0
MODULE CONTENT AND CONTEXT
3.1
UNIT 1: The Professional Practice of Accounting
Content:
1. Profession vs Professionalism
2. Public interest
3. Role and influence of professional accountants
4. Public interest issues
3.2
UNIT 2: Ethical Theories and Code of Ethics
Content:
1. Ethical theories
2. Ethical Decision-Making Models (EDMM)
3. Ethical codes
4. Corporate codes
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5. Professional codes
3.3
UNIT 3: Corporate Governance and Responsibility
Content:
1. Meaning of corporate governance
2. Agency theory
3. Stakeholder theory
4. Stakeholder influence
5. Stakeholder roles in Corporate Governance
3.4
UNIT 4: Corporate Social Responsibility
Content:
1. Corporate Social Responsibility
2. CSR Strategy
3. Strategic CSR
4. Corporate citizenship
3.5
UNIT 5: Risk Management
Content:
1. Risk and corporate governance
2. Risk categories
3. Common risks (market, credit, liquidity, technological, legal, health and safety,
reputation, environmental, business probity)
4. Risk management process
5. Analysis and evaluation
6. Impact on stakeholder
7. Risk dimensions
8. Risk response (TARA)
9. Management responsibilities
3.6
UNIT 6: Accounting Research
Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.7
4.0
Review of the research process
Critical analysis
Problem definition
Problem statement
Review of literature
Methodology
Data collection
Discussion, analysis and presentation of findings
Abstract
UNIT 7: Emerging Trends and Issues
Digital Currency - JAM-DEX
Content:
1. Current developments in accounting/audit/taxation
2. Current developments in business practices
3. Emerging technologies in accounting/audit/taxation
Cryptocurrency IFRS -
LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES
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The module will use a workshop approach, which acknowledges students as active
learners and emphasises self-monitoring. A variety of teaching methods will be used to
deliver the module:
●
●
●
●
Lectures
Tutorials
Studnet presentations
Student-directed learning
Lectures: Impart to students core information on various units outlined above. This may
involve face to face contact, guest presentations, and the use of technology.
Tutorials: discussions to ensure that students understand the information presented in
lecture sessions, and are able to apply principles to real-world problems. In areas of
weaknesses, knowledge is reinforced.
Student-Directed Learning: Students will carry out self-directed activities in research,
case analysis, and article reviews. This will enable the students to develop analytical
skills by identifying, analysing organisational issues, and making recommendations to
solve problems.
5.0
6.0
7.0
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
Critique
Oral presentations
Written assignments
In-class tests
Research project
5%
10%
25%
30%
30%
BREAKDOWN OF HOURS
● Lectures
● Tutorial
● Assessment
13 Hrs
26 Hrs
6 Hrs
Group 1
Clive C
Javey C
Saharah H
Tamaya M
Zoya G
Group 2
Jahrel A
Patrick A
Shanyo F
Vanessa S
REFERENCE TEXTS:
Students will be assigned various readings taken from journals, textbooks and other
scholarly articles.
Readings
ACCA Study Text, Paper ACCA P1: Governance, risk and ethics. BPP Learning
Media
CIMA Study Text, Subject BA4: Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and
Business Law. Kaplan Publishing
Saidon, Intan & Marzita (Eds.): Ethics, governance and risk management in
organizations. Springer
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8.0
NAME OF SYLLABUS WRITERS
Courtney Garrick / Deonette McInnis-Lambert/ Collette Folkes
8.1
Date of Submission/Presentation
November 2014
8.2
Name(s) of Syllabus Revier(s)
Anthony M. Townsend
8.3
Date of Review
March 2021
9.0
APPROVAL
9.1
Name and Signature of Programme Director (PD):
Jacqueline Reid-Samuda
9.2
Date of Approval
9.3
Name and Signature of Head of School
9.4
Olubusola Akinladejo
Date of Approval
9.5
College/Faculty Curriculum Committee
Name and Signature of Committee Chair
Noreen Brown-Roomes, PhD.
9.6
10.0
Date of Approval
ACCEPTANCE BY OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING (OTL)
10.1
Date of Acceptance by OTL:
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