The Programme

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) is offered by Australian Catholic University (ACU). The programme, as offered in Australia, is a three-year full-time programme comprising 24 units. However, the programme offered in Hong Kong is targeted for holders of higher diploma in accounting studies, to enable them to obtain the degree by completing only 12 units via daytime mode within a minimum period of one year.

 

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The University

Commencing operation as a University in 1991, Australian Catholic University (ACU) has its origins in the 1850s and as such has inherited traditions of excellence in teaching and genuine concern for students. ACU is a fully recognised and approved higher education institution and is a member of Australian's Unified National System of Higher Education. All courses are accredited by the Register of Australian Tertiary Education. The Australian university system has a strong reputation for quality degrees which are recognized worldwide. ACU is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

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Hong Kong Support

While ACU is responsible for the programme's design, academic delivery, student assessment and academic accreditation, Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS), Caritas Francis Hsu College is responsible for providing local administration, tutorials and other learning support.

Caritas Francis Hsu College (CFHC) is an Approved Post Secondary College registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (CAP 320) in Hong Kong for the delivery of higher education programmes.

Programme Objectives

Professional Recognition

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree is accredited by the Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). and is recognised internationally. Graduates are eligible to apply for the Associate Membership of the CPA Australia and enroll in the CPA Programme. On completion of six CPA Programme segments and 3 years mentored work experience, candidate will gain the qualified CPA (Aust..) designation of CPA Australia.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of 12 units outlined as follows:

• ACCT203 Company Accounting
• ACCT207 Historic Cost Accounting
• ACCT300 Auditing and Assurance Services
• ACCT303 Strategic Managerial Decisions
• ACCT304 Accounting Theory
• BAFI200 Principles of Finance
• BUSO203 Business Ethics
• LEGL201 Company Law
• LEGL300 Taxation Law
• MGMT304 Strategic Management
• MGMT305 Management and Leadership
• MKTG100 Principles of Marketing
  

Unit Descriptions

The major aspect of accounting for companies. Students will learn how to prepare company financial statements, apply the legal and accounting disclosure requirements, consolidate accounts for groups of companies, reorganise the structure of companies and analyse published financial statements.

Students are provided with the key building blocks for a comprehensive understanding of historic cost financial accounting. From this unit, students will obtain skills in operating a financial accounting information system; apply and evaluate a range of accounting principles and standards to the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses; learn contemporary adaptations to historic cost accounting; and analyse financial statements.

The practice of auditing: concepts and objective. The auditing environment: the role of audit in business and other economic activities. Emphasis on the use of computer-based systems and computer methods in auditing. Appointment, rights, duties and responsibilities of auditors. Principles and standards; reporting and performance standards. Ethical, legal and professional responsibilities and liabilities of auditors. Forms of audit including audits carried out under the provisions of the Companies Act and Codes. Relationship between external and internal audit. Audit evidence and risk, techniques and working papers. Steps in audit process. Sampling techniques, internal control and EDP auditing. The Australian audit process. Impact of computer-based systems on audit planning and methods. Ethics and social issues in auditing.

This unit extends some of the material covered in Introductory Management Accounting and also covers more advanced areas particularly those such as just-in-time purchasing, production and inventory, total quality management, timeliness as a competitive weapon, accounting for the costs of time, and capital budgeting.

Students are provided with an understanding of the development of accounting theories in both financial and management accounting. The unit will enable students to explain the influence of accounting theories on accounting practice and to evaluate the strengths and weakness of different theoretical models.

Financial decision-making in business: factors influencing capital expenditure decisions, valuation approaches, the formulation of the capital structure, capital market environment.

The nature of ethics in management. Moral standards as applied to ethical issues in business. Identification of current and future ethical issues. The effect of technology and technological change, the environment and environmental controls, unemployment and equal employment opportunity, on management and employees. Managerial ethics and microeconomic theory. managerial ethics and the rule of law, normative philosophy, individual decisions, organisational design.

The law relating to business organisations, including partnerships, joint ventures, trading trusts, and companies incorporated under the Companies Code. The company as a corporate entity, capital, control and management, liquidation.

Constitutional basis of income tax law, historical development of the uniform tax system, income and capital under the ITAA, determination of assessable income, exempt income, allowable deductions (especially depreciation and repairs), taxable income, fringe benefits, taxation of capital gains, negative gearing. Taxation aspects of superannuation funds, termination of employment payments, and concession rebates.

Alternative strategies for business decision-making. Strategic goals and operational goals. Social responsibility issues. Strategic management models. Organisational assessment: key performance criteria, finance and human resource considerations. Market and industry analysis. Planning and budgeting Economic, labour and employment policies. Strategy formulation and evaluation. Technology considerations. Uncertainty and change. Business simulation exercise.

Students are provided with an opportunity to explore concepts of leadership and its relevance to managing functions and organisations in the public and private sectors.

The marketing environment, marketing philosophies, market segmentation. Target markets. Consumer and industrial markets. Product planning and development, product strategies, brands, packaging. Distribution: wholesale and retail market, distribution channels. Promotion: personal selling, advertising and sales promotion. Price: pricing objectives and price determination, price strategies and policies. Marketing ethics.

Mode of Study

The programme is delivered via the following modes:

1. Lectures:
Teaching staff from ACU will conduct intensive face-to-face lectures for each unit of the programme (12 hours per unit).

2. Tutorials:
Tutorials are conducted at Caritas Francis Hsu College by Hong Kong teaching staff to assist students in their studies, assignments, and preparation for examination (24 hours per unit).

3. Self-active Learning Sessions:
Self-active learning sessions are directed by local tutors and supported by the comprehensive and quality study packages provided by the University. The study package consists of the unit materials, a unit outline, and a list of relevant readings. Students will be provided with 17 hours of self-active learning sessions for each unit.

Schedule

There are three 15-week semesters in each year, the October-January Semester, the February-May Semester and the June-September Semester. Four units will be offered in each semester.

The sequence of units for the period from October 2008 to September 2009 are shown as follows:

Weeks 1-2

Lectures are usually held in week 1 and week 2 in each of the three semesters. The 12-hour lectures for each unit will be conducted from Monday to Saturday consecutively.

Week 3-13 (total 11 weeks)

Tutorials are arranged during these weeks. In each week, there will be 3 sessions of tutorials and 2 sessions of self-active learning for each unit.

Week 14

Make up classes will be conducted in this week, if any. At the same time, students are strongly recommended to start their revision for examinations.

Week 15-16

Final Examinations are held in these two weeks

Classes will be normally taken place at Oxford Road Campus, or Caine Road Campus.

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Assessment Policy

Assessment for each unit shall be based on performance in the prescribed coursework assignments and in the final examination. Students taking the programme in Hong Kong are assessed by the same method and on the same basis as other ACU students studying in Australia. Assignments are normally marked by local tutors and examinations are marked by ACU staff.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete the required 12 units. In addition, students must complete 12 weeks of approved industry experience.

Tuition Fees and Mode of Payment

The tuition fee for Feb 2009 intake is set as HK$6,500 per unit, which covers instruction, study materials, tutorials, information transmission services and access to College facilities. The total tuition fees are HK$78,000 for 12 units.

The same amount of unit fee charged to students throughout the duration of their studies provided that they complete the programme in one academic year (i.e. 3 consecutive semesters).

Tuition fees are to be paid in advance, payable in three instalments of HK$26,000 four weeks before the commencement of each semester.

Payment of tuition fees is to be made by cheque/money order and payable to "Caritas-Hong Kong", to be forwarded to the BBus (Acc) Programme Administrator at CAPS, Caritas Francis Hsu College.

Tuition fees paid will not be refunded unless there is a premature cessation of the programme, in which case refund will be made one month after the schedule commencement of the semester. Tuition fees paid are not transferable.

Application Procedure

The duly completed application form must be submitted in person, to be accompanied by

• originals and copies of supporting certificates, diplomas and relevant transcripts, as
  evidence of academic and professional qualifications obtained, for certification
  purpose,
  
• a non-refundable application fee of HK$200 (payable by cash) and
  
• a recent passport-sized photograph.

Closing Dates for Application

All applications must be submitted to CAPS of Caritas Francis Hsu College on or before 5 December 2008 for the February 2009 intake.

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Commencement Date

The commencement date for the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) programme is set in early February 2009.

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Contact Information

AUSTRALIA
	Course Co-ordinator Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
	School of Business and Informatics Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus (St. Patricks) 115 Victoria Parade Fitzroy VIC 3065 AUSTRALIA Locked Bag 4115 Fitzroy MDC VIC 3065
HONG KONG
	Programme Officer Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
	Centre for Advanced & Professional Studies (CAPS) Caritas Francis Hsu College 11 Caine Road Central HONG KONG
	2508 9122
	2524 0659
	caps@cfhc.caritas.edu.hk

Local Registration

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) has been registered with the Education and Manpower Bureau in accordance with the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (CAP. 493). The Course Registration Number is 210944.

According to the Ordinance, it is the discretion of individual employers to recognize any qualification to which the course may lead.