ACB2420 Accounting information systems
Faculty of Business and Economics
ACB2420 Accounting information systems is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Peninsula. It needs ACB1020, ACB1120, ACC1100, ACC1001, ACF1100, ACF1001, ACW1020, ACW1120, ACX1100, ACX1200 or ACX1001 and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Peninsula
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before ACB2420
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
- ACB1020Accounting in businessNo reviews yet
- ACB1120Financial accounting 1No reviews yet
- ACC1100Introduction to financial accountingNo reviews yet
- ACC1001Accounting fundamentalsNo reviews yet
- ACF1100Introduction to financial accountingNo reviews yet
- ACF1001Accounting fundamentalsNo reviews yet
- ACW1020Accounting in businessNo reviews yet
- ACW1120Financial accounting 1No reviews yet
- ACX1100Introduction to financial accountingNo reviews yet
- ACX1200Accounting for managersNo reviews yet
- ACX1001Accounting fundamentalsNo reviews yet
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ACB2420
2 units list ACB2420 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
At the core of Accounting Information Systems is the idea that accountants must understand the core business processes that underpin the business activities in an organisation and generate transaction data. The focus will be on an introduction to: enterprise systems; database management; documentation methods; internal controls (in order to ensure resources remain secure from losses through both inadvertent and malicious actions); ethics and the core business processes found in organisations. Further, given the role technology plays in accounting, with many accounting systems being computerised, other topics covered include: how hardware, software and human processes turn data into useful financial and non-financial information for decision making; corporate modelling theory; models as decision support tools; types and uses of models; benefits and limitations of models; and principles of effective spreadsheet design.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Peninsula | On campus |
Assessment
- Presentation25%
- Project25%
- Examination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
examine the role of business processes and accounting information systems in capturing, storing, managing and analysing data to support the needs of stakeholders and data driven decision making
- 2
explain, analyse and evaluate the design and security features of effective accounting information systems
- 3
interpret, analyse, and evaluate the accounting information generated by various business processes
- 4
identify and explain sources of threat to accounting information systems and business processes, and propose appropriate internal controls for managing risk in a global context
- 5
interpret and analyse data to develop business information for financial modelling to assist in the operation of accounting information systems
- 6
recommend and justify business decisions according to ethical principles in the context of accounting information systems.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit includes case-based teaching, where you apply your knowledge and engage in analytical and reflective thinking to solve complex contextual scenarios. Activities are often designed so that there is not one clear answer, but you need to work together to examine, analyse and make decisions to resolve the situation.
This unit provides you with the opportunity to engage in industry-based learning to incorporate professional and industry experience into your studies.
This unit allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit allows you to engage in guided, immersive experiences to develop relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes through simulation or virtual practice.
Learning resources
Required resources
Technology resources
There may be an additional cost associated with purchasing a physical and/or virtual calculator. Specific details will be provided in the Learning Management System by commencement of Orientation week.
Where it fits
ACB2420 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Brett Considine
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ACB2420?
You need ACB1020, ACB1120, ACC1100, ACC1001, ACF1100, ACF1001, ACW1020, ACW1120, ACX1100, ACX1200 or ACX1001 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after ACB2420?
ACB2420 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including ACW3900 and ACX3900.
When is ACB2420 offered?
In 2026, ACB2420 runs in Semester 2 at Peninsula.
How much work is ACB2420?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ACB2420 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ACB2420?
ACB2420 is part of Accountancy.