ACX5903 Accounting for business
Faculty of Business and Economics
ACX5903 Accounting for business is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units, leading on to 8 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ACX5903
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ACX5903
4 units list ACX5903 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
If you are enrolled in course B6002, B6011, B6015, B6038, B6046 or B6053 you cannot undertake this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit examines the use of both financial and management accounting information for decision making. Whilst emphasising interpretation by users of accounting information, the unit will also provide you with an introduction and understanding of the preparation, presentation, and interpretation of financial statements. Similarly, the unit will provide an introduction to the preparation and presentation of various forms of management accounting information and aspects of management control. The unit will also provide an introduction to business structures and the governance and regulatory arrangements in respect of financial reporting that pertain to them.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | On campus |
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
| November teaching period | Caulfield | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test10%
- Written27.5%
- Presentation12.5%
- ExaminationThreshold hurdle50%
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
describe the merits, and regulatory and financial reporting implications of various forms of business structure
- 2
informed by an introductory understanding of the accounting process and the presentation of financial statements, critically use financial accounting information to make decisions about financial and other aspects of business performance
- 3
in the decision making context, apply management accounting techniques relating to full and relevant costing, cost volume profit analysis, budgeting, capital management and accounting for sustainability
- 4
demonstrate the application of judgement, problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
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 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 engages you in enquiry-based learning, where you will be encouraged to use your own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.
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 engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Required resources
Accounting: An Introduction, 9e Australia Version By Peter Atrill, Eddie McLaney, Ling Mei Cong, Eileen O'Leary
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
ACX5903 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Dharmendra Naidu
- Dr Jin Zhang
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ACX5903?
ACX5903 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after ACX5903?
ACX5903 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including ACF5130, ACF5904, ACF5955 and BFM5959. Those lead on to 8 units in all.
When is ACX5903 offered?
In 2026, ACX5903 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.
How much work is ACX5903?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ACX5903 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ACX5903?
ACX5903 is part of Policy studies.