ObjectivesThis degree aims to produce graduates who are knowledgeable; can apply their knowledge; communicate effectively; can work independently; are collaborative; value ethical behaviour; and connect across boundaries. The course provides a broad-based and highly flexible educational preparation for a wide choice of professional, business-related careers in private and public enterprise. Its aims are: * to provide students with the appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes for successful careers in business-related fields; * to provide students with the opportunity to possess professional as well as academic credentials; * beyond the foundation topics specified for first year, to provide students with the choice of two specialisations (Accounting or Finance) with wide choices for other sequences and individual topics to be included in their degree; * to provide considerable scope for studies beyond those which are specifically business oriented, and to encourage students to avail themselves of the widening educational experience thus afforded; * to ensure that students are given access to, and become proficient in using advanced technologies relevant to business-related careers. Learning outcomes - Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Students successfully completing this course should be able to: * Produce accounts for a variety of organisations, including sole traders, partnerships and companies. * Perform the major accounting tasks required for both financial accounting and management accounting. * Demonstrate an understanding of the role of accounting information within an organisation. * Articulate the sources of tax law and apply them to practical situations. * Articulate the nature and purpose of auditing and assurance services. * Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory framework for accountants. * Demonstrate awareness of the ethical issues facing the accounting profession. * Articulate an understanding of the conceptual basis for the current s system of accounting, and alternative systems. * Articulate the role of theory in informing the development of accounting practice. Learning outcomes - Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) Students successfully completing this course should be able to: * Apply analytical tools and techniques used by the financial manager in attempting to make optimal investment, financing and dividend policy decisions that may impact on shareholders' wealth. * Demonstrate understanding of higher level issues such as corporate acquisitions and restructuring, real options, lease financing and project financing. * Demonstrate understanding of the Australian financial system through the role of financial markets, institutions and intermediaries, the instruments they use and their contribution to the efficient flow of funds within the economic system between the surplus units (savers) to deficit units (borrowers) like corporations and government. * Describe the functioning of foreign exchange markets, Eurocurrency markets and international bond and equity markets, evaluate alternative strategies for hedging against foreign exchange and interest rate risk and analyse firms' international financing and investment decisions. * Demonstrate understanding of issues confronting investors (surplus units or savers) including valuation and analysis of individual securities and the selection, management and performance evaluation of a portfolio of securities. Analyse different asset classes, especially equities, fixed-income investments and property investments. * Demonstrate an understanding of the determinants of unemployment, inflation, interest rates, the exchange rate and economic growth, and evaluate the impact of changes in those macroeconomic variables on financial markets. * Demonstrate understanding of the regulatory environment in the financial markets. * Demonstrate awareness of the ethical issues concerning participants in the financial markets. * Articulate how basic principles may need to be reconsidered in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Entry requirementsPrerequisites: None You can qualify for undergraduate courses through: * year 12 qualifications * mature age entry (STAT) * TAFE/VET qualifications * higher education transfers. Flinders also offers a range of special access schemes.
Academic titleBachelor of Commerce (Accounting)/(Finance)
Course descriptionThis course provides a launching pad for a career in accounting or finance.
You will choose 1 of 2 streams and can graduate with a named degree - either a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).
The course combines core studies in accounting, economics, quantitative methods, information technology and commercial law, with further specialised and in-depth studies in either accounting or finance. Close attention is also paid to modern methods of data presentation and analysis, involving state-of-the-art information technology.
This course prepares graduates, in a technical and practical sense, for the realities of the global market place.
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
Why study Commerce at Flinders?
* The Flinders Business School offers a unique approach to business teaching, research and community service in South Australia.
* Our staff have the academic qualifications, combined with a wealth of practical experience and a proven international research record, which enable us to provide business degrees that are recognised by professional bodies and highly valued by public and private sector employers.
* We are at the forefront of research into some of the key contemporary issues impacting upon Australia's economy, including social and environmental accounting, ecological economics, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy and ethics. Other areas of strategic focus include electronic commerce, small enterprise management and Australia/Asia business relations.
* Our graduates enjoy high employment rates for positions in accounting, finance, and business-related professions, both nationally and internationally.
Professional recognition
The course will enable you to satisfy the admission requirements of such professional bodies as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, CPA Australia and Finsia (Financial Services Institute of Australia).
Combined degree options
Combine with Duration
Bachelor of Arts
4 years
Bachelor of Business
4 years
Bachelor of Environmental Management
4 years
Bachelor of Engineering (Software)
5 years
Bachelor of Government and Public Management
4 years
Bachelor of Health Sciences
4 years
Bachelor of Information Technology
4 years
Bachelor of International Studies
4 years
Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice
5.5 years
Refer to Commerce combined degrees for further information.
The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program an additional year (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with a:
* Bachelor of Arts (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Business (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Engineering (Software) (five years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Environmental Management (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Government and Public Management (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Health Sciences (four years full-time or equivalent) (Accounting Specialisation only)
* Bachelor of Information Technology (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of International Studies (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (five-and-a-half years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Laws (five years full-time or equivalent)
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
A student's program of study must be approved by the Program Approver.
To qualify for the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic. This must include:
* 22.5 units of core topics; and
* a 45-unit specialisation in either accounting or finance (which may contain First Year core topics)
To complete the 108 units elective topics may be selected from any offered by the University provided course and topic prerequisites requirements are met. No more than 45 units of First Year topics may be included.
FIRST YEAR CORE TOPICS
22.5 units comprising:
BUSN1001
Accounting for Managers
4.5
BUSN1007
Introductory Microeconomics
4.5
BUSN1009
Quantitative Methods
4.5
BUSN1010
Introduction to Business Law
4.5
COMP1301
Information Systems in Business
4.5
SPECIALISATIONS
Accounting #
45 units comprising:
BUSN1001
Accounting for Managers
4.5
BUSN1002
Financial Accounting Processes
4.5
BUSN2004
Cost and Management Accounting
6
BUSN2005
Financial Accounting Issues
6
BUSN3002
Company Accounting
6
BUSN3003
Auditing
6
BUSN3019
Perspectives on Accounting
6
BUSN3022
Taxation Law and Practice
6
# Students will be required to take BUSN2018 Corporations Law and BUSN2007 Financial Management as electives if they require professional body accreditation.
Finance
45 units comprising:
BUSN1007
Introductory Microeconomics
4.5
BUSN1008
Introductory Macroeconomics
4.5
BUSN2007
Financial Management
6
BUSN2008
Financial Markets
6
BUSN2013
Macroeconomics
6
BUSN3004
Corporate Finance
6
BUSN3012
International Finance
6
BUSN3016
Investments
6
Restrictions / Conditions
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Except with permission of the Faculty Board the course must be completed within 10 consecutive years or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's policy on Student Progress.