A) Written Assignment (Research Essay) – 20% Due in the lecture in Week 8
This is a group assignment (2 students per assignment). Individual submission without the permission of the unit coordinator will not be accepted. The assignment case study is also provided under the Assignment section of the unit Webct shell by following Home page > Assessment > Assignment.
Obtain a copy of the latest Annual Report produced by Qantas and AirAsia. Refer to the Balance Sheet of each company.
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/investors-annual-reports/global/en
http://www.airasia.com/my/en/about-us/ir-annual-reports.page

Question:
Discuss the usefulness of the Balance Sheet for decision making. What types of decisions (and by whom) are made using data obtained from the Balance Sheet. Provide examples of the different measurement bases used by Qantas and AirAsia and discuss how this system assists or hinders an accurate assessment of the net worth of the respective companies.
Is it appropriate that each of the individual assets are added together even though they are most likely measured using different bases?

Marking guidelines:

Headings Marks

Abstract 3

Usefulness of balance sheet 4

Types of decision 7

Measurement bases 7
- Qantas
- Air Asia

Discuss how different measurement bases assist or hinder an accurate assessment 7

Is it appropriate to use different measurement bases 5

Concept map 3

References, Grammar, Spelling, Cohesion/English expression, Compliance with the required format (font, line spacing, alignment and page number), appropriate heading 4

Total 40

Guidelines to complete the assignment

Tasks for Weeks 1 - 2 are:
1. Find another student to work with on this assignment. As you will be producing this report together and sharing the mark, you should make sure that you are able to meet regularly with your chosen partner and that you are confident that each of you can contribute equitably to the completion of the task. You must choose a partner from the same tutorial group that you attend.
2. Organise to meet with your partner and read through the assignment materials available in the Unit of Study Guide and Web Ct and discuss what is required. Make sure you understand what needs to be done for the assignment, the due dates etc. If you have any questions post them in the Discussion space provided in Web Ct.
3. Begin work on how you intend to collaboratively approach defining the problem for this task.

Tasks for Weeks 3- 4 are:
1. Submit the name of the group partners to your tutor in the tutorial class by the end of Week 3 tutorial.

2. Now that you understand the requirements for the assignment and have started to put together some resources, you can begin defining the problem and identifying the information you require addressing this problem. You can also work out where you will find this information (e.g., books, online resources).

3. A useful tool for this stage of your research is a mind map - you should remember using this tool in Professional Development 1.

Tasks for Weeks 5- 6 are:

1. At this stage you should be in a position to evaluate your research findings and conclusions in light of your research on the topic. You need to revisit your concept map and update it.
2. Attach the concept map to your assignment.

Tasks for week 7 and week 8

Week 7
1. Complete a draft of the assignment and
2. Have the assignment checked for grammar/spelling/cohesion with the writing assistance available at VU.
3. Submit the assignment to Turnitin
4. Make all the necessary adjustment and finalise the draft.

Week 8
1. The final copy of the assignment must be submitted to the Turnitin 24 hours before the due date to avoid any delay in obtaining the similarity report.
2. Submit the hard copy of the assignment in week 8 lecture.
3. Both the hard copy and the Turnitin submission must contain:
a. College of Business Assessment declaration form: completed and signed by all the partners (for hard copy only)
b. The assignment front cover sheet
c. The assignment with the reference list
d. A copy of the concept map
e. Reflective notes
f. Turnitin similarity report (for hard copy only)

How you structure the assignment is up to you. We are looking for innovative ways of putting your arguments across, rather than reading the same/similar responses across approx. 400 students!

PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWINGS WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION:
The University Assessment Declaration is available on the BAO 2203 Corporate Accounting Black Board cite held under the folder “Assessment Information”. This form must be completed, signed, dated and attached to each assessment task that you submit for marking.

THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE HANDED IN TO YOUR LECTURERIN THE LECTURE THEATRE AT THE END OF THE WEEK 8 LECTURES.

Students must submit both the printed copy along with an assignment cover sheet and electronic copy of assignment through web-CT turnitin.Failure to submit both printed copies and electronic copy through Web-CT turnitin will result in a fail grade.

DO NOT HAND IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT SECRETARY, UNDER YOUR TUTOR’S OFFICE DOOR OR VIA E-MAIL.

This assignment counts towards 20% of the total assessment. Any assignments handed in late without prior permission of the lecturer/tutor will be penalised 1 (out of 20) mark per day.
Special Requirements for assignment that must be adhered to:
• Hand in one assignment per group of two students and read drafts of each other’s work to ensure quality and consistency.
• The two partners must be from the same tutorial class.
• Assignments are to be no longer than 2000 words in length.
• Font: size – 12-point; style – Calibri;
• Line spacing:one and a half (1.5) line spacing, write on one side of the (A4) paper.
• Page margin: 2.54 cm/ 1 inch on each side (right, left, top and bottom)
• Insert page number
• College of Business Assessment declaration form: must be completed, signed by all the partners and included.
• Ensure that the front page contains the title, your name, your ID number, and importantly, your tutorial day and time.
• Your report must display headings (as presented in the marking scheme) and sub-headings to help establish its structure and aid the marking process.
• The referencing system you are required to use is the Harvard System. It is important you show evidence of research for the assignment beyond Deegan7e and the articles. Ensure these are referenced appropriately in your bibliography. Assignments not using the Harvard system, showing no evidence of research for information or are obviously plagiarised will be returned unmarked.
• Assignments will be penalised severely where plagiarism (copying directly from textbooks, journal etc. without due recognition) has occurred.
• Do not use plastic covers or folders for your assignment. Simply staple it together.
• Assignments will be handed back to students in their tutorial in WEEK 11.

You need to RESEARCH the topic in depth to gain a favourable mark.