BUACC5933
Cost and Management Accounting
Semester 2, 2019
Assignment
Contribution to overall assessment: 25%
Due Date Thursday 26th September, 2019 at 11.59PM
Your text includes discussions on “People, Planet and Profit”. According to your text, “sustainable business practices present numerous issues for management and managerial accountants”.
According to Martin and Steele (2010, p.13), “The two principal professional associations in Australia – CPA Australia (the CPA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (the Institute) have indicated their awareness of the significance of issues of sustainability reporting and development of appropriate skill sets in word and in deed. The commitment of both organisations to sustainability principles has been shown by their adoption of, and support for, sustainability-focused reporting approaches and by their opting to take up membership of the Accounting for Sustainability Forum.”
Required:
Discuss the stance and initiatives of the Australian accounting profession on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. In your view, what role can the accounting profession play in this context?
As an example, discuss the way in which BHP Billiton has demonstrated its social and environmental accountability. Please go to:
https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2018/bhpsustainabilityreport2018.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/06/bhp-billiton-facing-5bn-lawsuit-from-brazilian-victims-of-dam-disaster
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/bhp-mines-set-to-damage-lifegiving-swamps-20100217-odzf.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-07/an-radio-doco3a-ok-tedi/4455092
You may also refer to other media reports on BHP’s environmental impact.
Starting point for your research:
Readings posted on your Moodle.
Additional information:
• Required format: Essay (Around 2 500 words)
• Useful links:
• http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/190044/General-Guide-to-Writing-and-Study-Skills.pdf
https://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/313328/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing-2016ed.pdf
https://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/190043/General-Guide-to-Layout-and-Appearance.pdf
• This is a group-assignment. Each group needs to have 2 to 3 members in it. Please organise yourselves into groups.
• Please make sure that names and ID numbers of all group members are stated on the cover sheet of your submission.
As this is a group assignment, each member of your group is awarded the same mark. Working in groups has its pros and cons. I am sure that you will hold constructive group discussions. In case of any disagreements, you will be able to resolve them in a reasonable way. There will be times when you may have to agree to disagree with each other.
Invariably different group members bring different skills to a project; it is up to you to make the best of it. I believe one can learn a lot by discussing the issues with one’s colleagues.
If you find your group members are “not pulling their weight” or there are problems with any member’s commitment, then please try to resolve those issues amongst yourselves. Open and honest communication always helps.
If you are unable to resolve these issues, you are most welcome to see me and we will try to sort out the problems together. Do this as soon as possible and certainly before the due date.
For some reason, if you do not wish to work in a group, please let us know. You will need a good reason.
• BUACC5933 – Cost and Management Accounting
• Semester 2, 2019 Group Assignment
Names: Student Numbers:
Bases of assessment F P HD
Content - Identification of relevant issues.
Research - Selection of relevant material.
A demonstration of critical evaluation of the material.
Expression of your viewpoint (and not a catalogue of quotes/ others’ ideas).
Expression - clarity, style (formal and academic), coherence in writing, grammar, punctuation, spellings and sentence structure.
A logical flow of argument at both the paragraph level and the overall text level.
Use of supporting arguments.
Use of literature to support the argument.
Structure – Synopsis (Stated the topic, reflected main arguments and identified conclusions reached).
Introduction (Provided background/contextual information; clearly introduced the topic; outlined the plan for addressing the topic).
Discussion in appropriately linked sections and paragraphs.
Conclusion (no new material; reiterated the main line of argument).
Referencing procedure (within the text, and at the end of the text).
Appropriately styled and punctuated bibliography.
Overall Presentation – including cover page, line spacing, page numbering.
GRADE: