The University of Hong Kong School of Business BUSI0027G Management Accounting I (Online Course) Course Syllabus and Outline SEMESTER 2, 2008/09

The University of Hong Kong
School of Business
BUSI0027G Management Accounting I (Online Course)
Course Syllabus and Outline
SEMESTER 2, 2008/09

Welcome to this partial on-line course on Management Accounting I:
This subclass of MAI course adopts new teaching format and pedagogies which focus on
enhance students’ learning effectiveness. First, students are required to watch on-line
video lectures and read the textbook. Value-added learning activities (e.g., simulated
factory operation, field trip, case analysis, video viewing, quiz, debate and presentation)
will be organized weekly during the class time to reinforce student learning effectiveness.
Tutorial session will be used to respond to students’ questions on video lectures and
homework assignments. Furthermore, students can access additional on-line learning
tools available on the textbook’s website to enhance their knowledge of the topics
covered. For this subclass, students will be given the following items:

1. A DVD: Introduction to Accounting: The Language of Business (Version 2.0 (cost
about HK600, on a loan basis)). The School has purchased the DVD for your own use
only. The DVD content cannot be copied or shared with any one, now or in the future.
PLEASE RETURN THE DVD TO THE INSTRUCTOR AT THE END OF THE
SEMESTER. No course grade will be given if the DVD is not returned.
2. A set of lectures notes complementing the video lectures
3. A textbook, Accounting Concepts and Applications by Albrecht, Stice, Stice, and
Swain (10th edition), published by Southwestern Publisher (cost about HK350, on a loan
basis). PLEASE RETURN THE TEXTBOOK TO Ms. Panda Tsu (MW710) AT
THE END OF THE SEMESTER. No course grade will be given if the textbook is not
returned.
4. A CengageNOW online access package with online tools complementing the
textbook and video lectures so as to enhance student’s learning effectiveness. Please log-
in http://cengage.com/login to view more learning resources for each chapter, e.g., quiz
bowl, crossword puzzle, company videos, concept review, e-lecture, accounting games,
activity demo, integrate text etc.

Keys to Success in this Class: as no homework is collected for grading and biweekly
quiz will be given to test on the video lecture materials, you need to have a higher level of
self-discipline in order to successfully complete this course. You cannot afford to get
behind! You need to view the on-line video lectures on a timely basis, utilizing the on-
line learning tools and active participating in class activities and tutorial discussion. It
is strongly recommended that you set up a personal study schedule that specifically

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earmarks time when you will regularly work on the material for this course. You need to
stay up with the Course Schedule provided in this course syllabus.

I. COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Professor Amy H. LAU
Email: ahlau@business.hku.hk



Office: 710, Meng Wah Complex



Phone: 2857-8369

Class time: Wednesday – For first two weeks, the whole class meets from 5:00 to 6:30
pm; starting on the 3rd week, small group meeting, Group A meets 5:00 – 6:20 pm and
Group B meets 6:30 - 7:45 pm.
Venue:
MW602

Consultation Times: Thursday and Friday 4:00 – 5:30 pm, other times by appointment
only.

Instructor for Tutorial Session: Ms. Linghua WANG,
Email: wanglinghua@business.hku.hk
Office: 618, Meng Wah Complex
Phone: 2241-5244
Tutorial time: Tuesday - 10:40 – 11:30 (Group A) and 11:40 – 12:30 (Group B)
Venue: MW 201

Teaching Assistant for technical assistance only: Mr. Cancy Kong
Email: cancykong@gmail.com
Phone: 9137-9759

Prerequisite: BUSI 1002 Introduction to Accounting

Textbook: Accounting Concepts and Applications by Albrecht, Stice, Stice, and Swain
(10th edition), published by Southwestern Publisher 2008.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

To be a successful corporate accountant or business manager, you will need to know how
to use accounting information to plan, control and make decision-making. This course
covers basic topics of management accounting and introduces a business-management
approach to the development and use of accounting information. In today’s competitive
marketplace, an excellent internal accounting system is essential for organizations to
make better decisions. This course covers firms’ internal accounting systems and their
use in decision-making, planning and control. Major topics include cost classification,
product costing, cost behavior, cost-volume-profit analysis, budget and standard costing,
and short-term decision-making.





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III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.
Provide students with basic concepts of management accounting and the usefulness
of internal accounting information system;
2.
Build students’ capability to apply knowledge in decision-making scenarios;
3.
Enable students to use computer-aided learning tools and online learning resources;
4.
Manage workload in a self-paced learning environment;
5.
Inculcate professionalism;
6.
Develop students’ communication skills;


IV. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

ILO1. Explain cost management concepts, product costing techniques, and planning &
control systems;
ILO2. Cultivate self-learning skill by utilizing computer-aided learning tools and online
learning resources;
ILO3. Apply relevant accounting information for making short-term business decisions;
ILO4. Apply Management Accountants’ Codes of Ethics to resolve an ethical situation;
ILO5. Develop verbal and writing communication skills and teamwork ability.


V.
ALLIGNMENTS OF PROGRAM AND COURSE ILOs

Program ILOs
Course ILOs
1. Acquisition and internalization of knowledge of accounting,
ILO 1, 2 & 3
business and economics
2. Application and integration of knowledge
ILO3 & 4
3. Inculcating professionalism and leadership
ILO4
5. Mastering communication skills
ILO5


VI. TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES (TLAs)

TLA1. Situation: On-Line Video lectures by Professor Norm Nemrow and Professor Earl
Stice, School of Accountancy and Information Systems, Brigham Young University

Basic knowledge of cost accounting and management accounting is presented with real
Powerpoint slides and illustrated with real world examples and textbook problems.

Subsequent to viewing the DVD video, students can view and use more on-line learning
resources at the CengageNOW website. These on-line learning resources complement the
textbook and further strengthen students’ understanding of the chapter materials.


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For each chapter, student should take the pretest prior to reading the chapter and
viewing the DVD lecture and other e-lectures.

After viewing video lectures and e-lectures, students can work through the quiz,
crossword puzzle and accounting games.

Take the posttest to confirm their understanding.
Major focus: ILOs 1, 2, 3 and 4;
Minor focus: ILO5.

TLA1. Situation: Vale-added In-Class Activity

Bi-weekly quiz: To ensure students do not fall behind, bi-weekly in-class quiz will
be conducted based on the video lecture materials and on-line learning tools.

Factory simulation: To assist in understanding the production process of two
different production environments and the cost accumulation process, a hand-on
factory simulation game will be conducted.

Case discussions: To apply their knowledge, students will analyze and discuss cases
from the textbook and other sources. Students are encouraged to participate in
discussions and share opinions with their peers.

Video clips are shown for selected topics followed by in-class discussion so that
students can apply basic concepts and techniques to specific real-world scenarios.

Guest speakers will be invited to share the real world application of the textbook
materials.

Q&A session will be conducted to respond to instructor or students’ questions on the
video lectures and learning tools.

Concept map: at the end of some sessions, the lecturer use concept maps to provide
an overview of the various topics covered and to demonstrate the inter-chapter links.

Major focus: ILOs 1, 3, 4 and 5;
Minor focus: ILO2.

TLA3. Situation: Tutorials


Weekly tutorial assignments: assignments that reflect concepts and techniques
learned are assigned to students every week. Students are expected to complete these
assignments on an individual basis. These assignments give students practice
opportunities.

In-class interactive activities: students are required to attend all tutorials, participate
in discussions, and present their answers to peers, etc.

Review and Q&A session on the video lectures and on-line learning tools

Major focus: ILOs 1 and 5;
Minor focus: ILO 3 and 4.

TLA4. Situation: Outside-classroom activities


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Group discussions: students are divided into groups to work on cases. Group
members meet to discuss the cases, work on the cases as a team and contribute
jointly to the case presentation and written report for timely submission.

Lecturer and tutor consultations: by appointment, lecturer (tutor) provides
consultation weekly to address students’ questions and concerns related to the
course.

Major focus: ILOs 1, 2, 3 and 4;
Minor focus: ILO 5.


VII. ASSESSMENT TASKS/ACTIVITIES (ATs)

Tutorial attendance and assignments 10%
Group-based case analysis & presentation 20%
Quizzes



25%
In-Class attendance and participation 10%
Final exam



35%


Total


100%

AT1. Tutorial Attendance and Assignments (10%)

Students are required to attempt selected assignments and submit them to your
demonstrator. She/He will mark them accordingly. You are also expected to participate
actively in tutorials. Quietly sitting in the tutorials does not count, but of course
absenteeism from class will negatively affect the performance. Participation and
assignments are evaluated per student by the demonstrator. The objective of the tutorials
is to help you digest and apply the knowledge you have learned from the classes.

Focus: ILOs 1, 2, 3 & 5.

Grading Criteria
A+ A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D+ D
F
Extremely well
Partially
Not well
Not well
Never prepared
prepared for
prepared for
prepared for
prepared for
for class
class discussion,
class discussion,
class discussion,
class discussion, discussion and
active in sharing
quite active in
limited active in
no sharing of
no sharing of
views, attended
sharing views
sharing views
views and
views and
at least 90% of
and attended at
and attended at
attended at least
experience and
classes.
least 80% of
least 70% of
60% of classes.
attended less
classes.
classes.

than 50% of

classes.

AT2. Group-based Case Analysis (20%)

Cases will be assigned to groups which consist of 4 to 5 students per group. The case
analysis should reflect a team effort. The evaluation is based on the written report

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submitted or presentation made by each group. Each group will be responsible to submit
one case written analysis and one case presentation. Formats of written analysis and
presentation will be discussed in class. The objective of the group-based case analysis is
to help you develop the ability of teamwork and apply knowledge to real world scenarios.

Focus: ILOs 1, 3, 4 & 5.

Grading Criteria

A+ A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D+ D
F
All aspects were
Most aspects were
Most aspects were
Basic aspects
Basic aspects
addressed and
addressed and
addressed and
were
were superficial,
researched in great
researched in depth.
researched
addressed and
inadequate or
depth.
adequately.
researched
absent.

adequately.
Demonstrated a
Demonstrated a
Demonstrated
Demonstrated a good
clear
good
Demonstrated
limited
understanding and
understanding of
understanding of
mainly
understanding of
some application of
and the ability to
the theory,
description,
the topic and
the theory and issues
apply the theory,
concepts and issues showing basic
drew conclusions
relating to the topic.
concepts and issues
relating to the topic understanding
unrelated to the
relating to the

but limited
of the topic but
topic.
topic.
application
no application.

relating to the

Clearly identified

Identified critical
topic.

the most critical
aspects of the task


aspects of the task

and adopted a

and adopted a

critical perspective.


critical


perspective.



Showed little
Developed
Showed some
Some presented

evidence of
excellent argument
evidence of analysis,
argument showed

analysis but no
and offered a
supported by logical
some insight but

clear and
logically consistent
argument and insight
not always

logical
and well-
into the subject.
consistent and

argument
articulated analysis
logical.

relating to the
and insight into the


Drew upon an
subject.
subject.
Drew on relevant

adequate range of
Drew

Drew widely from
academic and other
academic and other
primarily upon

the academic
material.
material.
course

literature and


materials.

elsewhere whilst


Limited

maintaining

Most aspects
aspects
The written work
relevance.
Most aspects
conformed to an
conformed to
was not of an
All aspects
conformed to a high
acceptable
academic /
academic /
conformed to a
academic /
academic /
professional
professional
high academic /
professional
professional
standards.
standard.
professional
standard.
standard.
standard.




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AT3.Quizzes (25%)

Bi-weekly closed book quizzes (15 to 30 minutes) will be given. Topic coverage and
format (e.g., problem, essay question, short case and MC questions) of each quiz will be
announced in class. The objective of these quizzes is to ensure students stay on the
schedule in viewing the video lectures, utilizing the on-line learning tools and review the
knowledge they have learned on a timely basis. There will be no make up for quizzes. If
you miss a quiz, you get zero for that particular quiz you have missed.

Focus: ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Grading Criteria
A+ A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D+ D
F
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Skipped some
accurate
accurate
accurate
inaccurate
problems or
solutions to all
solutions to
solutions to a
solutions to a
provided
problems, gave
some problems,
few problems,
few problems,
inaccurate
detailed and
gave detailed
gave limited
gave unclear
solutions to most
insightful
responses to
responses to
responses to
problems, gave
responses to
some essay
some essay
most essay
poor responses
essay questions
questions and
questions and
questions and
to most essay
and scored
scored correctly
scored correctly
scored correctly
questions and
correctly on
on less than 90% on less than 80% on less than 70% scored correctly
more than 90%
of the multiple
of the multiple
of the multiple
on less than 60%
of the multiple
choice
choice
choice
of the multiple
choice
questions.
questions.
questions.
choice
questions.
questions.

AT4. Attendance and Participation (10%):
Attendance will be taken for the lectures. The attendance and individual sharing in class
will be considered in assigning points for attendance and individual participation.

Grading Criteria
A+ A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D+ D
F
Extremely well
Partially
Not well prepared
Not well
Never prepared
prepared for
prepared for
for class
prepared for
for class
class discussion, class discussion, discussion,
class discussion, discussion and
active in sharing quite active in
limited active in
no sharing of
no sharing of
views and
sharing views
sharing views and
views and
views and
attended at least
and attended at
attended at least
attended at least experience and
90% of classes
least 80% of
70% of classes
60% of classes
attend less than
classes

50% of classes



Focus: ILOs 1 & 5.

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AT5. Final Exam (35%)

The final examination will be held in the normal exam period. It is closed book,
comprehensive and covers all the chapters on the course syllabus. Topic coverage and
examination format (e.g., problem, essay question, short case and MC questions) of the
Final Examination will be announced in class. The objective of the final exam is to
further enhance your understanding of the basic concepts and theories and develop your
ability to apply the knowledge in business situations.

Focus: ILOs 1, 3, 4 & 5.

Grading Criteria
A+ A A-
B+ B B-
C+ C C-
D+ D
F
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Skipped some
accurate
accurate
accurate
inaccurate
problems or
solutions to all
solutions to
solutions to a
solutions to a
provided
problems, gave
some problems,
few problems,
few problems,
inaccurate
detailed and
gave detailed
gave limited
gave unclear
solutions to most
insightful
responses to
responses to
responses to
problems, gave
responses to
some essay
some essay
most essay
poor responses
essay
questions/case
questions/cases
questions/cases
to most essay
questions/cases
sand scored
and scored
and scored
questions/cases
and scored
correctly on less
correctly on less
correctly on less
and scored
correctly on
than 90% of the
than 80% of the
than 70% of the
correctly on less
more than 90%
multiple choice
multiple choice
multiple choice
than 60% of the
of the multiple
questions.
questions.
questions.
multiple choice
choice
questions.
questions.

VIII. ACADEMIC CONDUCT AND IMPORTANT POLICIES

a)
Plagiarism and copying of copyright materials are serious offences and may lead to
disciplinary actions. You should read the chapters on “Plagiarism” and “Copyright”
in the Undergraduate/Postgraduate Handbook for details. You are strongly advised
to read the booklet entitled “What is Plagiarism” which was distributed to you upon
your admission into the University, a copy of which can be found at
www.hku.hk/plagiarism. A booklet entitled “Plagiarism and How to Avoid it” is
also available from the Main Library.

b)
The course enrollment is charged by the faculty office. Please approach the staff in
the faculty office for any queries about course enrollment, class quota, etc. In no
circumstances should you approach the lecturers who have no control on this.

c)
No make-up test for the mid-term test. If you are absent from the mid-term test
without eligible reasons/documents, you will not earn any marks on the mid-term
test. If you are absent from the mid-term test with eligible reasons/documents, the

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weight of the final exam will be increased accordingly (including weight on both
final exam and mid-term test).

d)
By the end of the third week (7 Feb 08), students should have formed groups to do
the two case analysis. Each group should be of 4 students. Depending on the class
size, one or two groups may have 5 members. Tutor has discretion on group
formation policies. Groups can be formed within each sub-class or across sub-
classes A, B, & C.

e)
A make-up exam will be given for the final exam if you miss it with valid
reasons/documents.

Don't blame the technology! Students struggling in this course might be inclined
to blame the technology for their performance in the class. Frankly, the only possible
advantage of having a live lecture as opposed to the DVD Lesson is the ability to ask
questions during the lecture. Unfortunately, in a large live lecture class there is in reality
very little opportunity for the answering of individualized questions in a way that still
leaves time for the coverage of the assigned material. In addition, because students vary
so much in their abilities in this class, it is difficult to respond to one student's questions
when it may not be shared by a majority of students. The Value-Added Class meetings,
tutorials and professor office hours have been set up specifically to provide the kind of
personalized assistance that some students may need. Students who do not utilize these
class meetings, tutorial sessions, or the professor's office hours to seek out personalized
help in understanding the course material and ask questions have little justification in
blaming the DVD course format for their failings. It is also recommended that students
form study groups in or outside of the class so that they can review and discuss the
material together. If you need assistance in forming a group, the tutor can help you.
Maybe the best learning method of all is found in attempts to explain concepts to others.

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IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE TO DOWNLOAD, INSTALL AND RUN THE
ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE WITH MEDIA DVD
1. Go to https://www.accountingthelanguageofbusiness.com/
2. Click the “purchase” button under Introduction to Accounting CD Set 1 (do the
same for Expanded Introduction to Accounting CD Set 2 later). You should not
click purchase for the combined CD Set 1 and CD Set 2 or for the Media DVD.
3. At the shopping cart page, click “check out”.
4. You need to create an account for log-in purpose. Complete the form by
providing your email address and password. Then click the “sign-up” button to
proceed.
5. Complete the shipping address information. Because the form is designed for the
United States, just enter anything into the address form such as 111111 for your
zip code and 1111111111 for your phone number. Its does not matter what you
enter into the address form.
6. Enter your discount code when prompt (You are given two discount codes, use
one code to ‘purchase’ Introduction to Accounting CD Set 1 and use the other
code to ‘purchase’ Expanded Introduction to Accounting CD Set 2).
7. Then click “Applied Discount Code”
8. Check the billing statement and it should have $0.00 balance. Click the "Submit
Order for $0.00" button (You do not need to make any payment for the
‘purchase”)
9. You will see a receipt page indicating “successful order transaction”. Please
proceed to click on “your account information.”
10. Now you get to the download page. First, you need to verify whether your
computer or laptop has
• Window XP (or other Window version)
• Window Media Player
• Microsoft.Net 2.0
If you do not have any of the above items, you should download them.
11. Then come to download the accounting software for viewing your DVD. At this
website, complete the steps along the top of the website to download install and
run the CD Set #1. Go through each of the five steps. At Step 3, select “activate
via the internet.” At Step 4, when running the software the first time, you will
need to provide your email address and password. Then click for “activate via
the internet.” Once the word “activated” is shown, remember to copy down the
“installation code.” You need to fill in this “installation code” at step 3,
Registration, so that you can use your computer (your primary computer) to view
the DVD for the whole semester. Otherwise, you will need to download the
accounting software every 7 weeks.

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