Course Title: Quantitative Methods for Accounting

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Quantitative Methods for Accounting

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ECON1232

City Campus

Postgraduate

625H Economics, Finance and Marketing

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Professor Lisa Farrell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5891

Course Coordinator Email: lisa.farrell@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course aims to introduce statistical and quantitative techniques used by business managers to aid in decision-making. The focus of this course is the application of statistical and mathematical techniques to problems in accounting and finance. Microsoft Excel will be utilised in the analysis of problems. In particular, this course will concentrate on the analysis and interpretation of results of statistical testing.

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onwards your teacher will advise you if you require access to a computer for the course. It is recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus outside class times.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:
• Understand how an accountant or a manager can use quantitative techniques to help them make better decisions
• Apply mathematical skills to real life problems
• Undertake estimation and hypothesis testing using your knowledge of probability theory and probability distributions
• Analyse and interpret numerical and graphical outputs


Successful completion of this course means that you should have developed the following capabilities:
Research and analytical skills
Analyse and interpret economic, financial and accounting data to extract useful information for decision making. Understand how accountants utilise quantitative techniques to improve decision making.
Problem identification and solving skills
Apply appropriate technology to information analysis and problem solving. Apply appropriate statistical techniques to ‘real life’ situations.


Overview of Learning Activities

To achieve the objectives listed above you will participate in a range of learning activities. These comprise the following:
• Attendance at and note-taking during scheduled classes
• Reading of and note-taking from prescribed and recommended texts and other references
• Use of spreadsheet tools to solve problems in finance and accounting
• Participation in individual learning activities


Overview of Learning Resources

In addition to the prescribed text  (see below) information will also be provided online using the Learning Hub of the Distributed Learning System (DLS). The DLS gives access to important announcements, staff contact details, the teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials. The Learning Hub of the DLS can be found at http://www.rmit.edu.au/online.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include the following:

- Test/s
- Assignments
- End of Semester Exam