Financial Statements and Reporting

6 unitsSem 1Sem 2In Person

Research School of Accounting · ANU College of Business and Economics

About this course

This course is designed as an introductory accounting course for graduate students, and provides an introduction to the concepts underlying external financial reporting. The unit utilises a transaction-effect approach to the preparation of financial statements. The course examines the main financial statements produced by an accounting system and the process by which these statements are prepared. The course covers fundamental issues relevant to the use of accounting information as a decision aid. Contents include accounting concepts, double entry and accrual systems of accounting, financial statements preparation and analysis. There are no prerequisites that need to be satisfied. The course assumes no previous knowledge of accounting.

Learning outcomes

1explain the accounting assumptions and principles underlying the financial information;
2identify the main users of financial accounting reports, and the main purpose for which information is used;
3demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of assets, liabilities, equity, income and expense;
4apply accounting principles to the preparation and recording of accounting entries;
5prepare financial statements for organisations characterised by moderately complex financial transactions;
6analyse and interpret financial statements with regard to key aspects of performance;
7analyse and communicate accounting information.

Assessment

Weights and hurdle requirements come straight from the imported ANU record.

Typical assessment may include, but not restricted to class participation, assignment(s), quizzes and examination(s).

Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

100%

Study expectations

Study information

Students are expected to commit 130 hours of work in completing this course. This includes time spent in scheduled classes and self-directed study time.

Texts and reading

Refer to class summary.

Course essentials

Academic year: 2026
Course subject: BUSN
Subject name: Business
Academic career: PGRD
School: Research School of Accounting
College: ANU College of Business and Economics
Convener: Dr Kathy Wang
Delivery: In Person
Unit value: 6 units
EFTSL: 0.125
Last source update: Not listed

View the ANU course source

Fees

International fee paying students: International · 2026 · Course basis; $7,020
Student Contribution Band Code 34: Commonwealth supported · 2026; ANU contribution-band code 34
Estimated domestic fee: ≈ $4,920; Estimated from the median of 40 similar courses in the ANU College of Business and Economics. ANU's page didn't list a fee we could read, so this isn't the official fee.

Areas and attributes

Areas of interest

AccountingCommerceFinance