Advanced Financial Accounting
Individual Assignment Assessment Requirements
Weighting: 10% (marked out of 75)
Word Limit: The essay should be a maximum of 600 words (excluding references).
Learning objectives assessed:
This assessment task is designed to test your achievement of learning objectives 1, 2, and 4.
This is an individual assessment task not a group project.
It is designed to assist you in demonstrating your knowledge of, and ability to critically assess influences on a contemporary issue in financial reporting and disclosure. It also provides you with an opportunity to further enhance your research, judgement and written communication skills.
BACKGROUND: Issue to be investigated: Graph use in financial reports
The growing complexity of business transactions and greater regulatory scrutiny have significantly increased the demands on corporate reporting. Corporate boards face a tremendous challenge where they need to clearly communicate key information to various stakeholders whilst ensuring efficient use of firm resources.
A recently released KMPG (2015) report* revealed that organizations have increasingly decluttered their financial reports in response to reducing complexity in corporate reporting. This report noted that a few organizations have started using graphs in presenting their financial information to enhance clarity in communication.
* KPMG. (2015). A new era in corporate reporting: Review of recent corporate reporting and decluttering trends in the ASX 200. KPMG: Australia, September.
QUESTION: Specific requirements and guidelines:
You are to research the issue of using graphical representation as a means of communicating financial information, and write an essay to critically evaluate the use of graphs in financial reports with reference to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. Support your position and discussion with reference to academic journal articles.
• Word limit is 600 words (excluding references).
• Use a minimum of FIVE academic journal articles. The following is an example of journal article which provides some background information to assist you when completing this assignment:
Dilla, W.N., & Janvrin, D.J. (2010). Voluntary disclosure in annual reports: The association between magnitude and direction of change in corporate financial performance and graph use. Accounting Horizons, 24(2), 257-278. General guidelines:
• A signed cover sheet must accompany your assignment.
• A marking rubric outlining the assessment criteria and how your work will be assessed against these criteria is attached to this document.
• A word count must be included. Students exceeding the word limit by more than 10% will incur a mark penalty.
• Students must submit a properly referenced assignment. Students who submit an assignment without in-text referencing and reference list will have their assignment returned to them and receive zero marks. These students may choose to re-submit their assignment with appropriate referencing, however students will only be eligible to receive half of the total available marks (i.e a maximum of 5 out of a total possible 10 marks).
• You must keep a copy of your submission until your marked assignment is returned.
ACC/ACF3100 Semester 1, 2016 Marking Rubric for Individual Assignment
MARKING CRITERIA N P C D HD
Task Fulfilment 0 – 7 7.5-8.5 9-10 10.5-11.5 12-15
(15%)
Awareness of purpose Little or no Awareness of Awareness of Awareness of A sophisticated and concise discussion of evidence of purpose is purpose is purpose and awareness of
the issue in the awareness of discernible, but generally clear discussion of purpose. Concise introduction purpose. Poor limited. Limited and appropriate. issue are clear discussion of the Length 600 words discussion of the discussion of Discussion of the and appropriate. issue and all
(excluding references) issue. issues. issue are mostly Within word limit. aspects of the task
The assignment Within word limit. adequate. Within All aspects of the are
may be word limit. task are comprehensively
significantly under Addresses most addressed addressed. Within or over length. elements of the including an word limit.
task appropriately. effective discussion. There is room for development.
Judgement & 0-12 12.5-14.5 15-17 17.5-19.5 20-25
Argument (25%)
Position and logical Position may be A position is A position is Logical A clear, wellprogression unclear. May lack discernible. presented, progression from integrated position
Critical evaluation of using logical Evidence of developed and a clear position is evident graphs in financial progression and/ logical supported. to a critical throughout. There reports (at least one or accurate progression. Evaluation of the stance in the is thorough critical
advantage and one interpretation. Poor evaluation of Limited evaluation of the issues is mostly adequate. evaluation of the issues drawing evaluation of the issues leading to
disadvantage) the issues leading issues. There is Argument and upon relevant logical, well-
Reference to the to inadequate some attempt at conclusion are support. supported and Conceptual Framework argument and argument and developed with Argument and convincing Degree of support conclusion. conclusion, but some support but conclusions are argument and support is there may be persuasive and conclusions. limited. inconsistencies. engaging.
Research & Evidence 0 – 9.5 10-11.5 12-13.5 14-15.5 16-20
(20%)
Selection of relevant Little or no Evidence of Academic sources Well selected Clear evidence of a academic texts evidence of basic research, are used texts and wide variety of (minimum 3 academic relevant research but some appropriately to evidence of wide quality academic journal articles ) and/or poor use sources may be support position reading. Clear reading. Skilful
Integration of sources and inappropriate or but they may be engagement with engagement and Citing and referencing acknowledgement irrelevant. Use of limited in scope academic deployment of of sources. Texts readings to and quality. Some sources which sources to enrich selected may be support position errors in citing are well-utilised discussion and inappropriate and/ may be variable. and referencing to support evaluation.
or poorly Citing and may persist. position. Citing Accurate citing and integrated, and referencing is and referencing referencing. cited. Referencing attempted, but is generally
may be uniformly may be faulty. appropriate and poor. accurate.
Clarity & Structure 0 – 7 7.5-8.5 9-10 10.5-11.5 12-15 of Communication
(15%)
Balance and cohesion Essay structure is Essay contains Essay contains Essay contains Essay contains
Written expression poor. Paragraphs essential essential essential essential elements;
are poorly elements; elements; elements; each paragraph is organised and however paragraphs are paragraphs are very well-linked
linked. There are organisation and fairly organised well-linked and and balanced. Idea numerous errors linking may be and linked. balanced. is clearly organised and inaccuracies weak. Written Written Written and expressed in in written expression may expression is expression is concise, accurate expression. be inconsistent generally well-controlled and engaging and inaccurate in adequate and for accuracy and language. parts. appropriate. concision with
only occasional error.