SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

___________________________________________________________________
Foundation in Natural and Built Environments
Module:
Prerequisite:
Credit hours:
Instructor:

Basic Accounting (ACC30205/FNBE0145)

None
5
Tay Shir Men (shirmen.tay@taylors.edu.my)

Module Synopsis
The module is aimed at developing a students understanding in the nature and purpose of accounting, the
role of accounting information in decisions-making by external user (shareholders, bankers and the like),
and basic accounting concepts. Specifically, it explores topics like accounting reports (e.g. balance sheet
and income statement), double-entry recording, trial balances, balance day adjustments, depreciation
methods, cost-benefit analysis and financial ratio analysis.
Module Teaching Objectives
The teaching objectives of the module are:
1. To understand the main theories and concepts of accounting.
2. To understand and apply the methods involved in bookkeeping, preparing accounting reports (e.g.
statement of income, statement of financial position) and making business decisions.
3. To understand and apply the methods of analyzing a business performance.
Module Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the key accounting principles/concepts used by accountants and businesspeople.
2. Identify, explain and compare the different types of business ownership (e.g. sole trader, partnership,
company).
3. Identify and record business/financial transactions in the ledger accounts and summarize those recorded
information at the end of an accounting period.
4. Construct accounting reports (e.g. income statement, balance sheet, etc.) by using to the information in
the ledger accounts.
5. Assess the performance of a business (in terms of profitability and financial stability) by applying financial
ratio analysis.
6. Make appropriate business decisions with reference to various accounting information and tools.
Modes of Delivery
This is a 5 credit hour module conducted over a period of 18 weeks. The modes of delivery will be in the
form of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed study. The breakdown of the contact hours for the module is as
follows:

Lecture:
Tutorial:
Self-study:

2 hours/week
2 hours/week
7 hours/week

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Office Hours
You are encouraged to visit the instructor/lecturer/tutor concerned for assistance during office hours. If the
office hours do not meet your schedule, notify the instructor and set appointment times as needed.
TIMeS
TIMeS will be used as a communication tool and information portal for students to access module materials,
project briefs, assignments and announcements

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Taylors Graduate Capabilities(TGC)

The teaching and learning approach at Taylors University is focused on developing the Taylors Graduate
Capabilities in its students; capabilities that encompass the knowledge, cognitive capabilities and soft skills
of our graduates.
Discipline Specific Knowledge
1.0

TGCs Acquired
Through Module
Learning Outcomes

Discipline Specific Knowledge

1.1

Able to put theories into practice.

3,4,5,6

1.2

Understand ethical issues in the context of the field of studies.

1.3

Understand professional practice within the field of studies.

Cognitive Capabilities
2.0

Lifelong Learning

2.1

Learn independently.

2.2

Locate, extract, synthesise and utilise information effectively.

2.3

Be intellectually engaged.

3.0
3.1
3.2

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Think critically and creatively.
Define and analyse problems to arrive at effective solutions.

3, 4
5, 6

Soft Skills
4.0
4.1
5.0

Communication Skills
Communicate appropriately in various setting and modes.

5, 6

Interpersonal Skills

5.1

Understand team dynamics and mobilise the power of teams.

5.2

Understand and assume leadership.

6.0

Intrapersonal Skills

6.1

Manage one self and be self-reliant.

6.2

Reflect on ones actions and learning.

6.3

Embody Taylor's core values.

7.0

Citizenship and Global Perspectives

7.1

Be aware and form opinions from diverse perspectives.

7.2

Understand the value of civic responsibility and community engagement.

8.0
8.1

Digital Literacy
Effective use of information and communication (ICT) and related
technologies.

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General Rules and Regulations

Late Submission Penalty
The School imposes a late submission penalty for work submitted late without a valid reason e.g. a medical
certificate. Any work submitted after the deadline (which may have been extended) shall
have the percentage grade assigned to the work on face value reduced by 10% for the first
day and 5% for each subsequent day late. A weekend counts as 1 day.
Individual members of staff shall be permitted to grant extensions for assessed work that they have set if
they are satisfied that a student has given good reasons.
Absenteeism at intermediate or final presentations will result in zero mark for that presentation.
The Board of Examiners may overrule any penalty imposed and allow the actual mark achieved to be used
if the late submission was for a good reason.
Attendance, Participation and Submission of Assessment Components
Attendance is compulsory. Any student who arrives late after the first half-hour of class will be considered as
absent. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass the module and/or be eligible for the final
examination. You are expected to attend and participate actively in class. The lectures and tutorials will
assist you in expanding your ideas and your research progression.
Students will be assessed based on their performance throughout the semester. Students are expected to
attend and participate actively in class. Class participation is an important component of every module.
Students must attempt all assessment components including Portfolio. Failure to attempt assessment
components worth 20% or more, the student would be required to resubmit or resit an assessment
component, even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the overall assessment. Failure to
attempt all assessment components, including final exam and final presentation, will result in failing the
module irrespective of the marks earned, even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the
overall assessment.
Plagiarism (Excerpt from Taylors University Student Handbook 2013, page 59)
Plagiarism, which is an attempt to present another persons work as your own by not acknowledging the
source, is a serious case of misconduct which is deemed unacceptable by the University. "Work" includes
written materials such as books, journals and magazine articles or other papers and also includes films and
computer programs. The two most common types of plagiarism are from published materials and other
students works
a. Published Materials
In general, whenever anything from someone elses work is used, whether it is an idea, an opinion or the
results of a study or review, a standard system of referencing should be used. Examples of plagiarism may
include a sentence or two, or a table or a diagram from a book or an article used without acknowledgement.
Serious cases of plagiarism can be seen in cases where the entire paper presented by the student is copied
from another book, with an addition of only a sentence or two by the student. While the former can be
treated as a simple failure to cite references, the latter is likely to be viewed as cheating in an examination.
Though most assignments require the need for reference to other peoples works, in order to avoid
plagiarism, students should keep a detailed record of the sources of ideas and findings and ensure that
these sources are clearly quoted in their assignment. Note that plagiarism refers to materials obtained from
the Internet too.
b. Other Students Work
Circulating relevant articles and discussing ideas before writing an assignment is a common practice.
However, with the exception of group assignments, students should write their own papers. Plagiarising the
work of other students into assignments includes using identical or very similar sentences, paragraphs or
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sections. When two students submit papers which are very similar in tone and content, both are likely to be
penalized.
Student Participation
Your participation in the module is encouraged. You have the opportunity to participate in the following ways:
Your ideas and questions are welcomed, valued and encouraged.
Your input is sought to understand your perspectives, ideas and needs in planning subject revision.
You have opportunities to give feedback and issues will be addressed in response to that
feedback.

Do reflect on your performance in Portfolios.

Student evaluation on your views and experiences about the module are actively sought and used
as an integral part of improvement in teaching and continuous improvement.

Student-centered Learning (SCL)

The module uses the Student-centered Learning (SCL) approach. Utilization of SCL embodies most of the
principles known to improve learning and to encourage students participation. SCL requires students to be
active, responsible participants in their own learning and instructors are to facilitate the learning process.
Various teaching and learning strategies such as experiential learning, problem-based learning, site visits,
group discussions, presentations, working in group and etc. can be employed to facilitate the learning
process. In SCL, students are expected to be:

active in their own learning

self-directed to be responsible to enhance their learning abilities
able to cultivate skills that are useful in todays workplace
active knowledge seekers
active players in a teamwork

Types of Assessment and Feedback

You will be graded in the form of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments will
provide information to guide you in the research process. This form of assessment involves participation in
discussions and feedback sessions. Summative assessment will inform you about the level of
understanding and performance capabilities achieved at the end of the module.
Assessment Plan
Assessments Type

Learning
outcomes

Class Test

Individual

1, 3, 4

Assignment

Group

Final
Examination
E-Portfolio

Individual
Individual

5, 6
2, 4, 5
All

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Submission Presentation
Week 7

Assessment
Weightage
20%

Week 15

30%

Exam Week

40%

Week 18

10%

TOTAL

100%

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Assessment Components
1. Assignment (Group)
The aim of this group assignment is to develop the students ability in analyzing the financial performance of
a public company over a period of time (say, 2 years). Once they have completed the analysis, the students
have to provide a verdict regarding the soundness of the business (in both profitability and financial stability
terms).
2. Class Test - (Individual)
This mainly consists of multiple-choice, subjective as well as problem questions (where recall, analysis and
application of concepts are essential to answering the questions competently).
3. Final Exam - (Individual)
The final exam paper consists of multiple-choice, subjective as well as problem questions (where recall,
analysis and application of concepts are essential to answering the questions competently).
4. Taylors Graduate Capabilities Portfolio (Online Portfolio) (Individual)
Each student is to develop an e-Portfolio, a web-based portfolio in the form of a personal academic blog.
The e-Portfolio is developed progressively for all modules taken throughout Semesters 1 and 2, and MUST
PASS THIS COMPONENT. The portfolio must encapsulate the acquisition of Module Learning Outcome,
Programme Learning Outcomes and Taylors Graduate Capabilities, and showcases the distinctiveness and
identity of the student as a graduate of the programme. Submission of the E-Portfolio is COMPULSARY.

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Marks and Grading Table

Assessments and grades will be returned within 2 weeks of your submission. You will be given the grades
and necessary feedback for each submission. The grading system is shown below:
Grade

Marks

Grade
Points

Definition

Description

80 100

4.00

Excellent

Evidence of original thinking; demonstrated outstanding

capacity to analyze and synthesize; outstanding grasp of
module matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base

A-

75 79

3.67

Very Good

Evidence of good grasp of module matter; critical capacity

and analytical ability; understanding of relevant issues;
evidence of familiarity with the literature

B+

70 74

3.33

65 69

3.00

B-

60 64

2.67

C+

55 59

2.33

50 54

2.00

D+

47 49

1.67

44 46

1.33

D-

40 43

1.00

Good

Evidence of grasp of module; critical capacity and analytical

ability, reasonable understanding of relevant issues;
evidence of familiarity with the literature

Pass

Evidence of some understanding of the module matter;

ability to develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting
from his/her university experience

Marginal
Fail

Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with module

matter, critical and analytical skills

0 39

0.00

Fail

Insufficient evidence of understanding of the module matter;

weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant
use of the literature

WD

Withdrawn

Withdrawn from a module before census date, typically mid

semester

F(W)

0.00

Fail

IN

Incomplete

Pass

Given for satisfactory completion of practicum

AU

Audit

Given for a module where attendance is for information only

without earning academic credit

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Withdrawn after census date, typically mid semester

An interim notation given for a module where a student has
not completed certain requirements with valid reason or it is
not possible to finalise the grade by the published deadline

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Weekly Module Schedule

Week/Date
Week 1

Topic

Week 4

Accounting concepts and regulations

The Balance Sheet: Purpose & Construction

Accounting Equation

6
Class Test

Topic 2: Profit & Loss Statement

Profit & Loss Statement: Purpose &
Construction.

Topic 2: Bookkeeping and Keeping it Right

Week 6

Accounting & bookkeeping

Users of accounting information

Topic 2: Balance Sheet

Week 5

Blended
Learning

Topic 1: Introduction to Accounting

Week 3

Tutorial
Hour

Topic 1: Introduction to Accounting

Week 2

Lecture
Hour

The double entry rules for Assets, Liabilities

& Owners Equity
Balancing the Accounts

Topic 2: Bookkeeping and Keeping it Right

The double entry rules for Revenues and

Expenses
Closing the Accounts

Week 7
Class Test
Week 8

Topic 2: Bookkeeping and Keeping it Right

Week 9

Topic 3: Balance Day Adjustments

Week 10

Depreciation & its methods

Topic 4: Cash Flows Statement

Week 14

Prepaid & Accrued Expenses

Topic 3: Balance Day Adjustments

Week 13

Prepaid & Accrued Revenues

Topic 3: Balance Day Adjustments

Week 12

Overview

Topic 3: Balance Day Adjustments

Week 11

Trial Balance: Use and Limitations

Cash Flow Statement: Purpose &

Construction

Topic 5: Interpretation of Accounts

Financial ratios: application, interpretations

and limitations
Published company accounts and reports

DEEPAVALI BREAK (9th -13th NOVEMBER)

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Week 15
Submission of Assignment
Week 16

Break-Even Analysis
Other Business Decisions

Characteristics of a Sole Trader

Nature of Partnership, partnership
agreements and characteristics

6
Digital
upload of
E-portfolio

Topic 7: Forms of Business

Types of companies, legal status of

companies, share capital
Submission of E-Portfolio
Week 19

Topic 7: Forms of Business

Week 18

Topic 6: Decision Making

Week 17

Study Leave

Note: The Module Schedule above is subject to change at short notice.

References
Main References :

1. Frank Wood and Alan Sangster, Business Accounting, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall,
2002
2. Alan Millichamp, Foundation Accounting, 4th Edition, DP Publications Ltd, 2003.

Additional
References :

1. Roy Dodge, Foundations of Business Accounting, 2nd Edition, Cengage Learning

EMEA, 1997

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