Criteria Relevance of the answer. Are the important issues raised in the question identified? Did the student answer the question? Critical capacity. Has reference material been carefully analysed or critically accepted? Structure of the answer. Is the answer well-structured and the argument logically developed? Writing style. Is the style concise and lucid or confused, making it difficult for the reader to get the point? Scope of reading. Does the answer indicate a satisfactory coverage of literature relevant to the questions? Answers should: be well planned with arguments flowing logically; use correct sentence structure, punctuation and spelling; present original ideas where appropriate; and present a justified conclusion and acknowledge all sources

Your assignment consists of different question styles including discussion questions, reports, exercises, problem questions and spreadsheet questions. The marking criteria for your assignments will be based on the content of the subject as identified by the learning objectives of the various topics. Good computer spreadsheet models will comply with the spreadsheet requirements. Any assignments with significant evidence of plagiarism may be referred to the university's academic misconduct processes and will receive a grade of zero. An example of marking criteria for an essay/business report follows. Some of the same criteria apply to larger discussion style questions and case studies and business reports. Example criteria used in marking essays/discussion questions/case studies/business reports While there is no particular format required for these answers, the following criteria are likely to be used. Note that business reports are normally more structured than essays.

Pass. To meet this level, you will attain a cumulative mark between 50%-64%. A mark in this range indicates that you have met the learning outcomes for this task to a basic level, including responding to questions with limited options for applying analytical methods and techniques, selecting accounting and financial management ideas and interpretative techniques for management decision making and efficient allocation of business resources, and generating basic reports and spreadsheets that could be used for management decision making. This mark also indicates your assignment will: • be neatly presented, • be the result of your original work, • include some references and acknowledge sources used according to APA 6th style, • be mostly complete without too many omissions, • be mostly correct with some errors • evaluate some of the issues raised in questions • provide some examples where appropriate, and • comply with most spreadsheet requirements

Credit. To meet this level, you will attain a cumulative mark between 65%-74%. A mark in this range indicates that you have thoroughly met the learning outcomes for this task, including differentiating between different analytical methods and techniques to be applied, determining a course of action using accounting and financial management ideas and interpretative techniques for management decision making and efficient allocation of business resources, and assembling reports and spreadsheets for use in management decision making. This mark also indicates your assignment will: • be neatly presented with few spelling and grammatical errors • be the result of your original work • include references, acknowledging sources used according to APA 6th style • be mostly complete • be mostly correct with only a few errors • evaluate many of the issues raised in questions

Distinction. To meet this level, you will attain a cumulative mark between 75%-84%. A mark in this range indicates that you have comprehensively met the learning outcomes for this task, including competently applying correct analytical methods and techniques, judging between different accounting and financial management ideas and interpretative techniques in management decision making and efficient allocation of business resources and designing reports and spreadsheets for effective use in management decision making. This mark also indicates your assignment will: • be neatly presented with very few spelling and grammatical errors, • be the result of your original work, • include references, acknowledging all sources used according to APA 6th style • be mostly complete • evaluate many of the issues raised in questions • provide examples where appropriate, and • comply with most spreadsheet requirements.

This mark also indicates your assignment will: • be professionally presented with correct spelling and grammar • be the result of your original work • include complete references and acknowledgment of all sources used according to APA 6th style • be complete without any omissions • be correct • evaluate comprehensively the issues raised in the questions • provide examples where appropriate, and • comply with all spreadsheet requirements.

High Distinction. To meet this level, you will attain a cumulative mark between 85%-100%. A mark in this range indicates that you have met the learning outcomes for this task to an exceptional level, including skilfully applying correct analytical methods and techniques, deconstructing information and reflecting on different accounting and financial management ideas and interpretative techniques applied in management decision making and efficient allocation of business resources, and creating professional reports and spreadsheets that can be used in management decision making.

Your assignment will be marked as a whole with recognition being given to demonstration of knowledge, quality thinking, application of skills and critical thinking. For some questions you have a chance to demonstrate some creativity, or provide your own examples or give evidence of wider reading or to structure a spreadsheet in an innovative manner. You also need to avoid the snowballing effects of cumulative errors - that is, an error early in a practical question which carries through. Full marks are a possibility for well structured, complete, quality answers. You will be provided with a mark based on the work submitted and you will also be provided with suggested solutions or guidelines. Feedback will normally consist of the mark, specific comments and guideline solutions.

In today’s business environment we need verbal skills, writing skills, numeracy skills AND digital literacy skills. All of these skills are assessed throughout this subject. The early questions in this assignment are designed to assess your digital literacy in a business/accounting environment. It is suggested that you attempt the assignment questions week by week.

Assessment task 2 is designed to give you further opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills in more in-depth aspects of accounting and information systems including bank reconciliation, inventory systems, financial reports, accounting for bad debts and notes receivable, as well as concepts and the application of spreadsheet software to the presentation and solution of accounting problems. Task 2 covers the study schedule weeks 5-12 inclusive and includes the application of conceptual and technical aspects of accounting and the preparation of business financial statements, the appraisal of the use of information technology including spreadsheet software, to demonstrate business communication skills including report writing, to contextualise and evaluate accounting information for decision making, to explain the importance of ethics in accounting.