problems encountered by an accountancy students
Accountancy Capstone
Stephen Chen, Queensland University of Technology
Subject aims and objectives
This subject simulates the ‘real world’ work of a professional advisor or consultant, requiring students to solve unstructured, multi-disciplined accounting problems. Using a Problem-Based Learning (‘PBL’) methodology, students work in teams to solve problems by researching issues, gathering information and applying it to form conclusions. Problems are based on real problems from the subject convenor’s own accounting practice.
Students are given minimal information about problems and situations and they need to ask the right questions to find out more.
The subject introduces hardly any new content. Rather, it revisits key content areas in the context of the problem to be solved.
The lecturer’s approach to teaching and learning
The PBL approach focuses on active problem solving rather than on technical content. The students are the ‘firm’ and staffs are the ‘clients.’ There are no lectures or exams.
‘We don’t teach them. We present them with questions which they’re expected to go away and research and find answers for….. students are often shocked because we don’t give them any assistance and they’re expected to take responsibility for their own learning. If they ask for guidelines or want some hints about the answer, we tell them to go away’.
Students form groups of four to six, choosing their own group members. They work together to solve clients’ problems. In week 1, they meet the client and from then on, work through a twelve month cycle of the client’s business and the issues that arise. The tutor hands out two problems and students spend two weeks, in front of tutors, working out the problem and what other questions they need to ask. Tutors are available to answer questions, but students are responsible for their own learning.
Students are told which subject areas will be useful in solving the problem and where they can go to get relevant
Stephen Chen, Queensland University of Technology
Subject aims and objectives
This subject simulates the ‘real world’ work of a professional advisor or consultant, requiring students to solve unstructured, multi-disciplined accounting problems. Using a Problem-Based Learning (‘PBL’) methodology, students work in teams to solve problems by researching issues, gathering information and applying it to form conclusions. Problems are based on real problems from the subject convenor’s own accounting practice.
Students are given minimal information about problems and situations and they need to ask the right questions to find out more.
The subject introduces hardly any new content. Rather, it revisits key content areas in the context of the problem to be solved.
The lecturer’s approach to teaching and learning
The PBL approach focuses on active problem solving rather than on technical content. The students are the ‘firm’ and staffs are the ‘clients.’ There are no lectures or exams.
‘We don’t teach them. We present them with questions which they’re expected to go away and research and find answers for….. students are often shocked because we don’t give them any assistance and they’re expected to take responsibility for their own learning. If they ask for guidelines or want some hints about the answer, we tell them to go away’.
Students form groups of four to six, choosing their own group members. They work together to solve clients’ problems. In week 1, they meet the client and from then on, work through a twelve month cycle of the client’s business and the issues that arise. The tutor hands out two problems and students spend two weeks, in front of tutors, working out the problem and what other questions they need to ask. Tutors are available to answer questions, but students are responsible for their own learning.
Students are told which subject areas will be useful in solving the problem and where they can go to get relevant