Judgement and Decision-Making in Accounting and Auditing ACCFIN4072

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Adam Smith Business School
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course provides an introduction to judgement and decision-making research in accounting and auditing. As part of this course, students are expected to develop an appreciation and understanding of what psychological and behavioural issues may influence accounting and audit judgement and their effect on decision outcomes. The course will also illustrate ways for avoiding potential decision biases and producing more effective professional decisions.

Timetable

10 x 2-hours seminars

4 x 1-hour tutorials

2 x 2-hours workshops

A number of asynchronous activities will take place online.

Requirements of Entry

Admission to a BAcc programme or a Joint Honours degree in Accountancy with Mathematics or Statistics with a D3 or above in Financial Accounting 2 or equivalent.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Assessment

ILO

Weighting

Duration/
Word Count

Group project

2 and 5

40%

3,000 words

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course aims to provide students with an introduction to judgement and decision-making studies in accounting and auditing. The course aims to offer opportunities for students to:

■ Develop understanding of various factors affecting professional judgement and effective decision-making;

■ Evaluate the research and theories on judgement and decision-making in accounting and auditing;

Develop ability to identify potential shortcomings and suggest remedies to improve effectiveness of judgment and decision-making processes.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate alternative theoretical approaches to judgement and decision-making and how they can inform accounting and auditing judgement.

2. Evaluate the effects of heuristics and biases and the role of contextual factors, cognitive styles and preferences in affecting and shaping judgement and decision-making processes in accounting and auditing.

3. Assess the various ways in which accounting/auditing decisions can be made in multiple decision-maker settings and critically evaluate the role of interpersonal interactions in accounting and auditing judgment.

4. Analyse case (or real world) situations in order to critically evaluate accounting/audit judgement processes, to identify key theoretical constructs informing specific decision patterns, to diagnose decision-making fallacies and to provide suggestions for improvement.

5. Work collaboratively in a group to produce a combined piece of coursework, by liaising with other group members, allocating tasks and co-ordinating group meetings.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.