ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
ACCT2562
Current Developments in Sustainable Business
Term 2, 2025
Assessment 2: Group Assignment
Constructive analysis and critical thinking of key topics.
Assessment 3: Business Case
Real-world problem-solving and strategic decision-making analysis.
20% The presentation date will be allocated to groups during the first seminar.
60% First submission: Tuesday, July 15th @ 5pm
Second submission: Monday, August 11th @ 5pm
CLO 1, 2, 3
CLO 4, 5
* Due dates are set at the local time in Sydney, Australia on the date the assessment falls due. If you are located in a different time zone, you can use the time and
date converter. Please note that clocks change in Sydney on the first Sunday in October. If you are an international student, this may affect the local time when live
teaching or assessments commence.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)
1. Identify the foundations and purpose of traditional business reporting and assess its suitability to incorporate ESG factors.
2. Identify and critique the different forms of business reporting that have emerged in response to contemporary ESG demands.
3. Observe the process of assurance for emerging forms of business reporting and critique the challenges of offering assurance over material ESG risks.
4. Apply business reporting frameworks to identify and interpret the material ESG-related risks faced by modern companies.
5. Design and prepare a business case that showcases how a company can respond to ESG-related risks to ensure long-term value creation.
1 Assessment 1: Seminar contributions & engagement
Active participation and insightful contributions to seminars
discussions.
Weighting Due Date*
20% Continuous assessment from week 1.
Learning Outcomes
CLO 1, 2, 3
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Assessment Details
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Due Date Weighting Format Length/Duration Submission
Turnitin
Turnitin is an originality checking and plagiarism prevention tool that enables checking of submitted written work for
improper citation or misappropriated content. Each Turnitin assignment is checked against other students’ work, the
Internet and key resources selected by your Course Coordinator.
If you are instructed to submit your assessment via Turnitin, you will find the link to the Turnitin submission in your
Moodle course site. You can find out more information in the Turnitin information site for students.
Late Submissions
If you submit your assessment after the due date, you may incur penalties for late submission. Ask your Course
Coordinator or tutor on what these penalties may be or check your course outline. You can read more in the UNSW
Assessment Implementation Procedure.
Extensions
You are expected to manage your time to meet assessment due dates. If you do require an extension to your
assessment, please make a request as early as possible before the due date via the special consideration
portal
on myUNSW (My Student Profile > Special Consideration). You can find more information on Special
Consideration and the application process below.
Special Consideration
Special consideration is the process for assessing the impact of short-term events beyond your control (exceptional
circumstances), on your performance in a specific assessment task. Always seek advice from your Course
Coordinator or tutor first, before applying for any special consideration.
What are circumstances beyond my control?
These are exceptional circumstances or situations that may:
• Prevent you from completing a course requirement,
• Keep you from attending an assessment,
• Stop you from submitting an assessment,
• Significantly affect your assessment performance.
Available here is a list of circumstances that may be beyond your control. This is only a list of examples, and your
exact circumstances may not be listed.
You can find more detail and the application form on the Special Consideration site, or in the UNSW Special
Consideration Application and Assessment Information for Students.
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Assessment 1: Seminar contributions & engagement
All weeks
20%
Active participation and insightful contributions to seminar discussions.
n/a
No submissions are required.
Description of assessment tasks
This assessment task is designed to evaluate your active participation and intellectual involvement during the learning
process. This assessment method goes beyond measuring your understanding of course material; it also examines
your ability to think critically, articulate ideas clearly, and interact constructively with peers.
Benefits of this assessment include:
Enhances Learning Experience: Your active participation in seminars deepens your understanding of the subject matter
through discussion, debate, and collaboration.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Engaging in seminar discussions requires you to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize
information, fostering your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Improves Communication Skills: Regular participation helps you articulate your ideas clearly and confidently, enhancing
your oral communication skills.
Increases Engagement: Students who actively participate are more likely to stay engaged and motivated, contributing
to a more dynamic and interactive classroom environment.
Prepares for Real-World Scenarios: The skills you develop through seminar engagement—such as articulating
arguments, listening actively, and collaborating with others—are directly applicable to professional and real-world
settings.
Assessment Criterion
You will be assessed on the four-criterion listed below. A rubric for this assessment component will be posted on the
Moodle site ahead of term.
1. Attendance (5%)
Regular and punctual attendance is crucial for active engagement in seminar discussions. Students are expected to
be present at all sessions, arriving on time and staying for the entire duration to fully benefit from and contribute to the
learning experience.
2. Quality and Impact of Contributions (5%)
The depth and relevance of a student’s contributions during seminars significantly enhance the learning environment.
High-quality contributions demonstrate thorough preparation, critical thinking, and the ability to connect ideas,
advancing the discussion meaningfully.
3. Frequency of Participation (5%)
Active involvement in seminar discussions is essential. Students are encouraged to participate consistently, share
their insights and perspectives in every session to foster a dynamic and interactive learning atmosphere.
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4. Collaboration (5%)
Effective collaboration involves working well with peers, encouraging diverse viewpoints, and contributing to a
respectful and inclusive seminar environment. Students should engage in constructive dialogue, support their
classmates, and collectively enhance the group’s learning experience.
Special Consideration for Absences
Students who miss more than one seminar must provide a doctor’s certificate (or valid evidence of other personal
circumstances) to avoid potential marking penalization. This documentation should be forwarded to the course
coordinator within 3 days of the missed seminar.
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Assessment 2: Group Assignment
In seminar debate
20%
Constructive analysis and critical thinking of key topics
10-12 Minute presentation followed by Q&A
Slides must be submitted to the Facilitator
Description of assessment tasks
The group assignment takes the form of a debate during a seminar. Students will be divided into small groups to discuss
and argue opposing viewpoints on a given topic. Each group is assigned a position to defend, and students must
collaborate to formulate compelling arguments, present evidence, and engage in rebuttals. This format encourages
critical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork, as students must not only present their own ideas but also
listen to and challenge the ideas of others.
The structure of the debate will be as follows:
1. Presentation: Each group will be given 10-12 minutes to present their arguments.
2. Rebuttal: Groups respond to the opposing arguments, challenge their points and defend their own stance.
3. Discussion: An open discussion follows, allowing for questions, further arguments, and clarification of points.
You will be assessed on the following criteria:
1. Argumentation and Evidence (10%)
This criterion assesses the quality and effectiveness of the group’s arguments. It evaluates how clearly and logically
the group presents their positions, the relevance and strength of the evidence used to support their arguments, and the
depth of analysis demonstrated. Strong arguments should be well-structured, persuasive, and substantiated with
credible evidence.
2. Presentation Skills (5%)
This criterion evaluates the group’s ability to deliver their arguments effectively. Key aspects include the clarity and
confidence of the presentation, the engagement of the audience, and the professionalism displayed throughout the
debate. Effective presentation skills ensure that the arguments are communicated clearly and are impactful, making it
easier for the audience to follow and understand.
3. Response to query and feedback (5%)
This criterion measures how well the group handles questions and feedback from both the opposing side and the
audience. It assesses the group’s ability to respond thoughtfully, address concerns, and adapt their arguments based
on new information or critiques. Effective responses demonstrate the group’s understanding of the topic, their readiness
to engage in constructive dialogue, and their ability to think critically under pressure
A detailed rubric for this assessment will be provided on Moodle ahead of term.
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Submission instructions
Debates will commence in week 2. All students will be divided into groups for this assessment during the first seminar.
Detailed submission instructions will be provided at this time.
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Assessment 3: Business Case
Two assessment deadlines – see below
60%
Real-world problem-solving and strategic decision-making analysis.
Two submissions are required – see below
Submissions via a dedicated Moodle link
Description of assessment tasks
The Business Case assessment task requires two submission components.
Part A: Business Critique (30%)
This assessment requires students to analyze and critique an ESG report prepared by a stock-listed international
company. The goal is to assess the effectiveness and clarity of the company’s reporting in relation to its value creation
process and outcomes, with an emphasis on sustainability and long-term impact.
This assessment is worth 30% of your overall ACCCT2562 assessment (30 out of 60 marks for this assessment
component). Detailed assessment instructions will be released ahead of the week 3 seminar.
Submission: Tuesday, July 15th @ 5pm.
Part B: Business Case (30%)
This assessment requires students to develop an accounting framework for a contemporary issue in ESG reporting. The
goal is to enable students to critically evaluate and design accounting frameworks that address emerging challenges
in ESG reporting, demonstrating their ability to apply conceptual and regulatory knowledge to real-world issues in
sustainability and business reporting.
This assessment is worth 30% of your overall ACCCT2562 assessment (30 out of 60 marks for this assessment
component). Detailed assessment instructions will be released ahead of the week 8 seminar.
Submission: Monday, August 11th @ 5pm.
Submission instructions