Module Information Booklet

Taylor’s University

Undergraduate Business Programmes

March Semester 2020

ACC 61504
Ethics and Corporate Governance
CONTENTS

Introduction

Module Overview

Learning Resources

Attendance

Assessments

Resit Assessments

Assessment Offences

Extenuating Circumstances

Assignment Case Study and Guidelines

Module Calendar

Assignment Cover

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to your studies in Ethics and Corporate Governance .

Awareness about ethics and corporate governance is now rising in Malaysia. This is in response
to the worldwide high-profile corporate scandals and recent financial crisis. This module, a core
module of the programme, intends to strengthen and enhance students’ understanding of
business and professional ethics, and corporate governance including theoretical development
and the latest issues in this area. The module aims to provide critical understanding of ethics in
business and accounting whilst assessing which corporate governance theories and
frameworks can be adopted to achieve effective governance.

All topics are well constructed in an appropriate sequential manner, in order to ease your
learning process in this module. Each new topic develops ahead concepts covered in the earlier
topics; therefore, you are encouraged to attend all lectures. Remember to attempt all tutorial
questions as they are designed to strengthen and assess your understanding of each topic in
this module.

I believe that you will find your study in this module interesting, enjoyable and valuable to your
career.

I wish you all the best in your studies and look forward to joining you on your journey through
the study of Ethics and Corporate Governance.

CONTACT DETAILS
Lecturer and Tutor
Dr. Shafi Mohamad
Block E, Wing A, Level 9,
Taylor’s University
Tel.: 56295000 Ext 5664
Email: shafi.mohamad@taylors.edu.my

MODULE OVERVIEW

MODULE SYNOPSIS
This module is an advanced level module focusing on business and accounting ethics, and corporate
governance. It is designed to further enhance students’ understanding of the concepts and issues in
theory and practices of ethics and corporate governance. This involves the study of theoretical and
practical issues involved in the development, implementation and changes in ethics and corporate
governance theories and regulatory framework. This module provides students with some generic skills
required in the accounting profession such as communication, critical thinking and decision-making,
teamwork, life-long learning and information management, professional ethics, and leadership skills.

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PREREQUISITE / ASSUMED KNOWLEDGE
None required.

MODULE OBJECTIVES
The subject has three key objectives:
1. Promoting awareness of the ethical responsibilities of professional accountants thereby
enabling them to identify and resolve ethical issues or conflicts throughout their career.
2. Ensuring professional accountants understand the importance of governance, ensuring their
role in achieving effective governance.
3. Understanding the role of accounting, and of accountants, in providing information about the
social and environmental performance of an organization.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Analyze behavior consistent with business and accounting ethics.
2. Evaluate the regulations that govern the business and professional ethics, and corporate
governance practices.
3. Apply and debate corporate governance theories and framework to corporate governance
issues.
4. Critically discuss enterprise governance framework.

TAYLOR’S GRADUATE CAPABILITIES (“TGC”)

Upon successful completion of this module, a student should be equipped with the following
Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities:

A Taylor’s graduate has proven ability and is capable in the following areas.

1.0 Discipline Specific Knowledge

Ability to demonstrate professional competence, articulate and adapt discipline specific knowledge to
novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to interdisciplinary solutions to problems.

2.0 Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Ability to rationally and critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate evidence to arrive at solutions.

3.0 Lifelong Learning

Ability to adopt flexible and resilient learning methods to continuously learn, unlearn and relearn in a self-
regulated manner.

4.0 Communication Skills

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Ability to create and deliver messages effectively and sensitively in appropriate contexts and
communication styles.

5.0 Personal Competencies

Ability be self-aware and to self-regulate through skillful management of one’s personal goals, intentions,
responses and behaviour.

6.0 Social Competencies

Ability to understand the feelings of others, interact positively with them and foster a stable and
harmonious relationships.

7.0 Entrepreneurialism

Ability to influence change by being proactive, resourceful and prudent in assuming risk.

8.0 Global Perspective

Ability to demonstrate awareness of their own culture, cultural diversities, social responsibilities, global
contexts and ethical values.

On completion of this module, students should be able to achieve the following learning
outcomes:

TGC1 TGC2 TGC3 TGC4 TGC5 TGC6 TGC7 TGC8

Analyze behavior consistent with

LO1 X
business and accounting ethics.
Evaluate the regulations that govern
LO2 the business and professional ethics, X

and corporate governance practices.

Apply and debate corporate
LO3 governance theories and framework to X
corporate governance issues.
Critically discuss corporate governance
LO4 X
framework.

TEACHING AND LEARNING ARRANGEMENTS

The teaching will use Authentic Learning approach whereby materials and activities are framed around
"real life" contexts in which they would be used. The underlying assumption of this approach is that if
material is meaningful to students it will be more motivating and deeply processed.

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This module is delivered in a mixture of lectures, tutorials, research and self-study. Class contact time
consists of two hours of lectures and a two-hour tutorial each week. Lectures will begin in week 1 and
tutorials will begin in week 2.

Students are expected to spend an extra eight hours non-contact time per week engaging in the
module.

UNIT VALUE OF MODULE

Four credit hours.

LEARNING RESOURCES

TEXT
Abdul Wahab, N. S. and Al-Jaifi, H. A. (2019). Heterogeneity and Persistence of Top Management
Team Characteristics. In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple Perspective of Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern. Malaysia: Pearson, 36-44.
Abdul Wahab, N. S. and Al-Jaifi, H. A. (2019). Top Management Team Diversity, Malaysian Codes on
Corporate Governance and Corporate Tax Planning. In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple
Perspective of Corporate Governance: An Emerging Concern. Malaysia: Pearson, 27-35.
Mallin, C. (2016), Corporate Governance, International Edition, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-
19-875580-7
Othman, Z. and Sadiq, M. (2019). Ethical Frameworks and Corporate Governance: A Malaysian Case.
In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple Perspective of Corporate Governance: An Emerging Concern.
Malaysia: Pearson, 1-20.
Othman, Z. and Sadiq, M. (2019). Framing Corporate Governance Theory: The New Frontier. In Abdul
Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple Perspective of Corporate Governance: An Emerging Concern.
Malaysia: Pearson, 21-26.
Sivanandan, P. and Abdul Wahab, N. S. (2019). Executive Remuneration, Accrual-Based Earnings
Management and Real Earnings Management. In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple Perspective of
Corporate Governance: An Emerging Concern. Malaysia: Pearson, 45-63.
Sivanandan, P. and Abdul Wahab, N. S. (2019). Institutional Ownership and Value Relevance of
Financial Information. In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The Multiple Perspective of Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern. Malaysia: Pearson, 64-76.
Tye, W. L. and Toppeh, S. (2019). Corporate Social Responsibility. In Abdul Wahab, N.S. (Ed). The
Multiple Perspective of Corporate Governance: An Emerging Concern. Malaysia: Pearson, 77-85.

Mallin, C. (2016), Corporate Governance, International Edition, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-
19-875580-7

OTHER TEXT REFERENCES

Listed below are books, which are useful text references to support your learning. You are not required
to purchase these books, as copies are available in the library for student use.

1. By-Laws (on Professional Ethics, Conduct and Practice) of The Malaysian Institute of
Accountants.
2. Code of Ethics for Company Directors, Companies Commission of Malaysia.
3. Good Governance Guide, Chartered Secretaries Malaysia.

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 4. Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (2017). Finance Committee on Corporate
Governance. Kuala Lumpur: Printmate Sdn. Bhd.
5. Monks, R.A.G., and Minow, N. (2011), Corporate Governance, 5th Edition, John Wiley & Sons
Ltd, U.K. (Oxford). ISBN: 978-0-470-97259-5.
6. Nordberg, D. (2011), Corporate Governance: Principles and Issues, Sage Publication, ISBN:
978-1-84787-333-0.
7. Wearing. R (2011), Cases in Corporate Governance, SAGE Publications, ISBN: 978-1-4129-
0877-1.
Journals:
1. Corporate Governance: An International Review.
2. European Accounting Review.
3. European Financial Management.
4. Journal of Accounting and Economics.
5. Journal of Accounting Research.
6. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting.
7. Journal of Business Research Journal of Finance.
8. Journal of Financial Economics.
9. Journal of Financial Research.

ONLINE SUPPORT
Taylor’s University provides a program website (TIMeS) to allow students convenient access to module
resources.
Materials available include:
 Module Information Booklet
 Study Guide
 Lecture slides
 Assignment Cover Sheet
 Assignment Feedback Form
 Other information on the module

ATTENDANCE

Attendance for both lectures and tutorials are compulsory. The maximum number
of absences permitted is 5 times in aggregate for both lectures and tutorials over
the semester.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Learning Outcomes TGC

Form of assessment Length Weighting Due date
assessed Achieved

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 Individual
1,500 15% Week 8 1,2 & 3 1,2,3,4,5&6
Assignment

Group Assignment 2,500 25% 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Week 11 1,2, 3 & 4
words &8

Exam 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Final Examination 3 hours 60% period 1,2, 3 & 4
&8

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT COMPONENT

The continuous assessment component for this module shall comprise of:

 Assignments (Individual and Group)

ASSIGNMENT (15%) – INDIVIDUAL

The due date is on 4th June 2020 (Thursday): 12pm. Please refer to TIMeS for details.

ASSIGNMENT (25%) – GROUP

After graduation you will be required to apply the knowledge you gained at university and keep up-to date
with developments in your field of expertise. This assignment has been set to develop your ability to do
this. The assignment would require you to apply various aspects of management accounting, give you the
experience of working collaboratively and develop your analytical and communication skills.

The assignment is due on 25th June 2020 (Thursday): 12pm. The case study for the assignment and
the assignment guidelines are available in the section on Assignment Case Study and Guidelines in this
booklet. Please ENSURE that you read the assignment guidelines, which outlines all the relevant
information in relation to submission such as the format, naming protocols for the assignment, due date,
penalty for late submission and other specific requirements carefully before working on the case study.

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS – GROUP

You can determine your own group members. However, you must ensure that the group is
diversified enough to ensure balanced distribution across nationality, gender and ethnicity. This is
to provide opportunities for you to expand your connections and understand others outside your
current networks. The module lecturer is responsible for ensuring that this is achieved when
finalizing members for group assignments.

FINAL EXAMINATION (60%)

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The aim of the final exam is to test a student’s understanding of and ability to apply various management
accounting concepts under examination conditions. The final exam is a closed-book exam. Only non-
programmable calculators and “hard copy” dictionaries are permitted for use in the exam. The dictionary
must not be enhanced or tampered with in any way. Electronic dictionaries and mobile phones are not
permitted. The exam shall comprise of calculations, application and structured questions. A practice-set
including past semester exam papers for the exam can be obtained from the module website.

All students are granted only four attempts at a module. However, if you do not attend the final
examination, it will be deemed that you have forfeited your right to a second attempt (resit). In
which case, you will be required to repeat the module and undertake all assessments again (as
the third attempt (repeat)). If you do not pass the module in the fourth attempt, you will be
excluded from the Dual Award programme.

Please refer to the section on Extenuating Circumstances, should you like to request for
consideration on the grounds of extenuating circumstances.

REQUIREMENT FOR PASSING MODULE

To pass this module, you are required to achieve:

 at least 40% for continuous assessments component; AND
 at least 40% for final exam; AND
 an overall of at least 50%.

RESIT ASSESSMENTS

OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEMPT RESIT ASSESSMENTS

If you have achieved:

 an overall module mark of less than 50%, or
 a mark below 40% in either the continuous assessment component or the final examination
component, it would mean you have not passed module. In which case, you could be offered a
resit attempt for one of the components or for both components, depending on your final results.

To qualify for a resit opportunity, a student must:

 not have exhausted four assessment attempts in this module, AND
 have submitted his/her assessments on time, AND
 have attended the assessments.

However, note that your right to resit could be forfeited if you have committed any assessment offences,
did not submit a piece of assessed work on time or failed to attend an assessment.

The mark for a resit component is capped at 50%.

RESIT CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

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The resit assessment for the continuous assessment component shall be in the form of an assignment,
with a weighting of 40% of the overall module resit assessments.

The case study for the resit assignment and the assignment guidelines shall be made available on the
module webpage in TIMeS after the release of the final results.
RESIT EXAMINATION

The resit exam is a closed-book exam. Only non-programmable calculators and “hard copy” dictionaries
are permitted for use in the exam. The dictionary must not be enhanced or tampered with in any way.
Electronic dictionaries and mobile phones are not permitted. The resit examination shall comprise of
calculations, application and structured questions. The resit examination shall form 60% of the overall
module resit assessments.

ASSESSMENT OFFENCES

You are to use the Harvard referencing styles consistently for all written assessments. Taylor’s University
treats any acts of dishonesty relating to assessment of University modules very seriously. It is vital that
students acquaint themselves with the University’s policy on assessment offences. Assessment Offences
is defined here as passing off the work of others as one’s own including copying (reproducing or
imitating), cheating, collusion (agreement to deceive, using words or ideas of colleagues or other students
and passing them off as your own), plagiarism and other breaches of assessment or other examination
regulations.  Cheating, collusion and plagiarism are the use of unfair means of presenting work for
assessment; aiding another student in the use of unfair means of presenting work for assessment; or
preventing or attempting to prevent another student from being able to be assessed properly. Allegations
of and investigations into assessment offences will be dealt with in accordance with the regulations and
procedures in force at Taylors University for the module. Where a student is found to have committed an
assessment offence a decision must be taken either to take no further action or to impose an appropriate
penalty, which may include failing the student and determining whether or not the student will be
permitted another assessment attempt.
Where it is decided that penalty is to be imposed, the penalty could include one of the following:

a) the mark for the relevant piece of assessment be reduced; or

b) the mark awarded for the relevant piece of assessment be reduced to zero; or
c) the student be deemed to have failed the module and is not permitted for another assessment
attempt for the module.

Please refer to Taylor’s Dual Award Programme Guide for details on Assessment Offences.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

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Extenuating circumstances are circumstances, which are unforeseen, unexpected, and significantly
disruptive and beyond a student’s control. The circumstances must relate to a specific piece of
assessment or examination rather than being problems of a kind that affect a year as a whole or parts of
it.

A student who is of the opinion that:

 his or her performance in an examination or in other assessed work has been adversely affected by
an extenuating circumstance(s), or
 his or her ability to attend an examination has been adversely affected by an extenuating
circumstance(s).

could submit an Extenuating Circumstances Form to the Examinations Centre at Taylor’s University. The
form must be accompanied by supporting documentary evidence.

Acceptance of extenuating circumstances shall be evaluated on a case-to-case basis by an Extenuating

Circumstances Panel. The decision of the Panel shall be deemed as final.

Circumstances that are unlikely to be accepted as extenuating circumstances include the following:

 personal illness or disability for which special arrangements are already in place.
 colds or known conditions such as hay fever.
 normal examination stress or anxiety experienced during revision or the assessment period (unless
corroborated by medical evidence as a chronic condition and undergoing treatment).
 non serious domestic or personal disruptions (e.g. moving to a new house, change of job, holidays,
weddings, normal job pressure, failed travel arrangements, financial difficulties, oversleeping).
 study related circumstances (equipment failure including computing/printer difficulties (unless they
occur in the examination itself), failure to have taken back up copies for work stolen or corrupted,
bunching of deadlines/examinations, missing books, poor time management, misreading the
examination timetable, taking the wrong examination).

(Note: The above list is not exhaustive).

Ethics and Corporate Governance (ACC 61504)

Individual Assignment Question

Due date: 4/6/2020 (Thursday 12pm)
Length: 1,500 words
Weighting: 15%

Question

Public listed companies tend to differ in size, number of employees, structure of

ownership control and geographic dispersion of resources. Based on your archival
research, what have you identified as some of the pertinent issues affecting public listed
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companies? You are required to provide relevant evidence and examples in your report,
which should cover the following aspects:

 What is the formal definition of public listed companies;

 Outline four possible accounting related functions which can be undertaken in

house within public listed companies and, for each function, identify the specific
tasks that could be carried out in that role;

 Elaborate on some of the different ways by which certified public accountants

(CPAs) can advise public listed companies seeking to grow and add value? and

 Public listed companies are increasingly adopting a global perspective in running

their businesses. How can public listed companies demonstrate an awareness of
social responsibility, cultural and gender diversity and function both effectively
and constructively in different global environments?

Expectations
This assignment expects you to seek out, extract and analyze relevant information from
various sources. You will be expected to write and present a well-structured, cohesive
and clear report using the appropriate writing style and language.

Length of the Assignment

The report should not exceed 1,500 words (excluding appendices and references).

Assignment Marking Scheme Guideline

Marks
Assessment Criteria (as communicated to students)
awarded
Clear, well-structured report, with the appropriate headings, references
10%
and style of referencing
An introduction to the nature of public listed companies (20%), identify
accounting related roles undertaken in house within public listed
companies (30%) and elaborate how CPAs can assist public listed 80%
companies seeking to grow and add value (30%).

How can public listed companies demonstrate an awareness of social

responsibility, cultural and gender diversity and function both effectively 10%

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 and constructively in different global environments (10%). Please refer to
the marking rubrics below as a guide when answering this section.
Global Perspective refers to a person’s ability to demonstrate awareness of their own culture,
cultural diversities, social responsibilities, global contexts and ethical values.
Global Perspective (10%)
Demonstrate awareness of
one’s own culture.
Show an understanding of
social responsibility.
Appreciate cultural diversity.
Function effectively and
constructively in a global
environment and in a variety of
contemporary global contexts.
Excellent (8,9,10)
Articulate insights into own
cultural rules and bias (e.g.
seeking complexity; aware of
how her/his experiences have
shaped these rules, and how
to recognize and respond to
cultural biases, resulting in a
shift in self-description)
Take informed and
responsible action to address
ethical, social and
environmental challenges in
global systems and evaluates
the local and broader
consequences of individual
and collective interventions.  personal and civic
Demonstrate evidence of
adjustment in own attitudes
and beliefs because of
working within and learning
from diversity of communities
and cultures. Promotes
others’ engagement with
diversity.
Apply knowledge and skills to
implement sophisticated,
appropriate, and workable
solutions to address complex
global problems using
interdisciplinary perspectives
independently or with others.
Good (6,7) Fair (4,5) Poor (1,2,3)
Show minimal awareness
Recognize new
of own cultural rules and
perspectives about Identify own cultural rules
biases (even those shared
own cultural rules and and biases (e.g. with a
with own cultural
biases (e.g. not strong preference for those
groups(s)) (e.g.
looking for sameness; rules shared with own
comfortable with
comfortable with the cultural group and seeks
identifying possible
complexities that new the same in others).
cultural differences with
perspectives offer).
others).
Analyse the ethical,
social, and
environmental
Explain the ethical, social,
consequences of Identify basic ethical
and environmental
global systems and dimensions of some local
consequences of local and
identifies a range of or national decisions to
national decisions on global
actions informed by have global impact.
systems.
one’s sense of
responsibility.
Reflect on how
attitudes and beliefs
Have awareness that own
are different from Express attitudes and
attitudes and beliefs are
those of other beliefs as an individual,
different from those of other
cultures and from a one-sided view. Is
cultures and communities.
communities. Exhibits indifferent or resistant to
Exhibits little curiosity about
curiosity about what what can be learned from
what can be learned from
can be learned from diversity of communities
diversity of communities
diversity of and cultures.
and cultures.
communities and
cultures.
Plan and evaluate Formulate practical yet
more complex elementary solutions to Define global challenges
solutions to global global challenges that use in basic ways, including a
challenges that are at least two disciplinary limited number of
appropriate to their perspectives (such as perspectives and
contexts using cultural, historical, and solutions.
multiple disciplinary scientific).
perspectives (such as
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 cultural, historical,
and scientific).

Maintain a high level of
Demonstrate a knowledge and
ethical integrity by always
respect of ethics and ethical
prioritizing ethical values over
standards.
self-interest.
Commit to ethical
Consider ethical integrity
integrity by Prioritize self-interest over
over self-interest
sometimes prioritizing ethical integrity when
occasionally when facing
ethical values over facing ethical dilemmas.
ethical dilemmas.
self-interest.

Ethics and Corporate Governance (ACC 61504)

Group Assignment Question
Due date: 25th June 2020 (Thursday 12pm)
Length: 2,500 words
Weighting: 25%
This assignment must be submitted in a group of between 3-4 students.

Case study

As a result of the modernisation efforts of Lee & Razak Bhd (“the Company”), the
directors are of the view that the Company requires a further significant injection of
working capital since the Company has committed itself to producing and fulfilling future
orders for goods of an international quality.

The current lending policies of the Company’s banker requires borrowers to

demonstrate a good stream of projected future cash flows, as well as a level of
profitability which would indicate that repayments would be made in a timely manner.
However, the current projected future cash flows of the Company would not satisfy the
bank’s criteria for lending. Meanwhile, the directors of the Company informed the bank:

“Our company is in an excellent financial position. Our latest cash flow projections and
financial results will meet your criteria for lending. Our chief accountant, Mr. Anwar will
forward the necessary relevant reports to show you our current position.”

Mr. Anwar, the Chief Accountant joined the Company recently and has stated openly
that he cannot afford to lose his job due to existing high personal commitments.
Meanwhile, the directors are actively involved in managing the level of profits of the
Company as they have vested interests to do so. Furthermore, they feel strongly that
such efforts on their part would not pose any conflict of interest with the public interest
and accounting ethics. They are of the view that ethical behaviour and codes of ethics
are irrelevant and not important in managing the Company as compared to managing
their profits.

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You are required to write a report which include the following:

 Identify and evaluate the ethical principles which would guide professional
accountants like Mr Anwar in the situation above.

 Examine the views of the directors of Lee & Razak regarding ethical behaviour
and codes of ethics. Comment on the non-observance of the code of ethics by
the directors of Lee & Razak.

 Critically discuss any potential ethical conflicts that can arise by using two real
life examples from Malaysia which have resulted in business failures due to the
unethical behaviour of their directors.

 Critically evaluate whether a practice like the nature and incentives for
‘management of earnings’ can be deemed ethically acceptable.

Expectations
This assignment expects you to seek out, extract and analyze relevant information from
various sources. You will be expected to write and present a well-structured, cohesive
and clear report using an appropriate writing style and language.

Length of the Assignment

The report should not exceed 2,500 words (excluding appendices and references).

Assignment Marking Scheme Guideline

Marks
Assessment Criteria (as communicated to students)
awarded
Clear, well-structured report, with appropriate headings, references and
10%
style of referencing.
Explanation of the dilemma faced by Anwar (5%), the related ethical 90%
principles involved (5%), and the suggested steps or actions that Anwar
should take to resolve the dilemma (10%).
Discuss the arguments for and against the views of the directors (10%),
supported by the applicable codes of ethics (10%).

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 Elaborate on the potential impact of ethical conflicts faced by the
company (10%). Support your arguments by using two real Malaysian
cases (20%).
Discuss both the nature and incentives for ‘management of earnings”
(5%). Elaborate on some of the theories and arguments both for and
against the practice of “management of earnings” (15%).

Your report should address and evaluate the issues set out in the questions above in a
critical way. Good critical evaluation involves (Cottrell, 2005):

 identifying a wide range of other people’s opinions, arguments and conclusion;

 evaluating the evidence for alternative points of view from different user groups of
financial information, such as analysts, investors, stakeholders, accounting bodies,
managers, audit firms (mainly big four, if available) and other relevant user groups;
 weighing up opposing arguments and evidence fairly;
 depth and breadth of reasoning;
 accounting for why this happens, why it works or fails, why it is rational or irrational,
why something is useful or useless; or good or poor. It is not enough merely to list
good or poor points;
 examples providing good support for arguments;
 drawing conclusions about whether arguments are valid or justifiable based on good
evidence and sensible assumptions.

Presentation of Assignment
 The report format is formal. You should prepare a clear, well-structured report
complying with the assignment requirements with proper English writing style and
language.

 The pages of the report should be numbered sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or page 1 of 12,
page 2 of 12, page 3 of 12, etc.).

 The assignment must be prepared in 1.5 line spacing on single-sided pages with 3cm
left and right margins, respectively, and 2.5cm top and bottom margins, respectively.
The font type is Times New Roman and font size is 11.

 A list of references should be attached to the end of the report.

 The report should be stapled in the top left-hand corner or held together with a plastic
binder.

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 A completed Modular Programme Assignment Cover Sheet with the names and
signatures of group members should be attached securely to the front of the report
before submission.

Presentation of Assignment

The assignment must be presented in a formal business report format. You are
expected to present the report neatly and organize the report in a manner that allows
the reader understands your discussions. Use appropriate headings and subheadings
to assist you in presenting your arguments and comments systematically. A report will
normally include all or some of the following sections:

Title page
Table of contents
Introduction
Body of the report
Conclusion
Appendices (if any)
Reference List

Your assignment must be prepared in at least 1 ½ line spacing on single sided page
with 1 inch left and right margins, and 1-inch top and bottom margins. The font size for
the characters must be at least 11 (Time New Roman or Arial).

Length of the Assignment

The report should be limited to maximum words indicated. Where explanation is

necessary, just answer the question as you think appropriate and support your
arguments or comments with appropriate computation.

All calculations must be included in an appendix to the report, but you should show
summaries and/or use the results of the calculations, where appropriate, in the body of
the report.

The word count must be printed on the assignment cover sheet. Marks will be deducted
if the word count is not indicated on the assignment cover sheet. Marks will be deducted
if the assignment exceeds the word count by 10% of the word count limit – 10 marks
deduction for every extra 100 words or part of.

Referencing and Plagiarism

You need to ensure that you comply with Harvard referencing conventions in preparing
this assignment and that plagiarism is not an issue. You are expected to adhere to high

16
standards of academic integrity and all assignments submitted in this course may be
checked for plagiarism, using text comparison software and other means.

It is your responsibility, if unsure, to make sure you understand plagiarism, so that you
do not present any assessment containing plagiarism. Plagiarism is regarded as a
serious issue within the university system with severe consequences for students who
have been found to have plagiarized.

Subject to any specific requirements of external validating or professional bodies, where

a student is found to have committed an assessment offence a decision must be taken
either to take no further action or to impose an appropriate penalty, which may include
failing the student and determining whether or not the student will be permitted another
assessment attempt.

Where it is decided that penalty is to be imposed, the penalty could include one of the
following:

a) the mark for the assignment be reduced; or

b) the mark awarded for the assignment be reduced to zero; or
c) the student be deemed to have failed the module and is not permitted for another
assessment attempt for the module.

Submission of Assignment

Students are expected to present a paper of professional quality. Prior to submission of

the assignment, check to ensure that at the very least all aspects of the requirements
have been addressed, and that there are no spelling and grammatical errors.

You are to submit a soft copy of your assignment in Word Document format in TIMeS
(Taylor's Integrated Moodle e-Learning System), and a hardcopy of your assignment to
the designated collection box outside the business division office.

(Only one assignment should be submitted on behalf of the group. Please ensure that
the assignment is submitted together with the assignment cover sheet.)

Late submission of Assignment

Assignments submitted within 24 hours after the published deadline will be penalized as
below:
a) A mark of more than 50% for the assignment will be reduced to 50%. This reduced
mark will be used in the calculation of the overall module mark;
b) A mark of 50% or less will stand and be used in the calculation of the overall module
mark.

17
Assignments will not be accepted after the 24-hour window and will be recorded as a
non- submission. A mark of ZERO will be awarded. Please see the section on Non-
Submission of Assignment below for more details.

Extension of Deadline

No extension will be granted for the assignment, except in the case of extenuating
circumstances. Please refer to the section on Extenuating Circumstances in this
booklet, should you like to request for consideration of extenuating circumstances.
Students, whose application for extenuating circumstances is accepted, will not receive
their marks, when the other students who submitted on time receive theirs.

Non-Submission of Assignment

Students who do not submit their assignment will be deemed to have forfeited their right
to a second attempt (resit) of the module. These students will be required to repeat the
module with attendance and undertake all assessments again (as their third attempt
(repeat)).

Note that students are granted only four attempts at a module. If you do not pass the
module in the fourth attempt, you will be excluded from the Dual Award programme.

Feedback and Mark for the Assignment

The mark and feedback on the assignment will be provided on a Feedback Form. The
purpose of the feedback is to help you to assess your ability to apply the knowledge
and concepts taught in the module in sufficient depth, as well as your progress toward
meeting the module objectives. The feedback and marks for the assignment will be
given to you within four weeks of your submission of the assignment.

MODULE CALENDAR ECG MARCH 2020 SEMESTER

18
Week Dates Lecture Topic Tutorial Assessment / Key Dates
o
Lecture 1: Leadership, Values
Week 1 13 Apr – 17th Apr
th
and Managing Ethical Behaviour No Tutorial

Main text: The Multiple

Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
Lecture 2: Business and An Emerging Concern,
Week 2 20th Apr – 24th Apr Accounting Ethics Tutorial 1 Pearson.
Chapter 1: Ethical
Frameworks and
Corporate Governance:
A Malaysian Case
Lecture 3: Code of Ethics
Week 3 27th Apr – 1st May Tutorial 2
Main text: The Multiple
Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
Lecture 4: Ethical Decision An Emerging Concern,
Week 4 4th May - 8th May Tutorial 3
Making Pearson.
Chapter 7: Corporate
Social Responsibility

Lecture 5: MICG and its

Week 5 11th May – 15th May Tutorial 4
Background

Lecture 6: Ethical Decision

Week 6 18th May – 22nd May Tutorial 5
Making
Main text: The Multiple
Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
Lecture 7: Theories, Framework An Emerging Concern,
Week 7 25th May – 29th May and Models of Corporate Pearson.
Governance Tutorial 6 Chapter 2: Framing
Corporate Governance
Theory: The New Frontier

Lecture 8: Development of Individual Assignment

Week 8 1st Jun – 5th Jun
Corporate Governance (OECD) Tutorial 7 4/6 Thursday (12pm)

Lecture 9: Malaysian Code of

Week 9 8th Jun – 12th Jun Tutorial 8
Corporate Governance 2017
(MCCG 2017)

19
 E-Learning TES Evaluation
Week E-Learning Week Week Refer to
15th Jun –19th Jun
10 TIMeS for
Exercises

Main text: The Multiple

Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern,
Pearson.
Week Lecture 10: Directors and Board Chapter 4: Heterogeneity
11
22nd Jun – 26th Jun
Structure
Tutorial 9 and Persistence of Top
Management Team
Characteristics

Group Assignment
25/6 Thursday (12pm)

Main text: The Multiple

Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern,
Lecture 11: Executive Pearson.
Week
12
29th Jun – 3rd July Compensation Systems and Tutorial 10 Chapter 5: Executive
Corporate Governance Remuneration, Accrual-
Based Earnings
Management and Real
Earnings Management

Main text: The Multiple

Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern,
Week Lecture 12: Institutional Investors
13
6th July – 10th July
and family-owned business
Tutorial 11 Pearson.
Chapter 6: Institutional
Ownership and Value
Relevance of Financial
Information
Main text: The Multiple
Perspectives of
Corporate Governance:
An Emerging Concern,
Lecture 13: Issues in corporate Pearson.
Week Chapter 3: Top
14
13th July – 17th July governance and enterprise Tutorial 12
governance Management Team
Diversity, Malaysian Codes
on Corporate Governance
and Corporate Tax
Planning

20
 FINAL EXAMS

List of students (State full name & tutorial group in block

capital)

1. ………………………………………. …………………………..
Modular Programme Assignment
Cover Sheet 2. ……………………………………………………………………
(Group and Individual Assignments Only) 3. ……………………………………………………………………

4. ……………………………………………………………………
Fold corner of EACH copy separately and seal to obscure your name

Please complete the form (in capital letters) and attach it securely to the front of your assignment before submitting your assignment.

Student 1 ID: ………………………………………………. Student 2 ID: ……………………………………………….

Student 3 ID: ………………………………………………. Student 4 ID: ……………………………………………….

Programme: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name of module: ……………………………………………… Name of tutor: ………………………………………………

Module code:

Assignment title: …………………………………………Due date & time: ……………………………………….

We have read and understood the TU Dual Award Regulations on cheating, plagiarism and collusion and state that this piece of work is our
own and does not contain any unacknowledged work from any other sources.

21
We authorise the University to test any work submitted by me, using text comparison software, for instances of plagiarism. We understand this
will involve the University or its contractor copying my work and storing it on a database to be used in future to test work submitted by others.

Note: The attachment of this statement on any electronically submitted assignments will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed
statement.
Signed: Date:

GRADE/ MARK
ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK FORM

A. A feedback form template needs to be included with each assignment. Please complete all details clearly.

Student ID:

Programme: Dual Award (Accounting & Finance)

Email: Contact No:

Module code and title: ACC61504 – ETHICS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Module Lecturer/ Tutor: DR. SHAFI MOHAMAD

Assignment number: Due date: Word Count:

Assignment topic as stated in the guidelines provided:

B. This section will be completed by the lecturer/tutor assessing your assignment:

Key: 1. Outstanding 2. Very Good 3. Good 4. Satisfactory 5. Weak 6. Unsatisfactory

(Lines left blank by the tutor are not relevant to this assignment)

Structure & Presentation 1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Summary       Little relevance to

question

Introduction       Unstructured/lacking
continuity

Findings/ Discussion       Many Inaccuracies

Appropriate Headings and subheadings       Inappropriate headings

Appropriate Layout       Inappropriate numbering

system

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Conclusion (linked to discussion)       Lacks cohesion

Appropriate recommendations       Inappropriate

Recommendations

Overall presentation       Messy presentation

Content

Demonstrate engagement with topic       Lacking logical

flow/poorly set out

Good reference of sources       Inadequate range

Demonstrates critical thinking       Textbook response

Clearly identifies problem/ topic and       Lacks clarity

Provides appropriate recommendations

Language

Grammatical sentences       Weak grammatically

Correct spelling       Many incorrect spelling

Effective/accurate use of figures and tables       Use ineffective or

inaccurate

Any additional comments (if there is any): Comments:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Assessed by: Date:

23
Sample Moderated by (if any): Date:

24