ACCG2051: Governance, Business and Corporations Law

This unit introduces students to the Australian legal system, including contract law, and focuses on corporate law and regulation. The relationship between the law and the role of accounting and business professionals is an underlying theme and students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills as they analyse and evaluate legal issues in a commercial context. The unit will provide students with perspectives on a range of commercially important legal issues such as forming a business, management responsibilities, investor/shareholder protection, and insolvency. Topics include contract law, agency, partnerships, characteristics of companies, director's duties, rights of shareholders, voluntary administration, and liquidation. At the conclusion of the unit students will be aware of legal regulation applicable to different types of business organisations, particularly companies, and be able to identify and evaluate a range of corporate legal issues.

✔ On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the features of the Australian legal system including the law of contract and distinguish business organisations based on their legal characteristics.
• Explain how companies are formed, differentiate between types of companies, and analyse and evaluate the role and obligations of directors. 
• Examine how shareholders rights are protected and how the Corporations Act regulates acquisition and disposal of shares.
• Analyse insolvency mechanisms and issues, and critically assess corporate insolvency in the current regulatory environment.
• Apply data protection and privacy regulations when using or sharing data and information in the business environment.

Pre-requisite: 40cp at 1000 level or above.