Accounting: An Introduction

An accessible, engaging introductory accounting text

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Prepares learners for the workplace with its real-world emphasis and opportunities for practice.

The 9th Australian edition of Accounting: An Introduction provides a broad-based, non-specialist introduction to accounting and finance for those who wish, or need, to acquire an understanding of the main concepts and their practical application in decision-making, but who do not require in-depth theoretical or technical detail.

It is aimed primarily at students who are studying a single unit in accounting and finance as part of a university undergraduate or MBA course, including courses in business studies, economics, engineering and a range of other non-specialist accounting courses.

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About the Authors

Associate Professor Ling Mei Cong is the Deputy Dean, Learning and Teaching at the Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University. She has been an accounting educator and an executive leader in higher education for over 20 years in the Asia Pacific region. Ling Mei holds a PhD in accounting from Curtin University and is a fellow of the ACCA. Her research interests include corporate governance, financial reporting quality, sustainability reporting and technology-enhanced learning.

Ling Mei is passionate about digital pedagogies and authentic learning to develop employability skills. Her dedication to excellence in teaching has earned her national and international awards, including the 2022 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT). She also received the Open University Australia Commendation in 2017 for being an online global performance leader. Her recent projects have included virtual reality simulations for interpersonal skills development, gamification, and a virtual assistant project.

Ling Mei has been an author of this text since the eighth edition. Her impact in higher education is evident through her interviews and media appearances, including those in Harvard Business Publishing Education, Australia Financial Review, and AACSB Insights. She serves on the Academic Board at RMIT University.

Dr Eileen O'Leary taught secondary school mathematics for 16 years, completing a Master of Education during this time. In 1989, Eileen moved into corporate life, completing post graduate study in Accounting whilst holding mainly operational management roles in two major Australian companies. She was recognised for her work including receiving Telstra's Women in Networks Outstanding Achievement Award in 1996 and a major National Australia Bank's service excellence award in 2001. As well as operational roles, she spent two years in Telstra's Centre for Leadership, providing curriculum design and delivery for senior management.

In 2006, Eileen began Ph.D study in Finance. Since then, she has been an adjunct staff member of RMIT University's Graduate School of Business and Law (GSBL) , developing curriculum and teaching accounting and finance subjects. She has consistently achieved high scores for teaching, being recognised by GSBL for these achievements. She has also taught at Victoria University, the University of Melbourne, and Australian Catholic University.

Eileen has involvement in the governance of several incorporated schools. She served as a board director of one school for ten years, both as Chair of Finance and then as Chair of the Board. Presently, she is a board director and Chair of the Finance of another incorporated school, and as well is a member of the Governing Council of an association of ten incorporated schools.