WACE Accounting Finance ATAR case studies
WACE Accounting Finance ATAR · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The WACE Accounting and Finance ATAR is a Western Australian senior-secondary course examined by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). It suits students who want a university pathway into commerce, business, or accounting, and who are willing to work carefully with numbers and written explanation. The syllabus spans financial accounting (recording, processing and reporting), management accounting (cost concepts, costing methods and budgeting), financial statement analysis, financial management (sources of finance, capital structure and investment appraisal), financial institutions, markets and regulation, and personal finance, decision-making and ethics. The written examination mixes structured short-answer and calculation questions with extended responses, so success depends on both procedural accuracy and the ability to interpret figures and justify recommendations in clear prose. The WACE Accounting Finance ATAR case studies are 5 cases and about 1,945 words.
1The Timing of a Freight Invoice
Kestrel Bay Traders runs an accrual accounting system with a 30 June year end. On 27 June, goods costing 48,000 are shipped to a customer, free on board (FOB) shipping point, and the customer takes legal title at dispatch.
407 words, about 2 min2Choosing a Cost Driver for a Low-Volume Product
A furniture manufacturer produces two lines: standard desks (40,000 units) and custom desks (2,000 units). Total manufacturing overhead is 900,000.
375 words, about 2 min3A Rising Gross Margin That Hides a Problem
Harbourline Retail reports: gross profit margin rising from 32% to 38% over two years, while inventory turnover falls from 8.0 to 5.2 times. The current ratio is 1.9, but the quick ratio is 0.6.
372 words, about 2 min4Appraising a Plant Upgrade with Uneven Cash Flows
A manufacturer is considering a 600,000 plant upgrade. Expected net cash inflows are 150,000 in year 1, 200,000 in year 2, 220,000 in year 3, 180,000 in year 4 and 120,000 in year 5.
402 words, about 2 min5A Payday Lender, a Pension Fund and Disclosure
A financial adviser is comparing two products for a client. Product A is a short-term lender charging a 1.5% fee per week on the amount borrowed, compounded weekly, with an advertised 'low weekly rate'.
389 words, about 2 min