H.O.D. Mr. G. Hutcheson Mr. S. Thomson
ghutcheson@stjohns.school.nz sthomson@stjohns.school.nz
LEVEL 1 Commerce
Commerce is a new, innovative subject that combines the best of Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics.
You have an opportunity to learn foundational skills that will help launch you into the Level 2 subjects of Accounting and Economics.
The three areas of focus are:
- How do we get what we want? In this area, we learn about the NZ Economy, how to make financial decisions, and the consequences of these decisions.
- A closer look at Profit and Price. With this area, we look at what profit is, what money is, why price is important, why prices change, the influence of the market, and if debt is good or bad. You also get to run your own business!
- What is Financial Interdependence? This area introduces and develops the Circular Flow model and brings it to life.
With the range of topics being covered, the course shows how Accounting, Business Studies and Economics connect and complement each other. There are lots of stories, activities, and fun examples to work through to reinforce learning.
Course Entry Requirements: Open Entry
LEVEL 1 Commerce
| AS Number | Achievement Standard Title | Credits | Assessment Method |
|
1.1 |
Demonstrate understanding of an organisation’s financial decision
|
5 | Internal |
|
1.2 |
Use a commerce model to demonstrate understanding of price
|
5 | Internal |
|
1.3 |
Demonstrate understanding of financial interdependence
|
5 | External |
|
1.4 |
Demonstrate understanding of an organisation’s financial viability
|
5 | External |
LEVEL 2 AND 3 Accounting
T.I.C. – Mr. S. Thomson
Accounting is the language of business. The study of accounting involves students in the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating financial information, which will enable them to make informed financial judgments and decisions.
The study of Accounting equips students with the ability to cope with the complexities of modern money management and provides students with an understanding of the financial world as it affects them.
Course Entry Requirements:
Year 12 A minimum of 10 credits in N.C.E.A. Level 1 Commerce and N.C.E.A. or at the discretion of the H.O.D.
Year 13 A minimum of 14 credits in N.C.E.A. Level 2 Accounting or at the discretion of the H.O.D.
(Number of standards offered depends on the individual ability of each student)
LEVEL 2 ACCOUNTING
This expands students’ understanding of the accounting concepts cycle, business organisations and accounting principles. As well as developing the foundation laid in Year 11 Commerce, students are introduced to Accounting Systems. Five achievement standards worth 19 credits will be offered.
| AS Number | Achievement Standard Title | Credits | Assessment Method |
|
2.1 |
Demonstrate understanding of accounting concepts for an entity that operates accounting subsystems | 4 | External |
|
2.2 |
Demonstrate understanding of accounting processing using accounting software | 4 | Internal |
|
2.3 |
Prepare financial information for an entity that operates accounting subsystems | 5 | External |
|
2.4 |
Interpret accounting information for entities that operate accounting subsystems | 4 | External |
|
2.5 |
Demonstrate understanding of a contemporary accounting issue for decision-making | 4 | Internal |
| 2.6 | Demonstrate understanding of an accounts receivable subsystem for an entity | 3 | Internal |
| 2.7 | Demonstrate understanding of an inventory subsystem for an entity | 3 | Internal |
LEVEL 3 ACCOUNTING
This course extends students with the introduction of Company Accounting. Four achievement standards worth 18 credits will be offered.
Accounting skills are relevant in all fields of business
| AS Number | Achievement Standard Title | Credits | Assessment Method | |
| 3.1 | Demonstrate understanding of accounting concepts for a New Zealand reporting entity |
4 |
External |
|
| 3.2 | Demonstrate understanding of accounting for partnerships |
4 |
Internal | |
| 3.3 | Demonstrate understanding of company financial statement preparation |
5 |
External |
|
| 3.4 | Prepare a report for an external user that interprets the annual report of a New Zealand reporting entity |
5 |
Internal | |
| 3.5 | Demonstrate understanding of management accounting to inform decision making |
4 |
External |
|
| 3.6 | Demonstrate understanding of a job cost subsystem for an entity |
4 |
Internal |
|
Career options include
Accounting, Administration, Auditing, Banking, Bookkeeping, Finance, Insurance, Management, Self Employed, Taxation
FINANCIAL CAPABILITY
T.I.C. – Mr. S. Thomson
Financial Capability is being offered to Yr12 and Yr13 students. This subject will assist you to develop your personal and business money management skills, helping to prepare you for life after school. The unit standards in this subject are all internally assessed and are not designed for those students taking Accounting or Economics. These credits count toward NCEA, but not toward University Entrance.
For your information, there are 24 unit standards across level 1, 2 and 3 providing a total of 68 credits, with 22 credits at level 2 and 21 at level 3. For your information, Level 2 unit standards are offered through 12MXB.
The Financial Capability unit standards for levels 1, 2 & 3 are grouped into six practical themes:
– Managing Income – Life stages, personal income, and taxation
– Credit and Debt – Credit history, personal loans, student loans and credit cards
– Setting Goals and Budgeting – Developing and balancing your budget, and long-term personal goals
– Saving and Investing – Personal savings and investments including starting a long-term personal investment portfolio
– Protecting Assets and Wealth – Risks and risk management, insurance and returns on investment
– Spending and Transacting – Banking, banking products, and purchasing a property.
These unit standards provide a flexible learning pathway that can be customised for the individual learner. We can make this work for you.
Feel free to have a chat with Mr Thomson if you have any questions.
LEVEL 2 and 3 ECONOMICS
T.I.C. – Mr. G. Hutcheson
Economics is the study of how people choose to use resources.
Resources include the time and talent people have available, the land, buildings, equipment, and other tools on hand, and the knowledge of how to combine them to create useful products and services.
Economics also includes big picture stuff that helps shape Aotearoa NZ such as trade, economic growth, employment, inequality, and inflation. We also add some practical business studies as economics and business go hand in hand.
Year 12 A minimum of 10 credits in N.C.E.A. Level 1 Commerce or Discretion of the H.O.D
Year 13 A minimum of 13 credits in N.C.E.A. Level 2 Economics or Discretion of the H.O.D
(Number of standards offered depends on the individual ability of each student)
LEVEL 2 ECONOMICS
This innovative course combines Business and Economics. Most of the year is taken up with Level 3 Business Studies courses where students plan and run an innovative business. The rest of the year is Economics based. The Level 3 credits count in both year 12 and year 13 years and can be used for university entrance if both level 3 standards are passed.
Only one external exam is sat at the end of the year, and this will be chosen from the two given below.
| AS Number | Achievement Standard Title | Credits | Assessment Method |
| BUS 3.4 | Develop a marketing plan for a new or existing product | 6 (level 3) | Internal |
| BUS 3.6 | Carry out, with consultation, an innovative and sustainable business activity | 9 (level 3) | Internal |
|
ECO 2.1
ECO 2.2 |
Analyse inflation using economic concepts and models
OR Analyse international trade using economic concepts and models |
4 | External |
|
ECO 2.7 |
Analyse a contemporary economic issue of special interest using economic concepts and models (dependent on time) | 4 | Internal |
LEVEL 3 ECONOMICS
This course covers both micro and macro-Economic theory. Five achievement standards worth 24 credits will be offered though most students will complete 20 credits
| AS Number | Achievement Standard Title | Credits | Assessment Method |
|
3.1
|
Demonstrate understanding of the efficiency of market equilibrium | 4 | External |
|
3.2 |
Demonstrate understanding of the efficiency of different market structures using marginal analysis (Scholarship students only)
|
4 |
External |
|
3.3 |
Demonstrate understanding of micro-economic concepts | 5 | Internal |
|
3.4 |
Demonstrate understanding of government interventions to correct market failures | 5 | Internal |
|
3.5 |
Demonstrate understanding of macro-economic influences on the New Zealand economy | 6 | External |
Career pathways include
Law, Consultancy, Teaching, Banking, Economist, Local councils, and Journalism to name a few.