Stage 1 | Subject outline | version control

Accounting Stage 1
Subject outline

Version 4.0
For teaching in Australian and SACE International schools from January 2024 to December 2024.
For teaching in SACE International schools only from May/June 2023 to March 2024, and from May/June 2024 to March 2025.
Accredited in August 2018 for teaching at Stage 1 from 2019.

Stage 1 | Subject outline | Performance standards

Performance standards

Stage 1 performance standards for Accounting can be viewed below. You can also download in Word format [DOC 255KB].

To learn more about what performance standards are, how they are used, and other general information, see performance standards and grades

  Understanding and Exploration  Application 

A

In-depth understanding of the role of accounting in decision-making.

Insightful understanding and exploration of accounting concepts and conventions.

Comprehensive exploration of the use of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Perceptive understanding of the accounting information needs of a range of stakeholders. 

Comprehensive application of accounting concepts and conventions to create highly appropriate accounting information.

Thorough application and analysis of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Highly effective application of communication skills in an accounting context. 

B

Detailed understanding of the role of accounting in decision-making.

Well-informed understanding and capable exploration of accounting concepts and conventions.

Well-considered exploration of the use of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Mostly perceptive understanding of the accounting information needs of a range of stakeholders.

Well-considered application of accounting concepts and conventions to create appropriate accounting information.

Mostly thorough application and analysis of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Effective application of communication skills in an accounting context. 

C

Competent understanding of the role of accounting in decision-making.

Informed understanding and exploration of accounting concepts and conventions.

Considered exploration of the use of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Informed understanding of the accounting information needs of a range of stakeholders. 

Considered application of accounting concepts and conventions to create accounting information.

Competent application and analysis of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Application of communication skills in an accounting context. 

D

Some understanding of the role of accounting in decision-making.

Basic understanding and exploration of accounting concepts and conventions.

Some exploration of the use of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Basic understanding of the accounting information needs of a range of stakeholders. 

Inconsistent application of accounting concepts and conventions to create basic accounting information.

Basic application of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Inconsistent application of communication skills in an accounting context. 

E

Limited recognition of the role of accounting in decision-making.

Emerging awareness of accounting concepts and conventions.

Attempted exploration of the use of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Emerging understanding of the accounting information needs of a range of stakeholders. 

Attempted application of accounting concepts and conventions to create basic accounting information.

Attempted application of accounting information in business, personal, and/or cultural contexts.

Limited application of communication skills in an accounting context.