Abstract

The shift from traditional exams to authentic assessments in accounting education marks a critical step toward aligning educational practices with industry expectations. This paper presents the ASX Company Analysis Task, a scaffolded authentic assessment introduced in a first-year accounting course to replace the final exam. Designed to engage students with real-world scenarios involving ASX-listed companies, the task aimed to develop students’ critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills while enhancing engagement and reducing assessment-related stress. Reflecting on feedback from students and tutors, we discuss the task’s effectiveness in fostering employability skills, improving engagement, and supporting meaningful learning. The paper demonstrates how authentic assessments can offer impactful alternatives to traditional exams, better preparing students for the complexities of professional practice.

Keywords: authentic assessment, first-year accounting education, alternative assessments, scaffolded learning tasks, ASX company analysis

How to Cite:

Roudaki, H. & Pupovac, S., (2026) “Replacing Final Exams in First-Year Accounting: Reflections on Implementing an Authentic Assessment Task”, Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal 20(1): 2, 4–24. doi: https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v20i1.02

Rights: In Copyright