Knowledge Management (KM) is an elective unit of the CPA Program.

KM has been around for centuries. It has now become a critical business issue due to increasing volumes of information made available through such means as the internet and mobile technology.

This segment aims to provide candidates with an appreciation of the scope of knowledge management, and the ability to apply practical knowledge management principles and practices to the workplace.

Practical case studies, the internet and other knowledge management tools and techniques are used in the teaching of this segment. The study materials include a detailed and targeted written case study, the subject of which is a successful small to medium-sized accounting firm and the way it has successfully developed a high quality practice management system based on a supportive organisational infrastructure, knowledge work processes and enabling information technologies. The case study links the existing modules into a cohesive whole.

Module 1: Introduction to knowledge management

• foundations of KM
• the new economy
• data, information and knowledge
• knowledge
• intellectual capital
• KM as currently understood
• the management implications of knowledge
• models for KM
• implementing KM

Module 2: Knowledge management and business strategy

• competing in the knowledge economy
  • the knowledge economy
  • knowledge resources
  • digital networks
• knowledge management strategies
• business strategy
• the resource-based view of the firm
  • the knowledge-based view of the firm
  • knowledge strategy
  • knowledge and capability
• developing intellectual capital
  • the market valuation of intangible assets
  • the social basis of intellectual capital
  • knowledge stocks and flows
  • KM implementation
  • KM implementation models
  • business-based KM strategies
  • KM case studies

Module 3: Cultural and individual aspects

• culture, the organisation and change
• organisational knowledge
• individual knowledge culture
• knowledge-sharing culture
• global knowledge culture
• the new knowledge organisation

Module 4: Knowledge management processes and practices

• setting the scene: The Ivory Tower
• knowledge audit
• user knowledge needs assessment
• selecting knowledge sources
• knowledge creation and development
• knowledge capture
• organise and store knowledge
• share, transfer and deliver knowledge
• use and leverage knowledge
• knowledge maintenance
• managing a knowledge program
• program measurement and review
• appendix: application examples

Module 5: Technology and knowledge activities

• general limitations of technology
• the roles of ICT in supporting KM
• applied exercise in personal KM
• recap of knowledge activities and conversions
• infrastructure technologies
• knowledge-focused technologies
• selecting and managing your collection of technologies

Module 6: KM business case

• role of the KM business case
• understanding your organisation's current climate
• understanding your project's fit within the organisation's existing strategy
• business case methodology: a structured approach
• stage 1: strategic vision
• stage 2: concept - defining the vision
• stage 3: evaluation - preparing the business case
• stage 4: communication - developing the communication strategy and presenting the business case
• stage 5: measuring success - the post implementation review

Case study

• Chan and Naylor Pty Ltd

The purpose of the case study module is to describe the Chan and Naylor Pty Ltd (a highly successful accounting firm that operates in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia) business as a basis for further analysis in each module of the segment.

The case study has a dual purpose:

• to help candidates better understand how knowledge management principles discussed in previous modules can be systematically applied in an accounting context
• to provide a realistic grounding for candidates to reflect on what knowledge management techniques can be used to add value to their organisations and how they might be employed