This module introduces students to accounting in small and large businesses. The module emphasises the understanding and interpretation of financial information. It provides the skills needed to analyse the financial statements of public listed companies. This module also considers the fundamental concepts of management accounting and builds on them to provide an explanation of the diagnostic skills necessary to make many short-term, medium-term and long-term operating decisions within an organisation. Numerical aspects are balanced by the need to understand the usefulness of the information to users.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Teaching and learning will comprise a combination of lectures and practical workshops. Students are expected to prepare and participate in workshop sessions and complete background reading as indicated. Students will be expected to access articles and contemporary business and accounting trade journals via the learning resources centre or via web-based sources.
Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is compulsory. Any students not attending a minimum of 80% of their timetabled sessions will be at risk of academic failure or termination from the course.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Workshops and lectures | 66 |
| Guided independent study | Worksheets and guided study | 234 |
| Study abroad/placement | 0 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Two components of summative assessment will ensure that the learning outcomes are met. One 45-minute case study-based MCQ test will cover at least two of the five learning outcomes. In addition to that, a three-hour exam will assess the fundamental concepts of management accounting information and interpretation of statutory financial statements.
Formative assessment is through:
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Explain the purpose of accounting in the context of different users of accounting information | MCQ test |
| 2) Analyse and interpret financial statements and management accounting information | MCQ test and unseen exam |
| 3) Make decisions based on financial information and non-financial considerations | MCQ test and unseen exam |
| 4) Communicate decisions made to other members of the organisation | Unseen exam |
| 5) Suggest corrective action to improve future performance | Unseen exam |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| MCQs test | Written Exam 1 | 30% |
| Unseen exam | Written Exam 2 | 70% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
G Black and M Al-Kilani, Accounting and Finance for Business (Pearson), 2013
P Atrill and E McLaney, Management Accounting for Decision Makers (Financial Times/Prentice Hall), 2006
P M Collier, Accounting for Managers, Interpreting Accounting Information for Decision Making (John Wiley), 3rd edition, 2009
J Dyson, Accounting for Non-Accounting Students (Financial Times/Prentice Hall ASC on Canvas), 8th edition, 2010