Accounting and Information Systems MSc

If you would like to develop an understanding of how modern information technology is best used to support the accounting activities within an organisation, this Accounting and Information Systems MSc course is ideal. It is designed to improve your knowledge and understanding of accounting, financial decision making, and the information systems that support and inform these activities.

What will you study?

After an induction programme introducing you to the Business School and the expectations and ethos of the course, you will go on to learn about the principal communications technologies available to an organisation and how to develop a framework for handling major issues in e-commerce. You will develop a clear understanding of current accounting practice, as well as technical management accounting skills. You will also examine strategic financial management issues.

In addition, you will gain a solid foundation in web programming and develop strategies for the exploitation, management and implementation of internet and e-commerce applications. The consultancy project gives you hands-on experience of working on a live internet start-up project.

Kingston Business School works closely with the business world's principal professional bodies in order to harmonise its education provision with the needs of today's business practitioners. You will learn how to turn theory into practice and gain a qualification that has real value in the real world. Find out more...

Research is an essential part of the day-to-day life of Kingston Business School and is embedded in its intellectual activities and development. In the most recent RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) undertaken in 2008, the research output of Kingston Business School was the highest rated of any new university. Ninety per cent of our research submitted was assessed as 'recognised internationally' or higher. Of this, 10% was classified as 'world leading' and 35% as 'internationally excellent'. 

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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Core modules

• Business Internet Systems

• Business Internet Systems

  This module aims to provide a theoretical understanding, as well as practical competence, in the techniques of structured systems analysis and design in new and emerging fields of business internet systems.

  Methodologies covered will range from SSADM to Rapid Application Development and Prototyping. You will study software development strategies, specification and design, programming tools and techniques, query languages, systems development management, as well as security and fraud.

  
   
• Financial Accounting

• Financial Accounting

  This module introduces you to financial accounting in a business context. It provides you with a mix of practical 'know how' and deeper theoretical underpinning. The module covers:

  • the principles for constructing the key financial statements;
  • how to produce financial statements from transaction records using double entry principles;
  • how to conduct an appraisal of the financial statements of entities; and
  • company financial statements and their regulation.

  The module uses an active-learning approach in the lectures with informal feedback through discussion and practice questions.

  
   
• Financial Management

• Financial Management

  This module covers how organisations arrange their external financing and manage their internal resources. It looks at:

  • sources of capital and theories of how capital structures behave in response to changes in the choices of capital sources;
  • methods and costs of protecting the firm's capital and operational cash flows against currency, interest and maturity risk;
  • treasury and working capital management; and 
  • the firm's choice in of growth through acquisition or or reduction through spin-off, demerger or reconstruction will be studied.
  
   
• Information Resources Management
• Management Accounting

• Management Accounting

  This module will enable you to understand and prepare management information to support the decision making in an organisation. It covers:

  • how to calculate the costs associated with the production of products and provision of services, and determine their price;
  • budgeting approaches and how budgets are produced; and
  • effective performance management systems, including performance measures, to assist management decision making.
  
   
• Strategic Management of Information Systems

• Strategic Management of Information Systems

  This module aims to provide an understanding of the strategic issues involved in the management of IS and IT. You will:

  • develop strategies for the exploitation, management and implementation of internet and e-commerce applications; and
  • gain an overview of the major models found in corporate strategy literature.
  
   
• Research Methods and Dissertation

• Research Methods and Dissertation

  Initially this module will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a research project.

  You will then investigate a specific business problem via a substantial piece of independent work, which demonstrates your proficiency in:

  • the design of a research project;
  • the application of appropriate methods;
  • the collection and analysis of data; and
  • the presentation of results.
  
   

Option modules (choose two)

• Information Security
• Project Management

• Project Management

  This module introduces the basic concepts of project management with the emphasis on business related tasks. The students are not expected to have any prior project management experience. The main focus is on planning, monitoring and control of project resources, using standard and popular project management techniques.

  
   
• Taxation

• Taxation

  This module looks at the general objectives of tax assessment and the types of tax that apply in the UK. At the end of the module you will be able to:

  • assess the tax liability of both individuals and businesses; and
  • appreciate the implications of tax policies on business decision making.

  The module also covers ethical considerations and the administration of taxation.

  
   
• Auditing and Control

• Auditing and Control

  This module introduces you to the concept of auditing. It will cover both theoretical frameworks as well as practical processes and techniques. It also looks at current regulation, legislation, corporate governance and ethics.

  
   

The Faculty of Business and Law runs a number of postgraduate and post-experience open days. Visit us to find out how we can help you achieve your career ambitions.

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This course is taught by staff from Kingston Business School.

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Read what some of our alumni have to say about studying at Kingston Business School.

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