15 credits
Level 1
First Term
This course introduces the theoretical and contextual foundation of accounting. It does not involve any technical aspects of accounting or bookkeeping but provides an introduction to the political, economic, institutional, professional and managerial context of accounting. The main content includes:
Socio-political and economic mechanisms of accountability; theories of accountability.
Constitution of organisations and the role of accounting within organisations.
Constitution of accounting as a business function: how accounting is organised within organisations.
Constitution of Accountancy as a Profession: how accountancy is organised as a profession.
Sustainability and accounting: how accounting is reorganised to address sustainability issues.
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
This is an introduction to accounting which aims to provide an understanding of how organisations capture, create and use accounting information both to guide their activities internally within the management function and to communicate their financial performance and position to external users of the accounts. This course allows students to develop practical and analytical skills through a problem-solving approach to accounting-related aspects of business performance reporting and control, particularly in relation to bookkeeping, accounts preparation, budgeting and management accounting. Assessment consists of weekly tutorial tests (30%) and a 2-hour written examination (70%).
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
This course extends the operational tools and techniques introduced in AC1514. It develops more complex problem-solving techniques in the planning, control and decision-making process. It shows how quantitative methods and analytical techniques can be applied in management accounting solutions to management problems. It also emphasises the diverse industrial, commercial and not-for-profit settings in which management accountants work. It seeks to develop in students an understanding the organisational context as well as the nature of management accounting information. The focus is to enhance students’ problem-solving and communication skills, and develop their ability to select and apply appropriate techniques in specific contexts.
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
Building upon the material in Management Accounting 2, the course examines in greater detail behavioural, managerial, and strategic aspects of management accounting and management control. The course content includes management accounting issues pertaining to:
Strategic management accounting
Operational management issues including quality management
Performance evaluation and management systems
Management control systems, and
Advance decision making techniques such as decision-trees, learning curves and project evaluation and review techniques
30 credits
Level 3
Second Term
The objective of the course is to allow students to develop an understanding of financial statement audit processes and the role of auditors in society. Students will gain an understanding of the history, and legal and professional frameworks within which audit operates. They will gain an appreciation of audit techniques , the role of judgment and ethical requirements and will explore current developments in the profession. There is regular interaction with local accountancy firms. The course requires a high degree of personal study and students will be required to prepare individual and group presentations which are key audit skills.
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
This course aims to introduce students to a number of theories of financial accountancy that view accountancy from a range of economic, sociological and political perspectives.
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
This course introduces students to a set of organisational, economic and politico-sociological perspectives with a view to take students’ understanding of management accounting beyond its technical and managerial aspects to the economic, political and social dynamics. The course content covers:
Economic perspectives on management accounting: agency and transaction cost theory
Organisational theories of management accounting: systems theory and contingency theory
Sociological and political perspectives on management accounting: Marxist, post-Marxist, and institutional theories of management accounting research.
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
All Accountancy and Finance students must undertake a dissertation. Students taking a joint degree may undertake the dissertation in either discipline, but not both. It is designed to show that you are able to:
Carry out a substantial piece of research on a chosen subject without close supervision
Critically analyse and evaluate work carried out by others
Reach your own conclusions based upon your analysis and evaluation of relevant evidence, whether this is prior research only or prior research coupled with your own research.
Write-up the results of your work in a clear, coherent and logical way.We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.