production
Skip to Content

AC1011: ACCOUNTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

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.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Mr Andrew Mulhern

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

    • Constitution of Society Economy, polity and civil society; their interdependencies and contradictions; and understanding the role of accounting within these contradictions and interdependencies.
    • Constitution of Business Various managerial objectives, functions, responsibilities and accountabilities; and the role of accounting within business.
    • Constitution of Accounting as a Business Function How accounting is organised within organisations to help achieve their objectives and accountabilities.
    • Constitution of Accountancy as a Profession How accountancy is organised as a profession and how the accountancy profession is regulated.
    • Future Challenges of Accountancy The challenge of accounting and reporting beyond shareholders; and meeting the challenge of global sustainability.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Alternative Assessment

1x 1500-word essay (40%)

9x weekly online tests  (40%)

1x personal reflection exercise, 750 words (20%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

Compatibility Mode

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.