Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:06
The 21st century accountant is facing a host of challenges in the workplace. This course examines a range of topics that are shaping the nature of the work that accountants do, and which will drive the future directions of professional practice. Due to the sometimes transient nature of the issues concerned and the need to respond to current events, the list of topics in the syllabus is indicative rather than fixed.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course focuses on a range of topics that relate to contemporary challenges for practicing accountants and the accountancy profession. The range of current challenges to accountants and the accountancy profession addressed here is not exhaustive, due to the constraints of space and the fact that some matters are addressed elsewhere in the curriculum. For example, corporate governance, accountability, sustainability and ethical considerations are extensively examined in other courses.
In this course, the focus will gravitate around the following issues, but may be subject to change to accommodate emerging issues:
1. The globalised economy. Accountants and the accounting profession operate in the context of a highly globalised economic environment. Globalisation is the outcome of centuries of international development that currently sees businesses typically operating multinationally, even where the scale of the firm may be relatively modest. Discussion will include:
a. The nature of globalisation
b. Shocks to the globalised economy (from conflict, pandemic, climate change, etc.)
c. Future directions
2. The challenges of IT and the automated business environment. Technical innovation has historically created shocks to the accounting profession. The introduction of mechanical calculating machines in the 19th century and computers in the 20th century both challenged the traditional role of accountants and reshaped the nature of the profession. The current rise of internet and cloud-based services, the emergence of Fintech and cryptocurrencies and the increasing automation of traditional accounting tasks are all likely to accelerate the shift of the role of the professional accountant towards what the UK Chartered Institute of Management Accountants have referred to as the shift from navigator to co-pilot. The future role of the accountant will be examined in this context.
3. Further to the conditions described in 1 & 2 above, the course will look at the types of information required of the 21st century accountant. This can include:
a. Strategic management accounting information required to help the organisation navigate the challenges of the business environment.
b. Dynamic presentations of information through the use of innovative techniques such as performance dashboards.
c. New techniques and approaches that are emerging.
4. Other topics may be added as judged relevant by the course coordinator. Students will be provided with the planned topic list in the first session of the course, but unfolding events may be brought into the course if seen as sufficiently important.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2,000-word essay The essay question will be based on one of the course topics. Written feedback and a grade will be provided within three weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop a knowledge and understanding of the economic, financial, political and regulatory environment in the context of globalisation |
| Procedural | Apply | Ability to employ management accounting models and techniques in planning, control and strategic decision making at the strategic level |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop the ability to identify and critically evaluate relevant academic literature on the topics of the course |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2,000-word essay. The essay question will be based on one of the course topics. Written feedback and a grade will be provided within three weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop the ability to identify and critically evaluate relevant academic literature on the topics of the course |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
3,000-word essay |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop the ability to identify and critically evaluate relevant academic literature on the topics of the course |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop a knowledge and understanding of the economic, financial, political and regulatory environment in the context of globalisation |
| Procedural | Apply | Ability to employ management accounting models and techniques in planning, control and strategic decision making at the strategic level |
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