Module Information
Module Identifier
AC30900
Module Title
Financial Accounting 3: Group Financial Reporting
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | Three hours of lectue sessions per week (being two hours of lectures per week, plus one hour of help classes per week) |
| Seminars / Tutorials | Eight example/tutorial classes over the module |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Unseen written examination Unseen written examination | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | Class Test Class test | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Unseen written examination Unseen written examination Repeat failed element | 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Test Repeat failed element | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe and explain the need for and uses of accounting for business combinations, and compare and contrast the alternative methods/approaches to group accounting.
Describe and explain the importance of fair valuation and the treatment of goodwill in group accounting.
Prepare consolidated accounts under acquisition accounting (including accounting for associated undertakings); and compare acquisition with merger accounting techniques.
Explain, discuss, evaluate and calculate the presentation in and impact upon (group) accounts of the following, with a comparison of latest versus previous treatment where pertinent:
- Foreign currency translation
- Deferred taxation
Explain and discuss the conceptual framework upon reporting financial performance as it pertains to group accounting, foreign currency translation and deferred taxation.
Aims
This module is a core module to the School's N400 (Accounting and Finance) degree scheme; it is also core to the Accounting and Finance "major" and available as an elective for the Accounting and Finance "minor". Students taking the School N310 (Business and Finance) can choose to take this as an option in their 3rd year.
The module covers three main topic areas namely group accounting, foreign currency translation and deferred taxation, which are essential subject matter within any high-quality undergtraduate degree in accounting or finance; and which are expected by:
Further, the module contributes to the maintenence of (or is anticipated to contribute to the achievenent of [further]) accreditation from professional accounting bodies, including:
The module covers three main topic areas namely group accounting, foreign currency translation and deferred taxation, which are essential subject matter within any high-quality undergtraduate degree in accounting or finance; and which are expected by:
- Honours Degree Subject Benchmark Statement: Accounting (2007), Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Educaion
- Honours Degree Subject Benchmark Statement: Finance (2007), Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Educaion
Further, the module contributes to the maintenence of (or is anticipated to contribute to the achievenent of [further]) accreditation from professional accounting bodies, including:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
- Association of Chartered Certifies Accountants
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
- Institute of Charterted Accountants of Scotland
Brief description
The majority of large business organisations comprise of a number of companies under common ownership, i.e. are groups of companies. In reporting on the activities, position and performance of such organisations, combination of the financial reports of the individual group companies is necessary. This module introduces the conceptual and regulatory issues involved in this process and the actual techniques of group accounting.
The module will also address accounting for foreign currency transactions and translation, as required when groups or companies have activities / companies located overseas. Finally, the module will cover calculation of and accounting for deferred taxation.
The module will also address accounting for foreign currency transactions and translation, as required when groups or companies have activities / companies located overseas. Finally, the module will cover calculation of and accounting for deferred taxation.
Content
1. GROUP ACCOUNTING
- Why do group accounting
- Regulatory requirements
- Difference between book value and fair value
- Understanding control
- Comparing and understanding the different methods of group accounting (current methods and history) for acquisition accounting techniques
- Full consolidation (entity and proprietary)
- Proportional consolidation
- Merger accounting (background and history)
- Subsidiaries and non controlling interests
- Regulatory requirements and accounting for associates and joint arrangements
- Goodwill and intangible assets
- Impairment reviews
2. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
- Why the need for foreign currency translation
- Regulatory requirements
- Individual company translation of transactions
- Translation of company accounts for consolidation
- Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates
- Impact and effects of hyperinflation
3. DEFERRED TAXATION
- Why the need for deferred taxation
- Difference between accounting profit and taxable profit
- Regulatory requirements
- Compare and apply the various methods
- Why do group accounting
- Regulatory requirements
- Difference between book value and fair value
- Understanding control
- Comparing and understanding the different methods of group accounting (current methods and history) for acquisition accounting techniques
- Full consolidation (entity and proprietary)
- Proportional consolidation
- Merger accounting (background and history)
- Subsidiaries and non controlling interests
- Regulatory requirements and accounting for associates and joint arrangements
- Goodwill and intangible assets
- Impairment reviews
2. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
- Why the need for foreign currency translation
- Regulatory requirements
- Individual company translation of transactions
- Translation of company accounts for consolidation
- Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates
- Impact and effects of hyperinflation
3. DEFERRED TAXATION
- Why the need for deferred taxation
- Difference between accounting profit and taxable profit
- Regulatory requirements
- Compare and apply the various methods
Transferable skills
The module also aims to assist the development of a variety of personal transferable skills by encouraging students to:
- Identify and distil key features covered by lectures, tutorials and recommended readings
- Develop basic information accessing and research skills; discriminate between relevant and irrelevant information for the purposes of decision making; analyse data, apply judgement and solve problems
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; participate actively in tutorials either by leading discussions or responding to issues raised; and work under pressure and meet deadlines
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | * Develop an easy familiarity with numerical data sources and numerical data * Apply numerical data to problem solving with care and accuracy * Assess the reasonableness of and interpret numerical solutions * Support assertions/arguments with appropriately developed and presented numerical data |
| Communication | * Develop confidence in and clarity of oral communication via example class/tutorial participation * Develop clarity and focus of written communication via development of answers to self study questions * Develop and use appropriate subject-specific vocabulary in oral and written communication |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | * Identify and distil the key issues covered by lectures, tutorials and self study * Identify and use a range of learning resources * Investigate benefits of small group working on self study * Structure study to accommodate intensive learning |
| Information Technology | * Use a variety of electronic web- and library-based resources to review available information and retrieve pertinent information * Use spreadsheet software to complete elements of the self study |
| Personal Development and Career planning | * Preparation for seminar tasks will encourage initiative, independence and self-awareness |
| Problem solving | * Identify the precise problem to be solved * Assess which data are pertinent to the problem * Recognize that alternative solution methods might be available * Select and apply appropriate methods for solving the problem * Assess the reasonableness of problem solutions and interpret those solutions |
| Research skills | * Identify which information sources are available to: * facilitate module study (understanding, wider reading) * provide data which allow application of module learning in a real world context * Properly reference/attribute information sources |
| Subject Specific Skills | * Develop competence in understanding and appropriately applying Group accounting techniques comparing theory to practice * Develop competence in understanding the difficulties for large organisations to provide financial information that is both useful, understandable, and relevant. |
| Team work | * Develop experience of team work and develop team working skills via small group working on self study * Group work during seminars |
Reading List
Recommended TextDodge, R (1996) Group Financial Statements Chapman and Hall Primo search Ernst & Young International GAAP 2005, If purchase GAAP ensure that you fill in the student discount voucher - about £35 instead of £95!) Lexis Nexis Primo search Pierce, A and Brennan, N (2003) Principles and Practice of Group Accounts A European Perspective 1st edition Thomson Learning Primo search Taylor, P. (1996) Consolidated Financial Reporting Paul Chapman Publishing Primo search Supplementary Text
Alexander, D, Britton, A and Jorissen, A (2003) International Financial Reporting and Analysis Thomson Primo search Elliot, B and Elliot J (2005) Financial Reporting and Accounting 9th edition Prentice Hall Primo search Lewis, R and Pendrill, D (2004) Advanced Financial Accounting 7th edition Prentice Hall Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6