Module Information

This module aims to give students a practical grasp of accounting from two perspectives: those of financial accounting and management accounting. First we will consider financial accounting, the form of accounting aimed at parties external to the business. We will cover the basics of preparation of financial accounts; and analysis of the principal financial accounting statements ? which are the profit and loss account (or income statement), balance sheet and cash flow statement. Next, we will deal with management accounting, covering the requirements for and practices of accounting for parties internal to the business - as they seek to plan, monitor and control the business in a well-informed and effective manner.

The over-riding concern is that students should be able to able to speak the accounting language of business; be able to take an active part in discussions of or based on accounting information; and understand and appropriately employ accounting information and techniques in making business decisions.

Introduction to accounting and its environment
Accounting basics
Main financial statements
Analysis and interpretation of financial statements
Cost analysis, classification and determination
Short-run decision making
Planning and control systems
Performance evaluation
Review

Identify and distil the key issues covered by lectures, tutorials and self study
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