Module Information
Module Identifier
AB31420
Module Title
Accounting and Finance: Analysis and Application
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Co-Requisite
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Group business game presentation (20 minutes) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Individual case study report (3,000 words) | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Individual business game report and reflections commentary (3,000 words) | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Small group case study presentation | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual case study presentation | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual business game presentation review | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual case study report (3,000 words) | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual business game report and reflections commentary (3,000 words) | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain the linkages between financial accounting, management accounting, finance and general management.
2. Demonstrate an ability to select appropriate techniques, apply them and interpret the outcomes.
3. Identify the broader context in which business decisions are made.
4. Demonstrate decision-making and team-working skills.
5. Demonstrate report-writing and presentation skills on an individual basis.
Brief description
Using high-level business analysis, a topical case study develops and offers opportunities to apply analytical and presentation skills. In the interactive written group case study game, participants act as directors running a company making regular decisions. The board is required to react to events on a weekly basis over the duration of the game. The module consolidates technical knowledge by requiring participants to make key decisions after performing appropriate analyses of detailed information about their company and its environment.
Content
Report writing and presentation skills
Analysis and interpretation of financial accounts, using:
- Cross-sectional analysis
- Time series analysis
- Forecasting earnings and cash flows
- Forecast accuracy
- Integrated appreciation, assessment and management of risk (business, operational, financial or reputational)
Current and topical accounting/business case study
Interactive Written Case Study: running a company; decision-making based on appropriate analyses of detailed information about the company and its environment
Personal and inter-personal skills:
- co-ordination
- delegation
- leadership and motivation
- listening skills
- responsibility
- self-motivation
- persuasion
- reflection
- focus
- analyses
- prioritising
- perceptiveness
- communication
- personality types
Analysis and interpretation of financial accounts, using:
- Cross-sectional analysis
- Time series analysis
- Forecasting earnings and cash flows
- Forecast accuracy
- Integrated appreciation, assessment and management of risk (business, operational, financial or reputational)
Current and topical accounting/business case study
Interactive Written Case Study: running a company; decision-making based on appropriate analyses of detailed information about the company and its environment
Personal and inter-personal skills:
- co-ordination
- delegation
- leadership and motivation
- listening skills
- responsibility
- self-motivation
- persuasion
- reflection
- focus
- analyses
- prioritising
- perceptiveness
- communication
- personality types
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Develop an easy familiarity with numerical data sources and numerical data from the annual financial statements published Apply numerical data to problem solving and decision making with care and accuracy Assess the reasonableness of and interpret numerical solutions Support assertions/arguments with appropriately developed and presented numerical data Calculate and use descriptive statistics |
| Communication | Develop confidence and clarity of oral communication via group work and the assessed presentation both in a group and individual setting Develop clarity and focus of written communication 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 group meetings and yearly financial results 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 |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Develop skills in financial analysis and decision making which are essential to the aspiring general manager in the real world Develop knowledge and skills of interpretation of financial statement other public financial information which is useful/essential in a number of different occupations. Identify a variety of potential career routes within the financial and professional services sector |
| Problem solving | Identify the purpose of the case studies and what needs to be achieved Assess which data is pertinent to the problem Recognize that alternative solution/ methods might be available Interpret case material, describe and explain the problems, issues and their impact Select and apply appropriate methods for solving the problem Assess the reasonableness of problem solutions and interpret those solutions |
| Research skills | Develop basic information accessing and researching skills Properly reference/attribute information sources Select the most pertinent information for retrieval Retrieve information Re-assess the pertinence and assess the credibility of retrieved information |
| Subject Specific Skills | Develop competence in understanding and appropriately applying investment/financial mathematics, accounting and general management Understand, analyze, interpret and synthesize between financial accounting, management accounting and market-based financial information Make well-based financial recommendations and decisions Bring financial analysis and decision making skills to the service of the business – in strategizing, marketing, operating, etc. |
| Team work | Students are assigned into groups for the practical element of the business game Develop experience of team work and develop team working skills via small group working and decision making |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6