ACCOUNTANCY

ACCOUNTANCY

Level 1

AC 1008 - ACCOUNTING 1
Credit Points
20
Course Coordinator
Mr M Whittington

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 1 or above.

Overview

An introduction to how organisations capture, create and use accounting information internally to guide their activities and to communicate with parties external to their organisations.

Structure

4 contact hours per week, of which 3 are lectures, 1 tutorial and occasional computer workshop.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 1509 - ACCOUNTING FOR BUSINESS
Credit Points
20
Course Coordinator
Mr M Whittington

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

May not be taken with AC 1008 or AC 1510.

Overview

The course provides a broad, non-specialist introduction to the preparation and use of accounting information for control and decision making for users both within and outwith a business.

Structure

4 contact hours per week, of which 2-3 lectures, 1-2 tutorials and workshops.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%) and assessed coursework (30%).

AC 1510 - ACCOUNTING 2
Credit Points
20
Course Coordinator
Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

AC 1008

Overview

An introduction to how management use financial information to assist them in the control of their organisations as well as how fairly complex organisational structures (for example, partnerships) may be accounted for.

Structure

4 contact hours per week, of which 3 are lectures, 1 tutorial and occasional computer workshop.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Level 2

AC 2026 - BUSINESS FINANCE
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Dr K H Tee

Pre-requisites

None.

Overview

All businesses make decisions about how to finance investment projects. This course provides the fundamental principles and practices about how companies make these decisions. The course begins by considering the role of the financial manager and the institutions and mechanisms that affect business activity. The role of risk is looked at in detail through careful analysis of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and application of this model is considered. By outlining the relevant issues surrounding capital structure, dividend policy and mergers and acquisitions this course provides the fundamental information required for further study of corporate finance issues at level 3.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: two multiple choice tests (25% each) and one 2-hour examination paper (50%).

Resit: The in-course assessment mark is carried forward and the examination is taken again in the resit diet.

AC 2523 - PERSONAL FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr P McColgan

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 2 or above.

Overview

This course explains the principles and practices of personal finance and professional investment techniques. Personal finance issues such as tax-efficient saving, mortgages, credit cards, insurance and pensions are examined with respect to the present day environment. A core component is the development of investment strategies and the opportunity for students to invest in their own portfolio and monitor its progress in “real time”. Other topics include, financial markets, such as the London Stock Exchange, financial analysis of shares, bonds, options, futures, and an understanding of the jargon that is often used by financial practitioners and in the financial press.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, 2 one-hour computer classes per week; 1 one-hour tutorial fortnightly; 1 one-hour workshop fortnightly.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).

AC 2524 - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 2
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

AC 1510.

Overview

The course builds upon the material presented in AC 1508 by looking at the framework for financial accounting for companies and develops students’ technical skills in financial statement preparation. It looks in particular at the regulation, preparation and evaluation of the financial statements of groups of companies, including those with overseas operations and diversified activities.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour tutorial per fortnight.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 2525 - MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 2
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Mr A Arthur

Pre-requisites

AC 1510.

Overview

This course develops and extends the operational tools and techniques introduced in AC 1008 and AC 1510, by developing more complex applications and by showing how quantitative methods and analytical techniques can be applied to management accounting problems. It also emphasises the diverse industrial, commercial and not-for-profit settings in which management accountants work. The focus is upon understanding the nature of management accounting information, and upon developing an ability to select and apply appropriate techniques in specific contexts.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour tutorial per fortnight.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination paper (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Level 3

AC 3036 - AUDITING
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr D Molyneaux

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above taking the Designated or Honours degrees in Accountancy.

Overview

This course introduces students to the concepts and the techniques of auditing and the legal and professional framework within which it operates. Areas covered include the historical development of auditing, legal and professional requirements, case law, auditing concepts, standards and techniques, and computerised auditing. Some teaching will be resourced by incorporation of visiting lecturers from local professional accountancy firms.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture, 1 one-hour tutorial/computer lab and 1 two-hour workshop per week.

Assessment

1 three-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3045 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr C Elad

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Years 3 or above who have passed AC 1509 and AC 1510.

Notes

Available in 2003/04 and in alternate sessions thereafter. This course will not run in 2006/07.

Overview

This course provides the techniques and practical tools for analysis of financial statements in order to understand the value that a business generates for shareholders. The focus is on interpretation of international financial statements, understanding the international diversity in financial reporting systems and learning how to compare and analyse the fundamental value of comparative companies in different countries.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour computer class per week, 1 fortnightly tutorial.

Assessment

Examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3046 - SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr R Kamla

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 who have passed AC 1509 and AC 1510.

Overview

This may include: theoretical underpinnings of SEAAR (Social and Ethical Accounting, Auditing and Reporting), social auditing and accounting, environmental auditing and accounting, environmental management, accounting and sustainable development, socially responsible investment.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, one seminar per week.

Assessment

1 two-hour examination (40%), one assessed essay (10%), two presentations and presentation reports (40%) and performance in seminars (10%).

AC 3047 - CORPORATE FINANCE
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr P McColgan

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 who have passed AC 2026 or PO 2002; EC 2002.

Overview

This course investigates how the value of a company can be affected by corporate actions. These possible actions include: investment decisions, financing decisions, changes in the scope of the corporation's business, dividend policy, debt policy, mergers, leveraged buy-outs, warrants and convertibles, and changes in management rules. Standard problem solving techniques are used so that students will develop a good working knowledge of the theory and valuation methods that are used worldwide in major corporations and financial institutions.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour problem solving class per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and 2 in-course assessment pieces (15% each).

Resit: Examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3533 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Professor R Buckland

Pre-requisites

AC 2006 or PO 2002

Notes

This course will be available in 1999/2000 and in alternate sessions thereafter. Cannot be combined in a graduating curriculum with EC 3007.

Overview

The course will develop basic models of financial markets and financial management from level 2 courses to honours depths of critical analysis. Material will focus on financial management issues in an internationalised context, with coverage of corporate investment, growth and risk management and financial strategy. Material will be covered with the aid of case material and inputs from corporate finance practitioners.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, 1 two-hour computer laboratory per week; 1 two-hour seminar per fortnight.

Assessment

1 two-hour closed examination at end of half-session (50%), 1 CAA objective test in week 9 (20%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3541 - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 3
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Dr C Elad

Pre-requisites

AC 2524

Overview

Building upon the material of Financial Accounting 2, the course examines in greater detail theoretical frameworks applicable to financial reporting. Conceptual frameworks and income theory are used to critically evaluate the accounting treatment of assets and liabilities and the measurement of performance with particular emphasis being placed upon controversial areas of financial reporting.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour tutorial per fortnight.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3542 - MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 3
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Mr A Arthur

Pre-requisites

AC 2525

Overview

This course focuses on developing students’ understanding of management accounting in an organisational context. It uses recent research to help students explore the behavioural, social, and organisational aspects of management accounting. In addition, there is an operations research component which contributes to the accredited core.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per week and 1 one-hour tutorial or computer lab per fortnight.

Assessment

2 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

AC 3543 - TAXATION
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Dr D Molyneaux

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 3 or above who have passed AC 1510 and AC 2524.

Notes

This course will be running in the second half session only.

Overview

An introduction to taxation within the UK with specific reference to Personal Taxes; Inheritance Tax; Value Added Tax and to the taxation of Corporate profits. Reference will also be made to Capital Gains Tax. The course encourages students to determine the principles underlying taxation; to use these critically to assess the taxes about which they are acquiring technical knowledge and to consider for themselves the place of tax avoidance and planning, as well as the associated ethical issues relevant to taxpayers and their advisers.

Level 4

AC 4519 - INTEGRATIVE STUDIES IN ACCOUNTING
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Mr A Arthur

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4 who have passed AC 3541; and AC 3042 or AC 3542.

Overview

This course requires students to apply their accounting knowledge in order to resolve problems presented in real world case studies. Students are also required to research an organisation (real or imagined) and create an equivalent case which could be solved and which illustrates the functioning of accounting in organisations.

Structure

2 one-hour seminars; 1 two-hour workshop.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 hour written examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

AC 4522 - DERIVATIVES AND TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Professor R Buckland

Pre-requisites

AC 2026 or PO 2002

Overview

The course will develop the analysis of assets and market efficiency. It will critically evaluate the place and standing within finance of portfolio analysis and of asset/risk pricing models and develop students’ critical analysis of option theory, option pricing models and of the applications of derivatives analysis within the contemporary treasury management function of organisations. Material will be covered with the aid of case and project material and inputs from corporate finance and financial markets practitioners.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, 1 two-hour computer laboratory per week; 1 two-hour seminar per fortnight.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour closed examination at end of half-session (50%), 1 CAA objective test in week 9 (20%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

AC 4523 - EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Professor A J Black

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Overview

The content of the course will be quantitative in nature and will focus on the key concepts used in the econometric analysis of data on financial variables. Since these concepts and techniques are widely used in the finance literature the course concentrates on the application of these techniques. The techniques include regression analysis, equilibrium correction modelling and modelling risk.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour computer workshop and 1 seminar fortnightly.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%) and 2 course assessments (15% each).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.