ACCOUNTANCY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Alawattage

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

Overview

The constitution of society: economy, polity and civil society; their interdependencies and contradictions; and understanding the role of accounting within these contradictions and interdependencies.

Constitution of business: various managerial objectives, functions, responsibilities and accountabilities; and the role of accounting within business.

Constitution of accounting as a business function: how accounting is organised within organisations to help achieve their objectives and accountabilities.

Constitution of accountancy as a profession: how accountancy is organised as a profession and how the accountancy profession is regulated.

Future challenges of accountancy: the challenge of accounting and reporting beyond shareholders; and meeting the challenge of global sustainability.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture and 1 two-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt; 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%). The student may carry forward their original continuous assessment mark if this is considered to be in their interests.

Formative Assessment

Details to be finalised, however, will build on tutorial material and course content.

Feedback

Feedback on summative assessments will be provided by comments on the students’ work and/or separate individual feedback sheets. There may also be classroom discussions on common issues in students’ work.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr A Mulhern

Pre-requisites

None.

Overview

An introduction to accounting

An overview of financial accounting.

An overview of management accounting

Structure

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

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour closed-book written examination (70%) and continuous assessment based on work in tutorials and participation in an online computer assisted learning package (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and continuous assessment (30%). Students can carry forward their continuous assessment marks from a previous sitting. Because of the nature of the continuous assessment, this cannot be retaken within the same academic session. Accordingly, where this is in the interests of the student, the student will be assessed on the resit examination alone.  Some of the tutorial test marks count towards continuous assessment.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is conducted in two ways. First, in advance of each tutorial, students are given exercises and problems. The tutor provides feedback to that group and the course co-ordinator also provides feedback via WebCT.  Students are also given tests during tutorials, on which feedback is provided.

Feedback

Customised feedback provided through the return by tutors of marked work. Generic feedback is posted on WebCT by the course co-ordinator.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Mark Whittington

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

1. Introduction to the course. Key personal finance concepts and the importance of the time value of money.


2. The FSA and the concept of Savings. (a) Tax implications of alternative savings products.


3. Approaches to investment.


4. The concept of Borrowing and alternative products available to the individual.


5. The concept of Pensions and retirement. (a) Alternative pension arrangements and tax implications.


6. Guest speakers on 'Being a financial advisor' and 'Insolvency' (2 lectures).


7. The concept of insurance and insurance products.


8. Ethical and moral approaches to personal finance.


9. Review of personal finance.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour tutorial every two weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%) consisting of: a group oral presentation (10%), and submit the powerpoint slides for external review; and an individual assignment (20%) of 1500 words in length.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions and availability of a specimen exam with available model answers.

Feedback

Written feedback is given on the tutorial presentations and on the individual assessments.

On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions, and after tutorial presentations.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Anomelechi-Onyeodi

Pre-requisites

AC 1513

Overview

1. Cost volume profit analysis


2. Pricing


3. Cost estimation


4. Inventory management


5. Total Quality Management


6. Budgeting and planning


7. Process costing


8. Activity Based Costing


9. Standard costing and variance analysis


10. Decentralisation, divisionalisation and transfer pricing


11. Capital expenditure and long term planning

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 8 one-hour tutorial through the semester.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); two pieces of continuous assessment (15% each) consisting of two individual management reports or essays of around 1,500 words.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions and availability of a specimen exam with available answers.

Feedback

Written feedback is given on the individual assessments.

On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr E Balaban

Pre-requisites

PO1002 Finance, Risk and Investment

Overview

- Introduction to and development of models of financial valuation, including Discounted Cash Flow and variants.
- Development of models of organisations' financing, including analysis of debt:equity choices.
- Portfolio analysis and the basics of portfolio selection and performance measurement.
- Contemporary developments in the finance of businesses and in financial markets.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, five one hour tutorials during the semester.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Examination (60%) 2 hours. One hour multiple choice class test (20%). Group report on Investment game (20%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Interim report on investment game (week 6). Feedback on multiple choice (week 8).

Feedback

Feedback on: tutorial tasks; written feedback and CAS on group report.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms L Tibbetts

Pre-requisites

AC 1513.

Overview

1. Introduction & overview


2. Types of business organisations


3. Regulation and governance of companies: ASB & IASB


4. Cash flow statements 1


5. Non-current assets


6. Liabilities


7. Provisions, contingent assets & liabilities


8. Accounting for groups, associates and foreign operations

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 two-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); Weekly answers to seminar questions (30%). Students will be given a set of questions (numerical and discursive) based on the materials covered in the lectures. They are required to complete the questions and submit their answers at the beginning of the following week, before the start of all the seminar sessions on that week. These submitted answers will be graded and marks will be recorded, and this count towards the continuous assessment for the course. Answers will then be discussed during the seminars after the work is submitted.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via seminar discussions and availability of a specimen exam with model answers.

Feedback

Written feedback is given on the seminar tests and individual assessments.

On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor R Buckland

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

1. Analysis of the economics of financial markets, services and products.


2. Identification of the sources and persistence of market failure in financial services and the classic regulatory issues.


3. Study of the regulatory issues, models and structures exposed in the regulation of the banking industry, in the UK and internationally.


4. Extension of regulatory principles to the analysis of other segments of financial services, notably markets in insurance.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, five one-hour tutorials during the semester.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%). One 3,000 word group report on a case study (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Generic feedback on seminar work following each seminar.
Feedback on group report.

Feedback

Seminar leaders will deliver written feedback to seminar groups after each seminar.
Groups receive written feedback and indicative CAS on the assessed case study report within 2 weeks of submission.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Alawattage

Pre-requisites

AC 2525 or AC 2029

Overview

Building upon the material in Management Accounting 2, the course examines in greater detail theoretical, behavioural, organisational, managerial and also historical aspects of various management accounting and control techniques and practices.

Structure

The course comprises.
(a) A series of 12 two-hour lectures
(b) A series of 12 one-hour tutorials/seminars at which students will have to prepare, present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are two elements to assessment:

1. Two pieces of continuous assessments (circa 1,500 words business reports and/or essays), each accounting for (15%).


2. A two-hour closed book examination (70%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessments.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms A McGeachin

Pre-requisites

AC 2524

Overview

Building upon the material in 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

The course comprises.
(a) A series of 18 one-hour lectures
(b) A series of 11 two-hour workshops at which students will have to prepare, present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are three elements to assessment:

1. An incomplete records exercise (10%).


2. Weekly workshop/seminar questions ? both numerical and essay based (20%).


3. A two-hour closed book examination in January (70%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials

Weekly tutorial questions are handed in, marked and returned

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr O Kliwinkowska

Pre-requisites

AC 2030 or EC 2003

Overview

Corporate Finance (AC 3047) course covers the following topics:
- Portfolio theory
- Capital Asset Pricing Model and cost of capital
- Project valuation methods
- Capital structure ( Modigliani-Miller Irrelevance Theory)
- Introduction to options (financial options, real options)
- Bond markets
- Financing decisions and market efficiency
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Risk Management

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week (Thursday 9:00-11:00)
10 one-hour tutorial (timetable to be arranged)

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); 1 in-course assessment with open and multiple choice questions (30%):

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

General feedback is given to the students in the oral form during each tutorial class through topic discussions and problem solving.

Feedback on the in-class assessment is given to the student in the oral form during one tutorial class. The solutions are as well provided at MyAberdeen.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor R Buckland

Pre-requisites

AC 2030 Business Finance and PO 2504 Understanding Statistics

Overview

Environment and objectives of MNCs
Modes of International Business
4-way equivalence
Exchange rates
Strategy and appraisal
Short term decisions
Mergers and acquisitions
Treasury Management
Currency market developments
Tax and Regulation

Structure

The course comprises.
(a) A series of 24 lectures
(b) A series of 6 fortnightly one-hour seminars
(c) A series of 6 fortnightly 2-hour computer classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are two elements to assessment:
1. Continuous assessment
a. Group presentation (5%)
b. Individual report (25%, maximum 2,500 words)

2. Exam
a. Objective test (during exam period) (20%)
b. A two hour closed book examination (50%).

An objective test and a two hour closed book examination. Previous coursework will be taken into account unless doing so would cause a student who passed the resit exam to fail the course overall, in which case the overall mark will be CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions and four multiple choice tests. There will also be a 1,500 word case study.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials.
Answers and marks provided for the multiple choice test
Feedback on the case study.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms L A Tibbetts

Pre-requisites

Financial Accounting 2 (AC 2524)
Available normally only to students in Programme 3 taking 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

22 one-hour lectures and 2 one-hour revision sessions;
12 one-hour workshops;
5 one-hour tutorials

Assessment

1st Attempt: The course will be assessed in three parts:
Coursework 1, 1,000 word essay, which contributes (10%) of the final assessment

Coursework 2, 2,000 word essay, which contributes (20%) of the final assessment

Closed book, three-hour examination which contributes (70%) of the final assessment

Resit: A two-hour closed book examination. Previous coursework will be taken into account unless doing so would cause a student who passed the resit exam to fail the course overall, in which case the overall mark will be CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Feedback is given in the trial computer aided assessment on a question-by-question basis, giving students guidance on how to approach the question successfully. Oral feedback is given on the tutorial presentation.

On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions, and after tutorial presentations.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr M Whittington

Pre-requisites

AC 1513.

Overview

Building upon knowledge of financial statements and decision making, the course examines in greater detail the analysis and interpretation of financial performance.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures, 4 one-hour computer workshops and 6 one-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Two pieces of continuous assessment

• Group presentation (10%)


• Individual report of circa 2,000 words (20%)

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination.

Students will be given an annual report and potentially other documentation (e.g. annual review or corporate responsibility report) three weeks before the exam. 60% of the exam marks will be awarded for questions focused on the pre-distributed accounts.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials.
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessments.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

AC 3041 Financial Accounting 3 and AC 3042 Management Accounting 3.

Overview

The content is organised into three main areas covering mainstream, positive and critical theoretical literature in accounting.

• Financial reporting practices
• Financial reporting regulations
• Critical perspectives on accounting practices & regulations.

  Structure

  A series of weekly two-hour lectures.
  

  A series of weekly two-hour seminars at which students will have to present and discuss their work.

  Assessment

  1st Attempt: There are THREE elements to the assessment:
  Portfolio of work (25%), 2,000 word essay (15%), 1 two-hour examination (60%).

  Formative Assessment

  This will take place via tutorial discussions.

  Feedback

  Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
  

  Written feedback will be given to assessed coursework.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr J Williams

Pre-requisites

AC 3047.

Overview

Building upon a mathematical, statistical modelling and decision making, the course examines in greater detail the analysis and interpretation of models of quantitative data.

Structure

The course comprises:

• A series of 10 two-hour lectures, introduction and revision
• A series of 12 one-hour computer classes at which students will have to prepare, present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are two elements to assessment:

1. One piece of in course assessment: Assignment (20%)
2. 1 two-hour closed book examination (80%).

Resit: 1 two-hour closed book examination. Previous coursework will be taken into account unless doing so would cause a student who passed the resit exam to fail the course overall, in which case the overall mark will be CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessments.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

AC3041 Financial Accounting 3

Overview

The content is organised into three main areas covering mainstream, positive and critical theoretical literature in accounting related to:
1. Financial reporting practices
2. Financial reporting regulations
3. Accounting research methodologies

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week and 1 two-hour seminar per week at which students will have to present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are THREE elements to the assessment:
Portfolio of work (30%), 2000 word essay (20%), 1 two-hour exam (50%).

No Resit

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.

Written feedback will be given to assessed coursework.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr C Alawattage

Pre-requisites

AC 3042: Management Accounting 3.

Notes

This course will be available in 2013/14.

Overview

The content is organised into three main areas covering mainstream, positive and critical theoretical literature in accounting:
1. Strategic issues in cost management
2. Organisational theories of management accounting practices
3. Sociological and political perspectives on management accounting practices and history.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week and 1 two-hour seminar per week at which students will have to present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are THREE elements to the assessment:
Student presentation (10%), 2 essays/management reports each circa 2,000 words (15%), 1 two-hour exam (60%).

Copies of the slides in the presentation will be kept for external examiner review.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.

Written feedback will be given to assessed coursework.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr M Whittington

Pre-requisites

AC 1513 Accounting and Entrepreneurship and AC 3047 Corporate Finance.

Overview

This course consists of 12 weeks of material that concentrates on the main points of overlap between users and providers of accounting information. In particular it would focus on the investor's perspective on financial information. Advanced portfolio and investment theory. Choosing Investments from a large universe of assets. Accounting information as signals in investment management.
Types of investor:

• Mutual and pension funds
• Closed end funds
• Private equity and venture capital
• Hedge funds and boutiques

• Tax arbitrage

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Corporate actions
• Book building and IPOs

Structure

The course comprises.

• A series of 12 two-hour lectures
• A series of 12 one-hour seminar/tutorial classes at which students will have to prepare, present and discuss their work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Assessment would be via two pieces of coursework and one written examination:
Coursework 1: Accounting related coursework, case study based 2,000 words (20%)
Coursework 2: finance related coursework, either empirical research exercise or case study based, 2,000 words (20%)
Examination: 2 hours closed examination in January diet (60%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.
Answers are provided to all questions covered in lectures and tutorials
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessments.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

Student should be in Programme Year 4.

Overview

The primary and final product of the course is the independent writing of the dissertation.

Structure

There is a minimal taught element on the dissertation course consisting of an introductory session in week 17 to introduce students to the formal requirements of the dissertation and two organized meetings with supervisors in semester 2.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%) (word count 10,000).

Resit: None.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via discussions with supervisors and chapter feedback.

Feedback

Students are required to prepare material for the supervisory meetings and informal feedback will be given on these. They are also required to submit one draft chapter of the thesis and written feedback is given on this.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor C Roberts

Pre-requisites

Student must be in Programme Year 4.

Overview

The primary and final product of the course is the independent writing of the dissertation.

Structure

There is a minimal taught element on the dissertation course consisting of an introductory session in week 17 to introduce students to the formal requirements of the dissertation and two organized meetings with supervisors in semester 2.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%) (10,000 words).

Resit: None.

Formative Assessment

This will take place via discussions with supervisors and chapter feedback.

Feedback

Students are required to prepare material for the supervisory meetings and informal feedback will be given on these. They are also required to submit one draft chapter of the thesis and written feedback is given on this.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor R Buckland

Pre-requisites

AC 30** Corporate Finance.

Overview

Risk modelling
Futures
Futures and hedging
Pricing and regulatory issues
Decomposition and synthesis
Option pricing
Real options and option applications
Portfolio performance
Treasury management
Development of pricing models
Regulation and accounting for derivatives

Structure

The course comprises:

• a series of 24 lectures
• a series of 6 fortnightly one-hour seminars
• a series of 12 weekly one-hour computer classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: There are two elements to assessment:
1. Continuous assessment

• Group presentation (5%)
• Individual report,maximum 2,500 words (25%)

• objective test (20%)
• 1 two-hour closed book examination (50%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place via tutorial discussions and mid-course multiple choice test. Exercises from the textbook.

Feedback

Verbal feedback is given during tutorial discussions.

Answers and marks provided for the multiple choice test
Answers available for textbook exercises.