Accounting and Financial Management and Economics BA

Core economics modules:

Mathematical Methods for Economics 1

The aims of this module are: 1. To give an insight into the importance of mathematical methods in economic analysis. 2. To introduce a range of mathematical techiques. 3. To give an understanding of how and when to apply the techniques. The module will include revision of basic concepts, algebra, equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, differential calculus, optimisation, geometry

20 credits

Mathematical Methods for Economics 2

The aims of the module are: 1. To provide an insight into the importance of mathematical methods in economics; 2. To introduce and apply a range of mathematical techniques to economic problems. Topics covered in the course include revision of algebra, functions, differential calculus, optimisation, an introduction to dynamic analysis, and an introduction to matrix algebra.

20 credits

Economic Analysis and Policy

This is a compulsory module for all single and dual honours students in Economics. The module provides students with an introduction to microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis together with examples of their application in order to develop students' understanding of the roles of both in economic policy making.

40 credits

Core accounting and financial management modules:

Introduction to Management Accounting

The aim of this module is to establish a firm understanding of the basic techniques of management accounting. The selection of accounting techniques is conditional on purpose; the management accountant¿s role therefore includes attention-directing, score- keeping, and problem-solving.

20 credits

Introduction to Financial Accounting

Financial Accounting is concerned with the ways in which the financial transactions of a business are recorded and summarised in financial statements. This module provides an introduction to the construction of financial statements and an understanding and evaluation of the principles and concepts on which they are underpinned. Once the principles have been established, the module further develops the practical understanding of the preparation of financial statements and focuses on the preparation, interpretation and limitations of company financial statements and the regulatory framework in which they are prepared.

20 credits

Foundations in Financial Management

This module aims to create a foundation of knowledge in the subject area of financial management, creating the required framework of skill and knowledge for financial decision making and to provide a base of knowledge for the related modules in levels 2 and 3. This module will achieve this by introducing the essential principles, theories and calculations within financial management. It will also introduce the contemporary issues and developments in financial markets. The module design and content expects to at least cover the contents of foundation level financial management related module syllabus of professional accounting bodies.

20 credits

Core accounting and financial management modules:

Financial Management

This unit takes the key themes and techniques that were introduced in MGT141, Introduction to Financial Management, and locates them in their institutional and intellectual setting to enable students to reflect critically on understandings of financial institutions and phenomena. The resulting understanding and skills of critique will enhance students¿ capabilities to reflect on the more specialist bodies of knowledge encountered in financial management and finance units in subsequent semesters. The unit uses a combination of conventional lectures to familiarise students with ideas and tutorials in which students are encouraged to show their understanding of ¿ and critically evaluate ¿ content of lectures.

20 credits

Intermediate Financial Accounting

This is an intermediate level financial accounting course, building on the level 1 `introductory¿ module (MGT132). It follows that some of the concepts, techniques and skills acquired during the study of that module remain examinable (revision exercises are provided throughout the module). In addition there is examination of a range of accounting standards and underpinning rationales, a review of the major conceptual debates currently preoccupying both accountants and standard-setters, and an exploration of the practical problems associated with the reporting of the results of limited companies and groups.

20 credits

Intermediate Management Accounting

This unit builds on the basic skills acquired in MGT102, viewing the management accountant as an important internal corporate communicator and provider of information for management decision and control purposes. Particular emphasis is placed on the management accountant's various methods of analysing and presenting different kinds of information, drawn from both internal and external sources.The unit distinguishes between the provision of management accounting services at policy, executive and operational levels. On the basis of this distinction, the management accountant is seen as centrally involved in the evaluation and implementation of alternative courses of action in organisations.The unit also examines the development of management accounting techniques in processes of sustainable organisational performance appraisal, analysis and reporting and considers such as strategic marketing, corporate social responsibility and ethics. Finally, the unit considers the developing contribution to be made by management accountants in the creation, evaluation and control of sustainable organisations.

20 credits

Core economics module:

Statistics and Econometrics

Economics option modules - choose two:

International Economics
Labour Economics
Intermediate Finance
Public Economics
Industrial Organisation
Economic Decision-making
Macroeconomic Policy
Intermediate Microeconomics
Intermediate Macroeconomic

Core economics module:

Economics in Action

Core accounting and financial management modules:

Advances in Financial Accounting

The module follows on from the financial accounting modules taken at levels one and two. It extends students' technical competency in financial accounting and allows for a deeper analysis of financial reporting issues in a number of key areas. Included on the module is the study of segmental reporting, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated profit and loss accounts, vertical group balance sheets, associated company accounts, joint ventures, the effects of changing prices in accounting, foreign currency translation, capital instruments, financial instruments, related- party transactions and the international harmonisation of accounting standards.

20 credits

Advances in Management Accounting

The module builds on MGT102 and MGT211 and concentrates on the application of techniques using a number of case studies. In addition, the module deals with the changing role of Management Accounting within organisations and new developments reflected by current issues in research.

20 credits

Accounting and financial management option modules - choose one:

Auditing

The aim of this module is to consider how successfully auditing carries out the roles that are assigned to it. An audit is the independent examination of, and expression of an opinion on, the financial statements of an enterprise. Audit has crucial roles to play in the processes of corporate and social governance, relating especially to the transmission of information to financial markets and individual/groups to whom organisations are accountable. In the `audit society¿, the meaning of audit has broadened to embrace diverse forms of inspection and non-financial performance reporting. This course is designed to introduce students to the major issues in auditing theory and practice, making reference to current contexts.

20 credits

Case Studies in Accounting and Consultancy

As the accounting & finance academic discipline has developed, the repeated contrast between theory and practice has been held-up as a classic illustration of the value of studying accounting & finance in the contexts in which it operates. From such viewpoints, the case study has emerged as a valuable research and teaching method, a way of enabling researchers and students alike to better understand the practical role of accounting & finance in organisations & society. Rather than relying on abstract text books or normative theories, the case study permits the development of more `grounded¿ knowledge.MGT 329 is a course based upon the analysis of case studies. It aims to allow students to handle complex information sets, undertake their own research, apply accounting and finance knowledge gain elsewhere on the degrees programme, make judgements as to the relevance of various data sources and empirical findings. Through the analysis of case studies, this module aims to offer a rich context for the use of different approaches, varied and contradictory data sources, and original & creative approaches to problem solving.

20 credits

Company Analysis and Valuation

This module is aimed at those students wanting to move into fund management / trading within global equity markets and who are targeting leading investment banks and fund managers as a career destination. The module will develop skills and understanding of a Bloomberg terminal and how to analyse and value companies using a range of techniques. The module will focus on using predominantly numerical techniques however these will be blended with other considerations which impact the value and performance of global listed companies. A wide range of global case studies will be used to demonstrate advanced valuation techniques and investment principles, thus giving students a sound grounding to take future professional qualifications with bodies such as the CFA. Tutorials will be based in a trading room enabling students to utilise a wide range of practical data sources and trading platforms, such as Bloomberg within the setting of a small and supportive class.

20 credits

Taxation in Theory and Practice

A nation's taxation system affects its resource allocation, the distribution of its income, its standard of living and its general economic performance. Everyone in an economy is affected directly or indirectly by taxation and the nature of the tax system goes to the heart of social, moral, political as well as economic questions. The subject is highly topical and embraces such important policy issues as the effect of taxes on incentives, the control of the environment, local autonomy and its place in economic management. The unit is in two parts: part one provides an economic analysis of taxation and uses this analysis to evaluate the British tax system; part two deals with practical problems within the British tax system.

20 credits

Economics option modules - choose two:

Education Economics
Political Economy
International Trade
Monetary Economics
Development Economics
Health Economics
Economic Analysis of Inequality and Poverty
Economics of Gender and Race
Behavioural Economics
Environmental Economics
Economics of Innovation