Accounting and Financial Management BA

Core modules:

Business Economics in a Contemporary Society

This module is intended to provide students with a grounding in a range of business economics concepts that have immediate relevance to modern day businesses, society, and the economy. It will introduce theoretically diverse concepts that include and contend with mainstream business economics thought, so that students from disparate backgrounds are able to openly debate and engage with business economics topics. It is designed to challenge students' understanding of the economic environment in which businesses are embedded so that they become more cognizant with diverse ways of thinking about and understanding real world business economic issues.

10 credits

Introduction to Behaviour at Work

This module is an introduction to psychological and behavioural approaches to the study of work and organisations. The major aim is to introduce students to some of the basic analytical tools and concepts from work psychology that encourage an understanding of the behaviour of individuals and groups in the workplace. The syllabus contains the following: Introduction to Organisational Behaviour, Individual Differences, Perception, Learning, Human Motivation, Job Satisfaction and Work Attitudes, Conformity and Obedience, Leadership, Groups at Work, the formal and informal organisation.

10 credits

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

Futures First: Professional Self Management

This module is intended to provide a structured and supported process for students to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement, and to plan for their personal, educational and career development. It is designed to ensure students are fully prepared to gain the most from their academic studies and to be better placed to continue their development throughout and beyond their degree studies.

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

You will take one of the following modules:

Analysis for Decision Making A

This unit will enable students to develop competencies in those quantitative techniques and tools which are essential for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data in a business context. Focusing on a variety of business problems, the unit will demonstrate how quantitative techniques can be used to support effective business decision making.

20 credits

Analysis for Decision Making B

This unit will enable students to develop competencies in those quantitative techniques and tools which are essential for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data in a business context. Focusing on a variety of business problems, the unit will demonstrate how quantitative techniques can be used to support effective business decision making. The teaching is aimed at those who have not taken mathematics beyond GCSE or its equivalent.

20 credits

Core modules:

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

Corporate Governance

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the key issues in corporate governance. The module covers the subject from a theoretical and practical perspective, with a particular emphasis on the financial aspects of corporate governance. The early part of the module discusses the theories underlying the study of governance, recent governance failures and policy initiatives to improve governance quality and accountability. The module proceeds to explore separately the main mechanisms of governance and specifically investigates whether governance characteristics influence corporate performance. In particular, the module examines the governance role of non-executive directors; ownership structure; executive remuneration and takeovers. The module also includes discussions of governance in an international context as well as governance in non-profit organisations.

20 credits

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

Introduction to Corporate Finance and Asset Pricing

This course builds on the concepts developed in MGT212. The course focuses on the more quantitative and advanced aspects of finance and is aimed at those students who intend to specialize in finance. The purpose of the course is to give a solid foundation in principles of corporate finance and asset pricing to understand and analyze the major issues affecting the financial policies of corporations. More specifically, the following topics will be dealt with: the time value of money, capital budgeting techniques, cash flows, risk/return trade-offs, portfolio theory, market efficiency, capital structure, payout policy, and option pricing. The course is a prerequisite for the final-year finance modules MGT321 (Corporate Finance) and MGT375 (Introduction to Financial Derivatives).

20 credits

You will take one of the following modules:

Business Intelligence

Every modern business has access to large pools of data from various internal and external sources. Internally, businesses hold data about their products and services, workforce, customers and suppliers, to name a few. Externally, social media data, such as customer comments on products/services, is increasingly becoming vital as businesses endeavour to retain their customers and design or redesign new products or services to meet customer expectations. Data is now universally recognised as the most critical resource in managing businesses. However, businesses will struggle to use data for competitive and strategic advantage unless it is transformed into intelligence. Business Intelligence has become one of the essential assets in 21st-century organisations as it turns raw data into actionable insights. This module, therefore, presents an introduction to Business Intelligence and its diverse applications across various fields, including human resources, customer retention, and enhancing business competitiveness. Additionally, it offers practical experience opportunities by utilising a robust, user-friendly BI platform commonly used in the industry.

20 credits

Business Strategy

This course will introduce students to business strategy and the strategic management process. It seeks to enhance their understanding of the theories and practice of strategy. Students will be able to learn why, and how, companies make strategic decisions in the context of today's complex and dynamic world of business. Students will be introduced to various strategic analysis frameworks and learn how these can be used to help organisations better understand their strategic position and formulate feasible and suitable growth and competitive strategies. Based on a sound understanding of the theories, students will be required to apply the concepts through the use of innovative strategic planning teaching and learning technologies and case study material.

20 credits

Law for Management

The module provides a basic introduction to the core aspects of domestic law and relevant EU law. The syllabus covers a study of the domestic legal system, the law of contract, aspects of agency, and the law of negligence incorporating the potential liability of those in the business of delivering advice in professional practice. The module also examines the law relating to companies including the legal regulation of business organisations.

20 credits

Budgeting and Control

This module follows on from the budgeting and control taught in the first year Introduction to Management Accounting module. The unit aims to expand students' knowledge of the technical and behavioural aspects of budgeting and control, evaluate the budgeting cycle and explore contemporary developments and best practice. This module will explore budgeting and control in the context of large and small organisations.

20 credits

Business Statistics

This subject is concerned with the collection and analysis of data using statistical methods to support research studies and inform management decision making. It is taught at an intermediate level since a basic knowledge of statistics is assumed. It is an applied unit, and, although a high level of mathematical knowledge is not needed, students taking the unit must be numerate and capable of logical thinking.

20 credits

Career Management Theory and Practice

This module is designed to incorporate critical reflection on the concepts of career and career management suitable for undergraduates in the School of Management for their own personal development and action planning as well as their future use as managers and employers within organisations.

20 credits

You can also select 20 credits of Languages for All modules. For a full list of Languages for All modules, please visit: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/languages-for-all/choose-language

Core 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

You will take four of the following modules:

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

Accounting & Accountability: Theory & Practice

In recent years accounting has been the focus of criticism from a number of quarters. Audit failure, the collapse of the western banking system, market volatility, inequality, and the unprecedented challenges to business presented by climate change compel the profession and its standard-setting authorities to address a moral accountability in the face of changing societal expectations. This course challenges the traditional precepts upon which accounting processes, external reporting and its regulation are based. It gets you to question your own accounting education and think more deeply about generally-accepted practice in a democratic, capitalist economy.

20 credits

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

Corporate Finance

The course unit covers more advanced topics in corporate finance - such as financing and investment decisions under asymmetric information - and valuation techniques for investment appraisal - such as real option pricing. Some of the fundamental assumptions underlying corporate finance such as the efficient market hypothesis are also challenged and an alternative approach to finance, behavioural finance, is reviewed. Financial operations such as mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings are also discussed. As this course unit is highly quantitative, it requires a good knowledge of the basic mathematical concepts (e.g. probability calculus and derivatives), statistics (e.g. regression analysis, normal distributions and variance analysis) and the financial concepts reviewed in MGT230.

20 credits

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Johannesburg Earth Summit, the runaway success of No Logo, the corporate scandals and subsequent questioning of the regulatory structures within capitalism, all suggest that the relationship between business, the state and civil society is being debated with greater urgency than at any time since Milton Friedman declared the business of business is business. Again we are asking 'what is the role of the firm?' Much of the dialogue and debate surrounding this issue is being conducted under the rubric of the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Citizenship. The emergence of these concepts and the implementation of strategies to emphasise and improve the socially responsible practices of companies represents a significant development in the ongoing debates surrounding the role of business in modern society. Supporters suggest we are witnessing the emergence of a new breed of 'Corporate Citizen' as companies seek greater interaction with civil society, look to adopt more ethical business strategies and engagement about their practices through the provision of greater openness and access to information.This module seeks to provide an initial introduction to the key issues and themes that are emerging within the CSR field. It examines the pressures encouraging companies to adopt more ethical business strategies, the types of practices and strategies which different companies have sought to adopt in this field, and the potential advantages that are identified for a socially responsible business.

20 credits

Applied Accounting and Financial Management: Business Simulation

This module provides students with a chance to apply the skills that they have acquired throughout their degree, through their own 'virtual company' within a simulated business environment. It aims to foster employability skills while also testing the competence of students with regards to both application of skills required by finance professionals, and also in the ability to critically reflect on performance and formulate new strategies following a period of management of an organisation.

The simulation presents students with challenges, not only in managing the company's output and finances, but also in important business areas such as human resources, handling legal issues, and sustainability.

20 credits

Emerging Markets Finance

The unit provides an understanding of the financial system and of finance and investments in emerging markets. The unit covers the essential elements of finance in emerging markets as well as institutional and policy issues affecting emerging markets. The first part of the unit looks at the main characteristics of emerging market finance in the light of economic reforms leading to financial liberalisation and market openness. The second part looks at the role of financial markets in financial globalisation and the last part will focus on reviewing recent financial crises and the lessons for future developments in emerging markets. (The financial crises covered in the module will not be restricted to the recent one only, it will also include the Latin American debt crisis 1982-89, East Asia crisis 1997-99 and Russian/Brazil debt crisis 1998).

20 credits

Taxation in Theory and Practice

The theory of taxation examines the principal concepts, which are used to analyse the impact and incidence of direct and indirect taxation on (groups of) individuals and the economy as a whole. Practical taxation requires an understanding of basic tax law and the procedures for calculating the tax liabilities of individuals and companies.

20 credits

Case Studies in Accounting and Consultancy

This module is case study based and designed to equip students with the practical research skills needed to understand many contemporary problems faced by managers and accountants in a modern economy. The course locates key accounting and finance issues within a changing organizational and societal context. Each year a company case will be chosen to reflect contemporary themes and issues in the global economy, which in the past have included the shareholder value drivers of restructuring in the pharmaceuticals sector, banking after the financial crises, the social and economic effects of private equity takeovers of retails chains and creative accounting practices at large outsourcing firms.

The course therefore concentrates on developing students' 'grounded knowledge' rather than drawing on abstract or overly prescriptive theories. It is designed to encourage students to develop their own initiative and to 'learn-through-doing', with guidance and support given on how to use the university's extensive suite of databases. From this, students should develop highly refined, marketable research skills which will provide a deeper appreciation of key business issues in the real-world.

20 credits

Financial Derivatives

Over the last thirty years, the worldwide derivatives market has grown enormously in size and importance. This growth is due in part to the long-term consequences of the now famous option pricing formula developed by Black, Scholes and Merton and published in 1973 and the increase in the volatility of many financial instruments over the last 30 years. Futures and options, which are both derivative securities, are increasingly used by many participants in financial markets. This includes bankers, fund managers, security and currency traders in the world's major financial centres, but also increasingly extends to the finance departments of public and private sector organizations. This module aims to provide an introduction to the pricing and use of some of the basic types of derivative securities. Reflecting the subject, the module is analytical in nature. All concepts are taught from first principles. The course is self-contained to a large extent and includes lectures on the underlying financial economics as well as necessary mathematics and statistics.

20 credits

You can also select Languages for All modules. For a full list of Languages for All modules, please visit: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/languages-for-all/choose-language