School of Business and Law. Programme Specification for the University of Gloucestershire. Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting

Transcription

1 School of Business and Law Programme Specification for the University of Gloucestershire Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting 1

2 Section Content Page Number 1 Framework of the BSc 3 2 Programme Structure 4 3 Teaching and Learning Methods 4 4 Assessment Strategy 4 5 Main educational aims of the programme 4 6 Programme outcomes 5 7 Mapping of Learning Outcomes with Modules 7 8 Module Descriptors 9 2

3 1. Framework of the BSc Accounting Degree MODULE CODES AND TITLES CATS POINTS SEMESTER ONE LEVEL FOUR ACT401 Business Environment and Quantitative Analysis 15 ACT402 Financial Accounting 30 ACT403 Business Law and Company Law 15 SEMESTER TWO LEVEL FOUR ACT404 Business Management and Marketing 30 ACT405 Financial Information Systems 15 ACT406 Business English and Research Skills 15 SEMESTER THREE LEVEL FIVE ACT501 Financial Management 30 ACT506 Auditing and Taxation 15 ACT503 Advanced Taxation 15 SEMESTER FOUR LEVEL FIVE ACT504 Management Accounting 15 ACT505 Financial Reporting 30 ACT502 Advanced Auditing 15 SEMESTER FIVE LEVEL SIX ACT601 Advanced Academic Skills 15 ACT602 Corporate Governance and Accountability 15 ACT603 Management Information 15 ACT604 Corporate Financial Reporting 30 SEMESTER SIX LEVEL SIX ACT605 Strategic Financial Management 15 ACT606 Strategic Management Accounting 15 ACT607 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Research 15 3

4 2. Programme Structure Level 4 introduces the students to basic principles and the technical language associated with management and financial accounting in the UK based upon international standards. The Business Management and Marketing develops knowledge and understanding of the business environment and the role of the accountant in effective management. Level 5 advances students knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework under which business operates and their understanding of the disciplines associated with contemporary accounting. Knowledge and skills are developed on the tax and audit systems. Level 6 Corporate Financial Reporting further develops knowledge gained at levels 4 and 5 in particular the focus is upon the preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements, the measurement of income and capital, the critical analysis of financial statements and related reports. Strategic Financial Management aims to develop the knowledge and skills required to be a financial manager, particularly in respect of issues affecting investment, financing and dividend policy decisions. 3. Teaching and Learning Methods The aim and objectives of your programme will be achieved in a variety of ways through the application of a range of teaching and learning methods across all modules. The principal methods can be lectures, seminars, consultations, coursework, case studies and guest speakers. 4. Assessment Strategy Both the coursework and examination elements are summative with the former testing students on the subject in the context of broader personal and transferable skills whilst the examination tests students on the practical application the subject. The weighting reflects the minimum weighting required by professional bodies for exemption purposes and also the importance the team puts on employability. The strategy also takes into consideration the principle that the purpose of assessment is to measure students learning, skills, and understanding; and to recognise and enhance their achievements within each module. The assessment methods chosen are considered to be appropriate to assess both individuals as well as the learning outcomes of each module. The coursework element in every module provides an opportunity to use innovative assessment techniques and to develop communication and interpersonal skills alongside the technical skills. It is also a means of monitoring students progress during the programme and highlighting any problem areas at an early stage. The importance of soft skills is emphasised by the design of the coursework element. The coursework elements will cover the full range of soft skills so that all students will be assessed in these skills. Methods adopted include case studies, scenarios, group reports, group presentations and individual reflective reports. 5. Main educational aims of the programme The overall aim is to provide students with an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating study of the subjects and disciplines associated with accounting and business. 4

5 In addition to this primary aim the programme seeks to: Provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and techniques appropriate to the practice of accounting within a regulatory, business, economic, legal and social environment. (B) Enable students to acquire knowledge of contemporary accounting theories; relate this knowledge to practical accounting and finance problems, demonstrating how they are affected by individuals, organisations, markets, societies and other disciplines. (B) Promote an appreciation of professional ethical standards and conduct. Cultivate in students an understanding of the natures and skills of logical reasoning and develop a capacity for creative thinking and effective communication. Enable the student to critically evaluate new ideas and assess technical developments in accounting and finance. Encourage an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and decision making. Use information technology as appropriate for accounting applications. (B) Gain exemptions from examinations of professional accountancy bodies. 6. Programme outcomes the programme provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes: 6 a) Knowledge and Understanding of: A1 The concepts, theories and practice of accounting within a broad economic, legal, social and professional environment (QAA) A2 The principles of auditing, finance, taxation, business and information systems and their implications for individuals, organisations, markets, societies and other disciplines (QAA) A3 The recording, preparation, presentation and analysis of financial information and alternative recognition rules and valuation bases (QAA) A4 Ethical issues including professional and corporate governance issues (QAA) 6 b) Intellectual Qualities of: B1 Innovative thinking, critical evaluation and synthesis of arguments and evidence (QAA) (FHEQ) B2 Identifying, analysing and drawing reasoned conclusions by exercising appropriate judgement to structured and unstructured problems and data (QAA) (FHEQ) B3 Locating, extracting and analysing data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources (QAA) (FHEQ) 6 c) Professional/Practical Skills - ability to: C1 Employ IT in solving accounting and business problems (QAA) (FHEQ) C2 Relate knowledge of accounting theories to practical accounting problems and formulate solutions to a range of problems using modern methods of accounting (QAA) C3 Record and summarise financial transactions and perform financial analyses and projections (QAA) 6 d) Transferable Skills - ability to: D1 Communicate and present qualitative and quantitative accounting information, in a form appropriate to the intended audience (QAA) (FHEQ) 5

6 D2 Use information technology and numerical skills, including the use of spreadsheets, databases, word-processing and accounting packages to manipulate data (FHEQ) D3 Develop independent and self managed learning and the ability to work as part of a group (QAA) (FHEQ) D4 Apply personal, organisation, problem solving, decision making, interpersonal and resource management skills to a variety of contexts (QAA) (FHEQ) D5 Appreciate the importance of continuing professional development in support of lifelong learning (QAA) (FHEQ) 6

7 Mapping of Learning Outcomes with Modules Module A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 Business Management and Marketing Financial Accounting / Financial Reporting / Corporate Financial Reporting Financial Information Systems / Management Information Business Environment and Quantitative Analysis / Management Accounting / Strategic Management Accounting Corporate Governance and Accountability Financial Management / Strategic Financial Management Auditing / Advanced Auditing Taxation / Advanced Taxation Business English and Research Skills / Advanced Academic Skills / Contemporary Issues in Accounting Research TDA TDA TDA T T TA TDA TDA TA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA T TDA TDA TDA TD TDA TDA TDA TD TDA TDA TDA D D TDA D TDA TDA TDA T T TA TDA TDA TA TDA TDA TDA D TDA D TDA TDA TDA TD TDA TDA TDA TD TDA TDA TDA TDA D TDA D TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA D TDA TDA TDA TDA D TDA D TDA TDA TDA D TDA TDA TDA D TDA TDA TDA TDA D TDA D TDA D TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA D TDA TD TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA TDA D D TDA D DA DA DA TDA TDA TDA TDA DA TDA DA TDA DA DA TDA DA 7

8 T = Taught D = Developed A = Assessed 8

9 MODULE DESCRIPTORS Module Name ACT401 BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS This module equips students with the economic and costing techniques necessary to (a) Understand the issues involved in the allocation of scarce resources for individual economic agents and the economy as a whole (b) Conduct economic analysis of the behaviour of firms and markets; understand the macroeconomic issues and analyse the economic policy making of a government (c) Familiarise themselves with costing systems and methods and understand the role and value of quantitative methods in decision making (d) Develop and apply costing methods for the solution of business problems and apply these problem solving skills using cost accounting methods 9

10 ACT403 Business Law and Company Law This module develops the legal knowledge required by accountants and the objectives of this module are to develop a critical understanding of the way in which the law acts as a framework for the management of business organisations and imposes particular duties on managers. 10

11 ACT404 Business Management and Marketing This module introduces students to important features of the external environment within which all organisations have to operate. It examines those elements of the environment which impinge upon the organisation's ability to achieve its mission and satisfy its objectives. This module will select and examine the more important economic, legal, political, social and marketing constraints posing both opportunities and threats to the organisation, and place them in the context of a constantly changing environment. 11

12 ACT402 Financial Accounting This module is designed to introduce students to the preparation and interpretation of financial statements and annual accounts for a variety of organisations: both private sector and not-for-profit, and both limited companies and sole traders. It is suitable for students who wish to pursue accounting as a special interest and for those who wish to gain a wider understanding of financial statements in the context of a broader range of studies. 12

13 ACT405 Financial Information Systems The module develops an understanding of basic accounting practice and financial systems. Students will prepare and appraise financial reports using appropriate software. Financial systems as tools of management decision making will be evaluated. 13

14 ACT406 Business English and Research Skills The aim of this module is to enable students to improve and develop their English language proficiency within a framework of business and academic contexts appropriate for the demands of undergraduate study 14

15 ACT406 Auditing and Taxation This module is divided into two parts and is designed to first introduce students to the nature, purpose, scope and social role of audit and review. It will further develop an understanding of basic accounting practice and financial systems, and of the importance of financial systems as tools of management decision making, and as basis for the production of the financial statements. The second part examines the theoretical background of the UK taxation system and provides students with a practical introduction to the major direct taxes. 15

16 ACT505 Financial Reporting This module develops the understanding of financial accounting introduced at level 4 and aims to provide a framework within which the concepts, conventions and accounting standards can be evaluated. 16

17 ACT501 Financial Management This module will prepare students to critically financial management and its use for appraising corporate performance through developing an understanding of financial management techniques and the contribution they make to the achievement of an organisation s core objectives 17

18 ACT503 Advanced Taxation This module builds on Audit and Taxation at Level 4 and further develops students' understanding of the UK tax system and its application to individuals, single companies and groups of companies. 18

19 ACT504 Management Accounting This module develops students' understanding of the role of management accounting in monitoring, controlling and planning an organisation's activities. It covers decision making techniques from operational, tactical and strategic perspectives and places the continuing development of management accounting techniques in the context of wider organisational change. 19

20 ACT502 Advanced Auditing This module will further develop students' understanding of the nature, purpose, scope and regulatory environment and the statutory audit and other assurance type engagements. 20

21 ACT601 Advanced Academic Skills The module complements the coursework and assignments undertaken by students in their professional and academic studies which will be used as models for analysis and critical evaluation. The module is primarily concerned with the advanced intellectual skills of understanding, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. 21

22 ACT602 Corporate Governance and Accountability The module examines issues relating to business ethics and corporate governance the relationship between those involved in the management of organisations and external stakeholders. Alternative perspectives will be critically examined. Corporate governance is concerned with the structures created by government and other regulatory bodies around the world to address some of the issues raised by an investigation of business ethics. In particular, the function and role of the board will be examined together with the type of relationships with different stakeholders 22

23 ACT603 Management Information Students are provided with a working knowledge of management science applications and management information systems development for implementation in business. Students will be able to apply appropriate mathematical, statistical and systems modelling techniques to business problems but also be aware of their limitations. 23

24 ACT606 Strategic Management Accounting This module aims to support the student's development of his/her ability to select and apply relevant financial techniques in supporting the management of a business or non-business organisation, and to interpret and explain the results. It aims to facilitate the acquisition by students of a balance of skills and knowledge including skills in applying quantitative techniques; the ability to interpret and explain the results of these calculations; the ability to critically evaluate the techniques; and a recognition that management accounting, like other areas of management, is context-dependent, and has to be put into the context of the particular organisation and its own strategy, culture and management style. 24

25 ACT604 Corporate Financial Reporting The module provides an advanced level course into the nature and importance of the external financial reporting environment facing large corporations and the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards on the financial reporting environment. The course looks at historical perspectives on the development of, and justification for, accounting regulation, and explores the development of conceptual frameworks for financial reporting. Using the published accounts of listed companies the module examines a range of technical issues relating to the preparation of consolidated accounts and their component elements and explores the underlying requirements of the key international financial reporting standards for the elements selected for examination, including alternative approaches to revenue recognition and capital maintenance. The module also considers how good corporate governance provisions are demonstrated in the accounts, including the impact of the City Code, and the contribution that internal and external audit makes to the overall audit and assurance framework, and also the social and professional aspects of ethical behavior as they apply to accountants. Finally the module will consider current developments in international financial reporting including variations in different international jurisdictions and moves towards harmonization of international standards. 25

26 ACT605 Strategic Financial Management This module supports the student's study of the relationship between financial markets and companies, in particular the principle of shareholder value maximisation, and the implications of this for internal management of companies and business units. It aims to facilitate the acquisition by students of a balance of skills and knowledge including skills in applying quantitative techniques; the ability to interpret and explain the results of these calculations; the ability to critically evaluate the techniques; and the capacity to relate these to the external contexts in which companies operate and in particular the influence of capital markets on corporate behaviour. 26

27 ACT607 Contemporary Issues in Accounting Research This module provides students with the opportunity to study a self-managed, analytical piece of work where they will conduct a literature-based academic investigation on current issues and controversies within an accounting or financial management related context 27