Master of Science in Accounting

Transcription

1 Programme Syllabus for Master of Science in Accounting 120 higher education credits Second Cycle Established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, on November 14, 2006, last revised on February 4, Graduate School School of Business, Economics and Law at University of Gothenburg Vasagatan 1, PO Box 695, SE Göteborg, Sweden ;

2 2 1. Decision and Guidelines The study programme for the Master of Science in Accounting, 120 higher education credits, hec, (equals 120 ECTS credits), was established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law on November 14, 2006 and last revised on February 4, 2015 (G 2015/98). The programme syllabus applies as from autumn term of General Objectives Second cycle education shall according to the Swedish Higher Education Act (HEA) build on knowledge that students acquire in first cycle education or corresponding knowledge (HEA, Ch. 1:9) The general objectives for a Master (120 credits) are stated in the Higher Education Ordinance. 3. Programme Specific Objectives (learning outcomes) After successfully completing the programme the student shall be able to: Knowledge and understanding demonstrate knowledge and understanding in Accounting, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in Accounting. Competence and skills demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

3 3 Judgement and approach demonstrate the ability to make assessments in Accounting informed by relevant disciplinary, social, environmental and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning. 4. Organisation All Graduate School programmes are managed by the Graduate School and governed by the Graduate School Board. Each Graduate School programme has a programme coordinator and a programme advisory committee. 5. Programme Disposition and Content Year 1 Autumn Term Spring Term Period 1+2 Period 3+4 Period 1+2 Period 3+4 GM0310 Strategic Management Accounting HRF055 Advanced Course in Commercial Law II * 15 hec GM0303 Advanced Financial Accounting 15 hec HRF030 Tax law I * 15 hec GM0314 Operational Management Accounting Auditing Track GM0309 Applied Enterprise Systems General Track GM0313 Business Intelligence Auditing Track Electives 15 hec General Track General Track

4 4 Year 2 Autumn Term Spring Term Period 1+2 Period 3+4 Period 1+2 Period 3+4 Elective Elective GM0311 Advances in Accounting Research GM0512 Research Methods GM0360 Master Degree Project in Accounting, 30 hec * Currently available to Swedish speaking students, who have studied Swedish Law (Juridisk översiktskurs, Grundkurs i Handelsrätt or equivalent course) in Sweden. Please note there are specific prerequisites to be qualified for HRF055 and HRF030. See separate course syllabi. The programme covers four academic terms of full-time study (120 hec) including three terms of courses, core and elective, 90 hec, and one term of Master Degree Project (thesis writing - 30 hec). Each term is divided into four periods, and each course is 7,5 hec, except where noted. The programme provides a basis for those who want to enter a doctoral programme. Courses Strategic Management Accounting Operational Management Accounting Advanced Financial Accounting Advances in Accounting Research Research Methods Master Degree Project Auditing Track Advanced Course in Commercial Law II Tax Law I General track Applied Enterprise Systems Business Intelligence

5 5 1 st term Strategic Management Accounting (core course, ) The course focuses on the relationship between business strategy and the design and use of management accounting systems. Strategic management accounting integrates elements of strategic and marketing management into management accounting. Here, management accounting is viewed as a generic approach to accounting for strategic positioning, which includes gathering, refining, analyzing, and presenting data that originate in the competitive environment and thus encompass both customers and competitors. Operational Management Accounting (core course, ) The course focuses on the relationship between strategic and operational management accounting. An insight in management accounting is the importance of the design and use of management accounting models that facilitate the implementation of strategy and strategic change. The course focuses on management accounting models under different strategic and operational contingencies. The course also examines the role of management accounting in value adding processes. Further, we discuss and develop an understanding for management accounting change from different perspectives. Applied Enterprise Systems (core course General track ) The course addresses the use of standardized, IT based business solutions such as Enterprise Resource Planning Systems as a strategic resource. Specific solutions are approached through a wide range of perspectives such as investment, implementation and integration. The course includes exercises and assignments that involve the use of several state of the art IT solutions. Business Intelligence (core course General track ) The course covers IT based solutions for strategic and operational management accounting. Specifically, the course focuses on the design and use of IT solutions for planning, decision making and control from a management accounting perspective. The course includes exercises and assignments that involve the use of several state of the art IT solutions. Advanced Course in Commercial Law II (core course Auditing track 15 hec) This course is only offered in Swedish. The course aims to give the students an in depth knowledge of contract law, the use of different types of agents, contract writing and contract interpretation, in particular in the light of the extensive use of standard contracts. The course aims to give: 1. an in depth knowledge of the sales contract of movable and immovable property and other types of agreements, such as service, rental and leasing contracts. 2. an in depth knowledge of company law with a special emphasis on limited liability companies, non-trading partnerships and partnership/limited partnership as well as

6 combinations of the same 3. an in depth knowledge of the rules regarding the various forms of credit securities 4. knowledge of voluntary and coercive measures in connecting with payment difficulties and insolvency such as chords, corporate restructuring, liquidation and bankruptcy. 5. knowledge of criminal law relating to property offences with particular emphasis on crimes against creditors. 6. a basic understanding of how regulatory frameworks are used in practice within the company. 6 2 nd term Advanced Financial Accounting (core course 15 hec) The course covers regulatory issues in accounting, as well as specific accounting issues. Within accounting issues the focus is on advanced and currently debated issues such as financial instruments, pensions, provisions, leasing, etc. Issues for both listed and unlisted companies are discussed. In addition, the issues are contextualized through a discussion of how they affect different parties in the financial accounting setting. This is partly done by relating the issues to accounting theory and research. There is also a section on fundamental issues in auditing, such as the role of independence, judgment and integrity. These issues are discussed in terms of auditing practice. Tax Law I (core course Auditing track 15 hec) This course is only offered in Swedish. The course focuses on income taxation. The three categories of income are; 1. Business income, 2. Employment income, and 3. Capital income. Special emphasis is on business income and its relation to the laws relating to accounting. An exposition is given of the regulations relating to the valuation of assets and liabilities according to the current taxation regulations. Within the framework of the course an overview of social legislation and legislation relating to value added tax (VAT) is provided. The course also describes the regulations relating to tax law suits and, in connection with this, the fiscal sanctioning system. 3 rd term Advances in Accounting Research (core course ) The course links existing accounting research with issues in accounting practice. Research Methods (core course ) The course will link scientific method to the Master Degree Project performed by the students.

7 7 4 th term Master Degree Project (Master thesis) 30 hec The fourth term is devoted to full time Master Degree Project writing under the supervision of a faculty member. Elective courses The Graduate School offers a number of electives within economics, business administration, law, economic history and economic geography. The elective courses offered may vary yearly depending upon faculty changes and number of registered students. Students are able to tailor their education to specific needs which means that they can acquire different profiles within the programme. The course Financial Statement Analysis,, is an example of an elective within the Accounting field. Study Abroad Possibility to study at one of our international partner universities is assessed individually based on: Prior study results at Graduate School. English language proficiency based on the VOC/MCT-test results. Correspondence between available exchange courses, the purpose of the exchange and the programme specific objectives (learning outcomes see Paragraph 3). 6. Tuition and Examination The language of instruction is English. Courses will include lectures, seminars and case studies. The students will also work together in small groups, according to educational principles such as problem-based learning, experiential learning and action learning. Group reports, individual term papers and individually written exams will be assessed and graded individually. Except where noted, each course is graded Pass with Distinction (väl godkänd, VG), Pass (godkänd, G) or Fail (underkänd, U). The Graduate School is obliged to offer an exam at least five times during the course of each two year period. Students who have made five unsuccessful attempts to pass an exam have lost the possibility of obtaining the Master of Science Degree. 7. Entrance Requirements General Entrance Requirements To meet the entry requirements for master's level (second cycle or graduate) studies,

8 8 students must: have been awarded a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university be able to demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to English studies at upper secondary school (high school) in Sweden, called English 6/English Course B. For more information about General Entrance Requirements see (English) and (Swedish). Programme Specific Entrance Requirements Master of Science in Accounting The applicant s university education must include Business Administration as a major subject (a minimum of 90 hec), with a specialization in Accounting. Business Administration related subjects may be included in the requirement. In addition the education must include a minimum of 15 hec in Statistics, or in Statistics and 7.5 hec in quantitative methods and/or Mathematics. The admission requirements listed above apply for admission to the programme. For continued studies within the programme individual courses might have specific requirements, as provided in each course syllabus. 8. Degree Certificate and Degree Title Upon completion (receiving a minimum grade of Pass) of all the courses and the Master Degree Project, and fulfilment of the requirements given above, students will receive a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Accounting. 9. Programme Evaluation All courses in the programme will be anonymously evaluated by the students upon completion. The results of the evaluations will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the courses and of the programme.