Programme Specification Title: Accountancy and Finance Final Award: Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) With Exit Awards at: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) To be delivered from: Level Date Level 1 or Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) 2014-15 Level 2 or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) 2015-16 Level 3 or Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) 2016-17 Page 1/24
Table Of Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. Basic Programme Data... 4 3. Programme Description... 5 3.1 Overview... 5 3.2 Aims and Objectives... 5 3.3 Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance... 6 4. Programme Outcomes... 7 4.1 Knowledge and Understanding... 7 4.2 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills... 7 4.3 Subject Specific Practical Skills... 7 4.4 Transferable Skills and Attributes... 7 5. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies... 9 5.1. Learning and Teaching Strategy... 9 5.2. Assessment Strategy... 9 6. Programme Structure... 11 Appendix I - Curriculum Map... 12 Appendix II - Assessment Map... 15 Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis... 20 Appendix IV - Benchmark Statements(s)... 23 Page 2/24
1. Introduction This document describes one of the University of Lincoln's programmes using the protocols required by the UK National Qualifications Framework as defined in the publication QAA guidelines for preparing programme specifications. This programme operates under the policy and regulatory frameworks of the University of Lincoln. Page 3/24
2. Basic Programme Data Final Award: Programme Title: Exit Awards and Titles Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) Accountancy and Finance Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) Subject(s) Accountancy Finance Mode(s) of delivery Full Time Part Time Is there a Placement or Exchange? UCAS code Awarding Body Campus(es) School(s) Programme Leader Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation Yes N400 University of Lincoln Lincoln Campus Programme Start Date 2014-15 Lincoln Business School Jane Nellist (jnellist) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Page 4/24
3. Programme Description 3.1 Overview 3.2 Aims and Objectives Educational aims of the programme: The BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance aims to provide students with A vocationally relevant and academically rigorous education in a programme which also secures a level of professional exemptions from leading UK institutes The facility to develop their intellectual abilities The ability for them to reflect critically on their condition, both as private individuals and as members of society BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance is distinctive in that accountancy has a long academic pedigree, it is a major employer of UK graduates and as an educational programme it embraces both technical skills and social science theories and traditions. When considering the basic needs of an accountant and the outcomes identified for the programme, it was agreed they would best be met by including financial accounting, management accounting and financial management in both the Intermediate Level and the Higher Level. To complement these modules it was decided, to include Contemporary Issues for Business as the fourth module at the Intermediate Level as this would expose the students to the organisational and economic environment in the wider context. The first semester of this module focuses on the global business environment and the second focuses on domestic contemporary issues. This module is a progression from the Contemporary Business Analysis in the first year of the programme. With respect to developmental and employability issues, discussions with and questionnaire responses from current students indicated a perceived lack of presentation and employability skills on the original programme. In order to address this issue it was decided to include a module in the first year which will run as an adjunct to other units, the assessment for which will be tied to the core unit Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management. This module introduces and develops business-related skills providing vital underpinning for other modules on the Award and promoting life-long learning skills to maximise the potential of students in and beyond academia. Workshops to support employability will be run in addition to the main curriculum, at Intermediate Level QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: The BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance responds to the United Kingdom 2007 QAA benchmark statement for the subject of Accounting, QAA 167 02/07. Reference has not been made to the separate QAA Finance benchmark statement 2007, QAA 163 02/06, as the benchmark statement for the subject of Accountancy recognises that degree programmes in the subject area of accounting usually have titles such as accounting and finance. This subject benchmark also covers accounting programmes which include a significant proportion of finance. Internal contexts: The BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance has been written in response to a number of changes to the internal context within which the programme will be delivered, i.e. The decision of the University s Academic Board retain the current 120 CATS points per level of Page 5/24
study for undergraduate degrees, but to change the size of the modules that constitute a degree from 12/24 CATS points to 15/30 CATS points. The result of this change is that full-time students will usually study four modules in any one semester. The complete programme will consist of 360 CATS points involving a minimum of three years of full-time study The expectation that the new structure will enable a greater focus and depth of study The wish to link teaching more closely with the Business School s increased emphasis on research The changes to the academic year approved by Academic Board in 2007 The changes to the reporting structure within the Lincoln Business School The strategy of the Business School to place greater emphasis on enterprise and work experience Whilst studying on the programme students are encouraged to seek work experience in the summer period at the end of the second year. Links have been established with local accountancy practices where their representatives visit the University specifically to talk to the accountancy and finance students, with a view to offering this valuable work experience opportunity. Many students also undertake summer placements in accountancy practices closer to home. This work experience can often be a stepping stone into employment after the programme is completed. Representatives from the professional accountancy bodies also visit the University regularly to talk to students about the variety of career paths available and to explain the transition from academic to professional study. An Accounting Society, run by the students, has operated in the past and it is hoped this will continue in the future. External contexts: The Lincoln Business School has adopted the strategy of being a provider of a high quality student experience, based in a Cathedral city environment, which is currently unique in the competitor set. This places quality of teaching and learning and the student experience at the heart of the mission. Students will increasingly wish to deal with real business decisions which have a relevance to employers and employment and the programme is designed to provide an environment within which students will: Receive the input, feedback and support they need to enhance their academic learning Be given opportunities to develop practical employability skills including, where appropriate, opportunities for relevant and manageable work experience input In these ways it aims to ensure that students completing the programme will be more employable and have a deeper comprehension of the changing and dynamic nature of accountancy and the environment in which it operates. Further, the BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance is informed by developments within accounting both as an area of professional knowledge and as an academic subject. Graduates with the degree of BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance are, subject to achieving the required grades, eligible to apply for exemptions from the professional examinations from four major UK accountancy bodies (CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA and ICAEW). Compatibility with CATS gives the academic and geographical flexibility for participants who move to/from another part of the country or from other programmes of study 3.3 Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance None Page 6/24
4. Programme Outcomes Programme-level learning outcomes are identified below. Refer to Appendix I Curriculum Map for details of how outcomes are deployed across the programme. 4.1 Knowledge and Understanding On successful completion of this programme a student will have knowledge and understanding of: 1 Demonstrate an informed understanding of the various environments within which accountants work 2 Analyse, construct and critically evaluate a variety of internal and published financial statements 3 Critically evaluate the congruence of models of financing, financial communication, accountability and governance in the private and public sectors 4 Demonstrate detailed knowledge, together with the ability to apply this, of the paradigmatic models of Modern Finance Theory 5 Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of resources within an organisation 6 Demonstrate an understanding of the principal concepts, frameworks and techniques of developing management and financial strategy 4.2 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 7 Utilise statistics and arithmetical logic to analyse and interpret practical problems and to support decision-making 8 Conceptualise and apply models to support contemporary theories in the field of accountancy and finance (for example, in accounting and the capital markets, accounting and society, accounting and the public sector and accounting and the firm, international trade) 9 Exhibit an informed understanding of a proportion of UK GAAP and International GAAP 10 Critically analyse the relevance of financial and management accountancy techniques to decision-making, using procedures that are focused on both the internal and external environment 4.3 Subject Specific Practical Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 11 Demonstrate familiarity, facility and a high degree of competence in the preparation of a variety of financial statements 12 Understand and use the language of accountancy and finance Page 7/24
4.4 Transferable Skills and Attributes On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 13 Undertake research using appropriate qualitative and quantitative tools to evaluate options and to construct and justify arguments and proposals 14 Synthesise ideas from a range of contexts and present this information in a clear and coherent way 15 Reflect on their own learning and management styles and understand the importance of setting and pursuing personal learning and development goals 16 Present one s work in a variety of ways to include for example, oral and written presentations, group and individual outputs, written reports 17 Deploy skills in critical thinking and analysis and draw reasoned conclusions from a given, or individually researched, set of data. For details of each module contributing to the programme, please consult the module specification document. Page 8/24
5. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies 5.1. Learning and Teaching Strategy The teaching and learning strategy adopted within the BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance is framed within the extant strategy of the Faculty of Business and Law. This is a subset of the University s published Learning and Teaching Strategy and is designed to harmonise with the Faculty s Strategic Plan, the University s Widening Participation Strategy, Human Resources Strategy and the University s Corporate Plan. The key faculty strategic objectives driving the Teaching and Learning Strategy are to: Provide all students with a high quality and relevant teaching and learning environment Constantly seek to review the quality of the teaching and learning processes Deliver an ongoing improvement in student achievements and value added indicators Achieve and sustain a reduction in student non-completion Deliver an ongoing increase in graduate employment Attain high ratings from professional bodies and external agencies Deliver and sustain an improvement in the reputation and external positioning of the faculty A proportion of the contact time will be spent in didactic teaching situations with the lectures mainly used to introduce concepts and techniques. The seminars will include both discussions of theoretical issues and practical workshops that consolidate the understanding and application of accountancy techniques. Throughout the course, students are sensitised to issues of codes of professional conduct and ethical behaviour. The BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance accords with the QAA Accounting benchmark statement 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 with respect to; Providing a balance between the theory and applied aspects of the subject of Accounting Reflecting current research and debate Offering summative and formative modes of assessment (see para 4.2 below) Providing a variety of assessment (see para 4.2 below) The BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance also includes provision to engage students with more vocationally relevant skills contained within specialist units, for example, financial accountancy units, management accountancy units, auditing and taxation. The class contact resource per module is the equivalent of a one hour lecture and one hour seminar per week per student, Module teams may use this resource however they think fit in relation to the demands of their particular module. There are 12 teaching weeks per semester plus, 2 weeks for assessment at the end of semester A, and 3 weeks to include examinations at the end of semester B. Each module carries a notional learning time of 10 hours. 5.2. Assessment Strategy The Faculty believes that as wide a range of assessment strategies as possible should be used both to facilitate the testing of a wide range of learning outcomes and to reflect the student s varying learning styles. It also believes that the students benefit from the opportunity to undertake more, and earlier, formative assessment, especially in their first year studies. Overall, the objective of the Faculty s assessment strategy is to ensure that intended learning outcomes of the programme are, where desirable, tested appropriately through the assessment process. However, the Faculty also strongly believes in a progressive model of learning in which Page 9/24
formal assessment is not the only vehicle for measuring success. Not all skills and capabilities can be assessed in the conventional sense. Students are expected to move in a continuous process from a dependent learning state to one of independence. At the end of the degree programme, it is expected that students will be much more autonomous and reflexive individuals equipped with a set of skills which will enable them to operate successfully in society and the world of work. Within the BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance, staff have wished to assess their students in creative and equitable ways which addressed the range of programme and module outcomes. Additionally, there has been a need to meet the requirements of the professional accountancy bodies. The programme has mainly followed a pattern of 70% summative assessment by unseen examination and 30% formative coursework assessment. As the professional bodies still conduct their assessment predominantly by means of unseen examination staff believe that, by doing this, they prepare students for their later professional life. Further, the work produced by students in examinations is unequivocally their own. Assignments are used to allow students to manage their own time, develop their research and analytical skills, and explore subjects in greater depth. They take a range of forms including essays, reports, and oral presentations prepared individually and in groups. The details of the assessments, i.e. examinations, reports, presentations etc. together with the weightings for each component, are included in the individual unit descriptors. Page 10/24
6. Programme Structure The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is 120. The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is 240. The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) is 360. Level 1 Title Credit Rating Core / Optional Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 30 Core Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 15 Core Principles of Marketing 2014-15 15 Core Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 30 Core Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 15 Core 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 15 Core Level 2 Title Credit Rating Core / Optional Financial Accountancy 2015-16 30 Core Management Accountancy 2015-16 30 Core Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 30 Core Financial Management 2015-16 30 Core Level 3 Title Credit Rating Core / Optional Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 30 Core Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 30 Core Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 30 Core Auditing 2016-17 30 Optional Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 30 Optional The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 30 Optional Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 30 Optional Public Sector Finance 2016-17 30 Optional Strategic Management 2016-17 30 Optional Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 30 Optional The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 Optional Page 11/24
Appendix I - Curriculum Map This table indicates which modules assume responsibility for delivering and ordering particular programme learning outcomes. Key: Delivered and Assessed Delivered Assessed Level 1 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 Level 2 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12 Page 12/24
Financial Management 2015-16 Management Accountancy 2015-16 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 Financial Management 2015-16 Management Accountancy 2015-16 PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 Level 3 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 Strategic Management 2016-17 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12 PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 Page 13/24
Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 Strategic Management 2016-17 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 Page 14/24
Appendix II - Assessment Map This table indicates the spread of assessment activity across the programme. Percentages indicate assessment weighting. Level 1 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 12.5 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 66 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 12.5 25 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving 100 Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 34 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 50 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 40 60 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 100 Page 15/24
Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 50 50 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Analysis of Business Data 2014-15 Contemporary Business Analysis 2014-15 Introduction to Accountancy and Finance 2014-15 Introduction to Business Law 2014-15 Organisational Behaviour 1: Evolving Perspectives of Management 2014-15 Principles of Marketing 2014-15 49 50 51 52 EP Level 2 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 Financial Management 2015-16 Management Accountancy 2015-16 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Page 16/24
Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 50 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 30 Financial Management 2015-16 30 Management Accountancy 2015-16 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 50 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 70 Financial Management 2015-16 70 Management Accountancy 2015-16 70 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 Financial Management 2015-16 Management Accountancy 2015-16 Contemporary Issues for Business 2015-16 Financial Accountancy 2015-16 Financial Management 2015-16 Management Accountancy 2015-16 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 EP Level 3 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Page 17/24
Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 10 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 Strategic Management 2016-17 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 70 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 30 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 30 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 30 Advanced Management Accountancy 30 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 30 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 100 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 30 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 30 5 5 Strategic Management 2016-17 50 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 10 20 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 70 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 70 Advanced Management Accountancy 70 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 70 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 60 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 60 Strategic Management 2016-17 50 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 Page 18/24
The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 70 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 100 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 Strategic Management 2016-17 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 Advanced Financial Accountancy 2016-17 Advanced Financial Management 2016-17 Advanced Management Accountancy 2016-17 Auditing 2016-17 Dissertation (Business) 2016-17 Personal Financial Planning 2016-17 Public Sector Finance 2016-17 Strategic Management 2016-17 Tax and Financial Planning 2016-17 The Internet and E-Commerce 2016-17 The Professional Practice Year 2016-17 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 EP Page 19/24
Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis This table maps programme learning outcomes to relevant QAA subject benchmark statements or PSRB guidelines. Knowledge and Understanding PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 Acct01 Acct02 Acct03 Acct04 Acct05 Acct06 Acct07 Acct08 Acct09 Acct10 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 Acct01 Acct02 Acct03 Acct04 Acct05 Acct06 Acct07 Acct08 Acct09 Acct10 Page 20/24
PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 Subject Specific Practical Skills PO11 PO12 PO11 PO12 Acct01 Acct02 Acct03 Acct04 Acct05 Acct06 Acct07 Acct08 Acct09 Acct10 Transferable Skills and Attributes PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 Acct01 Acct02 Acct03 Acct04 Acct05 Acct06 Acct07 Acct08 Acct09 Acct10 Page 21/24
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Appendix IV: Benchmark Benchmark Statement(s) Page 23/24
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) University of Lincoln Programme Specification - Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons)) Accountancy and Finance Acct01 - Knowledge and understanding - basic knowledge and understanding is characterised by knowledge of a topic in outline, together with an understanding that demonstrates some limited ability to make comparisons and critical evaluations... Acct02 - Cognitive abilities and skills - basic levels of attainment are characterised by achieving a minimum level of proficiency in the ability or skill... Acct03 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of some of the contexts in which accounting operates. Acct04 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge, understanding and an ability to use the current technical language to describe practices of accounting and an ability to apply them in simple structured situations from given data generated for the purpose. Acct05 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of some alternative technical language and practices and, where relevant within the context of a particular degree programme, an ability to apply them in simple structured situations from given data... Acct06 - With reasonable accuracy, be able to record and summarise straightforward transactions and other economic events and prepare financial statements complying in outline with relevant regulatory requirements; will be able to analyse the operations of a... Acct07 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of theories and empirical evidence concerning the effects of accounting in at least one of its contexts. Acct08 - Where the programme has a substantial finance content, demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of theories and empirical evidence concerning financial management, risk and the operation of capital markets. Acct09 - Demonstrate possession of the required cognitive abilities and non-subject specific skills to a basic level of achievement. Acct10 - Typical graduates can distinguish themselves from threshold graduates by displaying a more thorough knowledge and understanding and enhanced technical abilities... Page 24/24