Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ECON1041: BUSINESS ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Economics and Finance)

ECON1041: BUSINESS ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop an understanding of the purpose and production of a wide range of financial reports, through study of the fundamentals of financial accounting and management accounting.
  • To provide an introduction to financial management and sources of finance, thereby laying foundations for further study in the area.
  • To promote development of a set of key skills.

Content

  • The nature and role of accounting information, including its limitations
  • The spectrum of users' information needs
  • Presentation and interpretation of financial accounts
  • Generation and interpretation of information for internal use within the organisation, for the purposes of cost control, budgeting and decision-making.
  • The structure of the firm and the role of the financial manager
  • Sources of funds, management of working capital and introductory investment appraisal.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should
  • Be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the role of accounting information, including its limitations
  • Have an understanding of fundamental accounting principles
  • Have an appreciation of the uses and value of accounting and financial information to the managers of an organisation.
  • Have an appreciation of financial management and of the range of sources of finance available
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should
  • Be able to apply fundamental accounting principles and interpret simple financial statements
  • Be able to prepare and interpret a range of reports of use to financial managers of an organisation
Key Skills:
  • Written communication and numeracy: through the examination.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes, and private study. Formative assessment is by means of multiple-choice tests and groupwork in seminars. Summative assessment is by means of a written examination to test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 41 2 per week in terms 1&2, plus 3 revision lectures 1 hour 41
Seminars 8 4 per term in terms 1&2 1 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 151
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
One written examination 2 hours 15 minutes 100%

Formative Assessment:

Multiple choice tests, groupwork in seminars.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University