Module BUSS3051: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CORPORATE REPORTING

Department: Business School (Business) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS3051: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CORPORATE REPORTING

Prerequisites

• Financial Accounting (ECOS1211) OR Corporate Financial Reporting (BUSS2071)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module builds on the relevant core module by:
• developing students' appreciation of the key principles of financial accounting and the associated frameworks;
• developing students' appreciation of the limitations of financial accounting and of the possible extensions to the accounting framework;
• developing knowledge about advanced accounting skills and concepts;
• exploring the international environment in which business operates;
• exploring contemporary issues in financial accounting.

Content

• The conceptual framework in financial accounting.
• Accounting standards setting and enforcement.
• Limitations of financial reporting and possible developments to overcome these including narrative disclosure.
• Advanced accounting technical skills and concepts, especially focussing on emerging key technical or conceptual accounting issues.
• International accounting differences and accounting harmonisation.
• Financial reporting and information technology.
• Ethics and accounting.
• Environmental and social reporting and accounting.
• Other contemporary issues in financial accounting, including corporate governance, international auditing and other emerging topics.

Learning Outcomes

• Have developed a critical appreciation of the key principles and concepts and limitations underpinning financial accounting.
• Have developed a deep understanding of the current professional and academic debates affecting financial reporting.
• Have explored and have an appreciation of recent academic literature in the field of contemporary issues in financial accounting.

• Have the ability to critically evaluate the uses and limitations of financial accounting.
• Understand the current international accounting development agenda.
• Be able to apply a range of advanced financial reporting interpretation to corporate reporting.

• Have demonstrated the ability to undertake, with appropriate guidance, independent investigation of defined topics in the field of financial accounting and to report the findings effectively.
• Have developed the following key skills: written and interpersonal communication; planning and organising; problem solving; numeracy; and computer literacy.

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 seminars, and private study.
• Formative assessment is by means of a written assignment which is either a critique of a draft professional report which analyses the quality of the narrative disclosure of a FTSE listed company, or a professional report analysing the quality of the narrative disclosure or presentation of performance information of a FTSE listed company. The formative assessment seeks to ensure that the development of the higher critical analysis and academic writing skills required in the assignment and dissertation are actioned by students before Christmas, and can be supported by feedback. This reflects the teaching order whereby the initial seminars which support the critical appraisal of narrative reports are timetabled in term one, and the formative assessment then leads directly on from this class contact.
• Summative assessment is by means of a written examination and a written assignment which takes the form of a professional report which critically evaluates the narrative disclosure or presentation of performance information of a FTSE listed company.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One written assignment (1500 words).

■ 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