Module ACCT41720: Accounting, Finance and Economics (Online)

Department: Accounting

ACCT41720: Accounting, Finance and Economics (Online)

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Accounting, Finance and Economics (Taught) ACCT41820

Aims

• To develop students’ understanding of the external economic and financial context in which organisations operate and of the financial management of organisations.
• To enable students to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of those elements of economic analysis that are relevant for managing in the global economy.
• To develop skills in the application of economic analysis in business decision making and planning.
• To develop a critical understanding of key economic aspects of the global business environment and the impact of changes in that environment at national and international levels.
• To provide students with a critical appreciation of the financial tools of accounting and finance, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis and investment appraisal.
• To provide students with a critical understanding of the factors affecting the financial planning and risk assessment of a firm and of the financing and capital structure decisions, giving insight into topical issues.

Content

• Microeconomics relevant to decision making in the global business environment
• Macroeconomics relevant to decision making in the global business environment
• Fundamental Concepts of Accounting
• Evaluating Financial Performance
• Working Capital Evaluation
• Financial Planning Techniques
• Long Term Investment Decisions
• Capital Structure decisions
• Financial Risk Management

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
• have an advanced knowledge and critical appreciation of the underlying fundamentals of the market system; the importance of, and interaction between demand, costs and prices at the level of the firm and the market; the inter-relationship between the competitive environment and business decisions; the macro-economic environment, at national and global level; the internationalisation of firms and multinational activity; the key financial statements; issues relating to working capital management; the concepts of budgeting and short term decision analysis; the factors affecting the capital structure and financing needs of a firm; the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate; the tools and techniques used in managing financial risks; how managers make financial decisions in a world of uncertainty and imperfect information.
• be able to appreciate the highly complex nature of the economic system within which business operates.
• have developed a critical understanding of the importance of corporate and social responsibility, including the sustainability of economic activity, both at micro and macroeconomic level.

• Upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to:
• be able to apply their economic understanding in management decisions in the global context;
• have practised problem solving and analytical skills in relation to managing in the global environment;
• be competent at using key techniques for interpreting financial statements;
• be able to use key techniques of investment appraisal;
• be able understand and apply techniques of cash budgeting and working capital management;
• be adept at identifying and evaluating methods by which financial risks can be managed.

• Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

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

• The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflective activities, and opportunities for self-assessment.
• The formative assessment serves to encourage students to study regularly and to monitor their learning progress. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
• The summative assessment is a written assignment which requires students to conduct an economic analysis of an aspect of a specific firm’s business environment and to establish the financial implications of relevant business decisions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular self-assessment exercises involving economic analysis and interpretation, using computer aided assessment.

■ 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