Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ACCT42010: Accounting and Finance (Online)

Department: Accounting

ACCT42010: Accounting and Finance (Online)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1T717 Business Administration (Online) (for students entering from September 2022)

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Accounting and Finance (Taught)

Aims

  • To contribute to the overall aims of the programme by developing students' understanding of the financial management of organisations.
  • To provide students with a critical appreciation of the financial tools of accounting and finance 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.
  • To develop links with the Business School's research strategy by incorporating current research in the areas of financial management, reporting and disclosure

Content

  • 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

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to:
  • identify the key financial statements;
  • identify issues relating to working capital management;
  • interpret short-term ratios and relevant analysis
  • analyse the factors affecting the capital structure and financing needs of a firm;
  • the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate;
  • apply the tools and techniques used in managing financial risks;
Subject-specific Skills:
  • implement key techniques for interpreting financial statements;
  • implement key techniques of investment appraisal;
  • implement techniques of cash budgeting and working capital management;
  • evaluate the methods by which financial risks can be managed, and the extent to whichsuch methods should be used
Key Skills:
  • Written communication;
  • Planning, organising and time management;
  • Problem solving and analysis; using relevant digital tools and techniques;

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 virtual meetings).
  • The summative assessment of the module, by an individual written assignment, will test students' acquisition and articulation of knowledge and their ability to apply key techniques of financial planning and analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Video content, tutor-facilitated discussion, directed reading, reflective activities and guidance for further independent study. 100
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment 3000 words max 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Regular exercises involving economic analysis and interpretation


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