Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ACCT42115: Accounting: An Information Content Perspective

Department: Accounting

ACCT42115: Accounting: An Information Content Perspective

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to L1T509
Tied to N3K209

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module aims to enable students to:
  • acquire and demonstrate a specialist knowledge and understanding of economics approaches to accounting theory and empirical work;
  • understand the role of accounting information in reducing uncertainty;
  • distinguish between information for valuation and for managerial evaluation purposes;
  • appreciate the advantages of auditing accounting information;
  • consider the rationale for the regulation of accounting.

Content

  • Modelling information
  • Information for Valuation
  • Information for Managerial Contracting
  • Monitoring Information through Auditing
  • Regulatory Frameworks
  • Empirical Approaches based on Economics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should have a specialist knowledge and critical understanding of:
  • accounting methods as economic choice;
  • the role of accounting as information to reduce uncertainty;
  • the distinction between information for valuation and for managerial evaluation purposes;
  • properties of accounting information that make it useful;
  • key features of the conceptual framework for accounting adopted by regulators;
  • Empirical approaches based on Economics.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • explain and critically evaluate the economic approach to choice of accounting method;
  • use quantitative analysis to value information in various contexts.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication
  • Planning, organising and time management
  • Problem-solving and analysis
  • Summarising and critically assessing academic articles

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

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module.
  • Formative assessment will be in the form of an individual written assignment.
  • Summative assessment will be in the form of an individual written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 2 hours 20
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Preparation and Independent Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive written comments on a formative written assignment. Additional feedback may take a number of forms, such as oral feedback on work prepared by students for seminars, answers to questions in seminars, discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours or via e-mail.


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