BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Academic & Professional Skills 1

This module will support your transition into a university undergraduate degree programme. You will focus on developing academic and professional skills and be encouraged to reflect on and plan you own personal development. You are provided with a range of topics to help you develop and you can choose those most beneficial to you.

Accounting Skills

In this module you will explore fundamental accounting concepts and develop the skills and techniques you need to collect and record data and transactions to prepare accounting statements and management accounts which are key to managers.

You will focus on the requirements for internal use of single entities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online exam and a 45-minute in class test.

Business Information Systems

Within this module, you will explore the relationship of technology with business.

As well as creating an understanding of what an information system (IS) does, you will examine how an IS may influence business structures, assist in the decision making within an organisation and some of the tools that can be used to improve information handling.

Enterprise Awareness

This module gives you a practical introduction to the commercial realities of organisations and how decision-making impacts different areas of the business.

You will use the business model canvas to explore the relationships between decisions in operations, sales, marketing, finance, and distribution.

You will also be introduced to basic creation and interpretation of key financial documents and ratios to assess business performance.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a group assignment and individual financial portfolio accompanied with a short professional discussion.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

In today’s competitive business environment, graduates require strong employability skills and a resilient attitude.

This module aims to develop these skillsets by working with a real client in creating ideas, implementing one of them and assessing how they can be more innovative.

You will deepen your knowledge of being entrepreneurial and applying an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ to solve a real-life case study with a client.

You will usually work in small groups to develop an ‘innovative’ solution to an identified problem or opportunity.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a group presentation to the client and an individual report on how the entrepreneur can be more innovative.

Accreditations

This is a CMI and CIM accredited module.

Introductory Law for Managers

This module will introduce you to law in the commercial world.

You will gain a sufficient understanding of the law as a manager and be able to recognise the existence and effects of the law in commercial activities and the key legislation organisations need to follow operationally and with customers.

You will explore when professional legal assistance is required in business.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and 1 hour in-class test.

Management and Organisations

You will explore business management theories, the role and position of a manager, and your ability to manage others.

You are encouraged to develop your self-awareness as a potential manager and investigate issues like:

• the history of management
• structures
• functions
• culture
• sustainability
• and innovation of an organisation.

You will also explore:

• aspects of business psychology
• how people are motivated and behave
• theories of leadership and conflict management that can be used in effective management.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a report on management topics of interest.

Taxation 1

This module will introduce you to key taxation concepts and the underlying principles the UK taxation system, as you gain an understanding of the principles behind, and the sources and types of, taxation.

You will also cover an overview of calculations in relation to value added tax and an examination of the scope of national insurance contributions and Capital gains tax.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and an online examination.

Auditing and Assurance

This module will introduce you to the key concepts of audit, assurance, and corporate governance.

You will develop your understanding of ethics and professional conduct as you learn about:

• the audit framework and regulation
• planning and risk assessment
• internal control
• audit evidence
• and how discovered material is reviewed and reported.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an individual essay and an online examination.

Data Research for Business

This module introduces you to the concept of data and market research for decision making, to allow you to make informed decisions as business managers and prepare you for your final year research dissertation, or equivalent study.

The module takes you on a structured and applied journey, looking at the rationale and contextualisation for the research processes required for business decisions.

You will use qualitative and quantitative research methodologies specifically applied to your degree route or area of study.

Assessment

You will be assessed by market research analysis and recommendations report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Economics for Business

This module focuses on business decision-makers and the benefits of gaining a sound understanding of the subject of economics and the analyses of economic data.

The module explores economic theories/concepts, their application to the real-world and their usefulness for explaining the changing mechanics of national and global markets and the processes of government policy formation.

Assessment

Assessment is by presentation and essay.

Employee Development

This module aims to develop your understanding of the principles of developing a skilled and talented workforce and the benefits.

You will explore the factors which influence workforce development and review the scope of learning and development in organisations.

You will also consider different approaches and frameworks for measuring the impact of workforce development and management across different organisations from a national and international perspective.

Assessment

Assessment is by individual essay and case study report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Employee Relations

This module explores a range of topics around the historical and economic relationship between a business and the employee. You will consider topics including the rise of trade unions, resolving conflict, negotiation, and employee relations amongst many others.

Financial Management

This module will introduce you to areas of key financial decision-making and related underlying theory.

This includes decisions about setting corporate objectives, the funding of corporate operations and the appraisal of potential investments.

You will examine the choices available to companies regarding their capital structure and dividend policies and gain an understanding of the operation of equity markets and related implications for listed companies.

Financial Reporting

This module will enable you to describe and critically discuss how financial reporting can be regulated, including the system of international accounting standards.

You will learn to prepare statutory accounts in the appropriate form for a single business.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and a one hour in- class test.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Management Accounting for Control

This module will develop your understanding of a range of management accounting techniques and how these can be applied to support decision-making. You will solve problems that require you to demonstrate thoughtful and effective reasoning in proposing solutions to a given set of circumstances.

Operations Management

Operations management uses a series of processes and inputs (e.g. materials, money, and human resource) to perform operations such as manufacturing and service provision.  These operations give outputs (the finished goods and services).

This module explores how organisations effectively manage facilities, assets, and resources for the efficient delivery of consistent quality goods and services.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study presentation of an operational plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Taxation 2

The UK tax system is continuously changing, specifically during and after periods of financial crisis.

This makes UK tax an important subject area for business management students as well as accounting and finance students.

This module will build on your understanding of personal income tax and introduce company tax including courses of income, adjustments and rules, chargeable gains, losses, and inheritance tax.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an individual essay and an online exam.

Professional Graduate

This practical module develops your critical understanding of the concept of professionalism and how it relates to being a graduate in the workplace.

You will plan your own development towards your graduate recruitment and if you chose a one-year internship (professional placement), you will focus on applying and preparing for this placement.

The module emphasises the importance of developing your own employability and encourages continuous reflection on personal and professional development (PDP).

Assessment

You will be assessed through two assignments, a mock job/placement interview and reflective report with PDP action plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Advanced Financial Accounting

This module will develop your understanding of the previous Financial Reporting module by:

• examining consolidated accounts
• evaluating financial statements to provide an analysis of performance
• comparing alternative approaches to asset valuation
• and examining current developments in external reporting.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and a one hour in-class test.

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

In this module, you will learn to raise awareness of the ethical considerations relevant to many business practices and issues, as well as raise awareness of corporate social responsibility.

You will be introduced to the concepts, theories and techniques used to address ethical considerations as you critically discuss current business and government policies relating to corporate social responsibility.

You will reflect on your own moral values, attitudes and behaviour and have some interesting debates and discussions in the lessons.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an interview and a portfolio.

Business Strategy

This module encourages you to critically consider business strategy and design business strategies based on specific tools and models to analyse strategic context.

You will explore:

• the effectiveness of corporate vision
• the application of strategic tools, models, and concepts
• processes of strategy
• and critical success factors in delivering competitive advantage and customer value.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study and an assignment presentation.

Corporate Finance

This module will give you an insight into the practical impacts of key areas of corporate finance.

You will cover an overview of the core concepts of corporate finance before focusing on specific related areas such as corporate valuation and merger and acquisition activity.

You will be introduced to more complex aspects of finance theory including:

• Portfolio Theory
• Capital Asset Pricing Model
• Capital Structure Theory.

You are encouraged to examine ‘corporate finance in action’ and to link your theoretical studies with practice.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and an online exam.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Entrepreneurship

The module focuses on the environmental factors directly relevant to small businesses as you develop a critical understanding of entrepreneurial process. You will use your earlier business related studies or discipline specific self-employment options to inform your studies and be assessed through an assignment and a presentation.

Entrepreneurship in Action

Build your own business

This module provides an opportunity for you to start-up your own business within a supportive environment by implementing a developed business idea.

It may be that you are already running part-time business or have a business idea and you would like to try and implement with support and already have a good understanding of business planning.

Activities could involve:

• creating a website
• making sales
• delivering events
• networking
• carrying out in-depth research
• creating social media marketing.

Even if you decide not to continue with the business idea, the knowledge and practical experience gained will equip you with entrepreneurial skills much sought after by employers.

Receive 1-1 mentoring

You will attend weekly 1:1 mentoring with the lecturer and specialist Business HotHouse staff.

Connection with ‘Entrepreneurship’ module

You can take this module alongside the Entrepreneurship module if you would like more guidance in developing an idea and business plan.

In this instance it will be like taking an entrepreneurship placement where your main focus in your final semester is developing and implementing your own business.

Assessment

Assessment is by implementation portfolio and professional discussion on how the idea is/not viable.

Global Business Today

This module introduces you to current global issues that we are hearing about in the news today that are vital for business to react to successfully compete and grow.

You will broaden your understanding of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in areas such as:

• international trade after Brexit
• political unrest
• differences in national cultures
• global inequality
• operating sustainably
• and global consumer behaviour.

Assessment

You will be assessed through creating a conference paper and presentation on one global topic of interest.

Research Dissertation

The module is an opportunity for you to research a specific area that interests you within an appropriate business, public sector or third sector context.

Your project will make a major contribution to your professional and intellectual development.

Placement students

All students have the opportunity to go on the 20-week work placement module in the final semester where you undertake a project for a client organisation and your dissertation will be based on this area of work.

Assessment

You will be assessed by creating an individual report of 10,500 words.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Work Placement

Many of our students take this opportunity to gain valuable management experience working in an organisation and project work that appeal to you in your future career. The placement is part-time for 20 weeks.

Typically, you would carry out your research dissertation whilst on placement and focus on researching the project areas you are working on and an area the organisation will benefit from the most. This module allows you to gain valuable work experience and enhance your employability which is extremely attractive to employers.

Few other universities offer a professional placement where your research dissertation aligns with your project work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a learning log submission and an individual presentation.