Accounting and Finance

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Advanced Financial Accounting

• Management Accounting

  This module enriches and consolidates your accounting knowledge learned in previous levels of study. You will learn advanced management accounting techniques, incorporating contemporary methodologies. You will be expected to apply these techniques to real-world scenarios and critically analyse their efficacy. You will compare and contrast varying budget-setting approaches and examine the intricate relationship between budgetary control systems and human conduct. Moreover, you will evaluate and apply performance management systems and appraisal techniques to facilitate both short-term and long-term decision-making. Additionally, you will explore diverse costing methods, assessing their differences and similarities. Finally, you will learn how to meticulously analyse and effectively communicate management accounting information to business management.

• Corporate Finance

  This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of finance and to the finance function in a company or corporation. This will enable you to understand the sorts of decisions that are taken by financial managers along with their rationales. The content includes an explanation of the role of finance in business and the objectives of the finance function. You will examine also the decisions affecting capital structure and the cost of capital.

• Applied Analytics for Accounting & Managers

• Personal and Professional Development

  Throughout this module, you will acquire the essential skills and knowledge needed to make informed career decisions and proactively manage your professional development in the accounting industry. You will be able to cultivate a diverse range of job application skills, such as crafting a professional CV, cover letter, and public profile, that will empower you to excel in assessment and selection scenarios. Moreover, you will have the chance to establish your career aspirations and devise a comprehensive plan to realise them. This will entail introspection regarding your existing career competencies, establishing objectives for personal and professional growth, and creating actionable strategies to attain them.

  By the end of the module, you will have a clear understanding of what is expected of a working professional and job applicant in the accounting field, and be able to identify your unique selling propositions, which will help you to stand out from other candidates.
   

• Financial Reporting

• Placement Search and Preparation (only compulsory for who will take the optional Year 3 work placement)

  This module is designed to provide practical guidance and support in undertaking a placement search, preparing for the placement experience, and succeeding in the modern workplace. Throughout the module, you will develop critical self-awareness and personal literacy skills, enabling you to self-reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and target your placement search effectively. Additionally, you will also explore methods of effective and targeted placement search, increasing your chances of securing a placement.

  In summary, this module is an essential component of your employability journey. By integrating with co-curricular activities, the module provides a holistic approach to employability, ensuring that students have a broad range of skills and experiences to draw upon in their future careers.

Optional modules

• Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:

• Introduction to Auditing Theory and Practice

  This module introduces you to the entire statutory audit process from planning and risk assessment, gathering audit evidence and finishing with review and reporting. You will develop your understanding of key concepts in auditing and underpin later study of auditing in the final year. You’ll learn the process of how an audit is undertaken in the ‘professional auditing world’ through simulation activities using case studies.

  Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to explain the concepts of audit and assurance and functions of audit including ethics, and identify, evaluate and test the internal controls and plan an audit of financial statements accordingly.
   

• Financial Markets and Institutions

  On this module, you’ll examine the nature of financial markets and the role of financial intermediaries. You’ll analyse the nature of market efficiency, and the extent to which asset prices reflect rational decisions in consideration of psychological or speculative factors. You’ll also explore comparative merits and the question of financial regulation. Different types of financial instruments and their valuation will also be explored.

  Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to assess institution-based and market-based finance in a variety of contexts, understand the main principles underlying asset pricing models, and resolve general problems in selecting investments in a global market. 

• Managing the Digital Business

  In this module, you'll critically analyse the role of digital technologies in modern businesses. You'll explore software and hardware applications and evaluate their impact on competitive strategy and organisational change. Using a multidisciplinary approach, you'll cover topics like online and mobile channels, digital marketing, and business-to-business relations. You'll develop analytical and presentation skills to provide clear and concise reports, both individually and in teams.

  This module prepares you to lead digital technologies in modern organisations, and it equips you with essential skills to evaluate the value of digital business development for businesses and sectors.
   

• Personal Taxation

  This is your introduction to taxation in the UK and the framework within which you’ll have to make financial decisions during your future working life. You’ll look at the taxation consequences of:

  • employment
  • self-employment
  • savings
  • dividends 
  • pension contributions.

  You’ll also look at how they are reported to the fiscal authorities and you’ll also explore benefits-in-kind and national insurance contributions. Developing your knowledge and understanding of UK personal taxation.
   

Year 3 (optional placement year)

Optional modules

• CHOOSE ONE MODULE FROM:

• Placement

  On this placement you will be able to access a 40-52 week work-based learning / placement opportunity to help develop your employability and enterprise skills. You will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. You will set your own work-based targets and reflect upon your progress in the role you have on your placement. Halfway through your placement you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises your gained knowledge on your placement and the tasks you have/ will complete in your placement role.

• Full Year International Study Abroad

  This is your opportunity to study Business topics abroad in order to experience a different national, educational and business culture and to build on your knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies you’ve gained so far. You will undertake an international study exchange at a university outside the UK, arranged with the University’s exchanges office. This international study exchange lasts for one academic year and is taken after your second year of studies (Level 5).

• OR CHOOSE THESE TWO OPTIONS:

• Short Placement

  This 24-week placement is your opportunity to develop your employability and enterprise skills. In the UK or Europe you will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. You will set your work based targets and reflect upon your success in your placement role. At the end of the placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises the knowledge and skills you have developed on your placement.

• Work-based Learning

  This module is also a 24-week work-based learning opportunity for you to develop your employability and enterprise skills. As on the other modules you will have the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. This could include employment, volunteer work experience or undertaking a consultancy type project. 
  
  You will agree a brief before your work-based role begins,set work based targets and reflect upon your success in your placement role. At the end of the placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises the knowledge and skills you have developed on your placement.

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

• Accounting Capstone

• Financial Accounting Theory

  Through looking at the practice of financial accounting and reporting, this module enables you to take a critical look at accounting practices in contemporary society. You’ll assess the actual role of accounting in organisations, while contrasting this with its theoretical role. 

  On successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to demonstrate the capacity to apply international standards and  practices, and understand the function of accounting in a range of contexts.                
   

• Business Aspects of Management Accounting

  This module is uniquely designed to encourage you to critically evaluate a business from a management accounting perspective. You’ll learn to apply and critique advanced management accounting techniques. While gaining a critical appreciation of management accountants, and their strategic approach, you’ll also analyse their changing role in the modern business environment.

  The module will equip you with the skills to apply the techniques studied, and provide you with a critical understanding of the theoretical aspects of strategic management accounting. 

• Advanced Business Analytics in Practice

Optional modules

• Contemporary Issues in Finance*

  This module provides an opportunity for students to investigate the forces shaping the contemporary financial system. A variety of issues will be examined, taking the financial turmoil of 2007-2008 as a starting point. The emphasis will be on both the underlying causes of recent financial developments and the more general implications of these for our understanding of finance and on the possibilities open to regulatory authorities, companies, investors and other interested groups to respond to these developments.

  *Students must take one option/elective, the other can be taken as an elective.

• Applied Audit and Assurance Management

  How is auditing used in practice? What role does auditing fulfil in accountability structures and in corporate governance? 

  In this module, you’ll delve into and analyse contemporary issues on audit and assurance engagements. Using a professional regulatory framework, you’ll explore auditing cases that include both historical and current international corporate scandals. You’ll also gain practical and theoretical skills on how to apply International Standards on Auditing on audit and assurance engagements.
   

• Business Taxation

  You will gain essential knowledge of UK taxation principles and practise based on the study of individuals and companies. You will also learn practical aspects of assessing liability to income tax, capital gains tax, corporate tax and VAT are covered. 

  Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • Outline the UK tax system
  • Relate and apply current tax legislation and case law to a range of situations
  • Explain, justify and use tax planning principles recognising tax avoidance and tax evasion issues
  • Compute tax liabilities, including capital gains tax, for individuals and corporations
  • Advise on minimisation of tax liabilities through consideration of exemptions, allowances and reliefs etc.
     

• Sustainable Investing

  You will develop your critical and practical understanding of creating and analysing a sustainable investment portfolio. You’ll have access to our Bloomberg virtual trading terminals to develop your practical skills. You’ll also construct an investment portfolio aligned to sustainable investing principles. 

  This will include focusing on practical aspects of portfolio management, including establishing key performance metrics, risk measurement and fundamental analysis.
   

• Advanced Financial Management