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Module Catalogue

IB3M6-15 Corporate Reporting

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Lisa Weaver
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
30% coursework, 70% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This module is available as an elective to WBS, non-WBS and Exchange students.

The overall aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to explore a selection of more advanced financial reporting topics in some detail and to consider some of the wider aspects of corporate reporting.
This module uses real life examples of corporate communication including Annual Reports and Integrated Reports to illustrate and critically examine how companies inform their stakeholders on key issues.

Module web page

Module aims

The core aim of the module is to apply knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement in the application and evaluation of financial reporting principles and practices in a range of business contexts and situations.
The module builds on previous studies in financial reporting to explore complex issues in financial reporting, requiring detailed knowledge and application of International Financial Reporting Standards. The regulatory context is discussed, and the rationale for current requirements is debated.
The module considers developments in corporate reporting other than IFRS, including the emergence of Integrated Reporting and alternative performance measures.
Ultimately, the module provides not only a good coverage of technical financial reporting issues but also touches on developments in regulations and in business practice and how these impact on the preparers and users of financial statements and other means of corporate communications.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative list of potential syllabus topics - this may vary depending on emerging trends,e.g. exposure draft of a new IFRS or discussion paper on developments in corporate reporting:

  • Consolidated financial statements for changes in group structure
  • Employee benefits including accounting for pension plans
  • Share-based payment
  • Leases
  • Integrated Reporting
  • Alternative performance measures
  • Ethics in financial reporting

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Apply the relevant requirements of IFRS in a given situation.
  • Appreciate developments in corporate reporting regulation within which accounting policy choices should be made.
  • Develop personal viewpoints and articulate opinions on current issues in corporate reporting.
  • Prepare and present clear, concise and effective communications in respect of corporate reporting issues for a range of both internal and external stakeholders of an organisation.
  • Recognise ethical dilemmas facing preparers of financial reports and recommend appropriate responses.

Indicative reading list

Students will be expected to read, as directed, relevant pronouncements of regulatory bodies including:

  • International Accounting Standards Board (www.ifrs.org)
  • Financial Reporting Council (www.frc.org)
  • International Integrated Reporting Council (www.integratedreporting.org)
  • International Federation of Accountants (www.ifac.org)
    Chapters from selected textbooks may also be used for directed reading:
    Maynard J. (2013), Financial Accounting, Reporting and Analysis, Oxford University Press
    Weaver L. (2014), Managing the Transition to IFRS-based Financial Reporting, Wiley

Subject specific skills

Critically evaluate the regulatory and theoretical frameworks for the preparation of financial statements and other corporate reports.
Assess the validity of accounting policies in the context of the conceptual framework for financial reporting and the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Recommend accounting treatments, prepare extracts from financial statements, and justify accounting policies in given scenarios.
Apply professional scepticism to recognise situations where corporate information should be challenged, and where the information provided is incomplete or technically incorrect.

Transferable skills

Appreciate the need for a holistic approach to corporate reporting, applying regulatory requirements in the context of a specific organisational environment.
Understand the the critical use of judgement in financial reporting, and the consequences of decisions on users of corporate reports.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Online learning (independent) 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 73 hours (49%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private Study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Individual Assignment (15 CATS) 30% 22 hours Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Online Examination 70% 51 hours No

~Platforms - AEP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Feedback provided via my.wbs.

Past exam papers for IB3M6

Pre-requisites

Or equivalent for visiting / exchange students.

To take this module, you must have passed:

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UIBA-N20B BSc in Management
    • Year 3 of N20B Management
    • Year 3 of N20B Management
    • Year 3 of N23K Management with Accounting
    • Year 3 of N234 Management with Digital Business
    • Year 3 of N235 Management with Entrepreneurship
    • Year 3 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 3 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 3 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
  • UIBA-MN3C Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of MN3C Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of MN3C Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 3 of UIBA-N400 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance
  • UIBA-N404 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 5 of N4N7 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and Intercalated)
    • Year 5 of N404 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 5 of N405 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 5 of N403 Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • Year 4 of UIBA-N403 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N401 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 4 of N401 Accounting and Finance (Placement)
    • Year 4 of N402 Accounting and Finance (Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
  • Year 3 of UCSA-I1N1 Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies
  • Year 4 of UCSA-I1NA Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 1 of UIOA-VEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
  • Year 4 of UGEA-RN21 Undergraduate German and Business Studies
  • Year 3 of UIPA-L8N1 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development and Business
  • Year 4 of UIPA-L8N2 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • UIBA-N20F Undergraduate International Management
    • Year 4 of N20F International Management
    • Year 4 of N20F International Management
    • Year 4 of N20S International Management (with Accounting)
    • Year 4 of N20T International Management (with Chinese)
    • Year 4 of N20P International Management (with Entrepreneurship)
    • Year 4 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 4 of N20U International Management (with French)
    • Year 4 of N20L International Management (with Marketing)
    • Year 4 of N20V International Management (with Spanish)
    • Year 4 of N20W International Management (with Strategy and Organisation)
    • Year 4 of N20N International Management with Digital Business
    • Year 4 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N234 Management with Digital Business
  • Year 3 of UIBA-MN3A Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
  • UIBA-N20G Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year and Intercalated Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 5 of N20G Management (Foundation Year and Intercalated)
    • Year 5 of N20H Management (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 5 of N23B Management with Finance (with Foundation Year and Intercalated Year)
    • Year 5 of N23C Management with Finance (with Foundation Year and Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 5 of N25B Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year and Intercalated Year)
    • Year 5 of N25C Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year and Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
  • UIBA-N20E Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N23N Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N23M Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N23E Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N23F Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N23D Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 4 of N254 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 4 of N23P Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N20C Undergraduate Management (with Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 4 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 4 of N20B Management
    • Year 4 of N20D Management (Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 4 of N20C Management (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N20Q Management with Accounting (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N236 Management with Digital Business (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N237 Management with Entrepreneurship (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 4 of N233 Management with Finance (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N253 Management with Marketing (with Placement Year)
    • Year 4 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
    • Year 4 of N20R Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Placement Year)
  • Year 3 of UMAA-G1N4 Undergraduate Mathematics with Business Studies
  • Year 4 of UMAA-G1N5 Undergraduate Mathematics with Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • UIOA-VOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
  • Year 4 of UPXA-F3ND Undergraduate Physics and Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 3 of UPXA-F3N2 Undergraduate Physics with Business Studies