Introductory description

This module introduces the key management areas of management accounting and corporate reporting. The use of financial information, whether used internally, or reported externally is crucial for any manager wishing to move up through their company to grasp.
The intention of this module is not to try to turn students into accountants, but to try to enable them to understand and interpret financial and other corporate information, enter into intelligent discussion with financial partners and to be able to appreciate the bigger picture rather than get lost in the detail. It is inevitable that there will be some calculations but there is also a heavy emphasis on understanding the issues around the numbers and the context in which they are set. The assessments will strike a balance between calculation, interpretation and discussion.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

Understanding Financial statements
Measuring and Reporting Performance and Position
Analyzing and interpreting financial statements
Relationship between Cash Flow and Earnings
Costing Systems
Cost Information for Decision Making
Performance Evaluation
Current Issues in Accounting

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the basics of corporate financial information
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the use of accounting information in the context of management decision making and for the purpose of external publication.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive awareness of the wider professional duties on corporate social reporting and ethical responsibilities of the preparer of financial statements and other corporate reports to the stakeholders of an organisation
• Develop and demonstrate analytical, and problem solving skills in relation to key accounting and finance issues

Indicative reading list

Core Text:
Atrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2019) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists (11th edn), London, Pearson

Supplementary Texts:
Rice, A. (2015) Accounts Demystified: The Astonishingly Simple Guide to Accounting, London: Pearson
Healy, P., Palepu, K., and Peek, E. (2019)
Business Analysis and Valuation: IFRS Edition

Subject specific skills

Identify, analyse and interpret relevant corporate information to facilitate internal and external decision making.
Assess the nature of accounting information and be able to describe the relationships between different types of financial statements and behavioral consequences of accounting decisions.
Apply key accounting and finance concepts and practices to evaluate business problems.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate written communication skills