Accounting and FinanceBA (Hons)

Business Law and Ethics

The first part of the module aims to introduce students to the basic foundations of law and its relationship with the business professions. The second part of the module would concentrate on the relevance of ethics in the business and accountancy professions. This part would highlight the importance of avoiding fraud and misleading statements by adopting the most recent ethical standards of financial reporting and corporate practices.

Data Science, Research and Analysis

The Data Science, Research and Analysis module provides a fundamental grounding of basic knowledge of data science and computer software to facilitate the collection, analysis and presentation of accounting data. The module prepares learners for the accounting & finance and related professions. This will be achieved through learning relevant academic and practical skills which will enable learners to succeed academically and develop key workplace research skills. It also provides skills to analyse data, interpret and communicate qualitative/quantitative results in the form of information. Furthermore, the module deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of accounting and financial data through measuring changes and associations of variables.

This module also provides basic skills in gathering and understanding of financial and non-financial data/information to develop complete knowledge of the client business and the environment in which it operates. It develops students’ basic skills and understanding to help them prepare business plans and advise on the actions to implement these plans. The skills developed through the understanding of data science and researching to provide solutions of issues raised in the accounting and finance sectors.

Financial Accounting

AC4052 is a 15 credit core module which is designed to lay the foundation for understanding the accounting requirements of business organisations for internal and external reporting and decision making. It examines the financial accounting techniques for sole traders and limited companies.

This module aims to:

1. Enable students to understand the underlying principles of the financial accounting processes and to prepare/construct relevant accounting statements
2. Enable students to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of accounting information systems and how they relate to the decision-making aspects of financial accounting statements
3. Enable students to analyse and interpret the financial accounting statements of a limited company
4. Enable students to understand the context of the professional accountancy framework and to enhance their employability skills.

Introduction to Financial Markets and Institutions

The module focuses on the organisation, structure and functions of financial markets and market participants. It provides the theoretical and practical framework for understanding the operation of financial markets and institutions.

Learning Through Organisations

This Professional Practice module will enhance the students’ understanding of what it means to be a business professional. This module will support the preparation for their future career by encouraging them to develop, put into practice and evidence the skills and behaviours that employers want to see.

The ‘Professional Practice’ approach ensures that as a developing professional the students understand how to learn effectively and efficiently either in the workplace or in a simulated context. They also learn how to use all the resources available to reflect on their progress. This module involves planning, conducting and reflecting on their own ‘performance episodes*’ and a more general reflection on their overall professional development to date. The written reports and reflections become part of their growth and productivity E-portfolio** which they will maintain throughout their programme.

In addition, they will have the opportunity to test, review and evidence their skills development via the on-line resources provided throughout the programme, which support the general skills required by employers. As such this module aims to,

1. Build understanding of the expected workplace knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes so that they become intrinsic performance and growth motivators.

2. Ensure the adoption of skills, attitudes and behaviours that improve self-awareness to aid reflective practice.

*A performance episode is defined as an initiative that the students take, made up of tasks, which develops their skills, and which involves both selecting knowledge from the programme and interacting with others. It must be measurable so that they are able to reflect on their professional skills development.

** The growth and productivity E-portfolio is a digital internet-based tool within which they will store all evidence of their Weekly via learning log, feedback from stakeholders, their reflections. It allows them to share their journey with others and to organise elements of it to help them progress further.

Management Accounting Fundamentals

The module hopes to lay the foundation for students to understand the fundamental knowledge and techniques, which underpin management accounting. The module will cover the following salient areas of management accounting:

• Costs and Cost Classification including cost behaviour
• Tools and techniques used in planning, control and decision making
• Short-term decision-making techniques
• Capital Investment Appraisal techniques

The module aims to:

1. Explain the role of management accounting, the classification of costs in relation to output, activity level and decision making.
2. Prepare overhead cost statements in the attempt to work the full cost of products, services and activities.
3. Apply the concept of break-even analysis in short term decision making.
4. Understand short-term decision-making techniques of Make or Buy, Shutdown, Accept/Reject, Pricing etc.
5. Be able to calculate simple variances for cost control.

Management Information Systems

The management information systems module introduces students to a very rapidly changing accounting information systems both in management and accounting areas. The module will discuss how information systems can facilitate various functions that help to improve businesses level of competitiveness. It will focus on the functions and theory of financial accounting in a computerised environment and enables students to practise the methods and develop relevant skills. The module also discusses relevant information systems techniques and explain the functions, interpret the dataflow, use the theory and practice the methods of financial accounting in a systemic context.

Understanding the Business and Economic Environment

The focus of this module is to equip students to understand organisations in contexts past, present and future, and enable them to analyse the macro, micro, internal and external business and economic environments in which they operate. An understanding of the environments will facilitate the interpretation of situations and enable decisions that add value for businesses. The focus of the module is on the external and internal influences on organizations and the effect these have on business practices.
The module is designed to be used by Level 4 undergraduate students on a range of programmes. Examples, illustrations and case studies will be drawn from chosen industry sectors such as advertising, aviation, events, finance, marketing, music, transport, tourism, and applied to reinforce basic concepts. This will enhance the ability of students to understand particular business problems and aspects of the business and economic environment. Topics and case studies will cover business issues that are contemporary and relevant to the real world.

Company and Business Law

This Company and Business Law module aims to expose students to the advantages and costs of forming limited liability companies. The module also empowers students to analyse and appreciate the regulatory framework around company activity. Students will be able to analyse most company activity from the point of view of creditors, especially during insolvency. The module also deals with aspects of Employment Law especially the employee-employee relationship.
Accordingly, students’ knowledge and analytical skills in the area of company and business law will be greatly enhanced.

Financial Reporting

This module focuses on the preparation of financial statements for UK limited companies, the critical assessment of published accounts, with an understanding of the UK regulatory framework. Students will also be exposed to the need and sources of regulation, the purpose of accounting standards and worldwide use of IFRS.

This core module aims to enable students to:

1) demonstrate ability to explain the basic principles of regulations.

2) develop an interest in the need for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

3) understand the role of the regulatory framework for corporate reporting;

4) prepare financial statements for UK limited companies in a format suitable for
publication;

5) conduct a critical assessment of company performance.

The module also aims to help students in the development of the following skills:

. academic writing;
. researching
. analysis and presentation of financial data;
. communication, including oral presentations;
. interpersonal, including effective team working;
. self-assessment and reflection.

Management Accounting

This module builds on the foundation laid in Level 4’s Management Accounting Fundamentals. It is designed to help students to develop a sound understanding of the principles and techniques used by managers in planning, control, decision making and performance measurement. Students will also be able to understand the principles applied in job and service costing using both traditional absorption costing and the more recent activity based costing and information systems and technologies.

The module is directed at core accounting and finance students who intend to specialise in the field of accounting and finance after their degree. It is aimed that the module should provide them with the skills they need in the world of work when solving different business problems. Students’ skills in cost accounting will be developed through the module to enable them to plan, control, evaluate and measure performance.

The module aims to develop students’ skills in the following areas:

• application of knowledge and data presentation
• communication skills including oral presentation
• Interpersonal skills including working with others to achieve desired objectives.
• Numeracy and interpreting management accounting information.

Principles of Finance

The module is designed to introduce students to the basic theory of finance and to apply the theory to the selection and management of financial and investments portfolio. The module will help students to understand theories of finance to develop the skills of valuing investments and critically evaluate the frameworks for pricing securities, risks and reward relationship.

Furthermore, you will be introduced to various aspects of finance such as financial markets, instruments, concepts, and the institutional arrangements relating to the issuances and trading of various capital market securities.

This core module aims to enable students to:

1) understand the basic theory of finance and develop the skills of valuing investment
instruments;

2) critically evaluate the conceptual frameworks for pricing securities;

3) undertake a written critical review of contemporary theories in finance.

4) calculate risk and return and establish the relationship between risk and return.

5) recognise the investment environment and for making investment decisions.

The module also aims to help students in the development of the following skills:

. academic writing;
. researching
. critical review of empirical data
. analysis of economic financial data;
. problem solving skills and decision making
. quantitative problem-solving and decision-making;
. self-assessment and reflection.

Problem Solving: Methods and Analysis

This module aims to develop students’ ability to understand and apply problem solving methods and analysis in relation to issues that may arise in business and management subject areas.

The module offers an opportunity for students to collect, present, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of data sources such as ONS and other sources. It seeks to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the business environment and develop their data management and data analysis skills using IT packages as appropriate.

The module provides the quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills that underpin the success of an empirical research project. This module helps to build the sound foundation required to undertake a final year project / dissertation module.

Taxation - Corporate Tax

The Module builds upon the knowledge gained in Autumn term from Income Tax Module.
The Module Aims to develop

1. Understanding of the theoretical bases underlying UK taxation
2. Skills in tax computations based on the current Finance Act
3. Understanding of international taxation issues.

Taxation - Income Tax

This module aims to:
1. Give student an understanding of the UK income tax system.

2. Focuses on the taxation of individuals with income from a variety of sources including trading profits and losses, savings and investments, rent and employment.

3. Enable students to prepare income tax computations for individuals and unincorporated businesses.

Audit and Internal Control

This module focuses on the role of the independent external auditor in assessing the internal controls of businesss entities. Students will learn and apply appropriate concepts and techniques in planning the audit and to gather and assess audit evidence to be able to critically evaluate assertions made by others.

Module aims:

to understand the audit process and the regulatory and ethical environment within which external audits take place.
to critically evaluate the procedures for audit planning and risk assessment and for gathering and evaluating audit evidence.
to critically evaluate an entity’s internal control.

Fundamentals of Project Management

Projects come in many shapes and forms, from small to large, familiar to unfamiliar, simple to complex, urgent to non-urgent and widely supported to strongly resisted. Anyone undertaking the sponsorship, governance or management of a project needs to recognise that there are risks to its completion on time, to budget and to the customer’s satisfaction. They should therefore know that it may be unsuccessful in some way, or even fail completely.

It is easy to find examples of such failures; the current Crossrail project, the delayed opening of the Berlin International Airport, the chaos when Heathrow Terminal 5 opened, the government’s failure to meet its targets for Corona Virus testing, and the countless software development projects that have been late, failed to meet user needs or been riddled with bugs.

There are various bodies of knowledge specific to managing Programmes, Projects and Portfolios of Projects that seek to provide the methods and tools to manage projects successfully. These are necessary but not sufficient; they do however go a long way towards improving project success rates. Organisations like the Association for Project Management and the Project Management Institute continue to work to improve the status and competency of project managers, as well as the competency of organisations.

This module introduces students to the role of the project manager, the nature of projects and how to manage them successfully, focusing on the linear project in which the project output is clearly defined at the commencement of the project. Such projects are typical in the construction industry but can be found widely in business organisations. You will also look at the way Agile projects change the approach to project delivery to deal with uncertainty in the product to be delivered and to accept changes in requirements or circumstances.

The module aims to enable students to:

• assess projects to determine the approach most likely to succeed
• contribute to the design and development of effective project organisations that provide governance, assurance, support and direction to the project team
• plan and manage simple projects using both linear and agile methods
• prepare key project documents
• create project plans using project management software including the use of Gantt charts
• communicate project management plans, risks and issues effectively.

Sustainability, Business and Responsibility

This module will address the critical issue of how current thinking on climate change and sustainability will impact on businesses and organisation. The need to create more sustainable organisations and businesses is fundamental to current and future organisational development strategies. It is necessary for students to understand the growing influence of the sustainability agenda on industry. This influence takes on many forms, from government policies and international agreements to the measuring the impacts of organisational practices on the ecology and communities. In the future, organisations, businesses, communities and individuals will be expected to understand and take responsibility for their economic, environmental and social impacts. This module will examine the current and future challenges. It will equip students to deal with the challenge of creating sustainable forms of business that operate within ecological and socio-economic limits.

It will explore the sustainability context, and how business practices will need to evolve to reflect the realities of operating within a globalised trading system that is striving to apply sustainability principles.

The overarching aim of the module is to ensure that students develop a full understanding of what is meant by sustainability, who decides what constitutes sustainability principles and how these principles are applied. It will explore the varied tools and techniques used to apply sustainability principles, by governments, business and communities, and the challenges and conflicts these present. Such appreciation will be developed progressively via more specific aims which are:

1. To engage with the growing international debate and practice around sustainability, business and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
2. To evaluate how this will challenge organisations and business.
3. To examine tools and techniques for evaluating and implementing of sustainability
4. To analyse the evolving policy frameworks within which business operates.
5. To understand how changing environmental realities may affect business practice.

The module also aims to assist students in the acquisition of the following skills:
1. Academic reading
2. Researching
3. Problem-solving and decision making
4. Critical thinking and writing
5. Application of knowledge and presenting data
6. Academic writing

Advanced Financial Reporting

To develop advanced knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards, other regulations and financial reporting framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups, and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.
Students will develop analytical skills and apply these in the analysis, filtering and evaluation of data and drawing reasoned conclusions.

Module aims:

To account for specialised transactions in accordance with international financial reporting standards.
To understand a business combination and how to account for it.
To interpret an entity’s financial statements to give advice from the perspectives of different stakeholders.

Advanced Management Accounting

This module focuses on the strategic aspects of management accounting. It will explore and critically evaluate a number of management accounting techniques encountered in levels 4 (Management Accounting Fundamentals or its equivalent) and level 5 (Management Accounting or its equivalent). In addition, it will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical issues of a number of techniques used by managers in planning, performance evaluation and long-term decision making in an ever-changing business environment. The module will also take a view on the role of management accountants in both profit seeking and not-for-profit organisations in the globalised world where businesses operate.

This Accounting module is very relevant for students who intend to follow a career in Management Accounting after their studies.

The module aims to develop students’ skills in the following areas:

Apply the skills learnt in Levels 4 and 5 in a strategic context that provides a sound foundation for higher studies.
Develop practical management accounting skills that are transferable into employment; work situations.
Develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical aspects of decision making in management accounting in competitive business environments.
Evaluate financial and non-financial evidence including arguments and assumptions in order to reach objective conclusions.

Audit and Assurance Services

Module aims:

1. To provide an understanding of the concept of audit and assurance incorporating the functions of audit in context to corporate governance which includes the ethics and professional conduct knowledge. This further includes internal and external audit review and reporting functions in context of the regulatory frameworks and professional and ethical dimensions of audit practice,

2. To critically appraise and evaluate the audit process which demonstrate how the auditors understands, regulate, obtain and accept the audit engagements consisting the entity and its environment appropriate techniques and judgments in relation to the performance and reporting of financial statement (including the risk of material misstatement – arising from fraud or other externalities or internalities) while performing audit and assurance services,

3. To develop advanced skills in forming judgements and opinions whilst exercising an appropriate degree of professional judgement and professional scepticism in audit and assurance engagements. This includes the description and evaluation of the internal controls, processes, techniques, audit tests. Further incorporating IT systems identification and communication process to control risk and the potential consequences to make effective recommendations. The description of the scope, role and the function of internal audit is also included.

4. Understanding the application of the international Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the ability to distinguish between external and internal audit. This includes full evaluation of the internal controls using the appropriate audit software, test data and the data analytics tool; further identifying, describing the work and the evidence obtained by the auditors.

5. The demonstration of employability and technological skills. Explanation of the subsequent events, going concern principle that can inform the auditors about the conclusion of their audit work providing true reflection of the auditor’s report, presentation, written representations and the final review and report.

Dissertation

This module aims to enable students to complete a research focused dissertation on a chosen topic or issue appropriate to their undergraduate degree. Students are required to reflect on relevant research questions, theoretical concepts/hypotheses, prior literature, ethical approaches, research methodologies and data analyses in an independent and disciplined manner. Students are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of their chosen research topics, research methods/approaches and the ability to appropriately seek out data samples required for research in a selected topic. The module aims to develop analytical, critical thinking, referencing and time management skills in independently undertaking and reporting on a research project.

Financial Management

The module is designed to develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the use of financial management. It will also explore the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical aspects of corporate investment and financial decisions making in a competitive business environment and a dynamic capital market.

The principal aims of this module are to:

1. Apply knowledge, understanding and skills learnt at levels 4 and 5 to appreciate the wider picture - essentially taking a strategic standpoint and thereby providing an appropriate foundation for higher studies;
2. Evaluate financial and non-financial evidence including arguments and assumptions in order to reach objective conclusions;
3. Display the accountant’s need to remain innovative and play a pivotal part in the management of change in organisations, which is increasingly becoming a corporate requirement;
4. Develop students’ skills, in particular, those relating to the analysis and presentation of data; critical thinking, writing and problem-solving.
5. To determine the interconnections between investment decisions, financing decisions and distribution decisions in the form of dividends.

The module also aims to help students in the development of the following skills:

. analysis and presentation of data;
. critical thinking, writing and problem-solving;
. study skills such as critical reflection, time management and self-awareness.

Financial Engineering

The aims of this module are to provide students with the use of a wide range and in-depth knowledge of the major exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded financial instruments to construct financial products and manage financial risk.

The module discusses the characteristics, pricing and valuation, terminologies and application of financial innovation to create the structured products in derivative markets.

Students will further develop an understanding of the use of the financial instruments as investment vehicles, hedging tools, arbitrage mechanisms, and speculative instruments. Students will further develop skills for data collection and analysis utilising software systems such as Bloomberg and spreadsheets.

A blended teaching and learning approach includes the use of websites, videos, guest talks from industry and support for employability enhancing classroom activities.
Bloomberg may be used to deliver teaching sessions.

Financial Instruments

This module aims to provide students with a knowledge of the trading of the major exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded financial products and develop an understanding of their use as investment vehicles, hedging tools, engineered products, arbitrage mechanisms, and speculative instruments.
The module discusses the characteristics, pricing and valuation of the fundamental instruments, terminologies and contract specifications for the trading of those financial instruments in both cash markets and derivative markets. The module evaluates the relationship between cash instruments and financial instruments, identifies the risk exposure on investments and explores the use of financial derivatives for risk hedging.
Students will also develop skills for data collection and analysis which may include the use of Bloomberg and MS Excel spreadsheets.

A blended teaching and learning approach includes the use of websites, videos, guest talks from industry and support for employability enhancing classroom activities.
The financial market Lab Bloomberg may be used to deliver teaching sessions.

International Banking

The module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of theoretical and applied issues in relation to the activities of international banks. The module focuses on main theories of banking and provides an overview of the crucial operations in the context of international banking. It also seeks to provide students with a critical awareness of different approaches of assessing bank risk and performance and how they are used in practice by shareholders, investors and financial and banking experts.

International Trade and Finance

This module introduces students to the fundamental aspects of the theories of international trade and finance, policy analysis and the controversies that surround these activities. It will examine the costs and benefits of these two fundamental activities in the global economy and consider the extent to which government policies in these areas can improve economic outcomes. The module will draw on up-to-date analyses and empirical studies and will examine theoretical and contemporary policy issues in this regard in the international economy.

The module also aims to develop a number of transferable skills of students, e.g. oral and written communication skills, research, quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Personal Finance

This module has been nationally promoted by the UK financial regulator the Financial Services Authority (FSA), [now Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)], as a ‘unique idea’ in their ‘National Strategy for Financial Capability in Higher Education’ (2009), and disseminated to all universities as an exemplar for raising student interest, expertise and enthusiasm in personal finance. FSA refers to London Metropolitan University as one of only four universities awarded the FSA Curriculum Development Grant for “unique ideas” put forward for the creation of a financial capability module, the unique idea for this University being the innovative Competency Based Action Learning (CoBAL) curriculum which is the outcome of doctoral level research conducted in collaboration with real-world organisations such as the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), the FSA, and the National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC).

The module underlines the role personal judgement plays in personal finance, and the many perspectives that inform personal judgement, enabling the student to formulate and employ Action Learning strategies for the development of knowledge, skill and attitudinal competencies in personal finance, and for increased ability and confidence in dealing with the complexities of making financial decisions in the five domains of financial capability identified by the FSA.

This is an Extension of Knowledge (EoK) module which any student on any course in the University is able to take as an option module subject to their course incorporating a relevant slot in their course structure. The module’s EOK status recognises the need for students of all subjects to have a good grasp of Personal Finance.

Practising Business Strategy (with simulation)

Strategy is a crucial subject, concerned with the development, success and failure of all kinds of organisations, from multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups, from charities to government agencies, and many others. Accordingly, strategy constitutes a key element of all professional business and management qualifications.

It equips aspiring managers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and techniques required to critically analyse contemporary organisations within changing environments nationally and globally; to formulate, evaluate and defend realistic and creative proposals for future strategic direction; and to plan for the effective implementation of the strategy selected.

Overall, the module aims to:

• Develop the knowledge and understanding to critically apply a range of practical strategic management tools for strategic analysis, choice-making and implementation across public, private and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes across all sectors;

• Enable students to translate their analysis of contemporary organisations and contexts into persuasive, creative and realistic proposals for an organisation’s future strategic direction;

• Enable students to apply structured insight into the realities of an organisation’s internal and external context in order to develop implementation plans which help maximise achievement of strategic objectives; and

• Enhance student employability by developing transferable skills such as research, analysis, evaluation, decision-making, presenting data and influencing others across different cultures, within both existing organisations and entrepreneurial start-ups.

Professional Experience Year Placement

The Professional Experience Year Placement is a Work Based Learning module designed to intensively develop student employability and increase career prospects upon graduation. The placement year requires learners to undertake a minimum of 44 weeks full-time employment relating to their studies and career goals. This comprehensive experience will facilitate application and progression of knowledge and skills gained via the degree programme any previous employment and wider life experience.

This ‘Year in Industry’ work based learning module is undertaken as an additional 30 credits between Levels 5 and 6, extending undergraduate course programmes to four years. The module provides an additional 30 credits to a degree programme, commencing in the summer following completion of Level 5. Students will retain student status during the year and complete their final, fourth year of study following the placement year.

Pre-placement preparation support over six months prior, will guide and assist students in their search for an appropriate placement role. Careers Consultants will provide guidance prior to the module to assist decision making in considering placement options and post placement, for career planning post-graduation. Students will only register on the module once they have secured a placement.

During the placement year, students will be supported remotely by Placement Tutors who will provide guidance on application of theoretical knowledge in a practical context, analysis of business problems and proposing solutions; identifying and articulating transferable skills and knowledge developed to meet the assessment requirements. Students will be expected to demonstrate improved understanding of their abilities and career goals, knowledge of the workplace organisation, co-operative and collaborative working and professional awareness through reflective learning.

It is a student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and to engage with the Work Based Learning team to assist them. The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements. Tier 4 International students will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work based learning activity to meet their visa requirements. These will need to be signed by their line manager/supervisor.

The module aims to enable students to:

• Effectively express and understand their current skills and abilities in relation to their career values and goals.
• Practically apply the knowledge gained through their course programme to a related work environment.
• Gaining comprehensive insight into a work environment.
• Make a positive contribution to the employing organisation and demonstrate inclusive workplace practices.
• Recognise their personal and professional development gains and apply to their future goals.