Year one: Economics for Accounting and Finance

You will learn how to apply the fundamental principles to economic problems and propose alternatives for resource allocation in order to meet the objectives of organization. You will be able to understand the principle of supply and demand in the economy, assess the implication of production and associated costs and revenue under short and long-run production capabilities.

Financial Marketing and Regulation

The specific aims of this module are to enable you to examine the institutional features of financial systems, as well as identify key issues and problems arising in Finance, both in a UK and international context. You will study the history and context of Financial Services in the UK, in addition to the regulatory changes that have come about as a result of recent events in the sector.

Law for Business Entities

You will examine the basis of a valid contract. This will include the expectation and consequences of the relationship between agent and principal.

You will study the law of tort and its specific relevance to professional advice within the business environment.

You will learn the relevant legislation affecting sole traders, partnerships and companies including the law of insolvency that is relevant when a business runs into financial difficulties.

Financial Statements and Budgeting

This module is concerned primarily with competence in drafting and interpreting the financial statements of limited companies and budgeting which is an essential tool in planning, coordinating, authorizing and cost control. You will attain competence in drafting financial statements of business entities and acquire an understanding of the fundamental management accounting concepts and techniques.

Year two:

 Year two of this course is concerned with providing the knowledge and skills of corporate finance, which forms the basis of investment analysis and decisions and enables students to undertake a variety of risk assessments relating to financial matters. The students should understand the models of financial risk management and their application within a range of professional settings.

At the end of year two, students should be able to critically analyze, propose solutions from analysis and communicate information to specialists and non-specialists.

Placement year:

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements1 usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Final year:

The final year of this course is concerned with students being able to evaluate the concept of compliance and assurance, why compliance is required and the reasons for assurance engagements being carried out by appropriately qualified professionals.

At the end of the final year students should be able to critically discuss tax and ethical issues relating to it, evaluate the organization’s strategic operations and evaluate incomplete data to make judgements.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Evaluate the legal, ethical and social context, in which accounting can be seen as operating in the accountancy profession; business entity; the capital markets; and the public sector.
• Apply the main current technical language and practices of accounting in regard to recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial statements; managerial accounting; auditing and taxation on a national and international basis.
• Critically evaluate the main current technical language and practices of accounting in regard to alternative recognition rules and valuation bases, accounting rules applicable nationally and internationally, different managerial accounting methods used in management control and decision making.
• Apply the relevant skills in recording and summarizing transactions and other economic events; preparation of financial statements using international standards; performance measurement of managers and business entities; management control; analysis of financial ratios or performance indicators, discounted cash flow analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and financial options and associated risks. These skills must be in the contexts in which accounting data and information is processed and provided within a variety of organizational environments.
• Critically evaluate contemporary theories and empirical evidence, concerning the operation and effects of accounting, in the contexts of accounting and accountability; accounting and corporate governance; accounting and capital markets; accounting and sustainability; and auditing.
• An appreciation of the nature of the contexts in which finance can be seen as operating, including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and financial institutions (for example, the economic, ethical, legal, political, regulatory, social and tax environment, both national and international; the firm; the capital markets; and the public sector).
• An understanding of the financing arrangements and governance mechanisms and structures of business entities, and an appreciation of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements (for example, decisions as to sources of finance and financial structure; the pricing of corporate securities; the market for corporate control; corporate governance; financial planning; and international dimensions of finance).

Key graduate job titles may range from Chartered and Certified Accountants, Finance and Investment Analyst, Taxation Experts and Financial Managers and Advisors. According to High Fliers research, The Graduate Market in 2020, the most generous salaries are from investment banks, consulting firms, law firms and oil & energy companies.