Unit information: Accounting and Finance in Context in 2023/24

Unit name	Accounting and Finance in Context
Unit code	EFIM10022
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Morales
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Accounting and Finance - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

This unit examines accounting and finance in its historical, cultural, social and economic context. We will examine the history and evolving social roles of accounting and finance exploring the ideals and ethics inherent in the technical practice and its key institutions (e.g. professions, regulators, stock markets, etc.). The unit will examine these issues with a focus on key contemporary issues affecting the nature and potential of accounting and finance to contribute to fair and sustainable societies.

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Provide students with an understanding of the role of accounting and finance in its historical, cultural, social and economic context.
2. Provide students with the tools to enable them to analyse the ethical and commercial aspects of a event, case or situation.
3. Enable students to link the numerical techniques of accounting and finance with the practice of accounting and finance.
4. Develop skills of producing videos, making presentations and writing reports.
5. Analyse data and information from a wide range of sources, including research-based academic literature.
6. Develop skills of team working.

Your learning on this unit

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Understand how accounting and finance techniques are used in practice. For example, how projects are approved or investments undertaken.
2. Analyse the role of accountants and finance professionals during key economic events, such as the financial crisis of 2007/8.
3. Evaluate the changing role of the accountant and finance professionals in the light of changes in technology, society and the economy.
4. Apply ethical theories to practical situations, such as insider dealing.
5. Reflect on their learning process.
6. Communicate effectively in written form.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions including lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, discussion boards and other online learning opportunities

Formative Assessment: Complete a ‘Mentoring log and planner’, which is inked to the mentoring scheme with practice professionals

How you will be assessed

Summative Assessment:

• 30% individual coursework (1,000 words or equivalent), covering ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6
• 70% group coursework (4,000 words or equivalent), covering ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6

When assessment does not go to plan

• 30% individual coursework will take the form of a like for like assessment
• 70% group coursework will take the form of an individual assessment (4,000 words or equivalent)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIM10022).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.