Please note: Due to alternative arrangements for teaching and
assessment in place from 18 March 2020 to mitigate against the restrictions in
place due to COVID-19, information shown for 2019/20 may not always be accurate.
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| 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. Cooper |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
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:
- Provide students with an understanding of the role of accounting and finance in its historical, cultural, social and economic context.
- Provide students with the tools to enable them to analyse the ethical and commercial aspects of a event, case or situation.
- Enable students to link the numerical techniques of accounting and finance with the practice of accounting and finance.
- Develop skills of producing videos, making presentations and writing reports.
- Analyse data and information from a wide range of sources, including research-based academic literature.
- Develop skills of team working.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Understand how accounting and finance techniques are used in practice. For example, how projects are approved or investments undertaken.
- Analyse the role of accountants and finance professionals during key economic events, such as the financial crisis of 2007/8.
- Evaluate the changing role of the accountant and finance professionals in the light of changes in technology, society and the economy.
- Apply ethical theories to practical situations, such as insider dealing.
- Reflect on their learning process.
- Communicate effectively in written form.
- Work effectively in teams.
Teaching Information
Formative Assessment
Discussion in class, working through examples, tackling textbook questions etc.
20 lectures and 9 classes
Assessment Information
Summative Assessment
- Personal reflective journal of 1,000 words (20%). This tests learning outcomes 5 & 6.
- 5,000-word group assignment requiring students to examine a contemporary accounting or finance topic. Topics will be relevant to the learning outcomes of the unit. (40%). 20% of the mark will be based on peer assessment to avoid the ‘free-rider’ problem. This tests learning outcomes 1,2,3,4,6 & 7.
- Individual and group* video presentation (40%). This tests learning outcomes 6 & 7.
- Individual mark for group presentation may be adjusted subject to peer evaluation of contribution.
Reading and References
Various relevant accounting and finance textbooks.
