AS Accounting

Accounting
The main purpose of this course is to gain knowledge and understanding of the purposes of accounting, its concepts and techniques including basic double entry bookkeeping. AS year to include the detection and correction of errors, final account adjustments and looking at different types of business entity including sole trader, partnerships and clubs and societies.
The course covers an appreciation of the effects of economic, legal and technological changes in accounting and the social implications of accounting decisions.
Students are required to demonstrate an ability to use communications and numerical skills accurately. They will also be required to present, analyse, interpret and evaluate accounting information.

In order to be successful on this course students are expected to demonstrate the ability and commitment to undertake independent learning and study.

What Will I Learn On This Course?

Students will study two units each year.
AS students will learn recording techniques, underpinning rules and regulations. In addition students will develop skills in how to use financial information to make decisions.
A2 students will work to develop AS skills to produce published financial records as well as gaining new knowledge and skills in association with cost accounting.

Course Content and Method Of Assesment?

Unit and Main Topic
1 - Accounting Principles Accounting Principles (double entry book keeping), Accounting concepts.
Classification of expenditure and changing asset values
Ledger entries and adjustments
Trial balance and final accounts

2 -Financial Accounting
Journals, control accounts, Adjustments and corrections,
Types of organisation including sole trader, partnerships and clubs and societies and overview of budgets.
Analysis and evaluation of accounting statements ICT in accounting

3 - Management Accounting Budgeting and Budgetary Control (in more depth),
Standard Costing and Variance Analysis,
Stock valuation,
Capital appraisal and Decision making and social accounting

4 - Company Accounts and Interpretation Preparation of Final Accounts for Ltd's &Plc's,
Sources of finance
Role of accounting standards
Analysis and interpretation of accounts.

All units are end tested by way of formal exam (closed book).

After The Course?

After leaving Barton Peveril College about half the Accounting students will go on to study Accounting or Business Related courses at University. Most universities will offer students the opportunity to sandwich their course with a year of work experience.

The other half of Accounting Students will enter the workplace at 18, with training opportunities. Some local employers offer degree placements which are sponsored programmes combining blocks of study and work experience. Others offer day release to work towards professional accounting qualifications.

An A level in Accounting will enable the holder exemptions from some units of the professional accounting courses such as AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians).

Subject Combinations

Accounting will fit well with a variety of other subjects, many also study Business Studies, Economics, Law or Statistics.

Entry Requirements

All students are expected to have a minimum of five GCSE's grades A *- C, which must include Maths and English at grade B or above. It is not necessary to have studied Accounting at GCSE level. Written skills make up approximately 40% of the papers we will therefore being utilising diagnostic tests to ensure the skills are present and developed.