Accounting & Finance

A University of Plymouth Undergraduate Programme.

Programme Modules

Stage 1

Financial Accounting

Module Description
A business manager who neglects a proper control of finances will soon encounter difficulties. Good accounting methods are essential both to budgetary control and to forward planning. Whilst the module does not attempt to deliver the skills associated with a fully qualified accountant, course members will become familiar with the principles of creating records of profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheet analysis.

Financial Information Management

Module Description
Students will be introduced to the language of accounting and finance. The module will familiarise students with fundamental concepts, whilst drawing their attention to the principle sources of research data. The importance of London as the world’s financial hub will be examined, as will the financial markets and institutions that make up the sector. Students will also gain grounding in and an understanding of the regulatory factors involved in the financial sector and how these operate within a liberal democracy.

Study Skills

Module Description
The Study Skills module is intended to provide the foundations for undertaking undergraduate studies. Some students are unsure about what is expected of them as they enter higher education; often the transition is difficult to negotiate. This module attempts to address any potential problem by providing the development for good academic practice. It is important to make explicit the criteria and standards applied in assessing students’ work and accordingly this module aims to initiate an understanding of what is required.

Business Law

Module Description
An understanding of the legal environment within which business can thrive is of vital importance to a business manager. Apart from the intricacies of contract law, managers must be aware of EU legislation in respect of employment, exports and business development. In addition the entrepreneur, who may wish to establish a new business, should understand the benefits of incorporation as well as the advantages of other forms of company identity.

Business Economics

Module Description
Economic theory assists the modern manager to understand the ways in which the scale of operations may impact upon cost savings, as well as the influence of world economic trends upon individual business strategy. In this way, managers utilise micro and macro-economic data to improve decision making about future policy.

Introduction to Computing

Module Description
Computer systems have become a familiar feature of the modern business environment. However, the effective use of this tool depends upon an understanding of data collection and retrieval techniques as well as the theories underlying the analysis of statistical data. Successful analysis will assist in the development of reliable predictive skills and, therefore, better decision making.

Stage 2

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Module Description
The module introduces students to the various statutory and legislative processes involved in reporting a company’s financial performance to its external stakeholders. Students will familiarise themselves with the basics of preparing a statement of income, as well as a balance sheet. Preparation of group accounts will be introduced. Students will become familiar with International Accounting Standards.

Introduction to Management Accounting

Module Description
The importance of having sound accounting knowledge should not be underestimated. The information derived from management accounts provides Managers with the data necessary to make sound judgements and business decisions within their organisations. The module will equip students with the ability to analyse the need for budgeting as a means of control, and will examine the ‘Beyond Budgeting and ‘Better Budgeting’ approaches. Students will gain an understanding of the processes of short term decision making. In addition, variance analysis will be discussed.

Financial Management

Module Description
Sound financial management plays a key role in the basis of forming the growth of any successful company. With this in mind, the module sets out to furnish students with a knowledge of the sources of long-term capital. The need for working capital will also be addressed. Capital investment appraisal and dividend decision-making will also be introduced.

plus 3 electives from

Business Organisation and Policy

Module Description
Managers are continuously under pressure to adapt their policies and organisational structure to the changing environment together with the opportunities and threats presented.We need to understand the benefits of alternative policies in the face of change and how organisations ought to adapt to meet their business aims. Managers should, therefore, be aware of the nature of external and internal pressures and the ways in which these might influence short-term objectives.

Human Resource Management

Module Description
This module complements the study of Employee Resourcing and considers, amongst others, theories of human motivation as an important area of understanding for all managers. In their efforts to obtain the best efficiencies from the human resource, managers will find the study of social scientific theories very helpful.This is especially so when a business is faced with the task of implementing necessary changes brought about by company mergers or the deployment of new systems.

Information Technology

Module Description
Management decisions are based on both qualitative and quantitative information relating to the company and its environment. Particularly in respect of storage and retrieval of information, computers have taken over from more traditional methods and it is vital for managers to be fully aware of the technology of handling information. This module dwells on the variety of hardware and software available to the modern manager in achieving the aim of making informed decisions.

Logistics and Operations Management

Module Description
The study of logistics and operations management is of particular importance in the context of manufacturing industry, although it may be adapted for almost any context.The theories and principles explored in this module assist managers to make the best use of time and resources and to affect change in processes in order to create greater efficiency.

Stage 3

Corporate Financial Management

Module Description
We now live in a world where national borders no longer restrict the growth of business enterprise. The onset of globalisation has focused companies on the need for international expansion. This module will also look at risk management, including foreign exchange and interest rate risk. In addition the module will focus on mergers and acquisitions, as well as enabling the student to demonstrate a basic grasp of capital structures and the areas of business valuations.

Advanced Management Accounting and Performance management

Module Description
Students will draw from the earlier management accounting modules and develop an in-depth understanding of financial control and planning, as well as strategic management accounting within a modern organisation. The module will equip students with the ability to critically analyse the current and future role of management accounting, with a particular emphasis on the necessity for measuring performance within specific departments as well as the overall organisation.

Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting

Module Description
The need for managers with the ability both to produce and analyse the complex issues surrounding financial statements and reporting has never been more important. It is necessary to understand the ethical, cultural and environmental dimensions underlying the principles of International Accounting Standards. Students will draw from previous modules on the subject, where they will develop their analytical skills with regard to financial statements. The preparation of advanced statements of income, balance sheets and cash flow statements will be explored.

Financial Research Methods

Module Description
The empirical research involved in preparing and designing a report, on which sound financial decisions have been based, is of the utmost importance to all companies. The module explores the complex arena in which sources and data are formulated in order to deliver a report that can be used by decision makers. Moreover, the module will examine research methodology, including a summary of existing relevant literature, which is necessary to provide justification of the logic of policy formulation and consequent recommendations.

Financial Research Project

Module Description
An integral part of the efficient management of organisations involves drawing upon knowledge and skills across a range of accounting and finance functions. The module will equip students with the ability to critically evaluate relevant published literature and apply these to an accounting or finance problem. The ability to recognise the synergies afforded by accounting and finance functions is important as part of any organisation’s strategic planning and, thus, such functions contribute to the effectiveness of the entire administration. The module will provide the student with the capability to critically consider supporting arguments from other sources, as well as justifying their own arguments and reasoning.

plus 1 elective from

Strategic Management

Module Description
The module explores the ways in which the overall aims and objectives of a business might interact with the need to institute changes in response to external challenges. Management structures within organisations must accommodate these changes and adapt according to the business environment.

International Marketing

Module Description
The opportunities for companies to develop an international business enterprise are greater now than they have ever been. Managers should be aware of certain principles which need to be observed when engaged in international marketing.The module seeks to develop an awareness of these principles by exploring the challenges of cultural differences, the legal environments of other countries and the various methods which could be employed to penetrate a new market.

Intakes
- February
- June
- October

UCAS Campus (Institution) Code: G74

UCAS/JACS Code NN43
Entry via a Degree Foundation Course or by Direct Entry

Mode of attendance
This course can be studied full time only which comprises of 6 semesters over 24 months

Starting Dates
This course has enrolment dates in February, June and October each year.

Objectives

• to increase the student’s knowledge of the organisation and structure of businesses, their interaction with the environment and the techniques of management and problem solving.The structure of the programmes is designed to achieve this objective through the programme of lectures, tutorials and programmework
• to develop the student’s personal skills of analysis and communication and to foster a spirit of enquiry and motivation.These skills are enhanced through programmework and tutorials in which students are given the opportunity to express views, to have their assumptions questioned, and to exercise the logic of the connection between cause and effect.
• to provide an understanding of how to work fruitfully and cooperatively with others on business problems of great complexity and to organise teamwork effectively.This is achieved through project work, which is designed also to emphasise the interdisciplinary nature of business.