Course Resources Archive

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge, skills and professional judgement in the application and evaluation of financial reporting principles and practices in different business contexts and situations.

A  The professional and ethical duty of the accountant
Professional behaviour, social responsibility, compliance with accounting standards and ethical requirements of corporate reporting

B    The financial reporting framework
Critical evaluation of the contribution and limitations of the accounting framework and financial statements in meeting the needs of users’ and capital markets

C    Reporting the financial performance of entities
Performance reporting, Non-current assets, Financial instruments, Leases Segment reporting, Employee benefits, Income taxes, Provisions, contingencies and events after the reporting date, Related parties, Share-based payment

D    Specialised entities
Financial reporting in specialised, not-for-profit and public sector entities
Reporting requirements of small and medium sized entities (SMEs)

E     Implications of changes in accounting regulation on financial reporting
The effect of changes in accounting standards on accounting systems

F     The appraisal of financial performance and position of entities
Analysis and interpretation of financial information and measurement of performance

G    Current developments
Environmental and social reporting, convergence between national and international reporting standards, comparison of national reporting requirements, current reporting issues

i. Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

1. Prepare and interpret complex financial statements for groups of companies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
2. Evaluate key aspects of accounting theory and academic underpinning in relation to generally accepted accounting principles
3. Analyse in an evaluative and critical manner the impact of topical financial reporting issues
4. Maintain an international focus to issues within corporate financial reporting

ii. Corporate Financial Strategy Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a)  Discuss the professional and ethical duties of the accountant
b)  Evaluate the financial reporting framework and critique accounting concepts, theories and alternative accounting models in a thoughtful and reflective manner
c)  Advise on and report the financial performance of entities
d)  Prepare the financial statements of groups of entities in accordance with relevant accounting standards
e)  Produce, analyse and interpret in a critical manner advanced accounting information and discuss reporting issues relating to specialised entities
f)   Discuss the implications of changes in accounting regulation on financial reporting
g)  Appraise the financial performance and position of entities
h)  Evaluate current developments and assess the impact of international issues on corporate reporting

iii. Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a) Analyse and interpret financial literature
b) Communicate effectively at an advanced level, complex quantitative and qualitative information, both orally and in writing

Staff/student contact: approximately 20% (lectures, tutorials)
Student directed study: approximately 80%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.