Module content
Business structures. Introduction to the financial statements of business enterprises (profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow). Interpretation of financial statements and other financial data. Social and environmental/sustainability reporting. Working capital management. Techniques for raising finance. Costing systems. Cost-volume-profit analysis. Relevant costs and short-term decisions. Business valuation. Capital investment appraisal. Portfolio theory and capital asset management. Efficient market theory. Dividend policy. Cost of capital. Foreign exchange. Mergers and acquisitions.
Module outcomes
To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of financial statements and reporting.
- Critically evaluate the financial models most commonly in use.
- Critically evaluate business performance, through ratio analysis.
- Choose between theories appropriate to various business situations, by a deep understanding of which models should be applied to various financial decisions.
Assessment
| Assessment | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Briefing paper and group presentation | 50% |
| Examination | Exam (3 hours) | 50% |
Key texts
Students should be familiar with the content of the following:
- McLaney, E. and Atrill P. (2015) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists, (9th ed.), Pearson.
- Arnold, G. (2013). Corporate Financial Management. 5th edition. Pearson Education.
- Gray, R., Adams, C. A. and Owen, D. (2014) Accountability, Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Accounting for Society and the Environment. Pearson Education.
- Weetman, P. (2016) Financial and Management Accounting, (7th ed.), Financial Times Press.
- Seal, W., Garrison, R. and Noreen, E. (2013) Management Accounting, (4th edition), London: McGrawHill.