Modules for course N400 | BA/AF
BA Accounting and Finance

Compulsory Modules

Semester 1

• ASB-2110: Statistical Methods (10)
  Constrained optimisation; Hypothesis tests; Type I and Type II errors; Level of significance; Correlation and causality; Linear Regression model; Ordinary Least Squares estimation; Testing the significance of a regression.
• ASB-2111: Statistical Methods (20) or
  ADB-2111: Dulliau Ystadegol (20)
• ASB-2202: Corporate Finance (20)
  Present value and the opportunity cost of capital; Net present value and alternative methods of investment appraisal; Project analysis; Financial planning, and analysing financial performance; Investment risk and return, and portfolio theory; The Capital Asset Pricing Model; Short-term and long-term financing; Capital structure, and market imperfections; Weighted average cost of capital; Dividend policy; Financial and real options.
• ASB-2507: Management Accounting (20) Core
  Costings, budgets and pricing; Target costing, life-cycling costings, back-flush accounting and throughput accounting; Linear programming with multiple scarce resources; Budgetary systems; Advanced standard costing; Performance measurement; Working capital management; Application of advanced management accounting techniques in organisations.
• ASB-2515: Financial Accounting 1 (10) Core

Semester 2

• ASB-2111: Statistical Methods or
  ADB-2111: Dulliau Ystadegol
• ASB-2202: Corporate Finance
  Present value and the opportunity cost of capital; Net present value and alternative methods of investment appraisal; Project analysis; Financial planning, and analysing financial performance; Investment risk and return, and portfolio theory; The Capital Asset Pricing Model; Short-term and long-term financing; Capital structure, and market imperfections; Weighted average cost of capital; Dividend policy; Financial and real options.
• ASB-2507: Management Accounting
  Costings, budgets and pricing; Target costing, life-cycling costings, back-flush accounting and throughput accounting; Linear programming with multiple scarce resources; Budgetary systems; Advanced standard costing; Performance measurement; Working capital management; Application of advanced management accounting techniques in organisations.
• ASB-2516: Financial Accounting 2 (10) Core

0 to 20 credits from:

• ASB-2400: Law for Business (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
• Students who have not already taken ASB1400 Law for Business in year one, are required to take ASB2400 in year two.

Optional Modules

20 to 40 credits from:

• QXS-2001: Integrated English Skills 1 (10) (Semester 1)
  This course is only available to students whose native langauage is not English. Optional for second year students on any course. This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video & audio recordings and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Listening skills, Communication skills, Grammar and Idiomatic English. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are Health, Homes, Travel, Culture, Work and People & Relationships. Handouts of materials are provided for students.
• QXS-2002: Integrated English Skills 2 (10) (Semester 2)
  This course is only available to students whose native language is not English. Optional for second year students on any course. This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video tapes and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Writing skills, Reading skills, Vocabulary development and Communicative grammar. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are the Media, Learning & Teaching, Science & Technology, Entertainment, Crime & Punishment, and Stranger and Fiction. Handouts of materials are provided for students.
• QXS-2003: Business English 1 (10) (Semester 1)
  This course is only available to students whose native language is not English, who would like to improve their skills in Business English. (QXS2004 can be taken as a follow up course but is not a co-requisite). This single module course provides practice in the skills required to work or do business effectively in an English-speaking environment. International business interaction, customs and etiquette are covered as well as British business culture. Students also work on improving their presentation skills and gain confidence in telephoning in English. Business writing is an important element of the course including business letters, reports, memos, faxes and email. Studnets also work on improving their business vocabulary, in particular areas of international trade and the internet. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be at the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
• QXS-2004: Business English 2 (10) (Semester 2)
  This course is only available to students whose native language is not English. (QXS2003 can be taken as a pre-course but is not a co-requisite). Ths course is recommended for all non-native speakers of English who would like to improve their skills in Business English. The single module course provides practive in the skills required to work or do business effectively in an English-speaking environment. This course focuses on cross-cultural issues, advertising, sales, marketing, interview skills and finding a job as well as job selection procedures. Report writing is also dealt with during this module. Writing, speaking and listening skills for business are an integral part of the course and the course also covers teamwork, travel and hospitality in addition to meeting and negotiation skills. The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be at the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.
• ASB-2217: Investment (10) (Semester 1) or
  ADB-2217: Buddsoddiant (10) (Semester 1)
• ASB-2406: Work Placement (10) (Semester 1 + 2)
  Preparatory tutorials; Compilation of a CV; Job application letter writing; Ten days at a placement provider's workplace. Debriefing session.
  or
  ACB-2406: Lleoliad Gwaith (10) (Semester 1 + 2)
  Tiwtorialau paratoadol; Llunio CV; Ysgrifennu llythyrau i wneud cais am swyddi; Deg diwrnod yng ngweithle darparwr lleoliad;
• ASB-2508: Corporate Gov'nce & Regulation (10) (Semester 2)
  What is a corporation? The development and the role of corporate governance systems and codes; The importance of ownership in corporate governance; The role of the board in corporate governance; The performance and remuneration of senior management; The role of the professions in corporate governance; Current International issues of corporate governance and regulation; Why regulate? Institutions of regulation; Forms of economic regulation.
• ASB-2510: Accounting Information Systems (10) (Semester 2)
  • Accounting Information System design • Computer Forensics / Fraud Examination • XBRL • Computer information security • Systems documentation • Risk and Ethics • Computer assisted audit techniques • Processing cycles
• Students may choose from the above list of modules subject to pre-requisites. QXS modules are for international students only.

Compulsory Modules

0 to 100 credits from:

• ASB-3208: Financial Statement Analysis (10) (Semester 2)
  Financial ratio analysis and interfirm comparison; Trend analysis and financial forecasting; Dividends, earnings and share valuation; Valuation techniques; Investment analysis; Distress prediction and company acquisations.
• ASB-3210: Advanced Corporate Finance (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  The module examines the theory and practice of corporate investment and financial decisions. Topics include: mean-variance analysis, option pricing, capital structure, dividend policy, efficient capital markets, agency theory, mergers and restructuring. Particular emphasis will be placed on topical areas within corporate governance and investments.
• ASB-3211: Adv.Accounting Theory & Pract (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  Normative theories of accounting; Positive accounting theories; Behavioural accounting theories; Systems-oriented theories; Critical accounting theories; Conceptual frameworks for financial reporting; A regulatory framework for financial reporting; Presentation of financial statements; Specific issues, including financial instruments, leases. provision, contingent liabilities and contingent assests: taxation.
• ASB-3212: Taxation (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  The place of taxation in the economy; The balance between equity and efficiency; Income tax and incentives to work and save; The role of capital taxation; The bases of taxation and investment incentives; Reform of the tax system; Tax as a policy tool; The calculation of personal, corporate, capital gains, inheritance and value added tax liabilities; Basic tax planning.
  or
  ADB-3212: Trethiant (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  Lle trethiant yn yr economi; Y cydbwysedd rhwng ecwiti ac effeithlonrwydd; Treth incwm a chymhelliannau i weithio ac arbed; Swyddogaeth trethiant cyfalaf; Seiliau trethiant a chymhelliannau buddsoddi; Diwygio'r system dreth; Treth fel cyfrwng polisi; Cyfrifo rhwymedigaethau treth bersonol, gorfforaethol, enillion cyfalaf, etifeddu a threth ar werth; Cynllunio sylfaenol o ran talu trethi.
• ASB-3214: Auditing (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  Theoretical, regulatory and ethical background to both internal and external auditing; Risk assessment in the context of internal and external audit; The audit planning process; Gathering of audit evidence; Contents of audit reports; International procedural and ethical standards.
• ASB-3217: Investment (10) (Semester 1)
• These modules are compulsory for students continuing from year 2

Optional Modules

0 to 20 credits from:

• ASB-3204: Corporate Risk Management (10) (Semester 1)
  The nature of risk management; Risk identification; The firm's loss exposure; Risk measurement and probability distributions; Risk control tools; Risk financing; Insurance and the alternatives; Legal aspects of insurance and insurance contracts; Dealing with insurers.
• ASB-3309: Behavioural Finance (10) (Semester 2)
  Introduction to behavioural finance as a descriptive approach to explaining decisions and behaviour in financial markets, based on psychological theory and evidence; Theory and evidence on the efficient markets hypothesis; Expected utility theory, axioms, attitudes to risk and curvature of the utility of wealth curve, Rabin’s critique; Psychological research, examples of irrational behaviour and choices; Prospect theory, examples of irrational behaviour by individual investors; Limits to arbitrage, evidence of inefficiency, noise trader risk; The closed-end funds puzzle; Investor sentiment, under-reaction and over-reaction to news, momentum, positive feedback trading and herding, bubbles, booms, crashes and fads; Corporate finance applications, new share issues, equity and debt finance.
• ASB-3412: Dissertation (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
  There is no set syllabus. The subject matter can be drawn from any area of accounting, banking, economics, finance, business studies, management or marketing, provided that there is suitable and sufficient reading material available, and a member of staff is available to supervise in the chosen area of study. You should choose your topic in consultation with the module organiser and other members of staff at the start of the academic year.
• ASB-3527: Executive Compensation (10) (Semester 2)
• may choose from the above list of modules Students continuing from year 2 subject to pre-requisites.