Overview

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of financial accounting and management accounting in order to help you to understand the importance of financial accounting procedures in running a business effectively. It also prepares you for your degree studies in Business Management and Accounting & Finance.

This module provides the appropriate foundation in financial accounting to enable students to be successful at Level 4 and beyond in their business-related undergraduate studies.

The main topics covered are:

a) Accounting records and their importance to commercial operations

b) Source materials and their use in preparing journals / day-books and ledger accounts

c) Recording credit and cash transactions using the system of double-entry bookkeeping; checking accuracy and preparing a trial balance

d) Calculation of some key ratios and using these to interpret a basic Statement of Financial Position and Income Statement

e) Trading and profit and loss accounts, depreciation, stock inventories

f) Identifying and understanding the Balance Sheet / Statement of Financial Position and its usefulness to stakeholders

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (40-49% / D- to D+): Student has made sufficient progress in the study of this module to achieve the lowest level of pass allowing for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

Satisfactory (50 – 59% / C- to C+): Student demonstrates reasonably comprehensive coverage of learning outcomes, indicating generally accurate understanding, based on lecture material and some core readings. Some gaps in knowledge and/or understanding evident.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+): Student has displayed a sound basic knowledge and understanding of much of the material studied in this module and achieved a high enough grade to indicate a clear ability to cope with the demands of an undergraduate level degree.

Excellent (70% + / A- to A*): Student has engaged consistently well with all aspects of the module and strong achievement in assessments indicates the ability to perform effectively at undergraduate degree level.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of basic terms, theories, and practice of financial accounting

• Explain the value of financial accounting process to a business

• Use double-entry bookkeeping to record financial transactions of a company and prepare a trial balance

• Use key ratios to interpret Statements of Financial Position and Income Statements