Finance for Business
| Module title | Finance for Business |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP2050 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Simon Ashby (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Finance is an essential part of running a business. Managers and entrepreneurs, whatever their specialism, require a working knowledge of finance to design and implement business plans, manage risk and monitor performance. This module will explore a range of key financial concepts to equip you with the knowledge that you need to understand the role of finance in business and how to use financial information to make effective business decisions.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of finance in business. You will be exposed to real financial issues and decisions that you may face as a company director, manager, entrepreneur or specialist professional (e.g., lawyer, accountant or management professional). This module will also build the foundations for further exploration of the wider worlds of corporate finance and investment management should you wish to do so in the future.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain the role of the finance function
- 2. Explain the main features of external capital markets and how the finance function interacts with them
- 3. Describe how business plans are developed and how forecast financial statements support the generation of business plans
- 4. Undertake the analysis and interpretation of financial data
- 5. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the main sources of internal and external finance and understand the factors involved in the management of working capital and calculate the effect of different strategies
- 6. Identify the main components of the risk management process and explain how it operates
- 7. Identify and discuss major issues involved in personal financial management
- 8. Describe the key issues surrounding information management and how the organisation can use information systems for strategic advantage
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Apply financial management concepts and practices to analyse simple business problems and recommend courses of action
- 10. Identify and present appropriate information to assist management with determining the mix of funds from different sources and taking financial management decisions
- 11. Demonstrate an appreciation of the usefulness or otherwise of a range of financial management techniques
- 12. Demonstrate an awareness of the role and purpose of information systems within the organisation
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 13. Demonstrate written communication skills
- 14. Demonstrate problem solving skills
- 15. Demonstrate an ability to undertake independent study and manage their time
Syllabus plan
Introduction:
- The role of the finance function
- Sustainable finance
Financial planning and analysis:
- Business planning and financial forecasting techniques.
- Understanding and using Net Present Value
- Social value
Financing decisions:
- Financing a business – internal and external sources Financing a business – raising long-term finance Cost of capital and gearing
- Understanding global capital markets and the role of financial intermediaries
- Developing a dividend policy
Financial controls:
- Introduction to risk management
Personal financial management:
- Personal financial management – sources of finance
- Personal financial management – investments and pensions
Information Management:
- Data, Information and knowledge
- Role of information systems in business
- Key types of information system
- Development of information system
- Strategy aligning information and business strategies
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 125 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 19 | Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 1 | Revision session |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 5 | Tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 125 | Research, revision, preparation and writing |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly problems and questions to aid discussion in tutorials | 2-3 hours for preparation; 1 hour in-class session | 1-15 | Tutor run-through of questions and suggested solutions |
| Tutorial discussion | Weekly seminar | 1-15 | Feedback during seminar |
| Online tests | Varies | 1-15 | Solutions provided via online learning environment |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework paper | 50 | 2000 words | 2-5,9-15 | Mark awarded and feedback comments to individual students |
| Written assessment | 50 | 2000 words | 1, 3-15 | Mark awarded and feedback provided to individual students on request. |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework paper (50%) | Coursework (2000 words) (50%) | 2-5, 9-15 | Referral/deferral period |
| Written assessment (50%) | Written assessment (2000 words) | 1, 3-15 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
A student if deferred in a single component will be reassessed in that component only.
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Atrill, P. (2020), Financial Management for Decision Makers, 9th ed., Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd (Chapters 1-4; and 6-10)
- Watson, D. & Head, A. (2019) Corporate Finance, Principles & Practice, 8th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. (Chapter 12)
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Directed reading, tutorial questions and further practice questions or as recommended / directed by convener
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 01/10/2014 |
| Last revision date | 18/03/2024 |
