Introduction to Financial Accounting
| Module title | Introduction to Financial Accounting |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEA1008 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Peta Myers (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 250 |
|---|
Module description
This is an introductory financial accounting module that is aimed at students who intend to major in accounting in their undergraduate studies, or who have a keen interest in gaining an understanding of elementary financial accounting. The first part of the module outlines the framework of accounting – its nature, purposes, and the contexts/environment in which it is practised. The module then covers the basics of accounting (i.e. concepts, conventions, principles and the accounting equation) and the recording/summarising mechanism that underlie financial accounting. In addition, the recognition and measurement principles are also taught. Finally, the module covers the preparation of financial statements from the trial balance for various types of entities including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and non-for-profit entities. The module uses the International Financial Reporting Standards as reference.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
Internationalisation is embedded in the content of this module through the use of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Moreover, the principles of introductory financial accounting are common across most countries.
Sustainability
All of the resources for the module are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).
External engagement
The module content meets the standards of the professional accountancy bodies (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS and CIMA) and the module is accredited by them.
Employability
Material taught in this module is highly relevant to accounting- and business-related jobs. The module also offers an opportunity for students to develop their numeracy and logical thinking skills.
Widening Participation
Students are given problem sets a week before the tutorials and work on the questions independently. In the tutorials they have an opportunity to discuss any difficulties with the group.
Research in teaching
The module is informed by the module convenor’s research interest in financial reporting.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide first time accounting students with a broad understanding of financial accounting, a thorough grounding in double-entry bookkeeping, and the preparation of financial statements for different types of entities. It will provide students who have a keen interest in accounting or intend to major in accounting in their undergraduate studies with a solid foundation in financial accounting and reporting.
(Note: this module cannot be taken with BEA1013 Introduction to Accounting )
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. describe the nature, uses and purposes of financial accounting, and outline both the conceptual and regulatory frameworks that govern the preparation and reporting of financial information;
- 2. explain the accounting equation and its link to financial statements, and illustrate the impact of economic transactions on the accounting equation;
- 3. describe the key concepts and conventions that underpin financial accounting;
- 4. describe and apply the process of recording transactions from source documents to financial statements via the books of prime entry, ledgers and trial balance;
- 5. explain the nature and purposes of control accounts and apply appropriate correcting techniques for errors and omissions;
- 6. describe the role of computers in accounts production and the issues surrounding their use;
- 7. explain and apply the recognition and measurement principles relating to: non-current assets (including depreciation and VAT), inventories (and cost of sales) and other current assets and liabilities (including receivables and bad debts, prepayments and accruals, etc.) and non-current liabilities and equity in accordance with IFRSs;
- 8. explain the differences in characteristics between a sole trader and a company and prepare financial statements for both forms of entities in accordance woith IFRSs
- 9. explain the characteristics of a partnership, prepare financial information for a partnership including the admission of a partner and the dissolution of a partnership;
- 10. prepare financial statements for non-for-profit entities.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. apply accounting principles, concepts and conventions in practical situations;
- 12. prepare financial statements containing relevant accounting data for companies, non-for-profit entities and other business forms.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 13. demonstrate basic problem-solving skills;
- 14. demonstrate an ability to undertake independent study and to manage time;
- 15. demonstrate basic written and numerical skills.
Syllabus plan
- The framework of accounting
- The accounting equation, concepts and conventions
- The transactions recording process, trial balance and basic financial statements
- Control accounts, errors and omissions and computerised accounting
- Non-current assets and depreciation
- Inventories and cost of sales
- Other current assets and liabilities
- Non-current liabilities and equity
- Preparation of financial statements for sole traders and limited companies
- Preparation of financial statements for partnerships and non-for-profit organisations
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 97 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 33 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Timetabled help classes (optional) |
| Guided independent study | 97 | Reading and preparation for tutorials, workshops and assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly tutorials for discussion | 3 hrs preparation by student / 1 hr in class discussion | 1-15 | Discussion in tutorial and suggested solutions on ELE |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x in-term test (week 5) | 20 | 1 hour | 1-15 | Debriefing in lecture and suggested solutions on ELE |
| 1 x in-term test (week 10) | 20 | 1 hour | 1-15 | Debriefing in lecture and suggested solutions on ELE |
| Written examination | 60 | 1.5 hours | 1-15 | Suggested solution on ELE |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-term test, week 5 (20%) | In-term Test (1 hour, 20%) | 1-15 | August/September Reassessment Period |
| In-term test, week 10 (20%) | In-term Test (1 hour, 20%) | 1-15 | August/September Reassessment Period |
| Written Examination (60%) | Written Examination (1.5 hours, 60%) | 1-15 | August/September Reassessment Period |
Re-assessment notes
Should a reassessment be required for either of the tests or examination for this module, it will be by means of one hour tests accounting for 20% each or a one-hour examination accounting for 60% module marks, as relevant.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Prescribed Textbook: As advised.
Recommended reading:
Thomas, A. and Ward, A. M. (2019). Introduction to Financial Accounting, 9th edition. London: McGraw Hill Education.
(Note: older edition may be used)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources:
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=128
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | Cannot be taken concurrently with BEA1013 Introduction to Accounting |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 01/09/2011 |
| Last revision date | 17/03/2022 |
