BSc Accounting and Finance

BEA1003: Business Law for Accountants

Summary:

This module considers the law that affects business in the UK, focusing on the law as it applies in England & Wales. You will gain an appreciation and understanding of the workings of the legal system, the law of tort, contract law, the law of agency, employment law and other areas of law that effect businesses.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Many legal systems in the world are based on the UK system (Hong Kong, ex-Commonwealth countries, Australia, USA) and so, although this module is UK-based, it has relevance to countries that have adapted the UK law system. As part of the business law, you will also be taught European Law.

Employability

This module will increase your knowledge of legal principles and help you understand the role of law in regulating businesses. It will develop your oral and written communication skills and you will learn to use appropriate legal language, identify and analyse legal problems, produce reasoned arguments and conclusions and recommend a course of action based on legal principles either working independently or as part of a team. Knowledge of the law and the skills developed in this module will provide you with a solid foundation which can be applied to all employment situations.

External Engagement

The module has input from the following external accreditation bodies:

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BEA1008: Introduction to Financial Accounting

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 a technical understanding of elementary financial accounting. The first part of the module outlines the framework of accounting - its nature, purpose , and the context /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 s 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 and limited companies. 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 ELE (the 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 workshops and work on the questions independently. In the workshops they have the opportunity to discuss any difficulties with in the group.

Additional, optional weekly classes are held which are student-driven, where questions can be raised on any topic covered to date.

Research in teaching

The module is informed by the module convenor's research interest in financial reporting and accounting education .

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 skills to prepare simple 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 together with BEA1013 Introduction to Accounting)

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BEA1009: Introduction to Management Accounting

Think of an iPhone. How much do you think that it cost Apple to make? Think of recent business news stories, with factory and store closures. As ways of cutting costs, how successful will these actually be? Or, maybe news stories announcing the launch of a new tablet PC - how has the manufacturer decided that this is a worthwhile product? Management accounting provides information which supports business decisions like these, whether it is setting selling prices, or understanding costs, assessing performance, and investing in new products. At an introductory level, this module considers costs and revenues, and how they can be measured and used to calculate profit and help make decisions, both in the short and long term. It also examines how budgets are prepared, and used as benchmarks to assess performance. Accounting? Boring? Never!

Internationalisation

• This module introduces subjects like costing, decision making, budgeting and budget outcomes which are relevant across countries.

External Engagement

• The module content meets the standards of the professional accountancy bodies (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS, CIMA) and the module is accredited by them.

Sustainability

• Sustainability is discussed in relation to wastage and the comparison between actual and expected performance.

Employability

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BEA1010: Business Finance for Accountants

Summary:

This module introduces you to the key concepts in finance, so that real world issues can be explored and discussed. Whilst the module assumes no previous mathematical experience, it does assume a fundamental understanding of accounts - therefore BEA1008 is a pre-requisite. It is also recommended to take this module if you wish to study Financial Management.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation
The content of this module is applicable worldwide and draws on examples from a diverse range of businesses.

Sustainability
The main text for this module has been customised for this module, comprising of work from several sources. All of the other resources for this module are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

External Engagement
Occasionally there will be guest lectures from Professionals from local accounting firms.
The content of this module is informed by ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland).

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.

The aim of this module is twofold:

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BEA1014: Statistical Methods for Accounting and Finance

This module equips you with foundational statistical skills essential for proficiency in accounting and finance. It focuses on introducing key statistical concepts, techniques, and tools relevant to analysing financial data. You will develop sound knowledge in applying statistical methods to real-world financial scenarios, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions. Through practical applications and occasional case studies, you will grasp statistical tools like regression analysis, probability, and hypothesis testing. This module aims to cultivate a strong quantitative foundation, empowering you with the analytical skills crucial for a successful career in accounting and finance.

Internationalisation:
Statistical tools are generally applicable; scenarios for collecting and analysing data will have a mixture of UK, EU and non-EU flavours so that they are more relevant to an international student body. Collaborative work on the case study aims to bring students together from different cultural backgrounds.

Sustainability:
Availability of study materials (lecture notes, tutorial questions, readings) on ELE rather than by hard copy. Some tutorial question scenarios will reflect sustainability issues such as sourcing of materials, resource consumption and alternative energy sources.

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BEE1029: Economic Principles

This module introduces Economics and explores the main characteristics of economies using historical and cross-country comparisons across the major dimensions of economic performance (growth, inequality, stability). By taking the main economic actors and showing how they make decisions, the course covers behaviour in goods and labour markets, highlighting the role of the players of the game, and showing the sources of market successes and market failures. Behaviour of households and firms is analysed in the economy as a whole, along with that of fiscal and monetary policy makers.

The module consists of two semesters of teaching, each covering core theory and applications from the main course resources: CORE's The Economy, Society and Public Policy (Term 1), CORE's The Economy 2.0 Macroeconomics (Term 2) and CORE's Doing Economics (Term 2).

This course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of Economics, and to apply this way of thinking to real world problems. It aims to help students understand the world around them, become more astute participants in the Economy and Society and help them understand Economic Policy so that they can better judge the decisions affecting the allocation of their society's resources.

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BEM1028: Introduction to Business and Management

This module is designed for first year finance and accounting students looking for an introduction to business and management, to gain greater business insight particularly around ethics, sustainability and technology.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) & Ethics

This module considers how business and management can promote greater EDI within their own team, department, organisation and sector, as well as within wider society, considering what are ethics and what is an ethical, responsible, sustainable professional manager including how this relates to finance and accounting professional standards of ethical behaviour.

Internationalization
Differences relating to the international dimensions of business and management are covered, with a strong emphasis on the UK context to exemplify a variety of different business structures may be possible depending upon local context, and these in turn require alternative approaches for management, particularly around sustainability and ethics, recognising different cultural, regional, national and regulatory requirements may exist.

Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS)

Consideration is given to the wider impact of business upon the environment, communities and society as a whole, including consideration of how and whether business can benefit from new technology and data whilst remaining ethical, responsible and sustainable.

External Engagement

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BEA2017: Intermediate Management Accounting

Summary:

Managers are faced with a wide range of decisions under resource constraints involving varying time frames in an uncertain environment. Managers have to decide on the price of a product, determine the optimum production plan under resource constraints, make operational and strategic investment decisions and advise on the acceptance or otherwise of a project. Businesses today operate within a competitive environment. Downward pressure on prices coupled with the need to deliver quality means that effective cost management and value creation is no longer an option. Effective performance management is undoubtedly critical to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation. This module will equip you with the relevant tools and techniques to deal with these issues.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation
The tools and techniques taught in this module are applicable worldwide due to their universal nature.

This module also offers you an online forum where you may initiate discussions with peers and the module convenor. You will also have access to recordings of the lectures.

Sustainable development
The sustainable development theme will be embedded within the numerous decision-making scenarios throughout the module. You will be encouraged to adopt a sustainable development mindset.

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BEA2018: Corporate Finance

Summary:

Note: cannot be taken with BEE3059 Asset Pricing or BEA3008 Finance for Managers

This module provides a thorough treatment, grounded in the academic literature and pertinent for the practitioner, of the following key financial questions which are faced by the directors and managers of firms - in which projects should the firm invest; how should this investment be financed; and how should the financial relationship with providers of finance be managed?

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The content of this module takes an international perspective, particularly when considering the financial market, financing and investing decisions.

External Engagement

This module content meets the standards and is accredited by major accreditation bodies, including the ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS and CIMA

Employability

Students acquire knowledge in this module, including a solid understanding of basic financial theory, which is highly relevant to jobs related to finance and accountancy. This module also offers an opportunity to develop their numeracy and logical thinking skills.

Sustainability

Sustainability and related factors (e.g. social, governance and ethical) are considered in the module where appropriate. All of the resources for this course are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

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BEA2019: Financial Accounting A

Financial accounting is that branch of accounting that focuses on producing information for external users of financial reports, including shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The information produced by the financial reporting system is crucial for the efficient operation of world financial markets. The accounting information system collects data, processes that data and produces information. This information manifests itself in the form of the annual report, issued by all companies (the financial statements forming part of the annual report).

The module begins with a discussion of the regulatory environment in which accounting operates (including both financial and non-financial reporting), followed by an examination of the Conceptual Framework (which sets out the concepts that underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users). Through the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), you will be exposed to the recognition, measurement and disclosure issues relating to a wide variety of financial statement items, including the overall presentation of financial statements and specifically property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, investment properties, leases, income taxes, provisions and events after the reporting period.

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BEA2020: Financial Accounting B

Financial accounting is a branch of accounting that focuses on producing information for external users of corporate financial reports, including shareholders and creditors. The accounting information system collects, processes and summarises financial data pertaining to a business entity, and presents it as information that is useful for decision making purposes. Financial accounting therefore plays a crucial role in the efficient allocation of resources in an economy.

This module follows on from, and is a continuation of, the BEA2019 Financial Accounting A module, study of which is a co-requisite for entry to this module. Similar to BEA2019, this module will expose students to the recognition, measurement and disclosure issues relating to a wide variety of financial statement items such as: borrowing costs; government grants; taxes; impairment of assets; revenue recognition; earnings per share; cash flows reporting; and business combinations. Finally, this module will also teach students how to analyse and interpret financial statements whilst being mindful of their limitations.

This module aims to give you a solid foundation in the theory and practice of financial reporting. You will be exposed to current issues within the financial reporting environment and will engage with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Use is also made of the published financial statements of listed companies as a practical illustration of the concepts taught.

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BUS3002: Business School Industrial Experience

Summary:

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four-year With Industrial Experience WIE' programme. To progress to this module, you will have completed the employability modules BSD1002 and BSD2002 in your 1st and 2nd year, and will have secured a suitable (33 week minimum) placement which has been approved by the Business School.

Having developed the career management skills necessary for a competitive graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to put the theory learned into practice in the workplace and to focus on your professional skills development.

Throughout your 'industry' year, you will receive guidance from an academic 'WIE tutor' and the Careers team, who will support and encourage you to fully maximise the developmental opportunities provided by your work experiences. Your personal development will also be supported through the completion of an assessed placement 'WIE PORTFOLIO', submitted in stages as you advance through your placement year.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You can undertake a work placement in the UK or elsewhere in the world. Overseas placements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

External Engagement

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BUS3000A: Year Abroad (Study and Work Placement)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study and work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend one semester studying at a European or non-European partner institution and 6 months' work placement abroad in a country of your choice.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university and undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BUS3000B: Year Abroad (Study)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend an academic year at one of the Business School's European partner institutions, a partner institution outside of Europe, or combine one semester study at a European and one semester at a non-European partner institution

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BUS3000C: Year Abroad

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'with Year Abroad' programme. To progress to this module, you would have completed BSD2005 and would have found a suitable placement abroad (outside of UK) for a minimum of 24 weeks and a maximum of 33 weeks.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or may not include learning a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment.

The module assessment is designed to give you the opportunity to present and evaluate the knowledge and skills that you have developed and gained while on your year abroad work placement.

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BEA3017: Advanced Management Accounting

Summary:

Management control systems play an important role in the success of organisations. It is essential that organisations maintain strategic and management control by having the necessary systems in place to influence the behaviour of employees towards achievement of the organisation's objectives. The design of such systems, however, is a challenging task; one that requires the consideration of the interplay and interconnections between the various components that make up the package of systems, and the effects of situational contingencies. This module will provide you with valuable insights, aided by case studies, on the design of management control systems and the unintended consequences arising from the use of the different types of controls.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The principles, concepts, tools and techniques taught in this module are applicable worldwide due to their universal nature.

This module also offers students an online forum where students may initiate discussions with peers and the module convenor. Students will also have access to recordings of the whole cohort synchronous sessions.

Sustainable development

The concept and accounting for sustainable development will be embedded within the various aspects of management control systems covered within this module.

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BEA3018: Advanced Corporate Finance

Note: cannot be taken with BEE3059 Asset Pricing or BEA3008 Finance for Managers

This module provides a thorough treatment, grounded in the academic literature and pertinent for the practitioner, of the following key financial questions which are faced by the investors and managers of firms - are capital markets efficient (to what extent); how should an investment portfolio be constructed; how to price options; how to use financial derivatives to manage commodity, interest rate and foreign exchange rate risks; how to evaluate merger and acquisition deals.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation
The content of this module takes an international perspective, particularly when considering the financial market, mergers and acquisitions and the foreign exchange rate risks.

External Engagement
This module content meets the standards and is accredited by major accreditation bodies, including the ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS and CIMA.

Employability
Students acquire knowledge in this module, including a solid understanding of basic financial theory, which is highly relevant to jobs related to finance and accountancy. This module also offers an opportunity to develop their numeracy and logical thinking skills.

Sustainability
All of the resources for this course are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

View an example full module specification

BEA3020: Advanced Financial Reporting

Summary:

The aim of the module is to enhance your knowledge of the theory and practice of financial reporting. To this end, the module will cover advanced financial reporting topics such as: accounting for changing price levels; financial instruments; employee benefits; foreign currency transactions; various types of business combinations (e.g., subsidiaries, associates, joint arrangements, indirect holdings, and acquisitions-in-stages); and theories of accounting regulation and accounting choice.

Details:

This module builds on the second-year Financial Accounting modules (BEA2019 and BEA2020), which are prerequisites for entry to this module. This module has three aims:

(1) to develop students' knowledge and skills in applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in: the preparation of financial statements for groups of entities; the accounting of financial instruments, employee benefits and foreign currency transactions; and the knowledge of the use of and problems with various income measurement and assets valuation bases.

(2) to provide students with an understanding of the economics and politics behind accounting standards setting and the accounting choices made by companies; and

(3) to advance students' knowledge of advanced financial reporting issues and their ability to critique current practice.

Additional Information:

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