BSc Accounting and Business

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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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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BEM2007: Operations Management

Summary

Operations management is concerned with managing processes, and how organisations create value in the production of goods and services. This field of study is applicable in manufacturing and the service sector, from small retailers and professionals to banks and insurance companies, hospitals and utilities. We study how firms achieve competitive success through improving the processes involved in delivering products and services, and reducing costs through increased efficiencies. The module covers operations strategy, process design, production planning and capacity management, project management, process and value stream mapping, lean production, inventory management, and decision making.

Additional Information

Internationalisation

Diversity is encouraged and celebrated through the analysis of a wide range of global case studies and examples. Operations plays a key role in identifying how the traditional distinction between countries being 'developed' or 'less developed' is being replaced by 'innovation rich' vs. 'innovation poor' countries.

Sustainability

Sustainable supply chain frameworks and management philosophies are an essential feature of operations management through the provision of modern and eco-efficient customer solutions.

External Engagement

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BEM2021: Human Resource Management

Internationalisation

The content of this module is largely based on the UK model of Human Resource Management which is highly regarded internationally. Good practice in Human Resource Management is very applicable to other contexts and internationally translatable.

Sustainability

All of the notes from the lectures will be made available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

Employability

In this module, students acquire an understanding of human resource management and how to operate as a line manager with people management responsibilities. They also develop their skills in team working, conflict resolution, and motivational leadership; and they enhance their understanding of good practice in recruitment selection, performance management, discipline and grievance, and they learn how to manage others.

• To introduce students to the context, theory and practice of human resource management
• To develop a critical orientation toward the subject matter and an awareness of the complexity of managing people.

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BEM2035: Leading in International Contexts

To work, lead, and thrive in today's diverse and globalised business environment, it is more vital than ever for students to have ample and robust opportunities to expand their international horizons. The module 'Leading in International Contexts' is designed to provide students with the knowledge, analytical capabilities, and (soft) skills needed to practice leadership in modern, international organisations.

After introducing systematic ways of understanding cultures, we will examine how national cultures influence team, managerial, and organisational performance. We will then explore the nature of leadership in terms of how individuals influence others to understand and agree about what needs to be done and how to do it and how they facilitate individual and collective efforts to accomplish shared objectives. The module will highlight theory and research that accounts for how leaders acquire and exercise social influence in a manner that contributes to their credibility and the motivation of their followers across cultures. We will reflect on individual and cultural differences in leader behaviour and examine in what instances situations determine the salience of these differences. We will explore the implications of diverging and converging cultural norms in the workplace, and address how leaders might act responsibly and effectively to resolve challenges in emerging and developed economies.

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BEM2039: Business Analytics in Practice

This module will introduce the key concepts and ideas about how business analytics is used in practice. It will highlight the importance of data to organisations and how it can be used to improve firm performance in relation to competitors, customers, employees and processes. The module will introduce you to how data and analytic methods can be used to support an organisation's overall strategy. The module will also consider ethical, regulatory and security issues associated with data and its use within a business environment

Business analytics, data science, digital economy, big data - with buzzwords coming and going it can be a complex and confusing picture, and difficult to know where to start. This module aims to introduce key topics that you'll need to explore in more depth as you proceed on your 'business analytics journey'.

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BEM2047: Organisational Behaviour

This module builds your knowledge of organisations, and your ability to analyse organisational life. It explores organisational behaviour theory in order to develop your ability to appraise the functioning of organisations. It will therefore develop a critical mind-set, built from a strong understanding of organisational theory to enable you to operate as an effective future organisational leader.

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge of organisational theory, your awareness of the complexity of managerial and organisational problems, and to equip you with the skills needed to analyse how and why organisations behave as they do. You can develop your knowledge and skills through discussion and exploration of real-world organisational issues.

Employability:

This module equips students with the ability to understand and unpick organisational 'problems', providing clear, managerially relevant solutions. Students will develop their abilities to produce management reports, critically discussing and appraising differing views on phenomena.

Internationalisation:

The module draws from the international experience of our faculty, and uses global examples to illustrate concepts, and differing approaches to structuring organisations and their management.

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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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BEM3065: Strategy

Strategy may be defined as 'determination of the long-term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals.' (Alfred Chandler, 1962).

Building upon foundational knowledge developed in earlier parts of your degree programme, you will understand a deeper perspective on the multifaceted nature of strategy implementation processes. This will allow you to explore in more detail some of the core and emerging issues facing organisations today.

You will address common strategic challenges by helping to develop an understanding of how organisations arrive at strategies for competitive advantage and how they address issues relating to firm growth and development. You will take a holistic view of the strategic management process and explore key concepts, theories, frameworks, and issues of relevance to each of its dimensions:

• strategic analysis
• strategic formulation
• strategic implementation

The module aims to achieve three key objectives:

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BEM3089: Strategy

Strategy may be defined as 'determination of the long term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals.' (Alfred Chandler, 1962).

Building upon foundational knowledge developed in earlier parts of your degree programme, the Strategy module offers a deeper perspective on the multifaceted nature of strategy implementation processes. This will give you the opportunity to explore in more detail some of the core and emerging issues facing organisations today.

You will address common strategic challenges by developing an understanding of how organisations arrive at strategies for competitive advantage and how they address issues relating to firm growth and development. You will take a holistic view of the strategic management process and explores key concepts, theories, frameworks, and issues of relevance to each of its dimensions (i) strategic analysis, (ii) strategic formulation, and (iii) strategic implementation.

The module aims to achieve three key objectives:

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BEM3022: Purchasing and Supply Management

Summary:

Purchasing & Supply Management (PSM) is an emerging new field in business management which reflects the worldwide trends of globalised trading and the concept of the extended supply chain. While traditional functions such as buying and logistics have traditionally been considered tactical functions within the firm, 'PSM' has grown to becoming a strategic activity which manages supplier relationships, enables network innovation, reduces cost, and mitigates the impact on society and the natural environment. As Purchasing & Supply Management is recognized as one of the cornerstones of 21st century competitive advantage, 'PSM' increasingly attracts great interest from both industry practitioners and academic researchers.

Additional Information:

Please note that, with the exception of the recommended core text, all of the resources for this module such as lecture slides and PDFs are available on the ELE.

Internationalisation

Students taking this module will get an understanding of purchasing and supply chain management in the UK and Europe, as well as global sourcing and supplier selection methods around the world. In addition they will learn about global brand names such as: Rolls Royce Engines, Tesco, IKEA, Volvo Car Corporation, Dell, as well as public government organizations e.g. defence, health.

Sustainability

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BEM3046: Managing Human Resources: Advanced Issues

From your studies and experience to this point in your degree you will appreciate that managing people at work is a fascinating and important topic in both theory and practice, and frequently comes with more questions than there are answers Nevertheless, in today's competitive business context it is the strategic responsibility of human resource professionals to provide an appropriate framework to guide managerial employment practice. In this module you will learn more about the connection between human resource practices and the delivery of organisation objectives through a number of topics that are at the leading edge of people management practice.

BEM2021 is a pre-requisite for this module.

The module aims to broaden your understanding of the theory and practice of managing people from a Human Resource Management perspective. In this module we will take an in-depth analytical approach to contemporary people management topics that will help you to understand the complexities and challenges of HRM in a variety of organisation contexts. Studying this module will assist you in being able to analyse organisations with the purpose of advising on HR solutions.

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BEM3052: Managing Change and Crisis in Organisations

This module examines how organisations manage change and cope with crisis. The complex cultural, political and ethical issues faced by leaders, managers and change agents will be examined in detail. In addition, we will examine the role leaders, managers and consultants play in designing and facilitating organisational change. Consideration will be given to how managers can be better prepared for the unpredictability, unintended outcomes and possible harmful consequences of change.

The module aims to provide an understanding of both particular approaches and techniques for managing change, and the limitations of these approaches/techniques when applied in practice. The module aims to pay particular attention to the role of the leaders, managers and consultants in the change management process. There will also be a focus on how change is communicated within an organisation.

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BEM3082: Building Resilient Leaders

This module combines leadership development with the multilevel neuro-affective model for developing resilience (Tabinia, 2020). It is a blend of case studies, reflective exercises and resilience training. Using experiential and critical reflection, students will explore how to become resilient in the face of adversities and challenges. Throughout the module students will be asked to embark on a journey of self-awareness, self-leadership and self-compassion, three key elements for resilience. Students will plan, implement and evaluate their own resilience development programme. In the module we will function with a strong sense of common identity which will support the individual journey.

The aims of the module are structured around 4 sections:

• Section 1: Understanding leadership and resilient leaders
• Section 2: Understanding stress and resilience
• Section 3: Practical tools for developing resilience
• Section 4: How to ensure successful resilience development?

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