Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

First half of Year Two – Core modules

Financial Management

This module assesses the value creation activity of organisations through their investment and financing strategies, focusing on finance theories and their application in practice. You will be equipped with the ability to analyse scenarios, case studies and actual companies with respect to financial management. You will also learn to evaluate alternative proposals and to communicate information to a business audience in an effective manner.

Financial Reporting

This module will develop your technical accounting knowledge whilst contextualising it within a broader regulatory framework. You will study the role of financial reporting and its use to stakeholders and the application of standards in the preparation of financial statements. The module will also focus on the preparation and purpose of group accounts and emerging problem areas in financial reporting. It will enable you to calculate, present and interpret accounting reports with regard to current regulatory requirements and apply current and relevant standards in the preparation of financial statements.

Management Accounting Information

This module extends the concepts and techniques that were studied in Management Accounting during Year One, covering cost ascertainment, decision-making and budgetary planning and control. In addition to this, the module will consider business performance measurement and behavioural and environmental issues in management accounting. You will also learn how to choose and apply management accounting tools and techniques in various business contexts in order to support planning, control and decision-making within organisations.

Second half of Year Two

You can either select one of our unique opportunities initiatives or continue with your taught modules listed below.

Option 1 – study abroad

Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.

Option 2 – enterprise project

Explore your entrepreneurial side and start to develop the meaningful and practical skills needed to run your own business. Supported by NTU Enterprise, NTU's centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, during this opportunity you'll work alongside other young entrepreneurs and a dynamic network of mentors and advisors, to develop your own ideas into a live enterprise project.

Option 3 – internship

Get a taste of the working world and gain some essential industry insight with a 16-18 week work placement. The experience will allow you to put your learning in to practice, with the experience gained improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal and professional skills.

Option 4 – continue with taught modules

If you didn't fancy doing any of the above options then you can continue your studies at university. With a mixture of both compulsory and optional modules, the first will enhance your knowledge and skills set in your area of study, with the later allowing you to tailor your learning experience.

Students on Sandwich courses are eligible to choose the Enterprise project or continue with taught modules in the second half of their second year. They are not eligible for options 1 and 3. However, they are able to use their sandwich year to study or work abroad.

Applied Professional Development

Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, this module supports you to build upon and reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will attend a conference with a varied programme of events focused on the future of work, and later in the module you will immerse yourself in a period work or work-like experience to develop a range of skills designed to enhance your employability.

Optional modules (choose one from each pair)

Forensic Accounting and Assurance

During this module you will learn about the role of the auditor and develop an understanding of modern audit from both an internal and external perspective. You will be introduced to forensic accounting as a discipline, studying the role and procedures of forensic accounting and the impact of auditing standards on those who undertake assurance engagements.

OR

Finance in the Public Services

This module provides an introduction to the public services specifically focusing on:

• the objectives and purpose of public service organisations
• financing and financial reporting in the public services
• service provision, including service delivery, expenditure and budgetary control
• performance reporting and decision-making within public service organisation
• the current challenges and contemporary issues facing the public services.

You will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic and operational, financial and non-financial, decision-making within public service organisations.

AND

Taxation

The module will provide you with an understanding of the operation of the UK tax system. You will develop technical skills to produce income and corporation tax computations. Specific areas covered during this module will include corporation tax computations, personal income tax, and computations including employment income, business tax computations including adjusted profit computations, capital allowances, self-assessment, losses and partnerships.

OR

Survey Research and Analysis

This module draws on conceptual material in the area of Survey Methods widely used in business and the application of analytic methods to the data generated. One of the primary focuses of this module is to help you understand how to plan and conduct surveys but also interpret the results within the appropriate business context. With the aid of appropriate professional statistical software you will be encouraged to apply statistical methods of analysis to data. The module is designed to allow you the opportunity to analyse and interpret “real data” from various areas of the business world. In studying this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in conducting survey research within business.

You will be given the opportunity to plan and execute a survey; design and implement a survey instrument; analyse survey results using applications software; and interpret and communicate analytical findings.

Placement year

In year three, you have the option to take a placement year. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. If you have decided to undertake a placement year then this will last for a minimum of 48 weeks during your third year.

Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.

Services they provide include:

• finding placements, internships and part-time work
• pursuing self-employment
• taking gap years and time out
• getting into volunteering
• providing advice on further study.

OR

Taught modules

If you have decided to continue with your studies please view the 'Final Year' tab for your list of modules.

Strategic Management Accounting

Designed to give a more integrated view of theory and practice in this area, this module looks at the role of traditional management accounting techniques and evaluates the use of strategic management accounting in global organisations. You will explore the behavioural and strategic contexts in which the management accountant has to operate; and examine the management accountant’s role in analysing and advising on performance, particularly in the context of competitor analysis and to provide insights into the management of change.

Corporate Finance

This module is designed to give you a deeper knowledge of theory and practice in the key aspects of corporate finance, and allows you to explore how various aspects of corporate finance are interrelated. You will assess the impact of financial decisions with respect to investments, financing and the management of risk and develop skills in critical analysis and evaluation. The areas you will study include financial strategy, investment appraisal and decisions, valuation of the firm, equity and debt valuation, merger and acquisitions and risk assessment and management including risk theory, interest rate and foreign exchange risk.

Corporate Reporting

Develops your critical understanding of the issues surrounding external reporting, whilst also considering different forms of accountability. You will explore issues relating to both the quantitative and qualitative reporting of performance; and study the theoretical framework surrounding financial reporting. The subjects you will study include, accountability and its relationship to corporate reporting, contemporary issues in corporate reporting, corporate citizenship and its broader responsibilities, aspects of relevant accounting theory and accounting and accountability aspects of social and environmental accounting.

Developing Professional Impact

This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.

Plus one optional module from:

Applied Business Research Project

For this module you will undertake a purposeful, individual, in depth study of a relevant topic, developing your independent learning, critical thinking and knowledge of research techniques relevant to your subject area. The project will develop your ability to manage a major piece of work, for which you will be completely responsible and will be completed over a period of several months. You will learn to utilise and improve your time management and communication skills, as well as test your initiative and resourcefulness. To support your development during this module you will study essential skills such as critical thinking, conducting a literature review, understanding the appropriate research framework, practical research methods and skills, report and academic writing skills.

Sustainability in Enterprise Project

This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.

Plus one optional module from:

Managing Information and Knowledge Strategically

This module aims to explore the changing impact of information on the management and strategic direction of organisations and distinguish between the different nature and impact of data, information and knowledge.

International Tourism: Sustainability, Development and Impact

This module aims to provide you with an insight into the global patterns of tourism development and the impacts (economic, environmental and social) that can result, particularly within heritage tourism. You will explore the fundamental principles of international tourism management and review the demand for, and supply of, international tourism. You will also study the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism at both the destination and global level and develop the ability to look critically at contemporary issues within international tourism.

Further Taxation

This module will further enhance your understanding of tax planning, enabling you to give tax advice to others. The module will also help you to develop the technical skills needed to produce tax computations for companies and individuals. During the module, you will study systems for self-assessment, payment of tax and penalties and overseas aspects such as operating abroad, taxation of foreign income, transfer pricing provisions and double tax relief.