This module builds on knowledge gained from module BU4007 Financial Accounting 1 or equivalent. Key topics covered are:

Regulation of financial reporting - framework/ GAAP v principles / IASB /IFRSs/ role of external auditing / ethical principles in accounting/ corporate governance/ compare and contrast the approach to corporate governance in different markets / concept of financial and physical capital maintenance / standard setting process

Financial accounting and reporting- single company preparation IAS1 revised /cash flow IAS7/Statement of Profit or Loss and financial position (Balance Sheet) /application of a variety of IASs to a variety of issues including investment properties and non-current assets, impairment / accounting for taxation / non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations including relevant disclosures / ethics in financial reporting

Management of working capital, cash and short-term finance - short-term finance and cash investment/ evaluation of working capital position of an entity/ analysis of short-term cash position of an entity

Fundamentals of business taxation - rules and regulatory environment/ types of taxation / direct company taxation/ indirect taxation /employee taxation /international taxation / corporation tax and capital tax calculation

This module builds on knowledge gained from level 4 Management Accounting. It has a focus on short term decision making techniques and capabilities. It will include the following indicative content: 

Cost accounting systems - profit reporting and stock valuation - marginal costing, throughput accounting, activity based costing and absorption costing / environmental costing

Standard costing and variance analysis - sales and cost variances, mix and yield variances, planning and operational variances, variances for service industries

Budgeting - different approaches to budgeting / purpose of budgeting /mechanics of budget construction /forecasting techniques / budgets as a control system / behavioural considerations

Short-term decision making - relevant cash flows / pricing decisions / break-even analysis for multiple products / product mix decisions / joint costs / linear programming the graphical method

Dealing with risk and uncertainty - attitudes to risk / sensitivity analysis / decision trees / probabilistic models / expected values / payoff tables

The intention of this module is to equip you with the key digital skills required to enhance the understanding of key concepts covered on this course. There will be special emphasis on the operationalisation of the concepts at the work environment, that is, how can technology be used to efficiently implement and enhance the level of productivity of the organisation. The operationalisation agenda required to be actioned from the perspective of the finance manager in using key technologies will the direction of the module. The expectation is that you will develop a broad and holistic understanding of the finance functions in the digital world. You will familiarise yourself with how technologies links various operations of the business activities of an organisation to enhance its value creation. To achieve the intentions of the module, the following indicative contents will covered:

• Data analytics (sources of data, descriptive analytics, predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics)
• Data visualisation techniques.
• Accounting software and information systems.
• Artificial intelligence and automation.
• Emerging technologies within accounting and finance
• Cybersecurity within accounting, finance and banking
• Ms Excel for accounting and finance (Analysis ToolPak and Solver, Pivot Tables-including Power Pivot and Power Query, logical functions - lookups, text functions and financial maths with Ms Excel)
• Decision trees and experimentation

The coverage of the above contents will provide a certain degree of mastery in the handling of technologies you require to become a competitive graduate. The value associated with the use of technology to implement key concepts within the accounting, finance and banking courses is immeasurable. For example, the provision of an experiential learning environment will enhance your employability skills thus making you a competitive graduate. 

This module will provide the experiential process for students with respect to careers in finance. This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment, which will enable them to:-

• Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through identifying relevant transferable skills for their chosen career path,
• Clearly articulate their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first graduate role,
• Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills,
• Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. a local employer from the private, public, or charitable sector). It is designed to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.  

The placement can either be organised by you or with support from university staff.  

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:  

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc)
• Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 5 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement
• Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.  
• All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.  

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting. 

Choose one of the following:

1. Professional Placement (40 Credits) Optional
2. Term abroad (40 Credits) Optional
3. One of the following Language options

Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills (40 Credits) Optional

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Experiential Overseas Learning (40 Credits) Optional

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Theories, models and strategies of learning

Theories and models Intercultural competence

• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B: Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. 

Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

Or you can choose ONE of the following:

• University Placement Year Optional
• Subject Placement Year Optional
• International University Placement Year Optional