School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
MN20102: International accounting and theoretical perspectives |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW 40%, EX 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take MN10331 |
| Description:
| Aims: This unit aims to develop students understanding of accounting from an international perspective particularly its historical development and to give an introduction to the theoretical perspectives and conceptual issues that characterise the preparation of financial statements, including recent developments. The unit does not aim to develop technical competency in the preparation of financial statements but an appreciation of the issues that underlie and frame their preparation. As such the work involves mainly qualitative rather than quantitative analysis. However an important skill is the ability to interpret financial statements in the context of the wider business and competitive environment and the ability to apply financial analysis techniques and to interpret the results represents an important element in this module. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit students should be able to: 1. Understand a number of key theoretical frameworks for the evaluation of accounting practice 2. Compare and contrast the different theoretical frameworks and be able to apply them appropriately in an international setting. Skills: Interpretation of financial data; Analytical and evaluative skills. Content: 1. Introduction: History of international development of accounting, key Theoretical Frameworks. 2. Financial Statement analysis. 3. International harmonisation. 4. Regulation: Current international environment; regulatory theories. 5. Normative theories: A conceptual framework for accounting; accounting for changing prices. 6. Systems theories: Political economy, legitimacy theory, institutional theory, stakeholder theory; unregulated accounting: social and environmental reporting. 7. Positive accounting theory, behavioural accounting. 8. Capital market reaction to financial reporting. 9. Critical perspectives. 10. Auditing and accountability. |