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MN10804: Introduction to accounting

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EXCB 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • MN12002 Closed-book written examination (EXCB 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
  • Understand how accounting serves the purpose of developing and operating a business.
  • Basic book-keeping tasks.
  • Prepare financial statements (income and financial position statements) for limited liability companies.
  • Analyse and interpret financial outcomes of corporations.
  • Calculate and interpret management accounting data in order to make decisions.



Content: You will study fundamental accounting concepts and techniques, exploring the conceptual and regulatory framework of accounting. You will be introduced to both management and financial accounting and cover a range of topics such as costing and financial statements preparation and analysis.

Content:
* The framework of accounting - entities and financial reporting statements, international accounting standards, the nature and objectives of accounting, the conceptual framework of accounting, overviews of auditing, corporate governance and ethics
* Double-entry book-keeping - the accounting equation, the books of account, double entry, journals and the trial balance
* The preparation of limited liability company financial statements from a trial balance including adjustments for share capital, revaluations, depreciation, inventory provisions, accruals, prepayments, doubtful debts and so on
* The interpretation of financial statements - analysing performance, liquidity, solvency and investment returns
* Management accounting concepts - the nature and management of costs, marginal costs and decision-making, business planning and efficiency improvements
* Estimating costs for planned activities: fixed and variable costs; direct and indirect costs; basic elements of product cost
* Managing costs - cost/volume/profit analysis, cost allocation, apportionment and absorption
* Decision making with and without constraints - relevant costs, limiting factors, make versus buy decisions and so on

Course availability:

MN10804 is a Generally Available Unit which is available to all students of the University (subject to the usual constraints) to take either as a Director of Studies approved option within their programme of study or as an 'extra' unit which does not count towards a final award.

MN10804 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics (Year 2)
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USMA-AKM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.