Accounting and Finance MSc

Core modules

• Research Methods for Business Management

  This module will equip you with the skills to frame, plan and deliver research, as well as the ability to analyse and interpret the data generated. These are important skills in both the academic and work contexts.

• Financial Management

  The primary objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and analytical framework for looking at organisations operating in capital, financial and operational markets. To this end, international and global considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, will be given high prominence. Strategic financial management issues covered include raising finance (both short and long term), efficient allocation and utilisation of financial resources (including investment appraisal), and maintaining control over those resources to ensure objectives are met (treasury management and control of working capital). Students will gain an appreciation of the two core themes prevalent throughout financial management, namely, the relationship between financial risk and expected return, and the overriding objective of maximising shareholder wealth. These themes will then be built upon to include the inter-relationships between the various elements of financial management. Assessment will be by assignment and scenario based examination questions, requiring judgement to evaluate the issues key to a particular scenario, relationship between the issues, and suitable decisions to resolve the underlying problem. One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been the further development of relevant employability and professional skills. Such skills are implicit in the learning outcomes.

• Global Financial Markets

  The course is designed to provide a rigorous grounding of financial theories and instruments to finance and non-finance executives and practitioners. Since the financial derivatives boom of the late 1980s and 90s, finance has transformed into a complex discipline leading to restricted understanding of its processes. Global Equity markets have been vital in the transformation of economies with the cycles of economic booms and bust often credited to the functioning of capital markets. The recent financial crisis has sparked a debate into an extensive understanding of financial instruments, institutions, their evolution, limitations and risks. Through this course candidates should experience the inter-relationship between the various elements of global equity markets as well as gaining an appreciation of core themes which are prevalent throughout financial analysis. Econometric modelling will equip students with an in depth understanding of the methods involved in determining risk and return from a global perspective. The module will also provide students hands-on experience with the use of a virtual trading platform. The trading platform will incorporate the module’s theoretical learning into practice by requiring students to build effective portfolios and techniques to “beat the market”.

• International Accounting

  The word International in International Accounting can be defined at three different levels. The first level is the supranational accounting, which denotes standards, guidelines and rules of accounting, auditing and taxation issued by supranational organisations (United Nations, International Federation of Accountants). At the second level, the company level, international accounting can be viewed in terms of the standards, guidelines and practices that company follows related to its international business activities and foreign investments. These would include standards for accounting denominated in foreign currency and techniques for evaluating the performance of foreign operations. At the third and broadest level, international accounting can be viewed as the study of the standards, guidelines and rules of accounting that exist within each country and comparison of these rules with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) set by International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The learning outcomes for this module will be assessed at the end of the module in the form of a written, case study based assignment and a written exam. One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been the further development of relevant professional skills.

• International Tax Theory and Policy

  This module aims to provide students with general understanding on international tax policy. International taxation involves of the principles of international taxation involving international trade and taxpayers of several EU, OCED and non-OCED countries. This international tax policy course includes the following: 1. Tax jurisdiction and imposing tax on international trade. 2. Determined the tax base and taxing rights. 3. Double tax agreements (DTAs). The module will provide the students with knowledge of legal regimes in the area on international tax, through an integrated study of theory and practical aspects on international tax policy. Based upon tax research and background tax practices around the world, primarily focusing on OECD countries and contrast with non OECD countries. The students will be given opportunity to debates and research on number of disciplinary perspectives including accounting, tax laws and political and will be encouraged to be inquisitive and critical on the current developments in International taxation policy.

• Mergers and Acquisitions

  Merger and acquisition (M&A) has long been an option for organisations. The adoption of such a strategy may be for many diverse reasons. The module begins by considering these motives, and begins to explore the integration of such a choice into the overall strategic plan. The techniques that may be used to value a potential M&A are then considered together with the capital market effects. This analysis is to provide an evaluation of what advantages and likely gains can be expected to be acquired by all parties to the planned proposal. The fact that gains are expected gives rise to the consideration of the tactics of the parties during the negotiations. This leads to consideration of the funding requirement and how the finance can be provided. The integration of the M&A is then considered and how the effectiveness and success can be measured. The module is designed to be contextualised for students from different organisations and sectors, and for it to be delivered to students without practical management experience. One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been the further development of relevant employability and professional skills. Such skills are implicit in the learning outcomes. Multiculturalism has been considered during the design of this module and will be considered when the assessment brief is written.

• Postgraduate Major Project

  This module support students in the preparation and submission of a Master stage project,Dissertation. For 60 credits this involves a length of 15,000 words. The major project enables you to demonstrate some or all of the following: - the ability to raise significant and meaningful questions in relation to your specialism; - depth of knowledge which may involve working at the current limits of theoretical and or research understanding; - critical understanding of method and its relationship to knowledge; - awareness of and ability to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in your research or professional practice; - the ability to draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions from information which may be complex or contradictory; - the capability to expand or redefine existing knowledge; to develop new approaches to changing situations; and contribute to the development of best practice; - the ability to communicate these processes in a clear and effective manner, as appropriate to the 'audience'; and - the capability to evaluate your work from the perspective of an autonomous reflective learner. One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been the further development of relevant employability and professional skills. Such skills are implicit in the learning outcomes. The project is developed in conjunction with a specified supervisor and must be in the area of study of the Masters course being undertaken. The Major Project should enable you to demonstrate the ability to explore important and relevant questions in the context of your specialist area. You should be able to explore detailed knowledge of the research area, demonstrating depth and/or breadth as appropriate; a critical understanding of appropriate methodologies and theories; the ability to present well-argued conclusions from a range of different sources, using material that may be complex and challenging, as appropriate. You should be able to recognise and propose solutions to issues raised in the course of research. You should be able to communicate your research in coherent terms, both orally and in writing, as required.