DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Financial Statement Analysis and Ethics
Module Code EF5155
School DCUBS
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Michael Dowling
Semester 2: Michael Dowling
Autumn: Michael Dowling
Module TeachersThomas McCluskey
Michael Dowling
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Repeat examination
Description

This module provides an intensive introduction to financial analysis and the use of accounting information. Financial analysis examines publicly available financial statements produced by entities and the use of accounting information from a financial manager perspective. 2.5 credits of this module are dedicated to ethics and its relevance for the financial sector. The ethical reflection is articulated at the individual level, managerial level, and at the level of interaction between finance and society. This module is delivered through weekly lectures. Students are expected to attend lectures, to contribute in lectures and to engage in on-line learning and research activities on a regular basis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of publicly available financial statements produced by entities.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the key accounting regulations/frameworks/standards that an entity must comply with in producing publicly available financial statements
3. Analyse the financial health of a company from the perspective of investors, lenders and other users, using horizontal analysis, trend analysis, ratio analysis and corporate failure prediction models.
4. Describe what is ethics and its theoretical and practical relevance for financial activity.
5. Demonstrate their ability to critically apply the knowledge on ethics and translate it into skills and attitudes.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture33Formal lectures and problem-based learning
Independent Study50Library work
Independent Study30Directed reading
Directed learning34.5Preparation and completion of assessment.
Directed learning40Preparation for Semester 1 exam
Total Workload: 187.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Accounting for Financial Analysis
Introduction to the contents of financial statements, definitions, standard layout, purpose, dual aspect convention. Accounting treatment of balance sheet and income statement items in accordance with international accounting standards. Cashflow analysis and preparation of Cash-flow from Balance Sheet. Principles of consolidation / group accounting

Applied Financial Statement Analysis
New and traditional approaches to financial statement analysis, Fundamental Analysis - cross sector and time series. Extensive and practical use of ratios analysis to assess financial performance and position of company from perspective of all users, including use of case study. Examination of Earning per Share (EPS) as a measure of performance, calculation of EPS/fully diluted EPS, use of multivariant analysis and corporate failure prediction tools.

Accounting for Financial Management
Exploring accounting applications to financial management, such as Economic Value Added, role of cash flows and earnings in predicting asset pricing

Ethics for Finance Students
What is ethics; existence of different ethical theories; ethics and culture. Individual ethics in finance; managerial ethics in finance; relationship between finance and society. Professional ethics.

Applied Ethics
Case studies on the areas under “ethics for finance students”.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment35% Examination Weight65%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Written Examn/a35%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Atrill, McLaney: 2017, Financial Accounting for Decision Makers,
Other Resources

35250, 0, A reading list will be provided during term time.,
Programme or List of Programmes
MFCMMSc in Finance
Archives:

My DCU | Loop | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement