Module: Advanced International Financial Accounting

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced International Financial Accounting
Module Code	ACC1010 (ITS: AC303)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module aims to (i) build on students' knowledge acquired in previous financial accounting modules, (ii)provide students with an understanding of the conceptual and legal underpinning of group accounts and to equip them with the skills to account for business combinations, (iii) further develop students' ability to apply IFRS to the resoltion of specialised business transactions, (iv)provide students with an appreciation of relevant contemporary issues in accounting; and (v)extend students' ability to evaluate and critically appraise the performance, financial position and financial adaptability of both a single corporate entity and a business group. Students are expected to attend lecture, contribute to seminars and engage in online learning activities on a regular basis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss fundamental concepts, theories and paradigms which underlie financial reporting
2. Critically analyse financial statements and report thereon.
3. Apply IFRS and IAS to a variety of specialised business transactions
4. Discuss important and relevant issues in accounting and finance including corporate governance, earnings management, risk management, accounting frameworks and accounting developments
5. Prepare published financial statements for both single corporate entities and groups incorporating IFRS/IAS and relevant legal requirements

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	weekly lectures in the classroom
Tutorial	18	weekly tutorials
Independent Study	30	Student reading and learning
Tutorial	36	Tuttorial preparation
Independent Study	118	Self study, lecture material review and examination preparation
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10044	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Michael Metzger	Module Teacher	Amanda Heeney, Brid Murphy, Caroline McGroary

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Individual assignment	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Accounting Theory
agency theory; stakeholder theory.

Specific Accounting Topics
accounting for earnings per share (IAS 33), accounting for leases (IFRS 16); accounting for financial instruments (IAS 32, IFRS 7, IFRS 9); accounting for current and deferred taxation (IAS 12); accounting for assets held for sale and discontinued operations (IFRS 5).

Issues facing the professional accountant
corporate governance and Enron case study

Reporting and Assessing Financial Performance
accounting for non-current assets held for sale; accounting for discontinued operations; basic earnings per share; diluted earnings per share. Navigating and critically evaluating annual reports

Group Accounting
fundamentals of group accounting; accounting for subsidiaries; the consolidated balance sheet; the consolidated income statement; accounting for associated companies

Current Issues in Accounting
earnings management, risk management, Enron study, accounting frameworks and accounting development, FRS 100, FRS 101 and FRS 102 (Differences between IFRS and local GAAP (FRS 102)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Elliott and Elliott: 2019, Financial Accounting and Reporting, 19th, Pearson Prentice-Hall, London,
Paul Mahony and Niall MacLochlainn: 2017, Consolidated Financial Statements, Chartered Accountants Ireland,
Martin Hoogendoorn, Ann Jorissen, Collette Kirwan, Carien van Mourik, David Alexander: 2020, International Financial Reporting & Analysis,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

IFRS (IAASB website): 2020, IFRS standards,