Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module provides students with an introduction to and overview of financial and management accounting. Students will be introduced to key topics in accounting such as financial statement analysis, cost volume profit analysis, basic investment appraisal tchniques, performance measurement, financial v management accounting and cash flow analysis. In addition, students will address core issues facing the professional accountant such as corporate governance, earnings management, the regulatory environment and models of both short term and long term decision making and performance appraisal. Students will undertake a significant group based continuous assessment focusing on the techniques of financial statement analysis and informed investment decision making. The module is delivered via a serious of lectures. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Outline the fundamental principles underlying the preparation of financial statements 2. Understand planning and control techniques and be able to prepare simple budgets. 3. Describe and explain the main tools of performance measurement, including non-financial metrics. 4. Describe the main cost concepts used in management accounting 5. Discuss current issues in accounting including corporate governance and accounting regulation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to Accounting Nature and purpose of accounting, users of accounting information, role of finacial accounting and management accounting and their inter-relationship, accounting information system, fundamental accounting concepts, desirable characteristics of accounting information, the current operating enviornment and the firms competitive strategies, uses and limitations of accounting information. Financial Statement Analysis Core financial statements, the annual report and its contents, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and how it differs from profit, directors report, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, auditors report, relationship between accounting information, share price and company performance, limitations of financial statements, other information sources, exercises in the use of financial statement analysis using ratios and critical commentary focusing on profitability, efficiency, liquidity, gearing and investment, limitations of ratio analysis, regulation of accounting (legal, taxation, stock exchange and professional). Planning and Decision Making Long-term and short -term planning, translating strategy into financial plans, financial analysis in typical decision-making situations including Cost-Volume Profit Analysis. Control and Performance Measurement The nature of performance and control, the role of budgets, budget period, budget administration, budgetary process, master budget and the various individual budgets, interrelationship of budgets, effective budgeting, problems associated with budgeting, different types of controls, controls at organizational level, responsibility centres, management accounting control systems, critique of using profit as a performance measure and the need for alternative, non-financial indicators, critical success factors and the Balanced Scorecard, performance measurement for various sectors, how firm dependent factors and industry based factors can effect a firms performance measurement and management. Dysfunctional consequences of performance measurement. Corporate Governance and the Regulatory Framework of Financial Reporting Board's responsibilities for the management of stakeholders' interests. The separation of CEO and Chairman. The role of non-executive directors. The roles of audit committee, remuneration committee, risk committee and examinations committee. Directors' remuneration. The agency implications of performance-related pay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||