Module: Accounting 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Accounting 2
Module Code	ACC1033 (ITS: EF316)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The primary objective of this module is to familiarize students with the principle features of securities and securities markets and the investment strategies used by market participants. A key feature of this module is the setting of investment activity within the system of taxation. This objective is consistent with the dual needs of preparing students for the examinations of the Institute of Actuaries and for a career development in Banking and Investment Management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Interpret the accounts and financial statements of companies and financial institutions
2. Provide a basic understanding of corporate finance including a knowledge of the instruments used by companies to raise finance and manage risk
3. Appreciate how companies are governed and regulated within an EU and Irish context.
4. Develop a practical knowledge the Irish Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Corporation Tax systems.
5. Appreciate the interaction between tax and corporate finance from an ethical perspective

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	No Description
Total Workload: 36

Section Breakdown
CRN	10060	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Patrick Mulcahy	Module Teacher	Niall O'Brien, Thomas McCluskey

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	n/a	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

1. Corporate governance and organisation
1.1. Explain the purpose and process of regulating the financial reporting information of incorporated entities; 1.2. Describe the key principles of corporate governance and the regulation of companies; 1.3. Demonstrate awareness of the key principles of finance

2. How corporates are financed
2.1. Describe the structure of a company and the different methods by which it may be financed; 2.2. Describe the basic principles of personal and corporate taxations; 2.3. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the principal forms of financial instrument issued or used by companies and the ways in which they may be issued; 2.4. Discuss the factors to be considered by a company when deciding on its capital structure and dividend policy; 2.5. Discuss how companies grow and the different ways of company restructuring; 2.6. Outlining the motives for merger and acquisition.

3. Evaluating projects
3.1. Discuss how a company's cost of capital interacts with the nature of the investment projects it undertakes.

Taxation regulation
Understand how regulations in relation to income tax, capital gains tax and corporate tax operate in Ireland

Indicative Reading List

Books:

2020: Brealey, R.A. and Myers, S.C., Principles of Corporate Finance, 13th ed, McGrawHill,, 1674572
2022: Irish Taxation Law and Practice, 2022,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None