Module: Economics, Finance and Accounting for Decision Making

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Economics, Finance and Accounting for Decision Making
Module Code	ACC1035 (ITS: AC588)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module aims to enhance the competence of Executive MBA students in evaluating and analysing accounting, economic, and financial information for effective business decision-making. It encourages students to become informed users of financial information, instilling confidence in their ability as business leaders to ask critical questions and interpret complex financial and economic analyses. By providing an integrated understanding of accounting, economics, and finance principles, this module equips students with the analytical tools and strategic insights necessary for making informed decisions in complex business environments. Students will learn to synthesise information across these disciplines to address business challenges and opportunities, preparing them to drive organisational success.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify core accounting, economic and finance concepts, principles and frameworks, appreciating their multi-dimensional nature and interconnections within business contexts.
2. Gather and analyse relevant data using various financial analysis tools and techniques to explore and evaluate potential business solutions.
3. Critically evaluate business solutions using accounting, finance, and economic principles and frameworks, and formulate well-reasoned recommendations for strategic decision-making.
4. Interpret and communicate complex financial information effectively to stakeholders, demonstrating an understanding of its implications for business strategy and operations.
5. Make informed and strategic business decisions by synthesising insights from economic, financial, and accounting analyses, considering both short-term and long-term impacts.
6. Exhibit confidence as a business leader in asking pertinent questions, challenging assumptions, and using financial information to drive organisational success.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	No Description
Assignment Completion	124	No Description
Independent Study	203	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11803	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	Julie Byrne	Module Teacher	Edgar Morgenroth, Eric Clinton, Julie Bertz(Nee Griffin), Nuala Lonergan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	3 independent assignments worth 25% each	75%	n/a
Group assignment	Integrated Group Assignment	25%	n/a

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
Role of Accounting in Business - The nature and purpose of accounting in business. Strategic Cost Management - Traditional costing and activity based costing, Tools for strategic cost management. Financial Information for Decision Making - Cost volume profit (CVP) analysis and Relevant cost analysis. Budgeting, Control and Performance Measurement - Budgeting and control, Performance measurement. Financial Accounting/Reporting and Financial Analysis - Introduction to financial accounting/reporting, Financial analysis.

Economics

Finance
· Traditional versus sustainable finance · Green washing · Social washing · How do we measure corporate environmental and social factors? · Financing sustainability: Green, Social, and Sustainability (GSS) bonds · Financing sustainability: ESG investing, sustainable ETFs · Finance and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Accounting: 2015, Accounting For Managers: Interpreting Accounting Information for Decision Making, 5th, Wiley,
Atrill, P. and McLaney E: 2021, Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists, 12th, Pearson,
Van der Kolk: 2024, The Quantified Society, 1,

Articles:

Hall, M: 2010, Accounting Information and Managerial Work, Accounting Organizations and Society, 3, 301,

Other Resources

None