module specification

The module aims to prepare learners for the accounting profession. This will be achieved by teaching relevant academic and practical skills which will enable the learner to succeed academically and to begin to develop key workplace skills including numeracy. It will also emphasise the need for personal development and the importance of a professional approach to learning.

The module aims to prepare students for academic study. This will include for example: numeracy, how to gather information, to write properly referenced essays and reports, to collect and present data, to work individually and in groups, to manage time effectively and to develop critical thinking skills. The module will specifically develop the cognitive abilities and generic skills identified by the subject benchmark available at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/accounting.pdf

• Knowledge of the importance of data and its development into relevant information.
• Use of Microsoft Excel and Word for reporting.
• A basic skills set for numeracy leading to the ability to deal with more abstract mathematical concepts.
• An introduction to descriptive statistics and their application.
• How to learn and study.
• How to read and research, including competence at academic referencing.
• How to learn creatively and to develop critical thinking skills.
• The importance of regular professional development.
• How to work in groups with confidence.
• How to write and present assignments.
• The importance of reflective learning in university and at the workplace.
 

The module will consist of one hour lectures to introduce new topics and themes and relate to the accounting profession. Tutorials will be computer and class based and will require students to practice what has been learned in the lectures. As an overall assessment of the module students will be required to collate a portfolio on a regular basis of their personal development over the course of the module. Learning will be supported by a developed Weblearn site, which students will be required to access on a frequent basis to prepare for tutorials.

On completing the module students will be able to
• Use Microsoft Excel for presenting financial data to potential users.
• Develop cognitive, numerical and generic skills relevant to the accounting profession.
• Develop key academic skills to enable them to approach learning and assessment in a professional manner.
• Become aware of the need for personal development at university and in the work place.
• Have a working knowledge of descriptive statistics.
• Develop key skills in numeracy, mathematics for accounting and quantitative statistical methods that will lead successfully to level 5 modules.
 

The module will have three assignments, consisting of: 1) an in-class test to assess knowledge of numeracy and mathematics plus a reflective essay; 2) a report in Excel to assess knowledge of descriptive statistics and their relevance to the accounting profession; 3) a quantitative methods test. 

Academic Success Centre (2011) , http://www.swccd.edu/~asc/discipline_websites/actg_websites.html
Accountancy students (2011) http://www.accountancystudents.co.uk/
QAA (2007) http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/accounting.pdf , accessed on 9/9/11
Burns, T. and Sinfield, (2008), Essential Study Skills, Sage.
Cottrell (2003), Skills for Success, The Personal Development Handbook, Palgrave.
Cottrell (2008), The Study Skills Handbook, Palgrave.
Oakshott L, Essential Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, 978-0230302662, Palgrave MacMillan, 5th Ed, 2012
Swift L, Piff S, Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, 97802301218246, Palgrave MacMillan, 3rd Edition, 2010