module specification

This module aims to provide practical methods and approaches to enable business managers and entrepreneurs to understand and use financial information to make effective business decisions. The financial decision-making process demands the understanding of key financial management issues, performance indicators and methodologies to critically analysing accounting and financial information. Strong financial literacy is essential in business. The module also introduces financial strategy within the wider economic context, considering the impact of pricing and cost decisions on supply and demand, interest rates on costs of capital and international trade, customs and taxes.

The module also aims to introduce and examine the preparation and use of accounting and information to inform financial decisions. It provides the understanding of key performance indicators, cashflow management, full costing, working capital management techniques and the budgeting process to manage finances and support management decisions on investmentprojects and making capital investment decisions. The module concludes with a practice of developing business plan, capital investment decisions and aspects of financing businesses.

The module aims to enable students to be able to:
· ask insightful questions of their financial advisors, to challenge their analysis and to specify their financial information needs
· quickly assess accounting information to evaluate business performance
· create financial forecasts, plans and models, particularly in relation to business planning and investment appraisal.

None

Available for Study Abroad? NO.

· Introduction to accounting and finance (1)
· Measuring and reporting financial position (1,2,3)
· Understanding the income statement (1,2,3)
· Cashflow management (1).
· Analysing and interpreting financial statements (1,3)
· Managing Working Capital (1,2)
· The relevance and behaviour of costs (1,2)
· Budgeting (1,2)
· Creating a Business Plan (2,3)
· Making Capital Investment Decisions (2,3)
· Financing a business (2, 3)

Students will attend weekly 3-hour workshops during which time they will receive material in the form of lectures/discussions, discuss case studies and current issues. They will also complete a range of activities relating to the online business simulation.

WebLearn will be used in support of blended learning to provide the reading list, lecture recordings, additional video material and items of topical interest

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1: Critically evaluate company financial performance and make recommendations for improvement;
LO2: Demonstrate an understanding and use of the appropriate analytical techniques to be applied to business case development and Investment appraisal; the raising of finance and the distribution of funds to investors;
LO3: Communicate financial information, analysis, issues and recommendations clearly and concisel

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/B75AF53D-5BE2-6D78-475C-374F09B98376.html?lang=en&login=1

Journals:

· British Accounting Review
· The European Accounting Review
· Financial Accountability & Management

Websites and Databases:

· Companies House https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/
· FAME UK companies – access through library
· MINTEL Academic (though library catalogue with your login details, ·
· Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/?edition=uk
· Bloomberg
· Office for National Statistics (ONS): https://www.ons.gov.uk/
· Bank of England SI Database: www.bankofengland.co.uk
· European Banking Federation (for facts and figures): https://www.ebf.eu