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.

• Knowledge of the importance of data and its development into relevant information. LO1
• Use of Microsoft Excel and Word for reporting. LO1
• A basic skills set for numeracy leading to the ability to deal with more abstract mathematical concepts.  LO1
• An introduction to mathematics descriptive statistics and their application to accounting and finance. LO2

• How to read and research, including competence at academic referencing. LO3
• How to learn creatively and to develop critical thinking skills. LO3
• The importance of reflective learning in university and at the workplace. LO3
• The importance of regular professional development. LO3
• How to work in groups with confidence. LO3

Lectures and Tutorials:

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 as they progress. Learning will be supported by a developed Weblearn site, which students will be required to access on a frequent basis to prepare for lectures and tutorials.

LO1: Develop key skills in numeracy and Excel. Demonstrate the uses of big data and analytics for understanding the business context. Apply techniques to communicate business data as information to business stakeholders.

LO2: Effective demonstration of mathematics and quantitative statistical methods for accounting and related areas.

• LO3: Understand how to search and sort key academic journals and other publications published in the Accounting and Finance industries area and become aware of the need for research and for personal development at university and in the work place. Also, how teams and individuals are recruited, managed, motivated and developed through talent management.

Students will be given a formative assessment in Week 2 which will be submitted in Week 4 and feedback given in Week 6.

Students will be given feedback on the first summative assessment in Week 7 and receive summative feedback within 15 work days of submission of assignments. Suggestions for skills improvement will be provided on an individual basis. The portfolio will be regularly assessed by tutors and the final grade will be assessed by viva at the end of the module. Students will be given an opportunity to practice this on a regular basis, which will provide an opportunity for formative feedback.

Periodicals:
Financial times
The Wall street Journal Europe (free copies available every day at Moorgate Library)

Core Text:
Cottrell (2017), Skills for Success, Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection Palgrave.

Other Texts:
Cottrell, The Study Skills Handbook, Palgrave, 2013.
Oakshott L, Essential Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, 978-1137518552, Palgrave MacMillan, 6th Ed, 2016
Swift L, Piff S, Essential Quantitative Methods: For Business, Management and Finance, 978-1137376558, Palgrave MacMillan, 4th Edition, 2014

Websites:
http://www.accountingtoday.com
http://www.restore.ac.uk/srme/www/fac/soc/wie/research-new/srme/modules/videos/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/maths.shtml

Journals:
Journal  of information systems
The Accounting review
Issues in accounting Education

Electronic Databases:
• Science Direct
• FAME (UK Companies)
• Education Research Complete