BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance

Level One

Introduction to Accountancy and Finance (Double Module)

Students are introduced to the nature and mechanics of financial information. This encourages a critical reflection upon the construction and uses of such information. Both management and financial accounting are considered. Students examine the role of financial information for possible users and explore the different, often conflicting needs of these groups. Subjectivity is discussed through stock valuation and depreciation methods. The development of accounting theory and concepts from a social perspective is then introduced. Finally, the conclusions that may be drawn from an interpretation of the contents of annual reports are considered.

Business Planning and Forecasting

This introduces some quantitative techniques fundamental to analysis, planning and forecasting in business. It promotes a critical awareness and understanding of some of the processes, techniques and technology by which numerical information can be collected and communicated. Students practise the systematic use of appropriate industry-standard computer technology for the acquisition, analysis and presentation of data (for example, Excel or SPSS).

Contemporary Business Analysis (Double Module)

Students are introduced to a range of economic concepts and basic analytical techniques. Upon successful completion students are able to:

• Explain the workings of the price mechanism, the labour market and various forms of market failure
• Explain the relationship between the firm’s costs, revenues, prices and outputs within various market structures
• Analyse the interaction between entrepreneur, the firm and its external environment
• Analyse the inter-relationships between government and key macro-economic indicators
• Understand the links between the internal and external economy and how this impacts on the firm and its external environment.

Organisational Behaviour: Evolving Perspectives of Management

A number of competing and contrasting perspectives of past and present thinking on management are explored. In considering the changing and evolving roles of management and managers, the module acknowledges that the study of organisational behaviour is multi-disciplinary and draws in particular from psychology, social psychology, sociology, economics and political science.

Principles of Marketing

This provides an introduction to the theory and practice of marketing. Students are familiarised with key concepts and issues of marketing, giving them a thorough grasp of marketing decisions and what factors affect them. Learning is somewhat directive and progressively students are required to become more independent in their work. There are two different assessment types: individual essay writing and a group presentation. This prepares students for future modules in the course.

Introduction to Business Law

This serves as an introduction to the English legal system and English contract law. The module is designed to give students a basic understanding of contract issues in England and will enable students to appreciate when a legally binding agreement comes into existence, the obligations involved and the consequences of breaking such agreements. Contract law underpins a company’s dealings with its customers, employees and suppliers. It is important that students appreciate the legal context in which everyday business decisions are made.

Level Two

Financial Accountancy (Double Module)

This module provides students with an introduction to the more complex areas of financial accountancy and financial reporting under International GAAP. It commences with the role and requirements of corporate financial reporting in the UK and explores the increasingly important subjects of ethics and corporate governance. Students also gain a solid foundation in the techniques of accounts preparation and a critical understanding of key areas of financial accounting. Single level group structures are introduced which will help lay the foundation for more advanced study.

Financial Management (Double Module)

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the role of the financial manager. The module focuses on the key issues surrounding investment, financing and distribution decisions, specifically:

• The identification and evaluation of investment opportunities in the context of shareholder wealth maximisation
• Appraisal techniques used in the evaluation of investment opportunities
• Issues of risk evaluation and determination in the identification, selection and evaluation of investment opportunities
• The principal financial products available to government, companies and individuals
• The markets in which these financial products are traded.

Management Accountancy (Double Module)

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a solid technical and critical understanding of the key management accountancy techniques and issues that relate to planning and performance reporting.

The major areas of study are:

• Cost accounting systems
• Standard costing
• Budgeting
• Performance measurement.

Contemporary Issues in Business (Double Module)

This module explores a range of issues that emphasise the increasingly international business environment. These issues are underpinned by appropriate theory so that students can explain and analyse them using appropriate conceptual tools. For operational efficiency, the module is split into two elements. The first focuses on the international business environment and the second on domestic contemporary issues.

Level Three

Work Placement Year (Optional)

Level Four

Advanced Financial Accountancy (Double Module)

This module provides students with an introduction to the more complex areas of financial accountancy and financial reporting under International GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). It builds upon the concepts and techniques of Financial Accounting, developing some of the themes introduced at that level. The module commences with corporate financial reporting under International GAAP in the UK and continues with the increasingly important subjects of non-financial reporting. It will provide students with a solid foundation in the techniques of complex accounts preparation and a critical understanding of short comings in financial reporting.

Advanced Financial Management (Double Module)

This module introduces the more complex areas of financial management. It is designed to familiarise students with the major theoretical developments and practices in the areas of corporate finance and risk management. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of diverse practices in the areas of corporate finance and risk management.

Advanced Management Accountancy (Double Module)

More than ever before, today’s businesses need prompt, accurate and relevant information to compete in an increasingly global market place. The management accountant plays a vital role in providing the information that organisations need to survive and prosper. The purpose of this module is to provide students with a solid technical and critical understanding of the key management accountancy techniques and issues that relate to managerial decision making. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of management accounting information to support strategic decision making.

The major areas of study are:

• Short-term decision making
• Long-term decision making
• Risk and uncertainty and decision making
• Management accountancy for competitive advantage.

Auditing (Double Module, Elective)

The practice of auditing is introduced by examination of its historical roots, its current role in society and the auditor’s duties and responsibilities under legal and professional rules. Issues such as auditor independence, responsibility for fraud detection and reporting, and auditor liability are explored in some depth. The audit process is covered from the initial auditor engagement, through audit planning and risk assessment, to completion, review and reporting the audit opinion.

Dissertation (Double Module, Elective)

The dissertation is a major independent piece of work intended to develop a student’s ability to actively engage with core disciplinary issues. Students should demonstrate the ability to identify, organise and select from a large body of material in order to produce a coherent, well defined and internally consistent representation of their findings. Students work with their supervisor to research, develop and present their study for assessment following the agreed formats as prescribed by Lincoln Business School.

Strategic Management (Double Module, Elective)

Strategic management draws upon and integrates a range of business disciplines in examining both theory and practice. In so doing, it bridges the gap between discrete functionalist perspectives and the broader issues involved in general management activity. The module examines the overall challenges, issues and solutions, which are associated with the running of modern organisations. The overall objective of this module is for students to acquire a critical familiarity with the principal concepts, analytical frameworks and techniques associated with the formulation and implementation of organisational policy in both national and international contexts.

Students are encouraged to develop independence in their thinking and managing their own time within a framework of direction and support offered by teaching staff. Throughout the course, students are sensitised to issues of codes of professional conduct and ethical behaviour.

Most modules include some lectures. These are designed to inspire and motivate students, introduce them to particular topics and give an overview of current issues and debates within the discipline. Some are given by visiting practitioners

Within the BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance, staff have wished to assess their students in creative and equitable ways which addressed the range of course and module outcomes.

The course follows a pattern of 70% summative assessment by unseen examination and 30% formative coursework assessment. Assignments allow students to manage their own time, develop their research and analytical skills, and explore subjects in greater depth. They take a range of forms including essays, reports and oral presentations prepared individually and in groups.

Lincoln Business School is based in the David Chiddick building alongside Lincoln Law School.

The building was completely refurbished in 2010 and provides students with teaching and learning space including lecture theatres, workshop rooms, an IT/language lab and a mooting chamber, along with places to meet and eat with friends and staff.

The building provides high quality spaces for teaching and group learning and is the perfect setting for successful Business School students to learn and develop.

The aim of all the courses in the Business School is to produce independent, enquiring, knowledgeable graduates who enjoy learning, are enterprising, employable, self-aware, able to take career and other opportunities in life, and able to make a positive contribution to society.

All courses run by Lincoln Business School offer students work placement opportunities. These fall within two broad categories:

• A short placement of up to 12 weeks. This is designed to fit in the break between the second and final levels of the degree course
• A full year (academic year) of work placement, funded by full-time paid employment. This is designed to last between 40 and 46 weeks.

Each student’s experience can include one of these types, and preferably also other work experience such as relevant casual work, voluntary or social enterprise activity or leadership within student clubs and societies.

Exemptions are available from ACCA and CIMA.

The Accountancy and Finance course combines intellectual rigor with personal development. It provides an academic grounding in topics such as financial accountancy, management accountancy, financial management, marketing, taxation and strategic management.

Our aim is to enable the personal development of each individual student and this is a key focus of the course.

Students will gain a solid technical and critical understanding of the key management accountancy techniques and issues that relate to managerial decision-making. It will also provide students with a solid foundation in the techniques of complex accounts preparation and a critical understanding of short comings in financial reporting.

It is further designed to familiarise students with the major theoretical developments and practices in the areas of corporate finance, risk management, taxation, strategic management and public sector finance. Exemptions are available from the examinations of the professional accountancy bodies.

Students will also have the opportunity to join the student run Accounting Society. Generally accountancy students form a cohesive group who remain friends long after leaving university.

Graduates go on to work in the private and public sectors, in financial management roles for businesses and other organisations, as well as in the general business environment.

Curiosity, energy, interest and commitment.

No specific skills are required, although an interest and curiosity about the world of accountancy is valued.

The course is contemporary and practical and involves a good deal of participation and problem-based learning.

Students need 280 UCAS points to gain entry onto this course (2012 entry). These should be from at least two full A-Levels, preferably three (or equivalent). Students will also need at least five GCSE’s Grade A-C which must include English Language and Maths.

We encourage applications from mature students and we will give special individual consideration to those who are in this category and do not have the standard entry requirements.

Students whose first language is not English will also need British Council IELTS band 6.0 or above or equivalent.

2012 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£10499
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£88 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£44 per credit point

 

2013 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£11130
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£93 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£47 per credit point

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding