CASES IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module extends the knowledge acquired in the earlier accounting and finance modules to examine accounting theories and reporting practices adopted by reporting entities. The module explores accounting and finance issues such as governance, measurement models, provisions, etc. This will enable students to understand real-life, complex, international issues in the accounting and finance world and synthesise relevant information to analyse the case. It encourages independent learning and provides students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to critically evaluate how regulatory requirements and incentives affect firms’ reporting practices. 

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

ELHARIDY Ali (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

n/a

Module content

Indicative content includes, but not exhausted to: 
 

• 
  Positive accounting theory 
  


• 
  Earnings management and earnings quality 
  


• 
  Corporate governance mechanism 
  


• 
  Capital market research 
  


• 
  Disclosure and the information environment 
  

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual Report and individual presentation instead of group report and group presentation. 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:  

learning in all the topics and will be in two parts; the group presentation and the group report. The assessments are designed to assess the student’s ability to comprehend, critically discuss the relevant issues in accounting and finance, and present their work. 

 

  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: 

• 
  Group Report. 
  


• 
  Group Presentation. 
  

 

Formative assessment 

The structure of the seminars allows students to practice their presentation and communication skills on a frequent basis. 

 

Feedback 

Live sessions provide a platform of frequent feedback on the topics covered, therefore, preparing students for their success in the assessments. Weekly student feedback and consultation hours aim to provide additional feedback and assist students with their queries.

Module aims

• To develop an understanding of the process involved in analysing case studies
• To develop well-researched and critically considered opinions and judgments concerning accounting and finance theory.
• To critically analyse current issues encountered by the preparers and the users of financial information and to develop robust arguments to inform decision making

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

 

• 
  Enable students to develop knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities to evaluate decisions by managers in applying accounting provisions in the financial statements. 
  


• 
  Enable students to develop an understanding of and be able to critically analyse the issues related to accounting and finance, drawing on relevant research and practice, and convey this using group interaction and case study discussions in the seminars. 
  


• 
  Engage students with different learning backgrounds and maximise their learning by drawing on their own experiences and contributions to group discussions. 
  


• 
  Develop students’ cultural awareness, digital literacy, confidence and competence in working with others, leadership, communication skills, employability, and professionalism. 
  

 
The teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, guided learning, and independent learning. Specifically, the lectures intend to introduce theories with support materials and reinforcement covering the topics in the above. In seminars, students will undertake interactive exercises such as group discussions and presentations in order to demonstrate the application of theory, team-working, professionalism, confidence, and communication skills. Students are encouraged to be active participants in seminars, enabling them to develop as informed, confident, and engaged independent learners. It is expected that students will conduct wide readings, work with peers on the development of the group presentation, individual research, and reflective review in their independent learning. Formative feedback will be provided to students during these interactive sessions. 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM400

Other information

Employability: The module provides a theoretical background of managerial decision-making. The cases discussed in the module are of paramount importance in understanding and analysing a firm’s information environment. Students develop the ability to critically evaluate the problem at hand, be creative thinkers, interact with their group members by employing evidence-based learning, and present their findings. As a result, students are more familiar with real-world issues and can communicate their ideas confidently, clearly, and fluently in writing and orally.  

 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module is taught in an interactive and collaborative way, in a cohort that commonly represents a wealth of nationalities and backgrounds. Students are encouraged to engage with and learn from diverse perspectives through interaction, collaboration, and teamwork. Students are expected to form groups from a diverse group of students to share experiences and knowledge from their own cultures and backgrounds and to respect and value differences in experience. 

 

Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module, students learn to navigate and utilise the Virtual Learning Environment @ Surrey (SurreyLearn) and other digital resources and online databases to aid their learning and undertake research. Students are encouraged to use current media such as Teams, and utilising cloud/file sharing for communication and team working. Students will develop proficiency in these aspects of digital engagement. 

 

Resourcefulness & Resilience (R&R): Students will develop attributes such as confidence, adaptability, self-regulation, self-efficacy, problem-solving and decision-making abilities, through interacting in their groups, engaging with their group members, and presenting their findings in front of the audience. The effectiveness of the R&R will be inherent in assessment design.  

 

Sustainability: This module demonstrates to students how firms can be ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible while communicating with the users of financial statements. Students will develop an understanding of firms’ environmentally sustainable behavior that will shape a more sustainable future society. 

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.