Optional Modules FA – Choose any two from the following;
AF3S130
Business Analysis for Accountants
This module aims to develop knowledge, understanding and application of business strategy
theory and concepts, business analysis models and techniques.
Strategic position
Introduction to the nature and purpose of strategy and business analysis. (JSW Model of
strategic planning, JS Strategy lenses)
Analysis of the macro-environment and the competitive forces that affect the position of an
organisation. (PESTEL, Porter’s Diamond, Porter’s Five Forces and Life cycle Model).
Identification, development and monitoring of strategic capabilities and core competencies
to gain and maintain competitive advantage and support the strategy of an organisation.
(SWOT, KPIs, CSFs, Porters value chain).
Analysis and discussion of Corporate behaviour, ethics, stakeholder analysis and aspects of
corporate social responsibility (Stakeholder mapping and ethical codes of conduct)
The role of human resources in the development and implementation of an organisations
strategy.
Strategic Choice
Corporate structure and globalisation impacts on strategic choice.
Portfolio analysis (BCG matrix, public sector portfolio matrix, Ashridge Portfolio Display).
Assessment of the feasibility, suitability and the consequences of different strategy choices
in achieving growth and competitive advantage (Strategy clock, Michael Porter’s generic
strategies of cost leadership, differentiation and focus, Ansoff’s matrix, TOWS matrix).
Strategic Action
The impact of organisation structure, human resources, leadership and organisational roles
have on the ability to develop and manage strategic change (Cultural web, Mintzberg’s
organisational configurations)
Intended and emergent strategies. The relationship between business processes, e business
and emergent strategies and the implications of strategic drift.
The use of finance and management accounting in planning and supporting a strategy and
its role in the decision making process.
Application of knowledge and skills to propose appropriate strategies that support the
objectives / strategy of an organisation.
Application of knowledge and skills in the planning and implementation process of strategic
choice.
Business Process change
Evaluation of existing business processes within an organisation
Exploring alternatives in the design and redesign of business processes in supporting a
particular strategy. (Harman’s process-strategy matrix)
The use and choice in Information system solutions
Information Technology
Exploring the use of technology in supporting a selected strategy (e business, e marketing,
Upstream and downstream supply chain management, 6I’s, CRM, push and pull models)
Project management
Stages in the project life cycle and building the business case.
Accounting techniques in project costing and appraisal (assumes prior knowledge).
Written
assignment
Written exam
Essay 1
Written exam –
closed book
(unseen) 1
An individual written
assignment
Application of
business strategy
theory, business
analysis techniques
and models. The exam
will include a
compulsory question
(50/100 mark)
requiring the
application of learning
outcomes 1 and 2 to a
business case study.
N/A
3000
50
3 Hours
N/A
50
AF3S120
Advanced Financial Reporting
This module aims to investigate the financial reporting framework and explore the recent
and current developments and experiments to extend financial reporting beyond the
minimal regulatory requirements and to develop knowledge and skills in understanding and
applying accounting standards in the preparation of financial statements of entities,
including groups, and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.
The module will commence by considering the attempts over time to establish an
international conceptual framework for financial reporting which underpin financial
reporting
The module will consider attempts that have or are being made to extend the framework by
including additional statements such as social and environmental reports.
The preparation of financial statements will be extended to include provisions, accounting
for retirement benefits, foreign currency transactions, the preparation and adjustment to
group accounts and the treatment of associate companies and foreign subsidiaries.
Final accounts will be analysed and interpreted and the potential bias introduced by
creative accounting will be considered. Attempts by the international standard setters to
reduce such bias, for example by standards on substance over form, capital instruments,
provisions and contingencies etc., will be explored.
Finally, current issues and developments in financial reporting will be kept under review and
addressed when necessary.
Written
assignment
Assignment
Examination
Advanced
Financial
reporting
examination
Assignment on
selected financial
reporting issues
Financial reporting
examination
1500
3 hours
30
70
AF3S129
Theory and Practice of Securities Trading
This module aims to provide an advanced understanding of theories and techniques
relevant to investing and trading in the financial securities markets.
 Investment objectives
 Equity returns and risk, risk analysis, risk attitudes
 Principles of portfolio investment
 Introduction to derivatives trading, trading strategies
 Information efficiency, the efficient market hypothesis, fundamental analysis
 Approaches to technical analysis
 Behavioural finance
 Market trading using a computer-based financial market simulation
Set Task 1
Case study
Prepare a discussion
N/A
1100
50%
paper based on an
analysis and evaluation
of empirical data,
including use of
Excel, and a critical
appraisal of the
associated theories
Set Task 2
Report
Prepare a discussion
N/A
1100
50%
paper based on a
practical application of
trading strategies in a
simulated environment
AF3S118
Cases in Audit
This module aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting
upon the role and practice of auditing in industry. The objective is to develop students
ability to analysis situations in a variety of different contexts, the use of real life situations
and cases strengthens the link between theory and practices and encourages the
development of a range of employability skills.
The cases used will cover a variety of aspects of external and internal auditing depending on
what are the current issues in the audit industry, this topics will include:
Audit planning
Audit management
Audit risk and risk management
Audit relationship with audit committees
External audit reporting on financial statements and corporate governance
Internal audit and internal controls
Audit assurance
International audit standards
Auditor role in respect to fraud detection and money laundering
Written
assignment
Portfolio
The portfolio will be worth
100% and will consist of 4
individual case studies (
analyse a case and then
complete an activity
associated with that case)
Each case will be worth 30%
each and will be designed to
use a variety of assessment
methods, reports, articles,
posters, leaflets, interviews
etc. To promote engagement
and employability skills. The
top three marks of the four
cases will be counted but all
four need to be attempted. A
compulsory reflective account
of relevant issues will be
completed worth 10%.
100
AF2S119
Principles of Forensic Accounting
This module aims to develop a knowledge and understanding or forensic accounting and
apply such knowledge and understanding in a variety of real world contexts.
Module content includes:

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Fraud theory and context.
Fundamentals of forensic accounting and fraud auditing
Contrast between fraud and financial statement auditing
Internal controls and risk assessment
Fraud investigation, prevention and detection
The forensic accountant in practice – tools, techniques (including data analysis) , the
expert witness and evidence gathering
Non-fraud assignments e.g. business valuation
Written
assignment
Assignment
Written
Examination
Forensic
accounting
examination
Assignment on
selected forensic
accounting topic
Forensic accounting
examination
2500
3 hours
50
50