MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Financial Management
AA3F9
30
Level 4
Level 5 X Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
Semester 2
Throughout year X
Other
Brief description of module This module is designed to develop the knowledge and skills expected of
content and/ or aims
a finance manager in relation to investment, financing and dividend policy
Overview (max 80 words)
decisions.
Module team/ author/
Jenny Robertson
coordinator(s)
School
Brighton Business School
Site/ campus where
Moulsecoomb
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Mandatory
ACCA
Compulsory
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
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To introduce the financial environments in which financial
decision making takes place and to explore the ideas and
practices of finance and financial management
To understand the workings of the financial system and
evaluate alternative sources of finance and assess
investment possibilities
To develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance
manager in relation to the investment, financing and dividend
policy decisions.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
Subject specific:
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Discuss the role and purpose of the financial management
function.
Assess and discuss the impact of the economic environment
on financial management.
Discuss and apply working capital management techniques.
Carry out effective investment appraisal.
Identify and evaluate alternative sources of business finance.
Explain and calculate the cost of capital and the factors which
affect it.
Discuss and apply principles of business and asset valuations.
Explain and apply risk management techniques in business.
Cognitive:


Content
Demonstrate numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate
financial and other numerical data and appreciate the statistical
concepts at an appropriate level.
Demonstrate skills in the use of communications and information
technology.

Financial management function:
The nature and purpose of financial management.
Financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy.
Stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives.
Financial and other objectives in not-for-profit organisations.
Financial management environment:
The nature and role of financial markets and institutions.
The treasury function.
Working capital management:
The nature, elements and importance of working capital.
Management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable
and cash.
Determining working capital needs and funding strategies.
Investment appraisal:
Non-discounted cash flow techniques.
Discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques.
Allowing for inflation and taxation in DCF.
Adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal.
Specific investment decisions ( asset replacement, capital rationing).
Business finance:
Sources of, and raising short-term finance.
Sources of, and raising long-term finance.
Internal sources of finance and dividend policy.
Gearing and capital structure decisions.
Finance for small and medium sized entities (SMEs).
Cost of capital:
Sources of finance and their relative costs.
Estimating the cost of equity.
Estimating the cost of debt and other capital instruments.
Estimating the overall cost of capital.
Capital structure theories and practical considerations.
Impact of cost of capital on investments.
Business valuations:
Nature and purpose of the valuation of the business and financial
assets.
Models for the valuation of shares.
The valuation of debt and other financial assets.
Efficient market hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the
valuation of shares.
Risk management:
The nature and types of risk and approaches to risk management.
Hedging techniques for foreign currency risk.
Hedging techniques for interest rate risk.
Learning support
Indicative Reading:
The latest editions of:
Arnold, G., Corporate Financial Management, Pearson
Atrill, P., Financial Management for Non-specialists, Pearson
Lumby, S. & Jones, C., Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice,
Cengage
McLaney, E. J., Business Finance: Theory and Practice, Pearson
Pike, R., Neale, B.& Linsley P., Corporate Finance and Investment,
Pearson
Watson, D. & Head, A., Corporate Finance: Principles and Practice,
Pearson
Journals:
Accounting and Business Research
Journal of Finance
Journal of Financial Economics
Harvard Business Review
Managerial Finance
Websites:
www.economist.com
www.ft.com
www.londonstockexchange.co.uk
All students benefit from:
Studentcentral
Online Library Resources (e-journals and e-books)
Library facilities
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
The module will use a mix of teaching and learning processes. The
basis of presentation of new material will be by the use of lectures
supported by course notes, student research and
seminars/workshops. Students will be given both problem-solving
and discursive questions to prepare that will consolidate their
understanding of the topics introduced.
Student learning will be supported through e-learning with the
provision of materials made available through studentcentral. In
addition, teaching sessions can be conducted using online resources,
and could involve students gathering, for example, financial data from
Reuters.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, and
external visits.
44
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
156
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the
University. It includes work-based learning and study that occurs
overseas.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment on
this module
Coursework: an individual assignment based on a case involving
problem solving and some research. This assignment will test the
following soft skills:
- the student’s computing skills (spreadsheets and word
processing)
-
the student’s understanding and ability to solve a
particular accounting problem
This assessment will carry a weighting of 25%.
Examination: a three hour closed book examination. The examination
will carry a weighting of 75%.
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
75%
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project
output, set exercise
25%
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set
exercise
1
Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Refer to Studentcentral
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
October 2014
Version number
2
Modules replaced
AA209
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
No
X