Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

- Understand the key factors for profitable business
- Understand the importance of business liquidity and solvency
- Execute financial planning

After passing the course the student will be:
- Able to widen his expertise in the field of finance
- Able to evaluate company financial position
- Able to utilize profitability, liquidity and solvency practices
- Contribute financial tools in his work
- In position to plan and execute actions for turnaround projects

Content (course unit)

This course provides relevant themes of accounting in business context. The approach works as a repetition for students with financial background, but also as a financial starting point without previous financial knowledge. The course is aiming at building financial mindset. There are both lecturing and exercises as informed during the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is able to name the core concepts in the field of financial accounting, recognise the relevant practices and methods and define the need for accounting in general. The student is able to read the key financial accounting information and statements and provide routine performance in course tasks and participation. The student knows the principles at basic level. Student can give and receive feedback and take responsibility as an individual learner. The student can act as part of team under supervision and recognises his level of interaction.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to structure the connections between the financial statements and apply the financial accounting themes with relevancy. The student can explain and adopt the need for financial accounting,  why and how to use various accounting methods and need for profitable business. The student can make simple bookkeeping postings, ended up with closing statements, ratio analysis based on company financials, and relevant financial comparisons for management decision making. The student can measure  financial performance based on public financial information. Student  gives and receives constructive feedback, operates in professional manner by recognicing relevant scope and needs,  develops his interaction skills, adding value to the team and takes responsibility when needed.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student adapts the course themes in professional manner, finds and translates the course message and expands the context by bringing perspectives, experiences and opinions. The student is able to analyse the selected themes, find the academic approach, use additional research papers and academic sources and activate mindset to connect financial accounting in working life situations. The student builds creative solutions by combining the course themes, assesses diverse outcomes, looks for new opportunities, justifies the financial decisions made and looks for alternative perspectives The student uses feedback to iterate the learning process and adds collaboration as being an asset for the team. The student develops creative and constructive working methods and brings professional commitment throughout the course.

Location and time

According the set schedule, which is to be informed in prior to kick off (by Mr Sven Rassl)

Exam schedules

Details to be informed during the first lecture. The evaluation is based on a report based on dedicated themes, there is no exam.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact and on-line teaching as instructed, with exercises and assignments.

Learning materials

The course is based on course slides and exercises (.ppt, .xl). There is a book, acting as an extension and supportive material:
Accounting and finance, an introduction, Eddie McLaney-Peter Atrill

Student workload

The course is 5 credits, totally 135 hours of student work. This covers all the lectures and assignments during the course, based on average estimate for student time consumption.

Content scheduling

The course focuses on providing the fundamentals of accounting, specially financial accounting and its elements. The themes by sessions are introduced during the first lecture.

Completion alternatives

N/A

International connections

A Masters IB implementation with international students.