Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Course introduction

Introduction

Awarding Body

York St John University, United Kingdom

Overview

This award is designed as an academic programme of study, structured to provide you with the full range of academic and critical thinking skills applicable to the study of accounting and finance, rather than provide the full range of technical skills required by an accountant. As such the programme will give you a foundation for future study with professional bodies. This programme will secure exemption from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) papers F1-F3.

This programme provides you with the opportunity to understand analyse and interpret financial decision making in an organisational context. The programme combines a comprehensive grounding in key aspects of accounting and finance, and consists of a range of modules which aim to give you a broad understanding of accounting and finance. The programme integrates the development of ICT, academic and research skills, culminating in the production of an independent study in semester 2 at Level 3. This provides the opportunity for you to integrate your academic skills in live practice.

The programme has a strong focus on the conceptual aspects of accounting and finance but also includes applied aspects of accounting. This will therefore equip graduates with the knowledge, understanding, key and specific skills and technical abilities required to make them employable in graduate positions in accounting, finance, business, management and a wide range of other employments. In particular the development of skills in problem-solving and analytical ability using a range of financial and accounting methods and concepts will positively differentiate them from graduates of generic business and management courses.

Curriculum Overview

Programme Structure

Learning Objectives

Provide a programme of study in accounting and finance to prepare students for employment in roles where financial information and decision making are central.
Provide an academic awareness of key and contemporary issues in accounting and finance.
Provide key academic and employability skills allowing students to make informed, and analytical decisions, and be able to reflect them.
Provide an environment of criticality and reflection in the study of accounting and finance.
Develop capacity for independent, autonomous and reflective learning, communication and interpersonal skills, team working and research.
Special features of the programme
Potential opportunities to progress onto professional accountancy programmes.
Systematic development of employability skills which form part of the core curriculum at Levels 1 and 2, preparing students for the world of business (including not for profit / government sectors), into which you will probably enter.
Excellent personal and academic support. Students will be allocated an academic tutor to support them throughout the programme.
Modules are aligned with the requirements of 3 papers for ACCA.

Modules

Code	Year 1 Module Title	Credits
1BM090	Organisations, Competition and Environment	20
1BM020	ICT and Study Skills	20
1BM150	Management Accounting and Finance	20
1BM140	Introduction to Economics	20
1BM120	Introduction to Accounting	20
1BM110	Foundations of Business Information Systems	20

Code	Year 2 Modute Title	Credit
2BM230	Designing a Research Project	10
2BM240	Professional Experience and Career Planning	10
2BM280	Principles of Business & Commercial Law	20
2BM010	Financial Management	20
2BM270	Principles of Auditing	10
2BM290	Principles of Taxation	10
2BM220	Research Methods for Business	10
2BM180	Employment Development	10
2BM190	Advanced Financial Reporting (1)	20

Code	Year 3 Module Title	Credit
3BM210	Management Accounting and Management Control	20
3BM020	Organisational Strategy and Decision Making	20
3BM260	Contemporary Issues in Corporate Governance	20
3BM070	Strategic Corporate Finance	20
3BM200	Advanced Financial Reporting (2)	20
3BM130	Business Research Case Study	20

Teaching and Learning Methods

Level 1 – knowledge and understanding

Delivery of the programme utilises a student-centred, blended approach which incorporates 42 contact hours for each module (consisting of lectures and seminars). In Management Accounting and Finance and Organisations, Competition and the Environment you may be introduced to tutor-led discussion of provided case studies; while ICT and Study Skills will develop your academic skills including writing practice and you will receive regular feedback (including peer feedback), and structured IT workshops. You will be guided in the preparation of professional reports and the production of accounts will be utilised at Level 1 to ensure you have a solid grounding in the skills you require as you advance through the programme.

Guided learning is emphasised at Level 1, which aims to support you through tasks designed to develop skills and understanding, and to promote communication, organisation, responsibility and the appropriate exercise of judgement. Guided learning will assist as you start to become an independent and autonomous learner and will help you prepare for assessments.

Employability skills are emphasised and delivered by including appropriate skills (e.g. IT) within the curriculum. You will also develop skills in reflective practice.

Essentially level 1 prepares you for progression into level two by providing the underpinning knowledge in accounting and finance and creating an awareness of economic and business issues that influence organisations.

Level 2 – analysis, application and reflection

Delivery of the programme utilises a student-centred, blended approach which incorporates 36 contact hours for each module (consisting of lectures and seminars).

As Accounting and Finance students, you will start to develop in-depth understanding of crucial principles within the field including class discussion on auditing process and legal principles. You will also undertake computational activities related to taxation and accounting, and will be expected to draw conclusions and make recommendations based on the results.

Employability skills are emphasised at Level 2 when you will be introduced to project planning and undertake experience of practice within an accounting / finance organisation or in an accounting / finance field (within the Professional Experience and Career Planning and Employment Development modules). As part of your development you approach organisations to find this engagement. Alongside this, you will develop research skills through the research methods modules (Designing a Research Project, and Research Methods for Business). You will begin to focus on a more specific career path in accounting and finance by undertaking four specific modules, including the introduction of law, taxation and auditing.

Level 3 – critical evaluation and synthesis

Delivery of the programme utilises a student-centred, blended approach which incorporates 30 contact hours (consisting of lectures and seminars). At this level it is expected that you will demonstrate greater autonomy and independence in your learning. Your tutor will start to be more of a facilitator and partner in your learning.

Collaborative approaches to learning are emphasised at Level 3, (e.g. group work and projects) as they allow knowledge and understanding to be co-constructed and contested, provide opportunities for individuals to bring unique or personal insights into the discussion, activity or consideration. Facilitated learning is also emphasised to encourage teamwork, problem-solving, reflection on decision-making and other critical abilities in order to develop autonomous learning skills. Modules will allow you to explore contemporary themes which interest you through the form of student guided seminars (e.g. the banking crisis and recession may be discussed in the confines of Corporate Governance, or be a topic for discussion in Strategic Corporate Finance. You will also undertake an independent piece of research, with support and guidance from an Accounting and Finance tutor.

Assessment and Examinations

Level 1

Assessment (formative and summative) activities are chosen to allow you to develop the academic and subject specific (including employability) skills to succeed on the award and within the workplace. For example Introduction to Accounting, and Management Accounting and Finance will require you to undertake tasks and activities in line with accounting practice. This may include accounts or cash flow formation, or production and interpretation of variance. You will also be required to undertake presentations which will develop skills, but also allow them to demonstrate knowledge and understanding.

Assessment criteria: You will be assessed in every module for which you enrol. Level 1 work usually carries a word count of 3,000-3,500 words.

Level 2

At this level assessment activities are chosen to further develop the academic and subject specific (including employability) skills to succeed on the award and within the workplace. You will design and undertake a small scale research project, which will be finance related, and undertake a series of work related tasks which may be related to the type of work you may gain in the future. This may include tax calculations, variance analysis activities and ratio analysis.

You may also be required to undertake presentations which will develop skills, but also allow them to demonstrate knowledge and understanding.

Assessment criteria: You will be assessed in every module for which you enrol. Level 2 work usually carries a word count of 3,500-4,000 words.

Level 3

At this level, assessment activities are chosen to further develop the academic and subject specific (including employability) skills to succeed on the award and within the workplace. You will undertake a series of tasks which may be related to the type of work you may gain in the future, however at this level there is greater emphasis on independent thinking and evaluation of theories and models, and their applicability to the field, such as theories of capital structure or the role of financial reporting. Again there may be calculation and computational activities but greater emphasis will be placed on evaluation and critique. Students may also be required to undertake presentations which will develop skills, but also allow them to demonstrate knowledge and understanding.

Assessment criteria: You will be assessed in every module for which you enrol. Level 3 work usually carries a word count of 4,000-5,000 words.

Graduation Requirements and Progression

“The University’s general regulations for undergraduate awards (http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/documents/directory/regs-and-prog-specs/regulations.aspx) apply to this programme. Any modules that must be passed for progression or award are indicated in the Programme Structure section. ”

“In addition to the standard university regulations the following programme-specific regulations apply: ”

“Students who achieve 100-120 credits at each level but who do not achieve all compulsory for award modules will be awarded a BA (Hons) Accounting and Business Management. ”
“Students can exit the programme upon completion of Level 1 with a Certificate of Higher Education in Accounting and Finance, provided they have made a serious attempt at 120 credits and have successfully passed at least 100 credits at Level 1, including all compulsory for award/progression modules - if these modules are not passed they will be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management. ”
“Students can exit the programme upon completion of Levels 1 and 2 with a Diploma of Higher Education providing they have made a serious attempt at 240 credits and have successfully passed at least 100 credits at both Levels 1 and 2, including all compulsory for award/progression modules - if these modules are not passed they will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management. ”
“Students can exit the programme upon completion of Levels 1, 2 and 3 with an Ordinary Degree providing they have made a serious attempt at 360 credits and have successfully passed at least 100 credits at both Levels 1 and 2 and 60 credits at Level 3, including all compulsory for award/progression modules - if these modules are not passed they will be awarded an Ordinary Degree in Accounting and Business Management.”

Entry Requirements

A candidate must satisfy one, or combination, of the following conditions:

18 years and above
GCE ‘A’ Level or equivalent
Working experience could be considered for mature learners (working adults with at least 2 Years' experience in the same field and with at least 5 GCE 'O' levels / SPM including English or equivalent and subjected to the discretion of the University Representative (Head of Programme and/or Director of International Development - Asia) upon student application may be considered.

Note: For foreign students English language proficiency IELT 6.0 or equivalent.

Attendance Requirements

International Students (ICA student pass holder) must attend a minimum of 90% of scheduled course hours at all time. A minimum attendance of 75% must be achieved for local students (Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass, S-Pass and work permit holders etc.) who are not holding student pass. Students whose attendance is below 90% (ICA Student Pass holder) and 75% (local students) are not eligible to submit the assignment or sit for the examination.

A student who is absent or considered to be absent from class/session, must provide documentary proof i.e. Original Medical Certificate issued by a General Practitioner, Polyclinic or Hospital to his/her Course Administrator immediately on his/her return to school.

Duration & Intake

Programme Duration

Course Duration

Full-time: 3 hours a day X 5 days a week X 40 months

Intakes / Registration

Registration occurs for the following intakes: January and September

All applications for admission should be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the commencement date. An application processing fee (inclusive of 7% GST) is payable for each application that is submitted. This fee is Non-Refundable.

Local Student: S$107.00
International Student: S$695.50

Commencement and Completion Month/Year (Full Time)

Course Commencement Date	Course Completion Date
January (Current year)	January (Following year)
September (Current year)	September (Follwing year)