Contemporary Issues in Accounting

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• apply the methods and techniques that they have learned already, to changes in wider business, management and economic activity;
• critically evaluate how changes to accounting theory and practice have reflected economic, technological and societal change.
• critically discuss the potential impact of current accounting issues on business, management and the wider accounting profession;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• the ability to identify and frame research questions;
• make use of numeracy to a level appropriate to working in a professional context;
• problem-solve;
• provide effective written communication for a range of audiences.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the contemporary accounting context and current issues relevant to an accounting professional.

This will vary according to the teaching staff and research/teaching interests appropriate to the module. Indicative topics might include, but are not limited to the following:

Sectoral Accounting – the application of accounting to specific sectors – agriculture & biological assets, banking, etc - of the economy integrating strategy, product knowledge and accounting.

Current issues in auditing – building up second year module in Auditing and anticipating a third year elective this would explore recent examples of auditing and governance failure – from Thomas Cook and Carillian bank to Enron.

Current issues in accounting and strategy – this might link narrative reporting frameworks to attempts by the profession and regulators to more effectively report the business model.

Accounting and Public Sector accountability – here we would explore how accounting relates to public sector management and how accounting issues impact upon public policy. This would involve current and past policy as a guide to how accountability might be improved in the future.

It is proposed to have a mix of classes and lectures. Each topic will be introduced in the lectures with classes used to develop understanding through learning by doing and examples and/or problem sets. Guidance will be given on the creation of the written report and the preparation/presentation of the poster.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.