Accounting and Taxation for the Public Sector

Module overview

This module concerns the public sector's accounting, auditing and taxation, including government budgeting practices that under-emphasise accounting. This module aims to portray the whole of government through the eyes of accountants by concentrating on the possibilities of accounting techniques. Historically, accounting modules are taught in the context of for-profit organisations. This module assumes a basic understanding of such accounting. Moreover, this module will shed light on performance measurement in the public sector including internal audits and financial reporting. The third part will highlight the economics of taxation in areas like operating tax systems efficiently, tax incentives and other taxation tools used by the government to enhance their economic growth.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

B1.Discuss the government, governance and public management;
B4.Critically evaluate the various tax tools that the government exploit to enhance their economic growth.
B3.Discuss costing techniques and Financial reporting and auditing for the government
B2.Explore national accounts and government budgeting;
B5.Critically assess the tax implications of government policies.

Knowledge and Understanding

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

A1.The nature of the public sector
A2.The various performance measurements in the public sector
A3.The government taxation policy and practice

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

C1.Demonstrate learning, problem-solving, and numeracy skills;
C2.Work with a team to communicate complex ideas and arguments fluently and effectively in a range of different formats to a variety of different audiences.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will commence with a mix of weekly lectures, classes, guest lectures (subject to the availability of lecturers from the industry) and practical sessions Selected exercises will be used to provide formative feedback to students. Additional exercises and reading will be set for private study or personal reflection.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	100
Lecture	24
Revision	16
Seminar	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Robyn Pilcher and David Gilchrist (2019). Public Sector Accounting, Accountability and Governance:. Routledge.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Class discussions

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback:
Final Assessment:
Group Work: No

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Closed book Examination	80%
Group Coursework	20%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%