NBS8006 : Accounting for Analysts
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Erwei Xiang
- Lecturer: Professor Simon Hussain, Dr Khansaa Tezeny
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 15 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 15 |
| ECTS Credits: | 15.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1. To empower students with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to analyse and interpret the information in companies’ annual reports
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Fundamental concepts of financial accounting
2. Introduction to the work of a financial analyst
3. Conceptual and regulatory framework for financial reporting
4. Structure and content of companies’ financial statements
5. Revenue recognition and disclosure
6. Asset recognition and valuation
7. Analysis and interpretation of financial statements using ratios
8. Consolidated financial statements
9. Goodwill and intangibles
10. Equity, financial instruments and tax
11. Cash flow statements
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 13 | 2:00 | 26:00 | PIP lectures - Advanced financial accounting |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Non-synchronous online material - Work of the financial analyst |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Present-in-person - intensive 3 week introduction |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 90:00 | 90:00 | 3 assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 90:00 | 90:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | PIP Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | PIP pre-assessment whole cohort workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 65:00 | 65:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | Introduction to accounting |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module talk |
| Total | 300:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
1. At master's level the distinction between lecture material and small group teaching can be rather more fluid than at undergraduate level. Sessions will set out basic knowledge and techniques, but will also involve discussion to foster deeper understanding and develop skills.
2. The module will start with an intensive three-week introduction to accounting designed to ensure that all students have the basic understanding of accounts required for the programme.
3. Later teaching will be more evenly paced over the rest of the year, and will involve regular use of financial statements and real world examples.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 180 | 2 | A | 75 | N/A |
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | M | 20 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 5 | Group PowerPoint Presentation Report |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Seminar questions plus class exercises |
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Seminar questions plus class exercises |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The first exam is to assess how students stand after the first three weeks of intensive delivery. It is formative as well as summative in its intention given that students will need to apply the knowledge tested in the remainder of the module.
The group project is designed to give students practice in reading published literature in a critical way and will be particularly important in assessing the development of professional skills. Students will also gain by getting formative feedback on these.
The end of year examination will assess a wide range of learning outcomes including knowledge outcomes as well as skills outcomes. Some questions will focus on problem solving, whereas others will require students to analyse and interpret real-world data from company reports. The high weighting attached to the examination is to ensure that students demonstrate understanding and skills in a controlled environment and is in line with other modules on the programme.
In the case of an alternative semester 2 assessment (worth 75% of the overall module mark) being necessary due to circumstances, the module leader will in the first instance consult with the DPD as to the requirements of the professional accrediting body to discuss possible acceptable alternatives. In 2020/21 this alternative was a 24 hour take home exam delivered online, and it is envisioned that if circumstances do not allow a present-in-person timed exam at the end of semester 2, and the professional body agrees, then this may well be an example of the type of alternative assessment which could be put in place.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8006's Timetable