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Module

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
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials62:0012:00Present-in-person - intensive 3 week introduction
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion190:0090:003 assessments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture132:0026:00PIP lectures - Advanced financial accounting
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials22:004:00Non-synchronous online material - Work of the financial analyst
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading190:0090:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching91:009:00PIP Seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops21:002:00PIP pre-assessment whole cohort workshops
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study165:0065:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time20:301:00Introduction to accounting
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time11:001:00Module talk
Total300:00
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 Examination1802A75N/A
Written Examination1201M20N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Prof skill assessmnt1M5Group 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 exercises1MSeminar questions plus class exercises
Prob solv exercises2MSeminar 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