ACC1052 : The Financial Environment
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Mr Christopher Soan
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The module aims to provide an introduction to the financial system and some of the main types of financial institution that operate within that system. It differs from other modules that examine finance as it looks at the subject from the broader perspective of the financial environment rather than the narrower perspective of individual companies and their financing. It provides a foundation for the further study of finance in the third and fourth years of the programme as well as covering material relevant to the ICAEW Professional Level modules in Banking and Insurance. The module examines relevant concepts and principles rather than being computation based. The module also provides an introduction to Corporate Governance using relevant frameworks and context and as a basis for study in future stages on the NN14/NN49 programmes. Use will be made of case study material developed by the ICAEW, for which we have a licence, to demonstrate the practical application of corporate governance. The module also has a skills development element, including communication, teamwork and ethical awareness thereby contributing to the development of skills relevant to professional practice and helping to prepare students for the professional placements in stages two to four. Teamworking will be assessed through a business game type scenario.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Key Elements of the Financial System
• Fundamental Concepts including Risk and Return, Liquidity and Capital
• The Inter-relationship between Financial Institutions, Financial Markets and the Wider Economy
• The Business Activities of Major Financial Institutions and Markets, particularly Banking and Insurance
• Introduction to Corporate Governance
• Application of the Corporate Governance framework to case studies
• Development of Skills Relevant to Professional Practice
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 28 | 1:00 | 28:00 | Sessions may be scheduled as one or two hour sessions according to the lecture material PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 66:00 | 66:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 38:00 | 38:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Online sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Placement office networking and Q&A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will be used to introduce and develop material. Sessions will be used to introduce case studies which students can then use to develop skills of team-working and communication. These skills will be demonstrated through the preparation of a group presentation which will comprise 25% of the assessment of the module. Specific guidance on the development of relevant skills will be given to students across all teaching.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 75 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 25 | Group presentation |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Q and A and review of written exercise in class |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Q and A and review of written exercise in class |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module provides an introduction to the financial system and some of the main types of financial institutions that operate within the system. The module also introduces students to the UK Corporate Governance Code, allowing application to given scenarios. It also has a skills element contributing to the development of skills relevant to professional practice and helping to prepare students for the professional placements in stages two to four. These two elements form the basis of the assessment. Knowledge, understanding and application of concepts and principles will be assessed in a written examination. The development of relevant skills will be assessed in a group presentation. The presentation topic will require students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant subject material.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACC1052's Timetable