Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Introduction to Accounting
Module Code	AC221
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: celine craddock Semester 2: celine craddock Autumn: celine craddock
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the conceptual framework for financial reporting from a user perspective. Students will be exposed techniques which will aid their ability to prepare, analyse, understand, interpret, evaluate and use financial statements. In addition, students will be introduced to the role and function of management accounting within an organizational context. Finally, the students' knowledge and understanding of decision making, planning and control and the ability to prepare, analyse, interpret, report, evaluate and use accounting information for these purposes will be enhanced through participation in this module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the qualitative characteristics of financial information and the fundamental accounting concepts underpinning the financial statements.
2. Prepare a basic set of financial statements for a company and discuss the limitations of the financial statements.
3. Explain the difference between cash and profit and produce a simple cash flow statement.
4. Calculate and interpret key ratios for assessing the profitability, efficiency, liquidity and gearing of a business.
5. Describe the budgeting process and prepare basic budgets, including master budgets and cash budgets.
6. Apply contribution analysis and breakeven analysis for short-term decision making.
7. Describe the basic contents of the annual reports and accounts of a company.
8. Explain the main types of costing techniques that may be applied by a company.
9. Compute and apply fundamental techniques used for investment appraisal.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	Twice weekly
Tutorial	8	Weekly tutorials
Independent learning	53	Independent Learning Time
Examination	40	Examination Preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Accounting:.
Nature, purpose and role of accounting; users of accounting information; limitations of accounting information; the financial environment; the nature and purpose of management accounting; management accounting compared to financial accounting.

Introduction to Fundamental Issues.
The accounting equation; nature of assets, liabilities, owners equity; principles, concepts and conventions underlying financial statements; nature of profit; difference between profit and cash; true and fair view..

Introduction to Company Accounting.
Nature and type of companies; the statement of comprehensive income; the statement of financial position; the cash flow statement;.

Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statements.
Nature, purposes and context of financial statement analysis; techniques of analysis and in particular, ratio analysis; value and limitations of ratio analysis; interpretation..

The Annual Report and Accounts.
Theories of the firm; corporate governance; corporate social responsibility; the board of directors; risk management..

Costing.
The nature of costs; cost classification; relevant costing; cost management; costing techniques..

Budgeting.
The budgeting process; the planning process; budget types; cash budgeting; budgetary control systems; flexing the budget; advantages and disadvantages with budgeting; behaviourial implications..

Investment Appriasal Techniques.
The importance of investment appraisal; discounted cash flows; net present value, accounting rate of return; internal rate of return; payback period; discounted payback period..

Cost Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis.
The accountant's CVP model; breakeven point; margin of safety; contribution margin; contribution analysis; usefulness and limitations of the approach..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Prentice Hall: 2008, Accounting An Introduction, 4th Edition, McLaney & Atrill,
Wiley: 2002, Accounting for Non-Specialists, Michael Jones,
Prentice Hall: 2007, Accounting for Non-Accounting Students, 7th, Dyson,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

IBLFG

BA in Inter. Business & Lang. (Fr/Ge)

IBLFS

BA in Inter. Business & Lang. (Fr/Sp)

IBLGS

BA in Inter. Business & Lang. (Ge/Sp)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for AC221

Date of Last Revision