This is not available as a Single Subject.This is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management subject.

Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

In this unit students will reflect upon a range of relevant and reliable financial decision making theories, processes and practices, in order to critically appraise and apply that knowledge and understanding to complex financial management decisions, of both a short- term and long-term nature.

Main Topics of Study:

Decision making

Finance based concepts and theories related to short-term decision making, to include relevant cost evaluation, opportunity costing and pricing.

Corporate objectives

Finance based concepts and theories supporting the selection of long-term strategies to fulfil corporate objectives. Examples would be the Balanced Scorecard, Strategic Management Accounting, Capital Investment Appraisal and Overhead Recovery (Activity Based Costing versus traditional).

Budgetary control

Evaluation of the theory and practices relating to the role and effectiveness of budgetary control systems.

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Module, students will be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate financial statements eg. The annual report and accounts of a listed company
2. Critically evaluate the contribution that financial and management accountancy theory can provide in support of the resolution of major business problems
3. Effectively communicate and critically evaluate recommended solutions to complex financebased business problems
4. Critically evaluate the sources of long term financing via the capital markets

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Lectures/workshops will be used to introduce and discuss specific topics. These sessions will require interaction from students on how far the theory relates to their experience of an organisation, or to examine case studies. The lectures will be supported by small group work, with students working on case studies with debriefing in plenary sessions. Each unit topic will be directed towards proposing research based practical recommendations on financial problems which could be case-study, professional or work based.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination : 60%
Coursework : 40% (guideline : 2,000 words)
Assignments should be typed, page numbered and bound. Please find below, the accepted binding methods:

• Tape bound
• Coil bound
• Comb bound
• Spiral bound

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

JR Dyson, (2010), Accounting for Non-Accounting Students, FT Prentice Hall

Alternative texts:

Financial Decision Making Course Reader, 2006: Pearson Publishers.

Drury, C., (2004). Management and Cost Accounting, 6th edition, Thomson Learning.

Horngren, C.T., et. al., (2005), Management and Cost Accounting, 3rd edition, Pearson Education Ltd.

Weetman, P., (2003), Financial & Management Accounting, 3rd edition, Pearson Education Ltd.

Journals to include: Accountancy Age, Harvard Business Review, Journal of Accountancy, Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

50 hours: Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops
These interactive sessions will be used to discuss concepts and allow students to present findings

50 hours: Directed learning
Advance reading and preparation / Background research / individual and group preparation for seminars

100 hours: Self managed learning
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.