International Finance and Accounting
MSc

Modules

• International Finance and Accounting Core

International Finance and Accounting (Core)

International managers need to be able to both analyse and comprehend accounting and financial data to support and evaluate a company's international business goals and to develop appropriate an international financial strategy for its future.

This module is designed to teach you how to develop and analyse various and appropriate financial data, and to understand the important relationship between financial instruments, decision-making and business strategy on a globalised scale.

You will learn how to recognise the importance of accounting information and the criticality of ethical financial reporting. You will also learn to examine the correct accounting methodology for analysing business transactions, making business decisions and measuring business results 

Credits: 20

• Responsible and Ethical Leadership Core

Responsible and Ethical Leadership (Core)

This module is concerned with the behaviour of managers and leaders when they are held responsible and accountable by standards other than shareholder value maximisation. The module is designed to ensure students understand how to reason ethically and how to approach ethical decision making within business and other management contexts, such as non-profit and third sector organisations.

Students will understand how unethical or reckless leadership of organisations can give rise to malpractice, undermine organisational viability and lead to reputational collapse whilst also harming wider society. In relation to business corporations, models of governance and frameworks that emphasise the primacy of shareholders will be considered as well as alternative models, and the importance of corporate purpose. In analysing how the principles of responsible decision-making should operate through management, ownership and governance, students will apply ethical thinking to real-life business and leadership situations thus helping them to become ethical decision makers and ethical leaders in the context in which they work.

The module will include a particular emphasis on tools to evaluate ethical behaviour in organisations.

The module will also address ethical and legal obligations in relation to personal data, the treatment of employees and environmental issues.

Assessment focuses on the development of a reflective personal leadership plan and the development of a case study.

Credits: 20

• International Strategy Core

International Strategy (Core)

The module has a strong international component, it explores strategies, strategy processes, and strategy concepts associated with multinational organisations. The module helps students to develop an understanding of strategy formation in business organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations and other organisational forms.

The module will provide students with a comprehensive appreciation of strategy formulation and implementation from both an organisational and individual perspective. Themes like strategic decision making, organisational structure, organisational learning, and the organisational environment will feature on this module.

Credits: 20

• Management Accounting Core

Management Accounting (Core)

This module provides a thorough grounding in accounting, auditing and corporate governance. Students will learn the core skills of accounting, the relevance of both internal and external audit and the purpose of corporate governance. By the end of this module you should be able to:

• Provide students with a deep and systematic understanding of accounting theory.
• Provide a critical understanding of cost drivers and how costs are allocated within businesses.
• Give students the skills to produce relevant variance analysis providing detailed explanation of key variances
• Provide an understanding of the different roles of internal and external audit.
• Give a detailed and critical understanding of corporate governance in both public and private companies, highlighting the key differences.
• Provide an overview of corporate governance scandals and the importance of ethics in corporate governance.
• Principles and Practice of Financial Accounting Core

Principles and Practice of Financial Accounting (Core)

This module covers the main principles of financial accounting. Students will learn the skills to produce detailed analysis and accounts for financial statements and related documents. The module will provide a high-level awareness of the different accounting regimes around the world and the implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. By the end of this module you should be able to:

• Provide students with an in-depth and rigorous understanding of accounting theory.
• Provide an understanding of how different forms of business combination are accounted for.
• Give students an understanding of what is contained in Company Financial Statements, corporate governance and the responsibility of directors.
• Give students the skills to produce relevant analysis of corporate accounts.
• Develop knowledge of UK GAAP, US GAAP, IFRS and the internationalisation of accounting standards, and public and private companies, highlighting the key differences.
• Give an understanding of the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and UK corporate governance.

Credits: 20

• Investment Markets and Investment Decision Making Core

Investment Markets and Investment Decision Making (Core)

Drawing upon realistic examples and scenarios, this module will equip students to understand effective investment decision making. Students will learn how financial capital can be raised and allocated, how to evaluate investment projects, as well as how to value stocks, bonds and other financial instruments.

You'll also explore the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used instruments, and learn to understand the underlying psychology behind financial decision making. By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Provide students with a framework to assess investment decisions
• Provide students with an understanding of different financial instruments and how companies use them
• Demonstrate how accounting information is used in investment decision making
• Give students a thorough understanding of what efficient market theory means and if it is possible for investors to consistently outperform the market
• Provide students with a critical understanding of the development of behavioural theory, how psychology affects decision making.

Credits: 20

• Independent Project Core

Independent Project (Core)

This module has two parts: a taught element and an element of independent work. The taught element enables students to develop their understanding of research skills and their practical applications in investigating managerial and business problems and covers the details of a research proposal. The second part (independent work) builds on the developed research skills and provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project and requires the development of a substantive piece of work (dissertation).

Students demonstrate their ability to manage a research project from its conception to completion. Throughout this journey, supervisors are available to provide guidance and support to the students. Depending on the circumstances and availability, students can research challenges in specific organisations (consultancy project).

Note: This module starts in Semester 2 with classes throughout the term, and then carries on with their individual project. Students commencing the programme in September submit in August and students joining the programme in January submit the following January

Credits: 60

• Economics and International Finance Core

Economics and International Finance (Core)

This module focusses on the application of economic theory to the understanding and assessment of global economic performance and the role of economics and finance to investigate and address contemporary issues facing a globalised society.

It is designed to complement microeconomics, macroeconomics and finance theories by examining the applications of the theories with a specific focus on international business. By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• critically evaluate aspects of global economic performance and international business
• apply your understanding of economic and financial concepts to real-world situations
• demonstrate an understanding of how economic and financial theories are used to formulate international policies

This module will provide you with both the knowledge and skillset to comprehend the role of economic and finance theories and your role in shaping the role of government and business in both developing and developed countries.

Credits: 20