Introduction to Financial Accounting

Module description

This is an introductory financial accounting module that is aimed at students who intend to major in accounting in their undergraduate studies, or who have a keen interest in gaining an understanding of elementary financial accounting. The first part of the module outlines the framework of accounting – its nature, purposes, and the contexts/environment in which it is practised. The module then covers the basics of accounting (i.e. concepts, conventions, principles and the accounting equation) and the recording/summarising mechanism that underlie financial accounting. In addition, the recognition and measurement principles are also taught. Finally, the module covers the preparation of financial statements from the trial balance for various types of entities including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and non-for-profit entities. The module uses the International Financial Reporting Standards as reference.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Internationalisation is embedded in the content of this module through the use of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Moreover, the principles of introductory financial accounting are common across most countries.

Sustainability

All of the resources for the module are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

External engagement

The module content meets the standards of the professional accountancy bodies (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS and CIMA) and the module is accredited by them.

Employability

Material taught in this module is highly relevant to accounting- and business-related jobs. The module also offers an opportunity for students to develop their numeracy and logical thinking skills.

Widening Participation

Students are given problem sets a week before the tutorials and work on the questions independently. In the tutorials they have an opportunity to discuss any difficulties with the group.

Research in teaching

The module is informed by the module convenor’s research interest in financial reporting.

Full module specification

Module title:	Introduction to Financial Accounting
Module code:	BEA1008
Module level:	1
Academic year:	2023/4
Module lecturers:	Dr Peta Myers - Convenor
Module credit:	15
ECTS value:	7.5
Pre-requisites:	None
Co-requisites:	Cannot be taken concurrently with BEA1013 Introduction to Accounting
Duration of module:	Duration (weeks) - term 1: 11

Module aims

This module aims to provide first time accounting students with a broad understanding of financial accounting, a thorough grounding in double-entry bookkeeping, and the preparation of financial statements for different types of entities. It will provide students who have a keen interest in accounting or intend to major in accounting in their undergraduate studies with a solid foundation in financial accounting and reporting.

(Note: this module cannot be taken with BEA1013 Introduction to Accounting )

ILO: Module-specific skills

1. describe the nature, uses and purposes of financial accounting, and outline both the conceptual and regulatory frameworks that govern the preparation and reporting of financial information;
2. explain the accounting equation and its link to financial statements, and illustrate the impact of economic transactions on the accounting equation;
3. describe the key concepts and conventions that underpin financial accounting;
4. describe and apply the process of recording transactions from source documents to financial statements via the books of prime entry, ledgers and trial balance;
5. explain the nature and purposes of control accounts and apply appropriate correcting techniques for errors and omissions;
6. describe the role of computers in accounts production and the issues surrounding their use;
7. explain and apply the recognition and measurement principles relating to: non-current assets (including depreciation and VAT), inventories (and cost of sales) and other current assets and liabilities (including receivables and bad debts, prepayments and accruals, etc.) and non-current liabilities and equity in accordance with IFRSs;
8. explain the differences in characteristics between a sole trader and a company and prepare financial statements for both forms of entities in accordance woith IFRSs
9. explain the characteristics of a partnership, prepare financial information for a partnership including the admission of a partner and the dissolution of a partnership;
10. prepare financial statements for non-for-profit entities.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

11. apply accounting principles, concepts and conventions in practical situations;
12. prepare financial statements containing relevant accounting data for companies, non-for-profit entities and other business forms.

ILO: Personal and key skills

13. demonstrate basic problem-solving skills;
14. demonstrate an ability to undertake independent study and to manage time;
15. demonstrate basic written and numerical skills.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
53	97	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	33	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	10	Tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	10	Timetabled help classes (optional)
Guided independent study	97	Reading and preparation for tutorials, workshops and assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Weekly tutorials for discussion	3 hrs preparation by student / 1 hr in class discussion	1-15	Discussion in tutorial and suggested solutions on ELE

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	100	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
1 x in-term test (week 5)	20	1 hour	1-15	Debriefing in lecture and suggested solutions on ELE
1 x in-term test (week 10)	20	1 hour	1-15	Debriefing in lecture and suggested solutions on ELE
Written examination	60	1.5 hours	1-15	Suggested solution on ELE
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
In-term test, week 5 (20%)	In-term Test (1 hour, 20%)	1-15	August/September Reassessment Period
In-term test, week 10 (20%)	In-term Test (1 hour, 20%)	1-15	August/September Reassessment Period
Written Examination (60%)	Written Examination (1.5 hours, 60%)	1-15	August/September Reassessment Period

Re-assessment notes

Should a reassessment be required for either of the tests or examination for this module, it will be by means of one hour tests accounting for 20% each or a one-hour examination accounting for 60% module marks, as relevant.

Syllabus plan

The framework of accounting
The accounting equation, concepts and conventions
The transactions recording process, trial balance and basic financial statements
Control accounts, errors and omissions and computerised accounting
Non-current assets and depreciation
Inventories and cost of sales
Other current assets and liabilities
Non-current liabilities and equity
Preparation of financial statements for sole traders and limited companies
Preparation of financial statements for partnerships and non-for-profit organisations

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Prescribed Textbook: As advised.

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web based and electronic resources:

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=128

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Origin date

01/09/2011

Last revision date

17/03/2022