Module
Financial and Business Data Analysis
Module description
This module introduces the concepts and associated tools that are fundamental to the analysis of organisations through their financial statements, management reports and operationally derived data. The module has been designed to reflect a managerial approach to business analysis and evaluation. The main focus of the module is to integrate key concepts of finance, accounting and data analysis to effectively evaluate business performance with the aim of informing operational practice and business strategy.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Financial and Business Data Analysis |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEMM112DA |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2021/2 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 30 |
| ECTS value: | 15 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 2: 11 |
Module aims
The general aim of this module is to enable you to become a sophisticated user of financial and non-financial information. You will use this information to form and apply financial strategies and make informed and responsible decisions.
Skills acquisition: You will develop several transferable skills related to business and financial analysis, including: financial governance in organisations, interpretation of financial and operational data and management reports. You will build confidence in understanding and evaluating organisation’s business models, profit drivers, major risks, sustainable performance and forecasts.
Research in teaching: The module builds on recent management research within the finance and accounting and management disciplines to define decision making tools and theories.
The module is supported by a series of webinars, videos, group forums, learning logs, online reading material, and facilitated online group sessions will be offered in addition to a masterclass.
The aims of the module are to enable you to
- Develop the level of knowledge of accounting practices, management accounting, finance and data management and analytics needed to oversee and analyse financial transactions and gather and interpret data.
- Use accounting and other relevant information along with microeconomic concepts to be accountable for management decision-making and business development.
- Use financial data to allocate resources.
- Apply financial governance and legal awareness to the oversight of procurement, supply chain management and contracts.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. understand financial strategies including scenarios, modelling and identifying trends, the application of economic theory to decision-making, and how to evaluate financial and non-financial information;
- 2. understands financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. be able to analyse financial data;
- 4. be able to assess budgets based on financial data to support organisational objectives;
- 5. understand how to evaluate financial proposals for expenditure submitted by others.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. be able to oversee financial strategies/management, results and set organisational budgets, and challenge financial assumptions underpinning strategies;
- 7. understand accountability for decisions based on relevant information e.g. Key Performance Indicators/scorecard;
- 8. understand the use of financial data to allocate resources;
- 9. be able to oversee procurement, supply chain management and contracts.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 206 | 94 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 29 | Faculty-led workshops and seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 5 | Webinars: Online action learning set facilitated by module lead. |
| Guided Independent Study | 94 | Professional development through online learning activities. Recorded materials, reading, case studies, professional practise forums, MCQs, blogs and formative assessment tasks. Virtual office hours. |
| Professional Development | 172 | Time in employment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completing weekly tests, quizzes and readings | Multiple items, each no more than 30 minutes | 1-9 | Interactive and embedded in a task |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Evaluate a chosen organisations challenges and opportunities based on an analysis of its published financial statements. | 50 | 20 minutes audio commentary + supporting spreadsheets | 1,3 | Written |
| Assessment 2 - Describe and critically analyse the financial and non-financial information requirements, resource allocation, financial and legal governance, and procurement processes in a chosen organisation. | 50 | Spreadsheet report plus + 2,500-word report | All | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 (50%) | Assessment 1 (20 minutes audio commentary + supporting spreadsheets, 50%) | 1, 3 | Programme schedule dependent |
| Assessment 2 (50%) | Assessment 2 (Spreadsheet report + 2,500-word report, 50%) | All | Programme schedule dependent |
Re-assessment notes
All passed components of the module will be rolled forward and will not be reassessed in the event of module failure.
Defer – as first time
Refer – capped at 50%
Syllabus plan
The following theories and concepts will be taught throughout the module:
- An introduction to finance and accounting aimed at non-financial senior managers
- Principles of financial governance and legal requirements
- Approaches to procurement and supply chain management
- Use of financial and non-financial information to make decisions
Work-based learning component
The module includes a significant work-based learning component that feeds into the end of Year 1 project. The participants will be able to reflect on their progress in relation to their financial strategic plan developed as part of their Year 1 situational analysis project.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Suggested reading:
Lambert, R. (2018). Financial literacy for managers: finance and accounting for better decision-making. Wharton Digital Press.
Berman, K., Knight, J., & Case, J. (2013). Financial intelligence: a manager's guide to knowing what the numbers really mean. Harvard Business Review.
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Additional suggested reading:
A variety of electronic reading materials will be provided on ELE.
CMI - Management Direct - an online management resource portal. Management Direct allows managers at any level to learn, research and think. It offers fast, 24-hour access to the latest digital content to help overcome hundreds of managerial challenges from absence to performance to change: 5 minute, 20 minute and extended briefings; Creative tools for problem solving; Hundreds of checklists and interactive scenarios to aid self-directed learning; Self-Assessments and automatic CPD recording/reporting; Document templates and best practice guides.
Origin date
04/04/2018
Last revision date
19/01/2021