Accountancy and Finance MSc - Top Up

The MSc in Accountancy and Finance at Birmingham City Business School consists of a substantial programme of study, including an element of research, at a level demanding more advanced and intensive study, and the application of knowledge, skill and understanding in a more rigorous manner than a first degree. Having successfully completed the course, you would have developed a range of underpinning theoretical knowledge, practical skills and competences which should enable them to operate effectively in the functional areas of accounting and finance across different industry sectors. The course is based on the philosophy that accounting and finance practitioners should be equipped with both the in-depth analytical skills necessary to solve real-life business problems, and a solid understanding of the theories which underpin best practices and inform financial decisions at a more strategic level.

The course is aimed at students who have a good honours degree in Accountancy or Finance and wish to extend their knowledge to an advanced level. It is also designed to appeal to students who have partially completed their ACCA accounting qualification, up to Part 2 (old scheme) or F1-F9 Fundamentals (2007 scheme), and wish to study a masters qualification while working towards their final part of their ACCA examinations.

Our close links with the ACCA ensure that our course fully prepares students for the Professional level (P1-P7) examinations of the ACCA.

Aims of the course

• To provide a thorough grounding in the disciplines related to the functional aspects of Accountancy and Finance
• To examine management and financial decision-making at the strategic level
• To develop financial management skills and competences
• To provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in an individual, finance-related research investigation

Course content

This 12 month, Full-Time Programme is divided into three main stages

Term 1 - Postgraduate Certificate Stage – 3 modules

Term 2 - Postgraduate Diploma Stage – 3 modules

Term 3 - Masters Stage – 1 module + Dissertation

Exit points are available at Certificate and Diploma stages.

Postgraduate Certificate Level

Term 1 (Sept – Dec)

Modern Theory of Finance (core module)

This module provides a critical understanding of modern financial theories which inform and influence corporate financial decisions at a more strategic level. It also covers the key asset pricing models on which investment analysis and portfolio management are based.

Then choose two optional modules from:

Strategic Business Planning and Development

This module helps accountants and finance specialists to question conventional approaches to organisational practices, and to gain an understanding of information systems and the interconnectivity between Business Strategy, Business Unit Strategy and Information Strategy.

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis

The module examines the theoretical basis and empirical evidence for using financial ratios and other elements from company reports and accounts to assess the risk/return characteristics of bonds, shares and other corporate financial instruments.

Corporate Governance and Ethics In Accounting and Finance

Corporate governance has become an exciting new area in Accounting and Finance, fast developing and still evolving to accommodate the needs of a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. Investors’ expectations are more demanding than ever before, and the tangible and intangible impact on companies that ignore the benefits of good corporate governance can be significant.

This module deals with current issues in corporate governance and business ethics as they relate to the accounting and finance functions within the overall context of strategic risk management.

Postgraduate Diploma Stage

(January – April)

The postgraduate diploma stage requires completion of three optional modules from a list of five modules. The modules are:

Performance Measurement and Evaluation

Management Accountants play an important role in any successful organisation, and a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques is essential.

Strategic Financial Management

This module provides students with a critical understanding of the strategic financial management decisions of companies, to include multinational companies.

Corporate Reporting (ACR)

This module deals with complex group structures and with the application of existing and proposed accounting standards, against a background of rapid development and change.

Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

This module provides a critical understanding of developments across the industry as a whole, providing the basis for employment in a wide range of specialist areas.

Audit Theory and Practice

This module makes financial professionals aware of the issues of financial scandals and an understanding of the importance of the audit process.

Masters Stage

(May – Sept)

In this stage of your studies, the programme will include preparation for your dissertation, which is covered by the ‘Research Skills in Accounting and Finance’ module, and completing a dissertation of about 15,000 words.

In addition, during the Masters Stage, students can take advantage of Career Enhancement Tutorials which provide support in relation to addressing the question of “What next?”, for example, future prospects, career aspirations and further study opportunities.

Research Skills in Accounting and Finance

The aim of this module is to prepare you for the dissertation by acquainting you with the requirements of the dissertation, and providing a critical understanding of modern research methods employed to research topics in accounting and finance. You will learn how to develop and implement your individual research methodology, techniques for analysing quantitative data, how to conduct literature search and review, and other issues regarding undertaking and writing up an academic dissertation. You will also be required to accomplish a substantial critical review of relevant literature pertaining to your own research topic.

The Research Skills module must be successfully completed before you can start writing up your dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation represents the final transition from a tutor-led approach to student-centred learning as the topic is chosen, investigated and published by you, albeit with the advice of their supervisor. It enables you to demonstrate your capacity for sustained independent thought and innovative and creative learning in a major piece of work.

Summary of the Course Structure

Postgraduate Certificate Stage

(Sept. to December)

One core and Two options of 20 credits each

Modern Theory of Finance (MTF) (core)
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (AFSA)*
Corporate Governance Issues in Accounting and Finance (CGI)
Strategic Business Planning and Development (SBPD)

Postgraduate Diploma Stage

(January to April)

Three options of 20 credit each

Corporate Reporting (CR)**
Strategic Financial Management (SFM)
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management (IAPM)
Performance Measurement and Evaluation (PME)
Audit Theory and Practice (ATP)

Masters Stage

(May to September)

Research Skills in Accounting and Finance 20 credits
Dissertation 40 credits

* Students opting for the ACCA route into programme cannot select AFSA. They must therefore select both CGI and SBPD. These modules dovetail ACCA core papers P1 (Professional Accountant) and P3 (Business Analysis) respectively.

** Students opting for the ACCA route must select CR. This module is based on ACCA core paper P2 (Corporate Reporting). The students must also choose their two remaining options from SFM, PME and ATP. These modules are based on ACCA optional papers P4 (Advanced Financial Management), P5 (Advanced Performance Measurement) and P7 (Advanced Audit and Assurance) respectively. IAPM is therefore not available to this group of students.

Entry Requirements

• Good Honours degree in Accountancy or Finance
• CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
• If taking Professional level ACCA (P1 to P7) alongside the MSc you will require ACCA Stage 2 qualification (old scheme) or all Fundamentals papers up to and including F9 (ACCA 2007 scheme)*
• Students must be ACCA registered (if taking Professional level ACCA)
• In addition to the above requirements where English is not the first language, a student must be able to furnish satisfactory evidence of a level of attainment in English language commensurate with study at Masters level at Birmingham City University. In most cases, a TOEFL score of at least 575 or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 average or 6.0 in all bands or an alternative qualification evidencing an equivalent competence in English will be required

*ACCA route is optional, prospective students can elect to study just for the Masters programme.

Further Information

For more details, to download a brochure or find out about fees, please visit this courses page on the faculty website.

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