Financial Reporting Theory module (BU30006)

The module aims to provide students with an overview of the development and contribution of the variety of theoretical perspectives that inform the practices of accounting and our understanding of its place within society.

The module incorporates topics such as:

• accounting and theory
• the financial reporting environment
• the regulation of financial accounting
• asset and income measurement
• conceptual frameworks
• positive accounting theory
• systems-oriented theories
• social and environmental reporting
• critical perspectives of accounting

What you will learn

In this module you will:

• develop a knowledge and understanding of a variety of theories of financial accounting
• be able to identify theories of financial accounting
• learn relevance of financial accounting theories to both the theoretical development and practice and regulation
• learn the impact of accounting theory on conceptual frameworks for financial reporting

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• the knowledge of relevance of academic theory to developments in practice
• achieve proficiency in differing accounting research paradigms and approaches to the development of accounting theory
• communicate complex ideas effectively by verbal and written means
• review and assess complex material in a critical manner
• recognise, evaluate, and comment critically upon alternative points of view
• plan and organise learning through self-management

Assignments / assessment

Individual essay (20%)

• 2,000 words

Final exam (80%)

• 2 hours

Teaching methods / timetable

The course will be taught on campus through a weekly two-hour seminar consisting of lecture material, class discussion and student presentations.