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ACCT42115: Accounting: An Information Content Perspective

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Accounting

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module aims to enable students to:
  • acquire and demonstrate a specialist knowledge and understanding of economics approaches to accounting theory and empirical work;
  • understand the role of accounting information in reducing uncertainty;
  • distinguish between information for valuation and for managerial evaluation purposes;
  • appreciate the advantages of auditing accounting information;
  • consider the rationale for the regulation of accounting.

Content

  • Modelling information
  • Information for Valuation
  • Information for Managerial Contracting
  • Monitoring Information through Auditing
  • Regulatory Frameworks
  • Empirical Approaches based on Economics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module students should have a specialist knowledge and critical understanding of:
  • accounting methods as economic choice;
  • the role of accounting as information to reduce uncertainty;
  • the distinction between information for valuation and for managerial evaluation purposes;
  • properties of accounting information that make it useful;
  • key features of the conceptual framework for accounting adopted by regulators;
  • Empirical approaches based on Economics.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • explain and critically evaluate the economic approach to choice of accounting method;
  • use quantitative analysis to value information in various contexts.

Key Skills:

  • Written communication
  • Planning, organising and time management
  • Problem-solving and analysis
  • Summarising and critically assessing academic articles

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module.
  • Formative assessment will be in the form of an individual written assignment.
  • Summative assessment will be in the form of an individual written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures10Weekly2 hours20 
Seminars4Fortnightly1 hour4Yes
Preparation and Independent Reading126 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written examination2 hours100same

Formative Assessment

Students will receive written comments on a formative written assignment. Additional feedback may take a number of forms, such as oral feedback on work prepared by students for seminars, answers to questions in seminars, discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours or via e-mail.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

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Current Students: Please contact your department.