Financial Accounting

Academic year: 2007-2008 Course code module MGM0002010 Credits: 3 Study load (hours) 84 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): Part-time program: Instructor(s) Walter Aerts Language of instruction: English Semester exam information: Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties This is an introductory course without specific prerequisites. *Sequentiality 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) The objective of this course is to help you develop a framework for understanding corporate financial reports. We will address basic accounting questions that should help you distinguish situations where there is a correct answer from those where judgment is required. The course deals with accounting concepts and significant accounting techniques that you should be aware of when confronted with financial statements of large international corporations. It highlights some of the challenges related to financial reporting. As a user of financial reports (an investor, creditor, other type of stakeholder) you have limited access to information and you must be aware of preparers’ personal incentives to report or misrepresent facts and events. In that context, the course will provide you with some tools in order to allow you to judge the financial position and performance of the company and to assess the impact of management’s accounting choices. 3. Course content Session 1:   Overview and elements of financial reports Session 2:   Principles of accrual accounting Session 3:   Accounting for inventory and long-lived assets Session 4:   Preparing annual financial statements Session 5:   Financial statement analysis - Introduction Session 6:   Group financial statements Session 7:   Foreign operations Session 8:   Reporting issues in multinationals Session 9:   Advanced financial statement analysis Session 10: Group presentations and Q & A 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Exercise sessions Seminars (possible question and answer sessions) Personal work: Exercises Assignments - in group Case studies - in group Supervised self-study 5. Assessment method Exam: Written, without oral presentation Open book Open questions Practical exam Continuous assessment: Assignments Presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material W. Aerts &  P.Walton: "Global Financial Accounting and Reporting. Principles and Analysis” – Thomson  Learning,  2006 ISBN-10: 1-84480-265-5   IFRS annual reports   7. Recommended reading - study material 8. Tutoring laatste aanpassing: last update: 12/01/2007 15:39 annick.debroey