| Unit name | Financial Statement Analysis |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ACFI30002 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ruby Brownen-Trinh |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Either EFIM20007 Financial Accounting or ACCG20011 Management Accounting, and either EFIM20024 Strategic Finance, ACFI20001 Principles of Finance, or both EFIM10029 Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments and EFIM10028 Risk and Return |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit aims to demonstrate how information in financial statements can be used to analyse and evaluate a company’s financial performance and accounting quality through the fundamental analysis process. It draws on theoretical and empirical research to derive, appraise, and apply equity valuation models and to examine how accounting information is employed to assess and manage risk.
This unit is designed to enable you to expand upon the foundational technical knowledge acquired in accounting and finance from previous years. It offers you a unique opportunity to critically assess, evaluate, and apply financial accounting information from the perspective of financial statement users. These users encompass a broad range of stakeholders including corporate managers, both financial and non-financial stakeholders, as well as information intermediaries within financial markets, shifting the focus away from the traditional preparer-centric viewpoint.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit fosters strong connections with other courses within the accounting and finance discipline. This integration enhances the learning experience by creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of the field, ensuring that you can effectively link theoretical concepts with practical applications. This approach not only deepens your grasp of accounting and finance but also equips you with the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to navigate and influence the dynamic financial landscape.
An overview of content
This unit delves deeply into the process of fundamental analysis, undertaking extensive analyses to not only understand a company's historical performance but also to forecast its future prospects and accurately assess its equity value. It seamlessly bridges theoretical concepts with real-world applications through a series of practical exercises, ensuring that you gain hands-on experience. The skills and tools learnt will be those that a security analyst outside the firm may use to advise clients about investing in a firm, and also those that a manager within the firm may use to evaluate investments and choose the strategy.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will be able to develop and apply critical and analytical skills to evaluate a company’s financial performance and financial position. You will be able to work independently on problem-solving. You will be able to communicate more effectively in writing.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching will be delivered through lectures and tutorials.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
As this is a final-year unit, reassessment is not normally permitted. However, any re-assessment required will be a like-for-like assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ACFI30002).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
