| Unit name | Management Accounting |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ACFIM0033 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Ms. Spencer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Skilled critical practitioners of management accounting require a grounding in how management accounting theories and practices interconnect and how understanding of the social and organisational aspects are as essential as the tools used. This unit will enable you to use management accounting practices in an informed and effective way, developing vital ‘soft’ skills well as practical know-how.
We will encourage your learning and build your confidence to develop the intellectual and practical skills you will need to think critically, problem solve and manage the variety of financial and non-financial information available to management accountants. Using real-world management accounting developments and challenges you will deepen your understanding of the possibilities and implications of different management controls (e.g. performance measurement systems, rewards, budgets) and how organisations can use and implement these controls.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit complements the programme’s optional units by ensuring you have the choice and ability to study the management domain of accounting. It builds on the initial theorising of management accounting studied during the TB1 unit ‘Contemporary Issues in Accounting’. By the time you reach this point in your studies, you will have been exposed to a diversity of theory and practice, honed your academic skills and be ready to apply them to management accounting. You will further refine your scholarship and practice as you advance towards your summer research project, graduation, and the next steps in your career.
An overview of content
This unit uses prominent and contemporary management accounting research as the foundation to develop your ability to critically scrutinise and recommend practices using real-world scenarios.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit a successful student will be able to:
How you will learn
Teaching takes a student-learning centred rather than a teacher-centred approach, with a focus on active learning and authentic assessment techniques using real-world problems. A variety of teaching and learning activities offer a rounded and stimulating experience.
In addition to some traditional lectures, teaching methods can include the following, designed to suit student needs and the topics being covered: videos; in-person tutorials, seminars, and workshops; learning activities in a virtual learning environment, such as quizzes, exercises and digital discussion boards; role play; group discussions and debates; case studies; practical problem solving and student presentations.
Teaching and learning activities and course materials are shaped by feedback from students throughout the term, with students encouraged to provide input into curriculum and content design early and often, not just at the end of the course.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be encouraged to reflect on your learning throughout the unit and will receive feedback in seminars from tutors in response to student discussions, questions, and ongoing work being produced.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Individual coursework (50%) (ILOs 1, 2 and 3)
The brief for the individual coursework will vary year to year, allowing for ‘hot topics’ and student interest to be explored. The coursework could be written or delivered in one or more media (e.g., infographic, video presentation, journal, audio, poster, blog). This assessment will be roughly equivalent to 2,500 words in total. The assessment will involve a combination of research, evaluation, and critical analysis of theory and practice. The combined content will address all ILOs.
Group coursework (50%) (ILOs 1, 2 and 3)
The joint effort of a team to conduct a piece of coursework. The performance of the team in managing the coursework will contribute to success of the submitted assessment and you will be guided and supported with teamwork. The brief for the group coursework will vary year to year and will enable students to focus their coursework on chosen topic(s) covered during the unit. The coursework could be based on a case study or simulation. Depending on the specific brief the deliverable may be created using various media or platforms, including but not limited to written work, presentations, video or audio recordings (roughly equivalent to between 2,500 and 3,000 words in total). The combined content will address all ILOs. A group mark will be awarded and apply to all group members, provided individual students have contributed equitably. A peer review and conflict mitigation system will be implemented to encourage collaboration and to enable the early identification and resolution of conflict or inequity. Where a student’s contribution diverges significantly from an equitable division of effort, an individual may be awarded a mark that is different from the group’s mark.
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis.
Reassessment of the individual coursework component: a portfolio covering similar topics and delivery media (e.g., written or otherwise) as for the original assessment. But students must produce a new piece of work in each case, roughly equivalent to 2,500 words in total. Detailed guidance and a specific brief will be provided in the event of reassessment. The combined content will address all ILOs.
Reassessment of the group coursework component: design and delivery of a simple project carried out on an individual basis. As for the original group assignment, students will be assessed both for their management of their coursework and for its deliverable. The coursework will be using the same brief as the original group assessment but will require the student to take an alternative approach and produce their own new work (roughly equivalent to between 1,000 and 1,500 words in total). Detailed guidance will be provided in the event of reassessment. The combined content will address all ILOs.
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. ACFIM0033).
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.
