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2012/2013  KAN-ASC_AS54  Implementation of Accounting

English Title
Implementation of Accounting

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Course period Spring
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Peter Skærbæk - Department of Accounting and Auditing
Main Category of the Course
  • Economics, macro economics and managerial economics
Last updated on 09-07-2012
Learning objectives
The purpose of the course is to offer the students the opportunity to develop their skills to understand and analyse the effects and conditions of accounting in practical settings in business life as well as the public sector. The focus is on a variety of theories from sociology, economic sociology and organizational theory that are used to understand empirically the processes of the use and implementation of accounting. The course is also designed to develop the students’ skills in applying interpretive case study methods that can be used in project work and thesis writing.

At the exam the students must be able to:
Understand the processes of the use and implementation of various accounting techniques and concepts.
Be able to apply and use the theoretical models for analysis of practical cases/examples
Evaluate and compare the use and strengths/weaknesses of each theory presented in the course.
Prerequisite
Admission req.
Bachelor level
Examination
Implementation of Accounting:
Type of test Oral Exam
Marking scale 7-step scale
Second examiner External examiner
Exam period May/June
Aids Please, see the detailed regulations below
Duration 20 Minutes
Individual oral examination. The duration of the individual oral exam is 20 minutes (including assessment). There is 20 minutes preparation time.
The Oral exam will take place in June.
Make-up/ re-exam takes place in August
Course content

Accounting systems, techniques, concepts and reports are used in organizations and companies to improve efficiency/effectiveness and facilitate internal and external accountability to third party agencies such as owners and the wider society. The course puts focus on how such accounting devices are developed and used in practice to understand how and weather expected effects are achieved in practice. The course contains the following core elements:
The processes of implementing accounting systems and concepts such as ABC and BSC
The (political) strategies of external and internal reporting
The link between accounting and strategy (from bean counter to strategic accountant
How accounting systems influence employees’ identities (the skepticisms and resistances to accounting change)
How accounting concepts are diffused globally and implemented in various local companies and organizations
Teaching methods
Research and theory based dialog lectures are mixed with cases and student presentations. To maximize the outcome of the course it is highly recommended that the students establish groups for reading and discussion.
Involvement of the students is an important part of the learning principle – this done through dialog, casework and presentations.

Development of individual and social skills (competencies)
Through dialog and presentations the student will develop their oral skills. Since cases are prepared and presented in teams the students will also develop cooperative skills.
Expected literature

A collection of articles from books and scientific journals. Examples are:
Skærbæk and Tryggestad (2008). The role of accounting devices in performing corporate Strategy.
Granlund and Lukka (1998). It is a small world of management accounting practices.
Skærbæk (2005). Annual reports as interaction devices: The hidden constructions of mediated communication
Last updated on 09-07-2012