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2022/2023  BA-BSOCO2021U  Financial Accounting and Reporting and its Institutional Context

English Title
Financial Accounting and Reporting and its Institutional Context

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Business Administration and Sociology
Course coordinator
  • Wenjun Wen - Department of Accounting (AA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Accounting
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 16-01-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student should have acquired a basic understanding of core theory and practices in accounting.
Specifically, the student should be able to:
  • Understand and apply the accounting equation and double entry-accounting.
  • Prepare financial statements based on accounting transactions.
  • Calculate financial ratios and analyze the information content of these measures.
  • Discuss and reflect upon social, institutional and ethical aspects of accounting and financial reporting.
  • Understand emerging trends in non-financial reporting.
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of two parts:
Midterm - Financial Accounting and Reporting and its Institutional Context:
Sub exam weight15%
Examination formWritten sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Multiple Choice and problems
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration2 hours
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodSpring
AidsLimited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • An approved calculator. Only the models HP10bll+ or Texas BA ll Plus are allowed (both models are non-programmable, financial calculators).
  • Language dictionaries in paper format
The student will have access to
  • Advanced IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam consists of a mix of open questions, true/false and/or multiple choice questions. For the latter two question types (MCQ and T/F questions), students have to briefly justify their choice of answers.

 

 The learning objectives relevant for this partial exam are 

  • Explain the purpose of financial accounting and reporting including selected aspects of social, institutional view on accounting and financial reporting
  • Understand emerging trends in non-financial reporting
  • Apply the accounting equation and double entry-accounting to prepare financial statements based on accounting transactions
  • Find, analyze and interpret specific information in financial statements
Final - Financial Accounting and Reporting and its Institutional Context:
Sub exam weight85%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 10 pages
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration24 hours to prepare
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodSummer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The exam is a take-home exam based on a question posed by the course coordinator.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to financial accounting and reporting. Students will learn how to prepare, read and interpret corporate financial statements. They will also gain a solid understanding of the theories and practices behind these statements. The course is focused principally on IFRS accounting techniques but supplemented with a social and institutional understanding of accounting and financial reporting. 

 

Throughout the different sessions, students acquire general business knowledge by analyzing the financial statements of diverse companies. The course focuses on companies with different institutional backgrounds, ensuring broader economic context coverage. Analyzing financial data and assessing its quality aims to stimulate students' curiosity about ambiguities in accounting and develop a high degree of analytical and critical thinking. A part of the course covers ethical dilemmas and the role of business in solving such humanity challenges as environmental threats, social problems, and sustainable development.

 

We apply an inclusive view on the role of business, going beyond a mere focus on profit maximization and considering the ESG impact going from local communities to the global footprint.
Description of the teaching methods
Sessions have a blended format, including (1) pre-recorded lecture videos, (2) on-campus sessions where students have the chance to work in groups to solve exercises and discuss solutions. On-campus, participation is essential to strengthen students' ability to collaborate and provide each other with constructive feedback in discussions. To stimulate an interactive learning environment, we do not record on-campus sessions.
Feedback during the teaching period
We use an e-platform supporting our textbook to work on exercises and problems. E-platform gives continuous feedback on your learning, on the exercises and tests carried out, and covering learning objectives in the financial reporting textbook. In addition lectures and workshops will provide extensive opportunities for questions and answers. Students are also encouraged to take full advantage of staff office hours to engage in advancing comprehension of the course objectives.
Student workload
Lectures 36 hours
Excercise classes 9 hours
Preparation of lectures/exercises (4h per 3h lecture) 60 hours
Preparation of the mid-term assignment 18 hours
Preparation of the exam 72 hours
diverse 11 hours
Expected literature

Thomas, C. William, Wendy M. Tietz, and Walter T. Harrison. Financial accounting. NY: Pearson, 2019.
Last updated on 16-01-2023