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2023/2024  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
  • Bjørn N. Jørgensen - Department of Accounting (AA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Accounting
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 01-12-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, students should have acquired a basic understanding of core theory and practices in accounting. Specifically, students should be able to:
  • Understand and apply the accounting equation and double-entry bookkeeping.
  • 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
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
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam consists of a mix of true/false and/or multiple-choice questions.

 

 The learning objectives relevant to this partial exam are:

 

  • Understand and apply the accounting equation and double-entry bookkeeping.
  • Prepare financial statements based on accounting transactions.
  • Discuss and reflect upon social, institutional, and ethical aspects of accounting and financial reporting.

 

After the exam, summative feedback is given. If requested, formative feedback (e.g. written feedback) on the exam paper can also be given. 

Final - Financial Accounting and Reporting and its Institutional Context:
Sub exam weight85%
Examination formWritten sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration4 hours
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodSummer
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
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam consists of a mix of open questions, true/false, and/or multiple-choice questions. 

 

The learning objectives relevant to this partial exam are:

 

  • Understand and apply the accounting equation and double-entry bookkeeping.
  • Prepare financial statements based on accounting transactions.
  • Discuss and reflect upon social, institutional, and ethical aspects of accounting and financial reporting.
  • Calculate financial ratios and analyze the information content of these measures.
  • Understand emerging trends in non-financial reporting.

 

After the exam, summative feedback is given. If requested, formative feedback (e.g. written feedback) on the exam paper can also be given. 
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.
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching sessions consist of lectures and exercise workshops.

Throughout the teaching sessions, students will have the chance to work in groups to solve problems and discuss solutions. 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 the teaching sessions.
Feedback during the teaching period
Continuous feedback activities consist of teacher-student and student-student feedback on quizzes, group discussions, exercise questions, etc. Students are also encouraged to take full advantage of staff consultation hours to engage in advancing comprehension of course contents.
Student workload
Lectures 36 hours
Excercise workshops 10 hours
Preparation of lectures/exercises (4h per 3h lecture) 63 hours
Mid-term exam 2 hours
Preparation of the mid-term exam 20 hours
Final exam 4 hours
Preparation of the final exam 71 hours
Total 206 hours
Expected literature

Harrison, W. T., Horngren, C. T., Thomas, C. W., Tietz, W. M., & Suwardy, T. (eds.). (2018). Financial accounting : International financial reporting standards (11th edition, global edition). NY: Pearson.

 

We will use the latest edition if available (12th edition, 2023).
Last updated on 01-12-2023