English   Danish

2024/2025  BA-BBLCO1215U  Accounting and Financial Analysis

English Title
Accounting and Financial Analysis

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Wenjun Wen - Department of Accounting (AA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Accounting
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 28-06-2024

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Comprehend the accounting equation and double-entry bookkeeping.
  • Understand and be able to explain the difference between cash-basis and accrual-basis accounting.
  • Prepare financial statements from the source data based on accounting transactions and explain the role of ethics in this process.
  • Read, understand and examine the data in an annual report, hereunder the key components in the financial statement.
  • Develop financial ratios for companies and analyze the information content of these measures to make sound business decisions.
  • Understand emerging trends in non-financial reporting (e.g. ESG reporting, sustainability reporting).
Examination
Accounting and Financial Analysis:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Aids Limited 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

Examination based on one or more questions in relation to the course literature.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Course aim:

 

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to financial accounting and reporting.

 

Throughout the different sessions, students acquire general business knowledge by analyzing the accounting practices and 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 aim to stimulate students' curiosity about ambiguities in accounting and develop a high degree of analytical and critical thinking. An essential 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 the local communities to the global.

 

Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to: 

 

  • Accounting as a form of communication
  • Accounting ethics
  • Presentation of financial statements
  • Double-entry bookkeeping
  • Cash-basis and accrual-basis accounting
  • Inventories and cost of goods sold (COGS)
  • Cash, receivables, and short-term investments
  • Fixed assets (Tangible & Intangible)
  • Liabilities
  • Shareholders’ equity
  • Cash flow statements
  • Financial statement analysis
  • ESG reporting and assurance 
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching sessions consist of lectures and exercise workshops.

Various exercises and cases are considered, whereby students are expected to analyze and interpret the accounts of a company under certain conditions.

Though the course is given face-to-face, there might be integrated elements of blended learning.

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
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 38 hours
Exercises 9 hours
Exam 4 hours
Preparation 155 hours
Total 206 hours
Further Information

Please note that this course will be discontinued and run for the last time in Autumn 2025. The last exam will be offered in winter 2026.
Expected literature

Thomas, C.W.,  Tietz, W.M., Suwardy, T., Chern, K.W., Harrison, W.T. & Horngren, C.T.  (eds.). (2023). Financial Accounting: International Financial Reporting Standards (12th edition, global edition). Pearson.
Last updated on 28-06-2024