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2025/2026  BA-BPOLO2009U  Financial Accounting and Reporting

English Title
Financial Accounting and Reporting

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 Global Relations
Course coordinator
  • Bjørn N. Jørgensen - Department of Accounting (AA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Accounting
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 20-05-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Apply the accounting equation and double entry-accounting
  • Explain the difference between cash and accrual accounting
  • Prepare financial statements based on accounting transactions
  • Calculate financial ratios and analyze the information content of these measures
  • Understand the role of ethics in preparing and using accounting information
  • Identify and explain selected components of non-financial reporting provided by companies (GRI, SDGs, etc.)
Examination
Financial Accounting and Reporting:
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 Summer
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.
The use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools or apps is not allowed for this exam.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach
  • Accounting as a form of communication
  • Financial statements and Annual Reports
  • Double-entry bookkeeping
  • Cash basis and accrual basis of accounting
  • Inventories and Cost of Goods Sold
  • Cash, receivables and short term investments
  • Fixed Assets (Tangible & Intangible)
  • Goodwill
  • Current Liabilities, Present Value, and Long-term liabilities
  • Shareholders’ Equity
  • Cash Flow Statements
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • A Case Study in Financial Accounting


Course aim:
Students learn to develop their understanding of financial accounting via reference to practical examples, mini-cases and the annual reports of various companies.
 
Relation to a Business or an Institutional Setting: Class discussions are focused around multinational companies in different industries – both European and US. The course textbook has many good examples from US business life, which will be contrasted against their European peers.

Relation to International Business or Economics: The core theme of the course is the financial accounting within multinational corporations. The relationships between parent company and subsidiaries are emphasized in group accounting and through the consolidation process.

 

In relation to Nordic Nine

Financial Accounting and Reporting will provide you with an introduction to financial accounting and its use by corporations in practice, which aligns with many of the Nordic Nine values.  

-You will learn how companies record transactions into their accounting records as they produce prosperity for their shareholders and for the wider society. You will understand how they interact with potential investors, banks, suppliers, and creditors and develop an analytical mindset in the evaluation of financial statements (NN1, NN2, NN7).  

-You will develop critical thinking skills towards the presentation of the data in financial statements and also in developing internal controls within a company. Ethical dilemmas in accounting will be presented throughout the course and you will come to understand these from a wider perspective (NN5, NN6). 

 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Data collection
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching sessions comprise lectures and class discussions as well as practical exercises. Problems and exercises are at times given for homework and to be included as a part of class discussions. Various mini case problems are considered, whereby students are expected to analyze and interpret the accounts of a company under certain conditions. In addition to the sessions there are workshops to work through more extensive financial reporting and accounting problems and to when required review the most important points of the lectures through supplementary exercises, and thus prepare students even better for the final examination.
Feedback during the teaching period
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
Teaching Sessions 33 hours
Workshops 9 hours
Exams 4 hours
Preparation 158 hours
Expected literature

Thomas, Tietz, Suwardy, Koh, Harrison Jr, and Horngren. 2024. Financial Accounting – International Financial Reporting Standards. Global edition.12th edition. Pearson.

or the most recent version of this textbook, if and when available.


Additional articles/Case material (links will be provided through Canvas, students can then download as pdf file through the CBS library)
 

A comprehensive reading list can be found in the course plan that will be published on Canvas before classes begin.

 
Last updated on 20-05-2025