Current Trends and a Minor in Accounting, 30 Credits

Contents

The course gives the opportunity to further develop within the major subject in a module on the latest development and in a module on research methodology. The course also gives a Minor subject in Accounting. The course is given an examined in English.

• Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
• Module 2. Advanced Management Accounting, 7.5 credits
• Module 3. Advanced Financial and Sustainability Reporting, 7.5 credits
• Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration 7,5 credits

Common expected learning outcome:

• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
The overarching aim of this course is to develop advanced knowledge of perspectives, strategies and design in research. This will increase the student's ability to carry out and assess business research and investigations. Important building blocks are the problem formulation, frames of reference, scientific approaches, including the ontological and epistemological points of departure, and methods for data collection and analysis.
 
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the module, the student should be able to:

• identify and discuss how fundamental assumptions, scientific ideals, perspectives and frames of reference influence a process of scientific knowledge creation.
• formulate and argue for relevant research questions, including the theoretical relevance and positioning.
• discuss characteristics of research strategies and discuss and evaluate the suitability of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods respectively, to solve different research questions.
• apply acquired knowledge in the planning, design, implementation and reporting of scientific studies.
• demonstrate an ability to assess and discuss social, environmental and ethical aspects of the business research process.

Focus of instruction
Lectures, seminars, practical assignment(s), individually or in groups, and the reading material complement each other to help students to develop deep knowledge of what scientific research in business and management fields is all about.
 
Examination modes
The assessment is based on an individual written hall exam and reporting of individual written assignment(s). Participation at all seminars and presentations is compulsory to pass the module. The final grade is awarded when the student has passed all assignments and compulsory module elements. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 2. Advanced Management Accounting, 7.5 credits
Management accountants are strategic financial management professionals who integrate accounting expertise with advanced management skills to drive business performance, with the postulate that the sustainability of a firm depends on its ability to recognize and benefit from its value drivers. With a solid theoretical framework, the course addresses modern issues in management control and performance measurement. The focus is on the enhancement of shareholder value through customer-driven value creation from a value-based management perspective. A second purpose of the course is to enhance students' knowledge and analytical skills related to the way managers design, and utilize planning and management control systems to implement strategies. Techniques of the management control process are studied, and behavioural considerations are discussed. The management accounting systems studied should provide information on the value drivers of organizations, to assist in aligning the self-interests of management with long-term shareholder wealth. The students will also become aware of the varied and changing roles of the management accountant. During the module, students will also be introduced to methods of working in international teams. The contents of the course are intended to prepare the students toward the FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) and the CMA certification (Certified Management Accountant), both delivered by the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants).

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the module, the student should be able to:

• explain the meaning and significance of management accounting and control and discuss factors that make management accounting and controlling systems differ.
• evaluate how company goals and factors in the environment such as stability, certainty, complexity and national culture influence the management accounting system.
• discuss the relationship between decentralization and management accounting and analyse the challenges of transfer pricing.
• apply management accounting processes: strategic planning, costing, budgeting, sustainability reporting, designing performance measurement and incentive systems.
• analyse the specific challenges to the design of management accounting systems in not-for-profit organizations, in the provision of services and in temporary project organizations.
• integrate management accounting within sustainability strategy.

Focus of instruction
The developments of the management accounting subject, techniques and concepts are presented during lectures.  Requiring reading for the module includes cases, chapters, and articles contained in the assigned textbooks and supplementary materials. Students are expected to take an active part in discussions on the development of the field, literature and article seminars and reporting about case studies. They will be given a number of assignments, leading to continuous assessment. Course work will be done individually and in small groups. Course work must reach an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Module examination modes
Examination is based upon a written individual hall exam and written group assignments with oral presentation. A passing grade is required for each part of the module. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.

Module 3. Advanced Financial and Sustainability Reporting, 7.5 credits
The module develops students' abilities to prepare and analyse financial and sustainability reports. It focuses on the reporting in large companies and develops students' abilities to handle also more complicated accounting issues. The module covers financial and sustainability reporting from an international perspective as it focuses on the International Financial Reporting Standards and sustainability standards used in the European Union.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the module, the student should be able to:

• apply IFRS accounting standards, in both moderately difficult and more advanced situations.
• assess the consequences of different options in relation to accounting-method choices and approaches used for making estimates in accounting.
• apply the European Union's and the International Sustainability Standards Board's regulations when preparing sustainability reports.
• make materiality assessments in the financial reporting and sustainability reporting.

Focus of instruction
Learning is supported by lectures, practically oriented exercises, teacher-led case-discussions and tutoring sessions.

Module examination modes
The examination is based on a written individual hall exam and cases. The case-assignments are solved in groups and the assessment is based the students-group' submissions and the students' activity in the teacher-led case-discussions. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration 7,5 credits
The ambition of this module is to identify and uncover current trends.  These trends have a strong long-term impact on society at large and thus form future premises and give rise to challenges for businesses. The aim of the module is to explore how business and society interact to tackle such present and future challenges. The expectation is that students participating in this module are well equipped with knowledge and skills related to their own major, one of the five sub-disciplines accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing in Business Administration.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the module, the student should be able to:

• analyse fundamental societal issues and what impact businesses have on these issues.
• identify and evaluate emerging trends in society.
• critically discuss business decisions relating to current trends.
• evaluate information, knowledge and policy in relation to current trends in terms of validity and reliability.
• relate current trends to research in business administration within the field of the student's major.
• be able to share multidisciplinary knowledge.

Focus of instruction
Learning is supported by lectures, guest lectures and guided exercises. Students are provided with relevant sources of information and scientific literature for supporting individual and group works related to the themes of lectures and exercises.
 
Module examination modes
The main mode of examination is an individual written essay with a subsequent oral examination. The essay requires convincing discussion of the importance and urgency of solving a specific problem related to any of the current trends from the disciplinary perspective of the student's major. Further, the examination consists of individual and group reflection papers related to the various course activities.
Attendance at all work in progress and final presentation seminars, group work and guest lectures related presentation events are mandatory and thus a requirement to pass the course. A passing grade for each graded part of the course is required to pass. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Expected learning outcomes

See each separate module.

Required Knowledge

90 credits whereof 30 credits at advanced level in Business Administration. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

See each separate module.

Examination modes

See each separate module and below.
 
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more), and
Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).
 
Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity for re-examination within 2 months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, another form of examination can be used.

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than 14 days before the next examination opportunity.

Adaptations
Examiners may decide on deviations from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Academic integrity and cheating
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized help aids or in some other way try to mislead in examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing is applicable to written assignments. Submitted material is subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Transfer of credits
Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the course that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.

Other regulations

This course can not be included in the degree together with 2FE193, 2FE194, 2FE195, 2FE196, 2FE197, 2FE107, 2FE181, 2BA413, 2BA412, 2BA415, 2BA416, 2BA401, 2BA402, 2BA404, 2BA410, 2FE426.