Accounting Information for Managers

Module Description

Accounting information is used extensively within all modern organisations both in commercially orientated and in not-for-profit motivated entities. Therefore, an understanding of this discipline is a growing necessity for any manager or potential manager. This 36 class contact hour course is designed to meet the needs and interests of future managers who do not have formal accounting training, but will need some financial literacy.

Accounting is concerned with the financial consequences of various transactions and events which impact on the business entity. It is convenient to present accounting as consisting of three processes i.e.

1. the recording of the financial information on a regular basis and in an accurate manner,
2. the reporting of that information to interested users at the end of the period,
3. the understanding and interpretation of that information, leading to decision making.

What will I learn

The objectives of this course can simply be stated in terms of providing an understanding the above accounting processes, together with a critical appreciation of the broad discipline of accounting. However, this course takes a user focus i.e. the emphasis is on understanding and the use of accounting information. In contrast, a preparer focus which assumes that participants aspire towards professional accountancy places emphasis on generating financial information. The distinction between a preparer and user focus is crucial to the teaching and learning about accounting. In addition, this course assumes that participants have a limited, prior knowledge of the discipline.

At the end of this module, students will:

• have developed a critical appreciation of the broad discipline of accounting.
• be able to demonstrate and understanding of the use of accounting information.
• be able to interpret financial statements

Please note these modules are subject to change