Corporate Reporting

Module Title	Corporate Reporting
Module Code	25-6014-00L
Semester of Delivery	See Module Information Table
Mandatory/Elective/Option	See Module Information Table
Level	6
Credit Points	20
Assessment Mode Weighting	CWEX100
Pre-requisites	Financial Accounting and Reporting
Co-requisites	None
Class Contact Hours
Average Weekly	1.5
Directed Learning
Average Weekly	5
Module Leader	Alex Dunlop
	Sheffield Business School
Module Banding
Approval Status	Validated

 

Rationale

In previous years the study of Financial Accounting has focussed upon the processes of accounting, including the development of an awareness of the choices and subjectivities involved therein. This module further develops the subject through a critical consideration of how the results of the accounting process are reported to (and received by) external users and owners, and how the processes and techniques of financial accounting may be affected in return.

Summary of Aims

To develop a critical understanding of the construct and context of financial reports and their role in the communication process between companies and those interested in their affairs.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the usefulness of financial reports;
2. Identify and discuss alternative approaches to accounting theory;
3. Identify and discuss the political and economic contexts and consequences of corporate reporting and relate these to alternative approaches to the regulation of corporate reporting;
4. Analyse and interpret published financial statements;
5. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the impact of complex group structures on financial statement analysis;
6. Demonstrate an ability to search for and use appropriate data and literature sources to support outcomes (1) to (5) above;

Assessment and Feedback Strategy

Students will be provided with feedback on their progress in achieving the desired learning outcomes via a combination of seminar activities and coursework. Elements of learning outcomes requiring literary and data search and analysis will be assessed by one piece of coursework. Skills of critical analysis of conceptual propositions will be assessed by final examination.

Module Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criterion	Level descriptors
		fail	PASS	2.2	2.1	First
Outcomes 1 to 3	Coursework and terminal examination	Poor knowledge of topic (eg concepts, definitions); Inadequate review of key issues from literature; Little or no attempt to conclude and to answer question set	Limited knowledge of topic; Description (but limited consideration) of key issues from literature; Some attempt to conclude and to answer question set	Clear knowledge of topic; Clear grasp and review of key issues from literature; A reasoned attempt to conclude and to answer question set	Critical consideration of literature; Good knowledge of topic; Critical and perceptive conclusion and answer to question set	Excellent knowledge and perceptive critique of literature; Excellent and perceptive conclusion
Outcomes 4 and 5	Coursework and terminal examination	Inadequate analysis and failure to identify key issues	Identification of some issues but commentary tending to be descriptive rather than analytical	Consistent analysis and identification of key issues	Critical and perceptive analysis and identification of issues and evidence	Perceptive and focused analysis of key issues, with critical insight
Outcome 6	Coursework	Little or no evidence of data gathering or literature search.	Limited evidence of data gathering or literature search.	Good evidence of data gathering or literature search.	Evidence of good use and breadth of data gathering or literature search	Excellent use and breadth of data gathering or literature search

Teaching and Learning Strategy and Methods

Some topics will be introduced by way of lectures, and developed in seminars; some will be developed through case studies using scenarios and published corporate reports as the case study vehicles. Emphasis will be placed on active and participative learning approaches.

Indicative Content

• The usefulness of financial statements as a communications vehicle;

• Alternative approaches to accounting theory, to include:
  • Decision usefulness;
  • Normative reasoning, the conceptual framework and the statement of principles;
  • Positive accounting theory (including EMH and agency theory);
  • Income and Value

• The regulation of corporate reporting, to include:
  • The UK and international regulatory framework (including the role of audit)
  • Alternative approaches to regulation;
  • Corporate governance and corporate ethics.

• The analysis of financial statements to include:
  • Capital structure;
  • Market analysis
  • Cash Flow Analysis
  • The impact of complex group structures and financial instruments on financial statement analysis

Indicative Reading List

There is no generally accepted text for this module. It is anticipated that students will be referred to an electronic version of UK GAAP (Butterworth Tolley)