AF4D112 - Strategic Business Reporting 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | AF4D112 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Strategic Business Reporting | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Accounting and Finance | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Accounting and Finance | ||
| Module Leader: | Jared Davies | ||
| Module Team: | Geraint Evans, Rosemary Eaton, Rhian Gosling, Joanna Howell | ||
| First Intended Intake: | MAR 2018 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 40 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | |||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | |||
Document Version Information
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
This module aims to develop knowledge, understanding and application of contemporary corporate reporting principles, standards, practices and toolkits in a range of business contexts and situations, which will require advanced evaluation and synthesis skills. The module will also foster critical questioning of the development and content of such areas, including a focus on current and future reporting issues.
Complex practical application of this module’s syllabus areas will be developed; there will be a focus on the practical scenarios that a professional accountant will face and the technical competencies they will require to tackle these. As a result, students will be prepared for the ACCA external Strategic Business Reporting examination as well as internal MSc assessments. The external ACCA examination focuses on preparation and interpretation of corporate reports including the ethical assessment of managements’ stewardship and the information needs of a diverse group of stakeholders.
Content Summary
The syllabus of this module is based on the ACCA Strategic Business Reporting paper.
The syllabus for Strategic Business Reporting assumes knowledge acquired at Undergraduate (or ACCA Fundamentals) level, including the core technical capabilities to prepare and analyse financial reports for single and combined entities.
The syllabus requires students to examine corporate reporting from a number of perspectives, not only from the point of view of the preparer of corporate reports, but also from the perspective of a variety of different stakeholders such as finance providers.
The syllabus further requires the assessment and evaluation of the reporting decisions made by management and their implications for a range of stakeholders and entities. It also explores the professional and ethical responsibilities of the accountant to these stakeholders.
The subject matter of the syllabus requires students to have a cohesive understanding of the IASB’s Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting and to use the Framework as a basis for judgement in applying International Financial Reporting Standards in corporate reports. The syllabus considers both the principles and practices of IFRS and uses these principles as a basis for the preparation of the financial statements of single entities and groups.
The syllabus requires students to reflect on the usefulness of corporate reports to stakeholders including developments in narrative reporting such as Integrated Reporting and to discuss the nature of the information that would help stakeholders assess the future prospects of the entity. This involves the analysis and interpretation of corporate reports, and the provision of advice on the reporting implications of transactions.
The final section of the syllabus addresses current developments in corporate reporting and the implications of any potential changes. This includes a discussion of the deficiencies of existing accounting standards and the ability to explain the implications for a business and its stakeholders of significant changes to reporting frameworks.
The syllabus is summarised by ACCA under the following headings:
• Fundamental ethical and professional principles
• The financial reporting framework
• Reporting the financial performance of a range of entities
• Financial statements of groups of entities
• Interpretation of financial statements for different stakeholders
• The impact of changes and potential changes in accounting regulation
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 30 |
| Seminar | 50 |
| Independent Study | 230 |
| Directed Study | 80 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 10 |
| Total Hours Selected | 400 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Critically evaluate the development of both the corporate reporting framework and specific standards. |
| LO2 | Advise on and report complex issues surrounding the financial performance and position of single entities and groups; critically interpret financial statements for different stakeholders; and critically evaluate professional and ethical behaviour. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment (CW) | Time Constrained Assessment (CW) 1 | Scenario-based exam | 195 | 3000 | 50 | No | 40 |
| Written Assignment (CW) | Report (CW) 1 | Individual Written Assignment | 0 | 4500 | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Time Constrained Assessment (CW) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Report (CW) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |