About Accounting based in London, MSc - at University of Liverpool

The programme provides postgraduate-level education in core areas of accounting and finance including corporate reporting, assurance, business strategy, finance, taxation, marketing, corporate governance and ethics.

You will develop quantitative and qualitative skills to enable you to make realistic business recommendations and solve problems in complex scenarios. Business awareness will need to be demonstrated at strategic, operating and transactional levels, and will include issues of sustainability.

The use of technical knowledge and professional judgement will be required to analyse data from multiple sources in order to evaluate alternatives, and determine appropriate solutions.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Thorough and stimulating, this degree programme includes specialist coverage of a range of topic areas within the disciplines of Accounting and Finance, including Corporate Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, Taxation, Finance, Business Strategy, Business Management and Professional Ethics.

You will build your understanding of the principles, techniques and applications of Accounting and Finance through the development of technical knowledge and business skills including problem solving, professional judgement, communication and advice through:

• Intensive full day lectures
• Blocks of three or four days per week
• Days for self study and reflection
• Significant electronic learning resources
• Regular formative assessment and feedback

Semester 1

(Sept – Dec)

• • TAX COMPLIANCE** (15 CREDITS)
• • FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING** (15 CREDITS)
• • AUDIT AND ASSURANCE** (15 CREDITS)
• • BUSINESS PLANNING –TAXATION** (15 CREDITS)

Semester 2

(Jan – late
April)

• • BUSINESS STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT (15 CREDITS)
• • FINANCIAL STRATEGY (15 CREDITS)
• • CORPORATE REPORTING AND AUDITING I * (30 CREDITS)

Semester 3

Summer (early May – late July)

• • STRATEGIC BUSINESS MANAGEMENT * (30 CREDITS)
• • CORPORATE REPORTING AND AUDITING II * (30 CREDITS)

Semester 4

Autumn
(Sept – Nov)

• • INTEGRATED CASE STUDY* (60 CREDITS)

* Modules which parallel Advanced Level papers

** In order to gain exemption in these papers, the ICAEW requires a minimum mark of 55%.

MODULE DESCRIPTORS FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

This module relates to the preparation of single entity and consolidated financial statements, in compliance with a wide range of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Students will also be required to explain accounting and reporting concepts and ethical issues.

AUDIT AND ASSURANCE

This module will develop students’ understanding of critical aspects of managing an assurance engagement (including audit engagements): acceptance, planning, managing, concluding and reporting.

TAXATION – COMPLIANCE

This module considers taxation issues for both individuals and companies in non-complex scenarios.

BUSINESS PLANNING – TAXATION

This module considers more complex taxation issues that arise in the context of preparing tax computations and advice on tax-efficient strategies for businesses and individuals. Technical knowledge and professional judgement will be needed to identify, explain and evaluate alternative tax treatments and to determine the appropriate solutions to taxation issues, giving due consideration to the needs of clients and the interaction between taxes. The commercial context and impact of recommendations will need to be considered in making such judgements, as will ethical and legal issues.

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT

This module examines how businesses can analyse their internal resources and external environment. It also evaluates the methods by which strategic choices are made, implemented and monitored.

FINANCIAL STRATEGY

This module examines the relevant options for financing a business, and the methods by which financial risks can be identified and managed. The methods of making appropriate investment decisions are also evaluated.

CORPORATE REPORTING AND AUDITING

This module develops technical knowledge and understanding of international financial reporting standards, at both individual company level and group level. It also develops analytical skills and techniques to resolve compliance issues, business problems and ethical dilemmas that arise in the context of the preparation and evaluation of corporate reports and from providing audit services.

STRATEGIC BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

This module addresses core areas of business strategy, marketing, corporate governance, human resource management, finance, corporate reporting, assurance and ethics. It develops quantitative and qualitative skills to enable students to make realistic business recommendations in complex scenarios. Business awareness will need to be demonstrated at strategic, operating and transactional levels. The use of technical knowledge and professional judgement will be required to apply appropriate models and analyse data from multiple sources, including corporate reports, in order to evaluate alternatives and determine appropriate solutions.

INTEGRATED CASE STUDY

The integrated case study module takes the form of guided independent learning which requires students to produce an extended written report and group presentation in respect of a company. Involving complex business scenarios and providing advice, the report will contain both qualitative and quantitative elements.

The objective of the Case Study is to assess candidates’ understanding of complex business issues and the ability to analyse financial and non-financial data, exercise professional and ethical judgement, and develop conclusions and recommendations. The Case Study is designed to reproduce a typical situation in which accountants find themselves. This will involve using information arising from meetings and communicated in memoranda, letters or reports from a variety of business and professional advisers and stakeholders. The situation will generally relate to a business plan or transaction and will require preparation for the submission of a report.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You will require the equivalent of an upper second class UK honours degree in Accounting from an institution which has been accredited by the ICAEW to give the majority of exemptions at Certificate Level ie at least four out of six papers. (You will be required to pass all six Certificate Level exams before being eligible to be entered for the Advanced Level exams in the final months of the programme. Guidance will be provided in order to help you to achieve this).

or

The equivalent of an upper second class UK honours degree in any subject, and exemption from, or credit for, the majority of ICAEW Certificate Level papers (including passes at CFAB).

Alternative qualifications and all non-UK qualifications, which are considered equivalent to a UK honours degree, would be subject to approval by the Programme Director.

Applications from students with a professional background rather than a degree will be assessed in accordance with the principles of the University’s AP(E)L policy, and the practice and precedents of the Faulty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• IELTS

  6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).

• TOEFL iBT

  88 or above with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23.

• International Baccalaureate

  Standard Level (Grade 5)

• Hong Kong use of English AS level

  C

• INDIA Standard XII

  70% or above from Central and Metro State Boards

• WAEC

  C4-6

LIKELY CAREER DESTINATIONS

This programme offers candidates the opportunity to attain a postgraduate degree from a Russell Group university and simultaneously gain exemptions from all Professional Level examinations for the ICAEW, a globally respected professional accounting qualification of high reputation. Additionally students will be prepared for, and entered into, ICAEW Advanced Level exams.

Whilst students would need three years of relevant work experience under a training contract with a registered training provider to attain full ICAEW membership, they would be attractive targets for employers and could develop into careers within the accounting profession, financial services and business management.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Liverpool to find course entry requirements.

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