Accounting and Finance MSc Dissertation module (BU52010)

This module will give you the independent research and evaluation skills necessary to analyse a complex issue or problem within the areas of accounting, finance, management, or strategy and to define, conduct, and report on a substantial piece of empirical research in the area. It will enable you to integrate knowledge and skills acquired across your course and assess your ability to analyse a complex issue or problem within the area of accounting, finance, or management.

Your dissertation will be based upon primary (or secondary) research undertaken. It may either take the form of an analysis of a current issue in your chosen area, and/or it may be in the form of an answer to a specific problem in the area of accounting, finance, or management.

To complete this module you will choose your topic and then design and conduct your chosen dissertation project with the support of your supervisor.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• apply theory to real-world problems faced by accountants, policy-makers, financial institutions, and/ or investors and gain and understanding of the difficulties involved in applying academic theories to real-world accounting, finance, management, and strategy areas.
• solve quantitative and/or qualitative problems using accounting or financial data and be able to analyse and interpret this data 
• manage your time effectively, work independently of other people, and communicate orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• write a dissertation in an engaging manner
• read, understand, and critically evaluate research and articles in leading accounting, finance, and/ or management journals
• discriminate between material that is central to an issue and that which is auxiliary and synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the theory and practice of accounting, finance, or management

Assignments / assessment

Final dissertation (100%)

• Due in August
• 15,000 words

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

You will have a two-hour long introductory session from the module organiser, followed by a number of supervisory meetings during the summer semester.