Teaching and assessment for Professional Accountancy MSc

Three students sitting together in a classroom, they are smiling and looking at a laptop in the centre of their table.

Teaching

Teaching will involve a mixture of:

lectures
workshops
student presentations
student-led discussion sessions.

We offer an annual series of events, workshops and guest lectures which are actively supported by the different professional bodies, local and wider practice:

ACCA
ICAS
EQ Chartered Accountants
Henderson Loggie
Johnston Carmichael
NCR
Vodafone
BK plus
Nairn's

Assessment

You will be assessed by a mixture of exams and coursework assignments designed to prepare you for real-world challenges in professional accountancy.

Our innovative assessments will not only build your knowledge but also help you develop key employability skills, including:

effective communication - presenting ideas confidently through reports, physical presentations, pitches, and video presentations
collaboration and teamwork - working efficiently within diverse teams to achieve shared goals
professional business communication - engaging effectively in business settings with clarity and professionalism
time and project management - effectively prioritising tasks, managing workload, and coordinating projects to meet deadlines
digital proficiency - applying modern accounting tools and technologies, including Sage and advanced Excel
research and analytical skills - critically evaluating professional and academic literature to inform decision-making
ethical awareness - understanding and applying professional ethics in accountancy and financial decision-making
sustainability and reporting - assessing financial and non-financial factors in sustainable business practices, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting

There are six core modules which all students need to complete in order to achieve the ACCA accreditation, therefore there are no optional modules on this course.

Core Modules

These modules are an essential part of your course.

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Module code: BU51003 Credits: 30 Semester: Semester 1

By completing this auditing module you will meet the accreditation requirements of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Paper F8 ‘Audit and Assurance’ as part of your MSc in Professional Accountancy.

Audit, Assurance and Professional Ethics full module details

Module code: BU51004 Credits: 30 Semester: Semester 2

You will explore the nature of managerial accounting within an organisational context. This module addresses the use of accounting information and specialised techniques in the broad areas of cost ascertainment. You will also learn about planning, controlling and decision making from a performance management perspective. This module will introduce you to key aspects of the theoretical underpinning of contemporary managerial accounting.

Professional Management Accounting full module details

Module code: BU51005 Credits: 30 Semester: Semester 1

There are many taxes within the UK system and it is crucial to stay compliant in both personal and business tax.

The main aspects of personal taxation, Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Corporation Tax (CT) are included.

Alongside elements of UK tax planning, ethics and international taxation.

Tax Compliance and Fiscal Studies full module details

Module code: BU52007 Credits: 30 Semester: Semester 2

Explore the nature of the conceptual and regulatory framework of financial reporting. Learn how they facilitate the preparation and interpretation of financial statements that are compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including consolidated financial statements.

Professional Financial Reporting Practice full module details

Module code: BU53001 Credits: 30 Semester: Runs during the summer

This module explores the nature of financial management within the company.

It considers the techniques employed when evaluating financial decisions and issues faced within a business context.

It also examines insights from finance theory and empirical findings from studies of practice to help understand actions and motivations of financial managers.

Professional Financial Management full module details

Module code: BU53002 Credits: 30 Semester: Semester 2

The professional accountancy project will require you to work intensively and independently on a literature-based project, meeting deadlines to produce a coherent final 6,000-word project report which is suitable for a professional audience.

Professional Accountancy Project full module details