Accounting / Finance

Course summary

Accounting is the study of the procedures used by organisations to record their financial transactions. A subject rooted in the business world, it combines well with A Levels in Maths, Business Studies and Economics. It appeals to people with logical minds, good computational skills and an eye for detail. A Level in Accounting could form a useful basis for a degree in Business Studies, Banking and Finance or any other numerate discipline. The course covers all the different types of accounting, the methods used to verify information and the preparation of final accounts and balance sheets. It also analyses the ways in which managers plan ahead and control an organisation’s financial activities through applications of costing and budgeting, aided by information technology. Theory is applied by means of practical exercises and includes case studies and report-writing. Course content This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. Subject content 1. An introduction to the role of the accountant in business 2. Types of business organisation 3. The double entry model 4. Verification of accounting records 5. Accounting concepts used in the preparation of accounting records 6. Preparation of financial statements of sole traders 7. Limited company accounts 8. Analysis and evaluation of financial information 9. Budgeting 10. Marginal costing 11. Standard costing and variance analysis 12. Absorption and activity based costing 13. Capital investment appraisal 14. Accounting for organisations with incomplete records 15. Partnership accounts 16. Accounting for limited companies 17. Interpretation, analysis and communication of accounting information 18. The impact of ethical considerations