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Accounting and Finance Fundamentals - MAN00153M

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module analyses the techniques of financial appraisal in a series of decision-making contexts. It provides a brief introductory examination of the principles of financial management and financial reporting and their links with accounting, finance, economic and organisational theory, highlighting their links to corporate governance and stakeholder institutions. In doing so, it enables students to acquire an understanding of company performance through the analysis of accounts, whilst critiquing their usefulness for the needs of stakeholders. After that, the module examines sources of finance and mechanisms for financial planning in a variety of organisations, together with a range of financial management tools and concepts available to managers to facilitate financial decision-making. Finally, the module also provides the basics of management accounting and controls as a decision-making set of tools to aid business strategy and performance. As a result, the module provides a foundation of knowledge and understanding as a basis for further in-depth study of financial modules or the dissertation.

Module learning outcomes

Academic and graduate skills

Successful completion of the module will demonstrate that students are able to:-

  • Critically evaluate the nature and purpose of financial statements and their basic theoretical and regulatory framework

  • Analyse the financial performance of an organisation using appropriate financial tools

  • Understand and evaluate alternative sources of finance available to organisations

  • Critically evaluate the appropriateness of financial information to meet the needs of stakeholders

  • Appreciate the value of financial and management accounting decision-making and control techniques in the successful development of business strategy

Module content

Subject content

  • The theoretical framework of financial statements, including the Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account, and Cash Flow statement

  • The regulatory and conceptual framework of financial reporting

  • Financial analysis techniques including the use of ratio analysis to interpret financial statements

  • Objectives in financial management: stewardship and accountability

  • Strategic sources of finance available to organisations

  • Capital investment appraisal – theory and practice

  • Management accounting: Basic Concepts, CVP, Budgeting and Investment Appraisal

  • Management control, strategic performance management and introduction to management accounting practice

Teaching Material

  • Textbooks, journal articles, case studies, published financial statements, copies of overheads used in lectures.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 70
Groupwork 30

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 30

Module feedback

The timescale for the return of feedback will accord with University and SBS policy.

Indicative reading

The core texts are below, but read around the subject, both ‘grey’ and academic literature.

  • Eddie McLaney and Peter Atrill, Accounting and Finance: An Introduction, 10th edition (2020), Pearson Education.

Additional Reading

  • Catherine Gowthorpe, Business Accounting & Finance, 4th edition (2018), Cengage Learning.

  • Drury, C. Management and Cost Accounting, 11th edition (2021), Cengage Learning.

  • Elliot, J. & Elliot, B. Financial Accounting & Reporting, 19th edition (2019), Pearson Education.

  • Collier, P. Accounting for Managers: interpreting accounting information for decision-making, 3rd edition (2009), Wiley.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.