MSc in Professional Accounting

Course Aim and Title MSc in Professional Accounting

Intermediate Awards Available Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Teaching Institution(s) UEL
Alternative Teaching Institutions
(for local arrangements see final section
of this specification)
UEL Academic School Royal Docks School of Business & Law
UCAS Code
Professional Body Accreditation Charted Institute of Management
Accountant (CIMA)
Relevant QAA Benchmark Statements Master’s Degrees in Business and
Management
Type 1 Specialist
Additional Versions of this Course N/A
Date Specification Last Updated 9 April 2019

Course Aims and Learning Outcomes

The MSc Professional Accounting is a specialist academic course developed around

the professional level papers of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
(ACCA) and the ACA qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales (ICAEW). It provides the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree
which can lead to postgraduate employment whilst simultaneously preparing you for
some examination papers at professional levels of relevant accountancy bodies. If
students choose to take advantage of this “fast track” career development route
towards a professional accounting qualification, they will be responsible for arranging
and taking the relevant examination papers externally, as the accountancy bodies do
not currently offer accredited exemptions from papers at professional level.

The course is based on the recognition that international and global accounting and
finance skills are required in order for businesses to compete effectively and
efficiently. The main emphasis is on strategic finance and management accounting.
Students will be exposed to leading theoretical frameworks in Accounting, challenged
to extract the practical applicability of such theory and to apply this to accounting
practices and processes. The course is designed to offer specialist, holistic
knowledge and understanding of accounting and finance in areas such as:
Governance & Accountability; Business Strategy; Corporate Reporting; Advanced
Auditing & Assurance; Advanced Taxation.

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The MSc Professional Accounting is a flexible credit-based course leading towards
a higher degree in accounting and finance with a strong focus of the application of
theory to practice. The course:
• Offers the opportunity/choice to study for a postgraduate degree and
simultaneously prepare for sitting externally, some of the professional level
examination papers set by the ACCA and ICAEW.
• Offers an accelerated route to qualify for CIMA membership.
• Gives the opportunity for accounting practitioners to become familiar with
current academic discourse and accounting and finance related research.
• Provides training in research methods and methodology; the underpinning
research in accounting and finance will enable you to critically evaluate
accounting and financial research literature and understand recent trends and
new developments.
• Incorporates a distinctive skills curriculum that is designed to develop your
interpersonal and transferable skills for work and life, enhancing your future
career and employability prospects.
• Offers opportunities for further employment.
• Is available on a full time or part time mode of study to suit the needs of busy
practitioners.
• Gives the option of interim awards at certificate and diploma level, if you do
not wish to, or are unable to, complete the course.

What will students learn

This course is designed to give you the opportunity to:

• Master the theoretical concepts, principles and techniques of Accounting and
Finance and their role within organisations by exploring the balance between
theory and practice.
• Explore how these concepts can be applied to a range of complex situations
in practice, with the use of traditional and more sophisticated analytical tools,
models and decision-making techniques to successfully operate as
practitioners of Accounting and Finance;
• Acquire specialist analytical and research skills needed in Accounting and
Finance related methods and strategies, either as an academic or as a
practitioner;
• Equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills (including thinking and
general skills) to achieve the appropriate level of postgraduate award and to
continue your lifelong learning and career development

Οn successful completion of the course students will have:

Knowledge
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of accounting and finance
concepts and techniques including current reporting standards and a range of
contemporary issues
• An understanding of the application of accounting theories in the context of
how they contribute to strategic financial decision-making, planning and
control within business organisations.

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 • Enhanced knowledge of governance and risk in the context of ethics and
social responsibility
• Applied knowledge of modern approaches to a range of complex business
situations in practice.
• Critical awareness of the main accounting issues and their potential
implications for financial management and stakeholder needs.
• Current developments, issues and debates in accounting and finance at both
theoretical and applied levels

Thinking skills
• Develop analytical and numerical thinking skills
• Analyse and interpret data from collected research
• Critically evaluate relevant literature surrounding accounting issues
• Demonstrate competencies in critical and creative thinking to key issues

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Use ICT tools to search for, retrieve and analyse financial information
• Reflect on and evaluate accounting and financial data and information
• Select and apply appropriate financial tools and models to identify, diagnose
and resolve financial and management accounting problems
• Possess a range of financial skills to become an effective financial manager
with relevant knowledge of accounting and finance issues
• Complete a major problem-solving exercise either within a specific accounting
area or a particular company

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Communicate research findings in a clear and logical manner
• Work effectively and sensitively with peer’s wither on an individual basis or in
groups
• Develop capability for completing independent research within time
constraints through management of own time and group time, where
appropriate
• Enhance interpersonal and communications skills, including presentations
and written reports
• Develop an aptitude for lifelong learning
Strengthen competence in lifelong learning and continuing professional development

Learning and Teaching

The proposed course incorporates a range of approaches to teaching and learning

to take into consideration the variety of learning styles among students.

All modules consist of a combination of the following learning approaches: scheduled

lectures and seminars which may include class discussions and debates, case
studies, group work activities, presentations and legal problems based on written and
audio-visual leaning materials. In order to support and complement the development
of student’s skills, selected Accounting professionals will be invited to provide guest

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lectures on the course. There will be guided and independent learning activities such
as the revision of lecture material; preparation for lectures, seminars; the completion
of formative and summative assessments and guided and independent reading and
research. Formative assessments will be designed to reflect the types of summative
assessment which you will experience on each module and will be timed
appropriately so that you receive feedback on the formative assignment in adequate
time to use the feedback to improve their performance on the summative assignment.

Increased emphasis is placed on higher thinking skills, criticality and deeper learning.
Teaching and learning activities are supported by the Moodle platform allowing
students to access and engage with lecture notes, core and recommended reading
materials, moderated online discussions and formative quizzes.

Teaching takes place in classrooms which are all equipped with computers and
visualizers. Students will be able to access these facilities to practise their
presentation skills in preparation for assessments. The course is designed to be
highly participative and encourages the sharing of information, ideas, experiences
and values.

Assessment

Students’ progress in each individual module will be examined by at least one and a
maximum of two assessment tasks. A range of different types of assessment will be
used throughout the course to reflect the learning outcomes in each module and to
assist in developing a range of skills – subject based, cognitive, transferable and
lifelong skills.

Some assessments may require students to work individually or in groups and can
include types of assessments such as essays, reports, case study analysis, time
constrained assignments, presentations, closed book examinations etc. The form of
assessment for each module will be identified in the module handbook at the
beginning of each term.

Students with disabilities and/or particular learning needs should discuss

assessments with the Course Leader to ensure they are able to fully engage with all
assessment within the course.

Course Structure
All courses are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study
that is needed.

One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you
do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).

Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:

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 3 Equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare
students for year one of an undergraduate degree course.
4 Equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate
degree course.
5 Equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate
degree course.
6 Equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate
degree course.
7 Equivalent in standard to a Masters degree.

Courses are made up of modules that are each credit weighted.

The module structure of this course:

Available by
Credit
Module Core/Option Distance
Level Module Title Weighting
Learning?
Code
Y/N

AC7020 Strategic Business

7 30 Core N
Leader

AC7021 Strategic Business

7 30 Core N
Reporting

7 AC7232 Advanced Taxation 30 Core N

AC7234 Advanced Auditing

7 30 Core N
and Assurance

Professional
Exchange: Mental
7 HR7004 30 Core N
Wealth and Applied
Research

Applied Business
7 SG7002 30 Core N
Project

Please note: Optional modules might not run every year, the course team will
decide on an annual basis which options will be running, based on student demand
and academic factors, in order to create the best learning experience.

Additional detail about the course module structure:

A core module for a course is a module which a student must have passed (i.e.
been awarded credit) in order to achieve the relevant named award. An optional

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module for a course is a module selected from a range of modules available on the
course.

The overall credit-rating of this course is 180 credits. If for some reason you are
unable to achieve this credit you may be entitled to an intermediate award, the level
of the award will depend on the amount of credit you have accumulated. You can
read the University Student Policies and Regulations on the UEL website.

Typical Duration

It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to

accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic
commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may
impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The expected duration of this course is one year full-time or two years part-
time. There are two intake points, in October and in February.

A student cannot normally continue study on a course after three years of

study in full time mode unless exceptional circumstances apply and
extenuation has been granted.

The limit for completion of a course in part time mode is four years from first
enrolment.

Further Information

More information about this course is available from:

• The UEL web site (www.uel.ac.uk)
• The course handbook
• Module study guides
• UEL Manual of General Regulations (available on the UEL website)
• UEL Quality Manual (available on the UEL website)
• School web pages

All UEL courses are subject to thorough course approval procedures before
we allow them to commence. We also constantly monitor, review and enhance
our courses by listening to student and employer views and the views of
external examiners and advisors.