Program Overview

Accounting and Finance – BBus (Hons)

Course Overview

This programme is structured to address many of the competence requirements of professional Accountancy bodies and to give students a range of learning experiences tailored to careers in Accounting and Finance. Its practical focus ensures that on completion you will be a work-ready graduate with employment opportunities in professional accounting practice, commerce, industry, government, the not-for-profit sector and secondary school teaching. Along with the development of your accountancy and finance knowledge, there is a strong focus on developing your management skills to ensure that when you graduate you have the high-level transferable skills that employers are seeking. This programme assumes no previous knowledge of accounting, finance or economics. The programme is recognised by leading professional accountancy bodies including: CAI, ACCA, CIMA and CPA. It has also been recognised by the Teaching Council as fulfilling its degree requirement for registration as a post-primary teacher, subject to the complete programme of study being undertaken at TUS (Moylish). As with any other degree, a teaching qualification such as the Professional Master of Education (PME) is also required.

Course Details

• CAO Points: 350
• Location: Moylish, Limerick City
• Duration: 4 years
• Course Code: US845
• Level: 8
• Course Type: Undergraduate
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Department: Business & Financial Services

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Business Communication And Analysis (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is that learners will be introduced to the communication process and the essentials of effective business communication be that verbal, non-verbal or written.
• Business Management (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with a broad awareness of management theories and concepts and their application to the various structures, functions and operations of organisations.
• Cost Accounting – Core (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the basic concepts of costing with a focus on the analysis of costs associated with running businesses.
• Financial Accounting Principles (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to develop the learners understanding of the principles of accounting. The focus is on the use of double entry and accounting systems. Recording transactions and events including sales, purchases, and depreciation. Preparing a trial balance and basic financial statements. No prior knowledge of accounting is required.
• Introduction To Microeconomics (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with decision-making skills and an understanding of the competitive environment. The module also aims to develop learner’s analytical ability and critical thinking skills.
• Marketing Principles (5 credits)
  • Marketing Principles is an exploration of the theory and practice of marketing, and the marketing function, within the business environment. Guiding learners from the fundamentals of marketing through to the role and application of marketing within an organisation. This module will build on the fundamental principles of marketing whilst illustrating the application of these principles to the development of marketing strategy in industry.

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Cost Accounting – Fundamentals (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to continue to introduce learners to the basic concepts of costing with a focus on the analysis of costs associated with running of businesses.
• Entrepreneurship (5 credits)
  • This module is designed to introduce students to Entrepreneurship. They will research an entrepreneur of their choice to understand the obstacles that their chosen entrepreneur encountered. The module will then require a feasibility study to be concluded in relation to a business idea of their choice.
• Financial Accounting Fundamentals (5 credits)
  • Learners will be provided with the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to prepare and present financial statements in accordance with current statutory requirements and standards. Students will explore many aspects of financial accounting that affect the preparation of the financial statements.
• Information Technology And Data Analysis Application (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is that learners will be introduced to the communication process and the essentials of effective business communication. Equally, the learner will be introduced to information technology and the impact on business along with associate risks and regulations.
• Introduction To Macroeconomics (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of the macroeconomic environment. The module also aims to develop learners’ analytical ability and critical thinking skills.
• Quantitative Methods For Business (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to understand the use/benefits of maths and statistics in a business context. In particular, learners will use quantitative techniques to deal with the following: Uncertainty in business and the role of probability. Estimating future costs based on past cost behaviour patterns, Capital investment decisions, Measure Inflation, Present Data in a useful/readable manner

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Computerised Sage Accounts And Payroll (5 credits)
  • Students become proficient in the use of Sage accounting and Sage Payroll package
• Financial Accounting For Companies (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain knowledge of key aspects of financial accounting for companies which includes focus on the purpose of financial accounting, double entry, preparation of financial statements for companies and application of IFRS to aid the preparation of financial statements.
• Law And Business 1 (5 credits)
  • The module introduces learners to the key features of the Irish legal system and provides a foundation for the study of substantive areas of Irish law. The module introduces learners to the sources of Irish law, the Irish court system, the principle of stare decisis (rules of precedent), and the administration of justice. The module will also introduce learners to contract law and the sale of goods and supply of services legislation.
• Management Accounting – Decision Making (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to enable learners to understand how relevant management accounting techniques can be used to assist managers in optimal decision-making. On completion of this module learners should be able to understand and skilfully apply several calculative management accounting techniques, have an appreciation of their limitations, and be able to communicate the outcomes effectively to specialists and non-specialists.
• Project Planning & Control (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to introduce students to the key concepts around managing projects, particularly project identification, planning and control, and incorporating lean and agile management principles. The module will provide Business and Finance students with a set of tools and techniques which can be used by financial professionals and project managers at different phases of the project life cycle, including identifying and selecting projects, and planning, performing and controlling projects. The module will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a project schedule, allocate resources, measure resource utilisation, determine costs, manage risk and close a project. Students will be using MS Project to gain hands-on experience of using industry standard project management software.
• Public Finance (5 credits)
  • The module is designed to address the main theories and practices of pubic finance in Ireland and other jurisdictions. In addition, the module will explore the political economy of modern taxation systems.

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Business Technology And Data Analytics (5 credits)
  • On completion of this module, learners will be able to demonstrate and evaluate how businesses may make use (or better use) of IS, IT and data to improve business and financial decision-making capabilities, overall performance and better understand customers. Learners will explore the role and application of IS and IT in the management and control of organisations, particularly in the Accounting & Finance function. Learners will also gain the knowledge and skills necessary to use the core functions of Excel (intermediate level) and data analytics tools such as Power BI / Tableau or similar.
• Financial Accounting (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain knowledge of key aspects of financial accounting for non-companies which includes focus on the preparation of financial statements for clubs and societies, partnerships, dealing with incomplete records and continued focus on double entry accounting through the correction of errors and suspense accounts.
• Income Tax & Vat (5 credits)
  • This module will introduce learners to the Irish tax system. It will examine two tax heads being Income Tax & VAT. It will provide learners with the skills necessary to attend to the compliance issues associated with the aforementioned taxes.
• Law And Business 2 (5 credits)
  • This module builds on the Law and Business 1 module and continues to introduce learners to substantive areas of Irish law. The module introduces the learners to the rules and principles of tort law. In addition, the module introduces learners to employment law, succession law, and consumer protection law as well as other pertinent business law topics.
• Management Accounting – Planning & Control (5 credits)
  • This module will focus on the development of essential accounting techniques to assist ‘internal’ users (i.e. management) with planning and control. It aims to provide knowledge of underlying key theoretical principles and the skills to apply that knowledge to a variety of different business scenarios.
• Preparation For The Workplace (5 credits)
  • This module is designed to not only provide the learner with the skills to enable them to procure employment but also to enable them to communicate professionally in a work context . Learners will develop the expertise to create a professional curriculum vitae and job application cover letter. Students will have the opportunity to simulate the interview process giving them the confidence to sell their skills and abilities to prospective employers. The module will emphasise the importance of professional verbal, written and electronic communication in work related situations.

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Work Placement/Study Abroad (30 credits)
  • This Work Placement/Study Abroad component is an integral part of all academic programmes of the Institute and is provided in compliance with HEA/DES requirements for practice-based learning on all third level courses as laid out in the “Higher Education System Performance Framework ”. The overall aim of the module is to offer the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their course of study up to this point in a new and relevant experiential setting. This is to be achieved whilst facilitating the student in developing the practical life-skill competencies and communication skills necessary to function as an effective member of the work environment and wider society.
• Business Problem Solving (Elective) (30 credits)
  • Business problem solving is available as an alternative for students who have not been successful in gaining work placement. The aim of this module is to offer students the opportunity to engage in real- world business problems by participating actively in problem solving activities related to business issues. The module will advance the student’s ability to problem solve, to think critically and to communicate effectively, whether through presentations or written reports

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Advanced Financial Accounting (10 credits)
  • The aim of the module is to develop the learner’s ability to critically analyse and prepare financial statements in accordance with International accounting standards and International financial reporting standards.
• Advanced Management Accounting (10 credits)
  • This module aims to deepen learners knowledge and understanding of more advanced concepts in management accounting and to extend their understanding of the roles of management accounting information in organisational decision-making, planning and control. Emphasis will placed on interpreting management accounting outputs as well as evaluating the managerial implications of management accounting techniques. Learners will critically evaluate academic research, looking at key themes in contemporary management accounting practice. Learners will also examine how and why management accounting has changed and will appraise the modern issues that influence and shape management accounting practice.
• Company Law 1 (5 credits)
  • This module is intended to provide learners with an understanding of the legal rules governing the formation, capacity and governance of companies in Ireland.
• Corporation Tax And Capital Gains Tax (5 credits)
  • This module will build on the foundations laid in Income Tax & VAT. It will hone learners skills to deal with the compliance aspects of two additional pillars of taxation being Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Year 4 – Semester 1

• Auditing Framework And Environment (5 credits)
  • This module introduces students to the role of the external audit and its regulatory and ethical framework. It covers the planning and design of audit procedures to test accounting and internal control systems.
• Company Law 2 (5 credits)
  • This module is the second of two focusing on the law of companies in Ireland. The module is intended to develop the learner`s knowledge and understanding of company law in relation to minority protection; share and loan capital; capital maintenance and insolvency.
• Corporate Governance (5 credits)
  • This module aims to demonstrate how an understanding of corporate governance can aid managerial decision-making. It will cover the subject from a theoretical and practical perspective with a strong emphasis on the relationship between theoretical concepts and real-world issues. The module will address several interconnected topics such as regulatory and legislative requirements, board structure, risk management, internal controls, managerial opportunism and the relationship between corporate governance and corporate performance. Engagement and participation are two key elements of the learning process and will help learners develop their analytical and communication skills.
• Financial Management Analysis (5 credits)
  • This module introduces the learner to the role of the financial manager within an organisation. In addition, the learner will be introduced to issues such as: sourcing finance, investment appraisal, working capital management and business valuations.
• Financial Reporting – IFRS (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain the necessary knowledge and exercise professional judgement in the application and evaluation of financial reporting issues in entities based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Strategic Decisions (5 credits)
  • This capstone module aims to enable learners to analyse the central issues pertaining to analysing organisations’ strategic positions and to help learners make strategic choices.
• Tax Planning (5 credits)
  • The module provides an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of the Irish taxation system relating to tax planning, which allows learners to develop their research and cognitive skills to enable them to solve tax planning problems whose contours we do not even know yet.

Year 4 – Semester 2

• Auditing Fundamentals And Cyber Security (5 credits)
  • This module module introduces the learner to core auditing concepts such as compliance testing, substantive testing and audit reports. The concept of cyber security is also introduced.
• Ethics & Sustainable Business (5 credits)
  • This module will enable learners to explore the challenges to business associated with the economic, social, and governance demands arising from climate change, sustainable development, and other social /economic issues. These issues will be explored through an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework by examining the many approaches to ESG that all major companies and many SMEs are adopting. It aims to deliver a broad understanding of theories and concepts of business ethics taking a critical look at how these are enacted in practice. The implications of ESG for business strategy will also be considered.
• European Business & Commercial Law (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of the legal rights and obligations of persons and undertakings engaged in commerce and business in Ireland and in the global marketplace. Students will experience, inter alia, the dynamic Socratic method of teaching law so as to allow them take genuine intellectual risks in the classroom, and thereby learn critical thinking, reasoning and logic, attributes that are essential when dealing with the practicalities of professional life.
• Financial Reporting – Groups (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain the necessary knowledge and exercise professional judgement in the application and evaluation of consolidation of reporting entities based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• International Tax Planning (5 credits)
  • This module is the second of two focussing on tax planning. This module builds on the knowledge acquired in the Tax Planning module. The focus is again on problem based learning with the emphasis in this module being on and international tax planning, and vat planning.
• Strategic Corporate Finance (5 credits)
  • This module will introduce corporate strategies for managing capital structure, risk and return, and emerging issues in the every changing world of finance.
• Strategic Management (5 credits)
  • This capstone module aims to enable learners to put organisations’ strategic choices into action.

What can you do after this programme?

Career Opportunities

Positions that graduates can work in include:

• Trainee Accountant in professional practice, industry and/or the public sector
• Trainee Tax Advisor
• Funds Analyst
• General management opportunities across a range of sectors
• Secondary School Teaching (subject to the pursuit a Professional Master of Education (PME) degree programme)
• Leading employers include Deloitte, EY, PwC, Grant-Thornton, BDO, Mazars, BOI and Northern Trust”

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within the institute and/or elsewhere. Successful graduates of this programme who wish to continue their studies towards professional accountancy accreditation can benefit from ‘fast track’ agreements with one or more of the professional bodies.