Accountancy and Finance

Course description

Accountancy – a qualification you can count on Studying the Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) course you will learn that accounting concerns the preparation, presentation and interpretation of financial information to enable investors, lenders, management, employees, government and others to make effective decisions. Accountants are required to register and pass examinations of a recognised professional accountancy body. Having our degree behind you will take you some way to achieving this, as you will gain significant exam exemptions from your chosen professional body’s scheme, allowing you to work at an advanced level earlier. We follow our students’ progress from Year 1 to graduation and aim to enhance their learning experience by offering social events throughout their study which include presentations from professional bodies. The employability of our students is a particular priority to us and one of our Year 3 modules, Accounting Information and Employment, has a particular focus on this. We have a focused involvement from professional accounting bodies, including ACCA and CIMA. A Year 4 optional module reflects the research interests of our staff and includes such diverse areas as sustainability, corporate governance and international finance. During the degree, students participate in a personal and professional development module with a focus on developing key skills that employers are looking for, as well as helping students prepare for, and make the effective transition into the workplace. Prizes for undergraduate students are provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and by KPMG, one of the international accounting firms. • ICAS Charles Scott Prize: £100 is awarded annually to the Bachelor of Accountancy student with the highest overall performance in certain modules. • KPMG Prize: There are three prizes of £200 awarded annually to the students who achieve the highest aggregate marks in certain modules. Many professional bodies recognise the Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) as a relevant degree and offer significant exemptions from their examinations. We have accreditation with several professional accountancy bodies including: ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAS.

Studying finance involves the investigation of how company managers and investors make financial decisions, how they manage risk and how financial markets function. The course addresses issues such as: how do stock markets work? How can I make money by trading futures and options? What would be the implications for Britain of adopting the Euro? How can companies reduce foreign exchange risk? Do shareholders benefit from corporate takeovers? Does corporate governance matter? Why do financial crises occur? What types of securities should be included in an investment portfolio? Finance teaching at Stirling is highly rated and you will gain a thorough grounding in the theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in corporate finance, investment management or financial services. The course has five distinctive attributes:
•It provides the opportunity to study finance in depth while also providing a broad understanding of the wider business environment. •The curriculum is regularly updated and so includes the latest developments in finance theory and practice, providing graduates with a cutting edge in the jobs market. •Reflecting the global nature of finance, the course is taught by staff from many different countries, bringing a wealth of experience into the classroom. •The course allows for flexible study. Students can switch to a related degree course at any stage up to the mid point in their studies. They can also combine finance with another subject. •Students on the finance course have the option of studying for a semester at a partner University in Europe or at Universities in North America, Asia and Australasia.

Subjects

• Accounting
• Finance