International Finance and Accounting MSc

St Mary's University, Twickenham

The overall aim of this module is to enable students to understand how a range of research methods can be used to structure inquiry and develop the evidence base for business management issues within a globalised context. Techniques learnt may include but not be limited to: qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics, grounded theory, case study and multivariate analysis. Students will learn how to investigate either business or social issues currently challenging the socio-economic environment.

In this module, the student elects to complete either a consultancy project or a research-based dissertation. For the consultancy project the individual student performs an authoritative piece of work on a business or management brief established by a real project client. The work will typically take an in-depth look into a defined research area, and result in a substantial report containing extensive research, rigorous scenario analysis and practical conclusions. The consultancy project is an opportunity for students to engage in a form of action research through application of knowledge pragmatically to real-world situations and interactive feedback with real clients. Feedback to the clients on the feasible solutions will therefore form an integral part of the assessment. The research project gives you the opportunity to work independently at an advanced academic level. The research project aims to: Develop skills of source analysis and interpretation; Assess a range of priMary'source material and the relevant secondary literature; Develop students powers of historical argument; Develop skills of primary research, including project and information management, independent working and the ability to research primary and secondary materials independently.

International managers need to be able to both analyse and comprehend accounting and financial data to support and evaluate a company's international business goals and to develop appropriate an international financial strategy for its future. This module is designed to teach you how to develop and analyse various and appropriate financial data, and to understand the important relationship between financial instruments, decision-making and business strategy on a globalised scale. You will learn how to recognise the importance of accounting information and the criticality of ethical financial reporting. You will also learn to examine the correct accounting methodology for analysing business transactions, making business decisions and measuring business results.

Drawing upon realistic examples and scenarios, this module will equip students to understand effective investment decision making. Students will learn how financial capital can be raised and allocated, how to evaluate investment projects, as well as how to value stocks, bonds and other financial instruments. You'll also explore the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used instruments, and learn to understand the underlying psychology behind financial decision making.

This module covers the main principles of financial accounting. Students will learn the skills to produce detailed analysis and accounts for financial statements and related documents. The module will provide a high-level awareness of the different accounting regimes around the world and the implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation.

This module provides a thorough grounding in accounting, auditing and corporate governance. Students will learn the core skills of accounting, the relevance of both internal and external audit and the purpose of corporate governance. By the end of this module you should be able to: Provide students with a deep and systematic understanding of accounting theory; Provide a critical understanding of cost drivers and how costs are allocated within businesses; Give students the skills to produce relevant variance analysis providing detailed explanation of key variances; Provide an understanding of the different roles of internal and external audit; Give a detailed and critical understanding of corporate governance in both public and private companies, highlighting the key differences; Provide an overview of corporate governance scandals and the importance of ethics in corporate governance.

This module will ensure that students understand how to reason ethically and how to approach ethical decision making within business and other management contexts, such as non-profit and third sector organisations. Students will understand how unethical or reckless leadership of businesses and other organisations can give rise to malpractice, undermine the viability of an organisation and lead to the collapse of corporate reputation whilst also harming wider society. In relation to business corporations, models of governance and frameworks that emphasise the primacy of shareholders will be considered as well as alternative models. The importance of corporate purpose will be discussed.