International Accounting & Finance – (M.Sc.)

Contents

We regularly review all our courses to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice. Therefore, there may be some change to the detailed content of the modules and occasionally to module titles.

To satisfy the requirements of the degree programme students must complete:

• eight core courses

and

• five electives

or

• one elective and a Business Research Project

The MSc in International Accounting & Finance course starts with two compulsory induction weeks, focused on:

• an introduction to careers in finance and the opportunity to speak to representatives from over 75 companies during a number of different industry specific fairs.
• a refresher course of basic financial mathematics, statistics, computing and electronic databases.

Four core modules (30 hours each)

Applied Empirical Accounting

This course consists of two parts. The first is dedicated to essential concepts in statistics and econometrics. The second part presents students with seminal papers in accounting and finance that will be discussed in class. This will also provide a starting point for future dissertations. This course ensures that students:

• understand basic concepts in statistics and econometrics
• understand research papers in accounting and finance discussed in the course from a conceptual standpoint
• understand statistical distributions and hypothesis testing

Corporate Finance and Valuation

Provides a thorough understanding of the key factors affecting the valuation of a company; the financing of new ventures through initial and seasoned equity offerings; the choice between various forms of short- and long-term financing; and the interaction between corporates and capital markets. Makes extensive use of real case studies to illustrate theory and compare with relevant academic research.

Financial Reporting

Provides an understanding of the nature of, and assumptions implicit in, the preparation of financial statements and their interpretation. More specifically, enables students to appreciate the methods, rules and assumptions underlying the preparation of published financial statements and to appraise the role of financial accounting data in the measurement of management performance through time and across companies. Based on International GAAP.

Strategic Cost Management

Provides an understanding how accounting is used to support decision-making, planning, control and performance measurement within organisations. After covering key management accounting tools such as costing and budgeting, students will progress to study management control within divisionalised companies as well as developing practices such as activity-based costing and strategic management accounting.

Four core modules (30 hours each)

Accounting Information and Capital Markets

The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the use of financial statements in valuing securities in international markets. The course provides tools for financial analysts, corporate managers and investment bankers to assess the fundamental value of traded securities in different markets. The course puts significant emphasis on the interactions between global capital markets and the value of the underlying real assets.

International Financial Management

This course provides the student with an integrated view of international financial markets and the management of multinational firms. Students will study the markets for foreign exchange, currency forwards, options, swaps and international equities, studying how they operate and how the instruments traded in these markets are valued.

Corporate Finance and Restructuring

The market value of a firm depends on the effective utilisation of current and future assets, the funding of such assets and its interaction with capital markets. This module provides an in depth analysis of the theory and international practice of capital structure and dividend policies, mergers and acquisitions and short-term financing issues. The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of modern corporate finance so that the corporate manager, the treasurer, the investment banker, the financial analyst and the accountant will have the conceptual foundations for making intelligent assessments of key financial decisions. The course puts significant emphasis on the interactions between international capital markets and the value of the underlying real assets.

Financial Statement Analysis

Accounting is the lingua franca of the financial world and impacts all aspects of the financial services industry, including corporate finance, asset management and investment banking. The Financial Statement Analysis module will provide a secure grounding in the potential value-relevance of accounting, and in the role of accounting for financial analysis and valuation. The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the characteristics and limitations of accounting data and the role of accounting in the broader financial environment.

Five electives (18 hours each)

OR

One elective and a Business Research Project

Electives

You may choose from a wide variety of electives. For example:

• Advanced Financial Analysis
• Corporate Restructuring
• Credit Risk
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Financial Derivatives
• Financial Risk Management
• Fixed Income Analysis
• Forecasting
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Project Finance
• Raising Capital Equity
• Risk Management
• Security Analysis
• Visual basic
• Corporate Governance

The Institute of Chartered Accountants 'International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Certificate'

Students have the option of studying this specialist module (worth the equivalant of three electives) which provides a unique addition to the MSc in International Accounting and Finance. During the half day sessions students will be given the opportunity to learn about international trade standards and financial regulation. They will also develop a sound understanding of financial information produced under the IFRS. On successful completion of this programme, students will be awarded the ICAEW certificate in IFRS.

Research Methods module

This compulsory module trains students to undertake independent research either in the context of a single organisation or by using third-party sources. It provides the necessary tools and skills to initiate, research and write up a business project and includes training in research methodology, availability of data sources, project writing, time-management and presentation skills. These skills will be invaluable to students in their future career whether or not they choose to complete a project.

Accreditation

An integral part of City University London, Sir John Cass Business School is among the global elite of business schools that hold the gold standard of 'triple-crown' accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). We are consistently ranked amongst the best business schools and programmes in the world which, coupled with an established 40-year reputation for excellence in research and business education, enables us to attract some of the best academics, students and businesses worldwide into our exclusive Cass network.