Structure of the Programme

MODULE SYNOPSIS

CAC 5105 Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis                                                               18 credits

This module covers concepts and practices underlying generally accepted Accounting principles relating to equity method investments, business combinations, foreign currency transactions and translation. Analysis of how non-controlling interests are reflected in accounting reports. Emphasis on interpreting and applying professional accounting standards. It builds on knowledge and skills gained in earlier units in financial accounting. Accounting for mergers and acquisitions, pooling and purchase methods, accounting for goodwill, and the equity method. Foreign subsidiaries and accounting for foreign currency translation and transactions. Analysing financing activities, analysing investing activities, analysing investing activities: inter corporate investments, cash flow analysis, return on invested capital and profitability analysis, prospective analysis, credit analysis, capital structure and solvency, equity analysis and valuations, forecasting profits earnings per share, evaluating earnings, quality and detecting earnings management. 

CAC 5106 Advanced Corporate Financial Strategy and Restructuring                                      18 credits

The module helps students design the financial tools needed to make good business decisions. It focuses on processes of formulating and implementing business and corporate strategic plans and evaluating Management strategic performance in complex business environments. Topics to be covered include, linking corporate and financial strategies, corporate governance and financial strategy and the product life cycle, executive compensation, Start-up business and venture capital, growing companies, mature companies, reclining businesses, dividends and buybacks, floating a company, acquisition, mergers and selling a business, restructuring a company, private equity and venture capital, International corporate finance, Strategic working capital management.

CAC 5107 Applied Audit and Assurance                                                                                       18 credits

This module shall cover topics including nature and objectives of auditing; auditing standards; audit reporting; audit expectation gap and legal liability; professional ethics and quality control; audit evidence; audit planning, strategic business risk analysis, materiality, analytical review procedures and audit risk model; study and evaluation of internal control and model; assessing control risk CIS audit techniques, test of transactions and tests of balances, completing the audit and post audit responsibilities; internal auditing and performance auditing, other assurance services and current issues in auditing.

CAC 5108 Corporate Governance, Risk and Ethics                                                                     18 credits

The module addresses the ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest faced in banking, corporate finance, and financial investing. Course materials and discussions address important issues such as fiduciary duties, in side trading financial reporting, derivative trading, customer deception, churning, bankruptcy, tax evasion, bank lending practices, and the influence of compensation schemes, frameworks and decision-making tools will be introduced to guide in-class analyses and help individuals manage ethical dilemmas in their own workplaces, the distinction between corporate Governance and management, understanding corporate governance, and how corporate governance matters are  addressed from an internal and external perspective.

CAC 5109 Accounting Information Systems and Technology                                                   18 credits

The module introduces the use and purpose of accounting information systems (AIS) and other relevant technologies from a value creating and organisational alignment perspective.  Multiple approaches for employing (AIS) are investigated in this module through a variety of decision making and critical thinking approaches. The student will understand how appropriate internal controls are established and how to verify compliance through audits linked to AIS. This module will equip the student with the skills to analyse business processes and optimise organisational performance by means of AIS, and the aptitude to develop decision making models linked to organisational strategies. The students will also evaluate the challenges associated with computer crimes and information technology security.

CAC  5204 Project Management                                                                                                   18 credits

The module aims to enable students to develop project planning and management skills following the learning by doing approach. It involves policies, plans and project problem analysis, project identification, stakeholder analysis, alternative option analysis using financial, economic and social criteria, project selection, project planning and budgeting, human resources arrangements, inception phase and annual work plans, accounts keeping, financial reports and final project report. The module takes a holistic approach to project appraisal from initiation to completion taking into account financial and non-financial effects.

CAC  5205 Entrepreneurial Finance                                                                                             18 credits

The objective of this module is to assist students to master today’s most effective corporate finance tools and techniques for successful entrepreneurial ventures. The module covers theories, knowledge, and financial tools any entrepreneur needs to start, build, and eventually harvest a successful business venture, sound financial management practices, such as how and where to obtain financial capital, the stages of financing, business cash flow models, and strategic positioning.

CAC 5206 Taxation System and Policy Management                                                                18 credits

The module covers the concepts of income taxation and the taxation of capital Gains in their underlying historical, social and constitutional contexts. Topics include Introduction to Tax Strategy, Tax Law Fundamentals, Returns on Alternative Savings Vehicles Choosing the Optimal Organizational Form, Implicit Taxes and Clienteles, Arbitrage, Restrictions, and Frictions, Tax Planning, the Importance of Marginal Tax Rates and Dynamic Tax Planning Considerations, Compensation Planning, Pension and Retirement Planning, Multinational Tax Planning.

CAC 5207 Investment Analysis and Fund Management                                                              18 credits

The Investment analysis and Fund Management module is designed to give a Deep and integrated view of the theory and practice of the key aspects of investment and portfolio management using investment products and markets.

CAC 5208 Applied Research Methods in Accounting & Finance                                                18 credits

The module focuses on translating a business problem into a research project. Formulate hypotheses, identify and locate data sources, consider ways to gather primary and secondary data, perform analysis using major statistical computer packages and effectively resent findings and interpretation. The areas covered include: the Research Process, Critical approaches: Text and discourse analysis; Problem definition and research proposal; research designs and samples; data collection, Hypothesis Testing Measurement and scaling; Data analysis; Experimental research, Survey research, Fieldwork, Archival research; Rigorous treatment of current empirical research in finance and Accounting; Application of multivariate and linear methods; Inter-temporal and multifactor pricing models, Conditional distributions; Temporal dependence in asset returns, Review of Finance and accounting theories, Literature Review, Research ethics in accounting and Finance, communicating research results.

CAC 5302 Strategic Managerial Accounting and Performance Management                          18 credits

The module aims to explore the use of management accounting and accounting systems to link strategic leadership, resource management, and organisational performance. This module develops the ability to manage resources, create and sustain value, and develop a system of organisational score and goal-keeping tools. The ability to integrate these skills with accounting systems will enable the organisation to make performance-based decisions.  The student will be able to ascertain, measure, and revise strategic goals associated with performance and develop a performance metrics system that will measure performance against the overall organisational strategic goals. In addition, ethical and moral dimensions of strategic financial decision-making will be explored.

CAC 5306 Public Sector Accounting                                                                                           18 credits

The module aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the framework, concepts and practices associated with International Public Sector Reporting Standards. A greater understanding of International Public Sector Accounting Standards would help students acquire knowledge on how to assess the performance of public sector entities. Upon completion of this module students should be able to better assess the tools, definitions and acceptable practices for public sector entities as set out in standards developed by the International Accounting Standards Board.

CAC 5309 Forensic Auditing and Accounting                                                                           18 credits

The module covers important topics associated with modern forensic and investigative accounting. Topics include fraud auditing, litigation support, valuation, cyber-crime, and other key forensic topics. The objectives include understanding the principles and practices used by public accountants, internal auditors, and others used to examine financial and related information. Overview of forensic accounting ;the expectation between society and external auditors; the forensic accounting environment- legal environment, the organization, information system and audit environment; forensic accounting tools and techniques; forensic auditing and investigation; Fraud-financial statements fraud, employee fraud, vendor fraud, tax fraud and other frauds against the organization; Fraud Definitions, Models, and Taxonomies, Fundamentals of Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting, Auditor Liability for Detecting Fraud, Fraud Schemes, Red Flags and Fraud Detection, Fraud and CAATs, Fraud Prevention and Control, Fraud Risks Assessment, Fraud and the Accounting Information System, Computer-Related Fraud, Forensic Accountant as an Expert Witness, General Criteria and Standards for Evaluating an Expert’s Qualifications, Gathering Evidence.

CAC 5310 International Financial Markets and Investments                                                     18 credits

The module aims to deliver an understanding of the organisational structure of international finance from a corporate perspective and provide an overview of financial markets and institutions, enabling students to understand and critically assess a broad array of economic and financial information.  A variety of related subjects including international trade policy; payment methods; how foreign exchange impacts on an organisation; transfer pricing and sources and use of global funds are discussed. The student will also gain a practical understanding of how trends in the balance of trade and balance of payments, and the global demand for commodities, affect organisations linked by the global economy. In addition, a wide range of relevant topics will be explored, including the flow of funds from lenders to borrowers. The role of financial intermediaries, investment banks, and securities firms will be emphasised. Money and capital markets are analysed, and students will investigate foreign exchange rate regimes, and the role played by multilateral financial organisations in the global economy.

CAC 5311 Applied Corporate Reporting                                                                                     18 credits

The module aims helping students to develop corporate reporting skills as far as from an international perspective. Analysing financing activities, analysing investing activities, analysing investing activities: inter-corporate investments, cash flow analysis, return on invested capital and profitability analysis, prospective analysis, credit analysis, capital structure and solvency, equity analysis and valuations, forecasting profits earnings per share, evaluating earnings, quality and detecting earnings management.

CAC 5400 Dissertation                                                                                                                  90 credits

The research project exposes learners to one of the most creative challenges of his post graduate programme. It offers learners the opportunity to prove that they have the ability to implement the knowledge they have acquired throughout their studies in Accounting and Finance and to carry out in-depth research into a topic of their choice related to the aims of the Programme, under the guidance of a supervisor. The research for the elaboration of the dissertation must have certain basic characteristics and must fulfil a number of prerequisites. A dissertation should have scientific originality (i.e .the possibility of leading either to a scientific publication in an academic journal or to an announcement at a national or international Academic Conference) and/or contributing new knowledge to the topic examined. Learners are expected to follow the presentation format given by the department.