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Monday 17 October 2011

Hints and tips! Part 1

Hello everyone... Hope you are all well!!!
Just thought I should write more about the degree programme I studied for three years: BA Accounting and Finance. I will give you information which you may find useful (trust me). Any problems, do not hesitate to get in touch.

1st YEAR:

If you have studied accounting in college (A Levels) then your first year should be simple but please do not be complacent.

The University of Greenwich runs two accountancy related degrees: BA Accounting and Finance along with BA Accounting and Financial Information Systems. For the first year only, students from both programmes will do the same modules. You need to obtain an overall 40% average or more to successfully progress to the 2nd year of your programme. You can also switch courses to progress to the 2nd year only if you obtain an overall grade of 50% or more.

I will use this chance now to comment on each and every module (recalling it from memory... FYI this can change!!!). Starting off with the first year:


Personal and Professional Development:

• 15 credit module (Sept - Jan)

• This course helps you to build on your current skills set. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. Presentation skills... you will work in a group to deliver a presentation on a topic area.

• Writing essays and learning to use the Harvard referencing system (Very important... if you do not learn it properly = plagiarism enquiry!!!!).

• Learn how to use journals so that you can achieve high grades when you reference correctly.

• Exams: No exams for this module.


Business and Financial Environment:

• 15 credit module (Jan - Apr)

• This module is very much like economics back in college days. However, it is not that difficult as the course will look at the general background as in demand and supply etc.

• It will help to revise these key areas for to do really well in this module.

• Coursework can be essay or report based assignment. I had to do a report on the recession and it was a group assignment (pairs). Therefore, it can be on a relevant topic open for debate.


Cost Accounting in an Ethical and Organisational Context:

• 30 credit module

• This module is the "management accounting" aspect of the course. It is challenging but if have studied this area before then you should be fine. If not, make use of lecturer recommended text books.

• It will help to revise these key areas for yourself to do really well in this module.

• Coursework: essay and portfolio exercises. I had to do an essay alone and it was about corporate social responsibility (CSR). You are likely to get different topic areas to write about. Group presentation on CSR and I was in a group of four at the time.


Quantitative Analysis and Systems:

• 30 credit module

• This is just maths and statistics... believe me. If you are good at maths then you will ACE it. There are bits of A Level maths but if you work from the guidance of your tutor then you will do well.

• You will come across algebra, fractions, correlation coefficient, regression analysis and many more.

• You have to sign up for My Math Lab. An interactive learning environment whereby your tutor will give you "homework" to do. This was helpful because you get the chance to review your progress. If you do not understand anything... consult your tutor.

• Coursework: Report or it can be an essay. I did a report based on statistical information given for a company. As mentioned before for other modules, this can CHANGE!!!


Introduction to Financial Accounting:

• 30 credit module and it was my favourite!!!

• This module is the "financial accounting" aspect of the course. Same as cost accounting and it is challenging.

• You will start off very basic. You will learn how to do double entry bookkeeping and compute basic financial statements (Trial balance, Income Statement and Balance Sheet). This is preparation for a test in November and a January exam. First test is easy and the second is a bit tricky.

• Coursework: It was report and a paired assignment. Consisted of financial ratios (very important) and analysis of two companies.


TOP TIP = READ OUTSIDE YOUR LECTURE NOTES. READ THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND OTHER RELEVANT NEWSPAPERS TO YOUR DEGREE. BELIEVE ME... IT WILL HELP!!!

I will write about yr 2 and yr 3 very soon. Thanks for reading!!!