Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year

This module explores the history of electronic crime in an international context, developing your ability to identify common threats and vulnerabilities in organisational information systems – from hacking and virus injections to manual fraud and its detection through AI and Blockchain. Through group sessions and discussions, you’ll assess the impact on organisations and individuals of the major types of electronic crime, evaluating the protection and assurances available to minimise the risks of such crimes. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• The vulnerabilities of information systems 

• The internet and the e-debate 

• The framework of the attackers and the classification of threats and attacks 

• Managing the digital risks 

• Hackers, hacking and social engineering 

• Denial of service attacks – DOS, DDOS, botnets and malware 

• Emerging technologies and ‘smart’ businesses 

• Digital forensics and technological protection 

• Legislation, law enforcement, governance and social issues  

• The evolution of cyber crime

Module Aim: 

This module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the finance function’s role in organisations. It explores how finance professionals support strategic objectives, manage resources, and ensure compliance. The module examines the structure and activities within the finance function, emphasising its interaction with key business areas such as operations, sales, marketing, HR, and IT. Additionally, it highlights the impact of digital technologies on financial processes, automation, and data analytics. By completing this module, learners will gain the knowledge and skills to analyse financial functions effectively and contribute to business decision-making in a technology-driven environment.

Indicative content: 

• Structure of the Finance function
• Finance roles and activities within organisations
• Nature and content of finance activities
• The interactions between finance activities
• How the finance function interacts with other functions within the organisation
• Digital technologies within business and finance
• Emerging technologies
• Data and Information in the digital world

This module develops your skills and knowledge in detecting fraud in accounting records, preparing you for the world of big data. You’ll focus on data management skills for importing and analysing data sets in Excel, and data science techniques to identify common types of fraud within organisations. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Overview of the fraud landscape  
• Different types of fraud that can take place within an organisation 
• High level data analysis 
• Duplicates and matching 
• Verification of information using secondary data 
• Benford’s law 
• Correlation 
• Significance testing 
• Time series analysis 
• Interpretation and presentation of results 
• Limitations in analytics techniques

Module Aim:

The Global Climate Emergency module aims to enable students to learn in a multi-disciplinary and international environment, focussed on introducing the biggest challenge in the world – the Climate Emergency. The module will develop applied knowledge, skills and values that empower students to understand climate action and act as informed, engaged, responsible and responsive global citizens.

Workshops, classroom, online, international collaboration

Indicative content:

Global environmental change and drivers of the climate crisis

The uneven impacts of the climate crisis on society, nature and the environment

An international view of social justice and human rights with respect to the Climate Emergency

Introduction to international agreements and frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, relevant to the Climate Emergency

An exploration of climate solutions, mitigation and adaptation An introduction to governments, organisations and business in driving change

The economic challenges and opportunities of climate change

Driving change through activism, communication and media

Module Aim: 

• Provide students with an understanding of different organisational forms and a knowledge of how organisations can be configured to realize organisational objectives
• Provide students with an informed ability to assess the strategic organisational benefits and challenges of selecting and implementing Information Systems in a business context.
• To develop an understanding of the roles played by the Marketing, HRM and Operations within organisations.
• Provide students with the ability to critically evaluate and select appropriate tools and techniques to conduct activities associated with Marketing, HRM and Operations.

Indicative content: 
 

• The role of information technology in organisations and the impact of information trends upon people and the organisations strategy.
• Understanding the requirements for selecting, implementing technology and applying tools and methods to successfully manage the change process.
• Overview of operations strategy and an examination of a range of different approaches to quality management.
• Overview and application of operations management principles
• The marketing concept and its modern developments.
• Marketing research and communication, campaigns, advertising and branding, marketing of services and not-for profit organisations.
• Buyer behaviour, the marketing mix, PLC and the buying process including market segmentation, targeting/positioning, internal and service marketing.
• Theories of human resource management relating to; ability, motivation, opportunity and ethical principles in the interaction with internal clients.

This module develops your critical understanding of the UK tax system for both individuals and businesses. Through lectures and seminars, you’ll work with complex tax calculations and present that information to relevant individuals and organisations. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• The UK tax system, the economy, revenue law, tax avoidance and tax evasion  

• The scope and calculation of employment, property and investment income tax  

• Plant, machinery, motor vehicle and building capital allowances 

• The scope of corporation tax, chargeable profits, income and gains  

• Computation of corporation tax liability and relief for trading losses 

• The scope of capital gains tax and the calculation of chargeable gains and losses  

• National Insurance contributions for the self-employed, employed and employers 

• VAT registration, compliance requirements and computation of VAT liabilities 

• The obligations of taxpayers, self-assessment system, enquiries and non-compliance 

• The use of tax reliefs and tax planning for both individuals and business 

This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada. Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability. Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification. Please check and refer to the webpage “How study abroad works”. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.

• Develop a framework for understanding higher level financial accounting skills, particularly in respect of advanced transactions and group organisations.
• Explain the principles underlying International Financial Reporting Standards relating to topics covered by this module.
• Develop an understanding of emerging issues in financial and non-financial reporting and the international integration of financial accounting practices.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

These are examples of the content of the module.

Understanding and explaining advanced consolidation procedures:

• revision of consolidation issues
• accounting for sub-subsidiaries
• accounting for step-by-step acquisitions
• accounting for full and partial disposals and post-disposal investments
• accounting for overseas transactions and investments
• preparation and interpretation of consolidated statements of cash flow

Critical evaluation of reporting advanced transactions:

• accounting for financial instruments including: the allocation of finance costs over the instrument's term, debt and equity elements, amortised cost and fair value 
• accounting
• accounting for retirement benefits (including pension scheme costs), including defined benefit and defined contribution schemes and the treatment of actuarial surpluses and deficits (not covered in 2015/16 but may be included in later years)
• accounting for share-based payments

Critical evaluation of emerging issues and developments in financial accounting practice, e.g:

• Evolution of global accounting standards and convergence of IFRS and US GAAP

• Develop students' critical understanding of the nature and purpose of international auditing and of the commercial and regulatory systems within which it operates.
• Provide an understanding of the operation and relevance of information and control systems in modern business including international organisations.
• Develop students' knowledge of international practices, techniques and outcomes of the audit process.
• Enable students to critically evaluate contemporary issues in auditing in international organisations.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

These are examples of the content of the module

• Assurance engagements
• The history of auditing, including the international perspective
• Auditing postulates concepts
• Agency theory
• Comparative roles of the external and the internal auditor
• Professional ethics including independence and objectivity
• The regulatory framework of international auditing
• The audit process, including risk assessment, planning, collection of evidence and the auditor’s report
• Current issues in auditing including corporate governance in international organisations    

Module Aim: 

To provide students with a holistic and integrated view of strategic management across a range of global business environments, enabling students to critically evaluate a range of competitive strategic approaches of organisations and select and apply appropriate tools and techniques for external environmental analysis in order to underpin strategic planning.

In addition, the module will provide students with practical project and change management skills, tools, and techniques set within the contexts of a range of real-world scenarios and develop students understanding and appreciation of the implications of strategic planning and projects upon the organisations human resource capital.

Indicative content: 

• Exploration of the different levels of organisational strategy in a global context.
• Concept of business ecosystems and digital ecosystems
• Business Models and alternative approaches
• Differing perspectives of strategic management of the firm.
• Analysis of the competitive environment through the application of qualitative and quantitative methods and identifying and evaluating sources of quality data and information.
• Define projects their characteristics and management in contrast to everyday operations and activities.
• Critique the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project management.
• Evaluating techniques for successfully completing project management.
• Critically analysing the power and interest dynamic of internal and external stakeholders and promoting the need for effective communications.
• The role of structure, culture and change management in achieving effective project management for strategic change.
• Building, leading and managing teams and managing organisational relationships
• Explore the nature and effect of ethical and legal issues affecting work and employment.

This module will cover relevant topic areas which are not covered in our accounting and finance courses which are being more relevant for future accountants.  The main topic areas will include environmental accounting and the tools and techniques used e.g. Environmental Management Accounting.

There is a move to make organisations understand, report on and reduce their impact on the environment which aligns to the 2050 net carbon agenda and the recent COP26 summit.

It will also look at other aspects of accounting from the governance of ethical behaviours and legal requirements such as the modern slavery act, waste disposal.

We will also cover charitable accounting and social enterprises which are becoming more complex where they are included in the NHS' move away from Clinical Commissioning Groups to Integrated Care Systems comprising of charity, council and NHS trust to bring together care packages for the most vulnerable.

• To develop students’ understanding of the nature and purpose of forensic investigation and to facilitate an understanding of the nature and extent of financial crime.
• To develop an appreciation and understanding of the application of techniques used in forensic investigation engagements utilising a range of cases studies.
• To enable students to identify and critically evaluate situational, systems and security weaknesses in organisations and to design and recommend measures to minimise the associated downside risks.
• To facilitate an appreciation and critical understanding of the methodologies by means of which organisations and individuals can plan to manage the risks associated with their business and personal financial exposures.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

These are examples of the content of the module

• Corporate risk assessment procedures
• Financial and organisational control systems
• Financial and business analysis
• Forensic auditing and evidence collection
• Financial investigation techniques
• Aggressive and off-balance sheet accounting procedures
• Interviewing skills in a fraud investigation

• To develop students' knowledge and a critical understanding of the core concepts of mergers and acquisitions in an international context.

• To enable students to adopt a critical perspective of the financial, regulatory, organisational and economic contexts within which acquisitions and mergers occur.

• To enable students to understand mergers, acquisitions and corporate divestment as a strategic organisational choice.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• Definitions of different types of merger and acquisition
• Merger waves in the UK and the US
• Economic and strategic perspectives on mergers and acquisitions
• Acquisition decision-making and the selection of acquisition targets
• Target company valuation using a range of valuation models
• Financing of mergers and acquisitions with cash and shares
• Regulatory framework of mergers and acquisitions, including statutory and self-regulatory controls, from UK and international perspectives
• Merger tactics, bid defences
• Cross-border mergers and acquisitions: motives, barriers and evaluation
• Corporate divestment: sell-offs, demergers and management buy-outs
• Post-merger integration and post audit: the impact of mergers and acquisitions on stakeholders, the economy and other interest groups.

• Develop students' critical understanding of the UK tax system both individuals and businesses.

• Develop students' knowledge and application of the principles of UK taxation of individuals and businesses

• To develop the ability of students to work with complex tax calculations and present that information to relevant individuals and organisations.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

These are examples of the content of the module

• The UK tax system, the function and purpose of taxation in the economy, different types of taxes, sources of revenue law, tax avoidance and tax evasion (including money laundering issues and professional ethics of a tax adviser).
• The scope of income tax - employment income (including the benefits code and PAYE system), income from property, investment income, unincorporated businesses (computation of assessable profit, basis of assessment, change of accounting date, relief for trading losses, partnerships)
• Plant and machinery capital allowances;
• The scope of corporation tax, chargeable profits, chargeable gains for companies, computation of corporation tax liability, relief for trading losses, company residence and double taxation relief, groups of companies
• The scope of capital gains tax, basic principles re calculation of gains and losses, the disposal of different types of asset (e.g. chattels, business assets), computation of the capital gains tax liability, use of capital gains reliefs
• National Insurance contributions for the self employed, employed and employers
• The scope of VAT (registration requirements, computation of VAT liabilities and the effect of special schemes)
• The obligations of taxpayers and their agents, self assessment system for individuals and companies, the payment of taxes, enquiries and appeals, consequences of non compliance