Module Code - Title:
AC6162
-
SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To teach the fundamentals of financial management and decision making, taking both financial and non-financial information into account. Financial management is a critical component of the MSc Management programme, as it equips students with the essential knowledge and practical skills to manage an organisation's financial resources effectively. Mastery of the module content is crucial for aspiring business leaders, enabling them to make informed, strategic decisions that drive profitability, ensure sustainability, and support the organisation's overall strategic objectives. Furthermore, the module cultivates competencies in sound budgeting, investment analysis, and risk management, all of which are core capabilities that significantly enhance organisational performance and leadership effectiveness in the modern business environment.
Syllabus:
This module introduces the practice of managing financial resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The long-term financial stability and growth will be considered while considering the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts of financial decision
Introduction to financial management.
Financial analysis and sustainability-related disclosures analysis.
Financial planning and budgeting.
Working capital management.
Costing and pricing strategies.
Sustainable investment appraisal.
Financing decisions.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Apply the basic principles of financial management to contemporary financial decisions.
Analyse both the financial and non-financial (sustainability) information of an organisation.
Discuss the importance of cash management, interpret a cash budget and suggest strategies for improving liquidity.
Identify and explain the factors that guide the pricing decision and recommend an appropriate costing method.
Evaluate financial information necessary for managers to make sustainable capital investment decisions.
Differentiate and evaluate various sources of finance available.
Understand the relationship between risk and return to support decision-making.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate a responsible attitude toward sustainable financial decision-making by recognising the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on an organisation's sustainability and the ethical implications of financial strategies.
• Critically reflect on personal values, assumptions and potential biases in relation to financial risk, sustainability, and the pursuit of long-term value creation.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Learning experience
The module adopts an experiential learning approach where theoretical foundations are applied to practical examples. Students engage in a blend of peer learning through a collaborative project and students develop the technical financial skills required for effective management and the added responsibility of considering the long-term social, environmental, and ethical implications of financial decisions
Learning Environment
The module creates a transformative learning experience by active engagement, which would involve students actively participating in discussions, debates, or projects that challenge conventional financial thinking and propose solutions that integrate sustainability. The approach fosters a deep understanding of the role finance plays in shaping social, economic, and environmental outcomes, motivating learners to lead with a sense of responsibility and ethical commitment.
Graduate Attributes
Graduate attributes for sustainable financial management encompass a set of skills, knowledge, and values that prepare individuals to effectively manage financial resources with an emphasis on long-term sustainability, ethics, and responsibility.
Articulate: Students develop presentation and communication skills through the presentation of the group project findings, involving the preparation and analysis of a listed company.
Agile: Students will learn to manage financial resources by continuously assessing and adjusting strategies in response to evolving economic, environmental, and social regulations.
Courageous: Students will be able to make bold, confident decisions that prioritize long-term sustainability in the face of uncertainty or short-term trade-offs.
Curious: Students will demonstrate a deep curiosity about how financial practices intersect with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, continuously exploring ways to drive positive change. They will embrace lifelong learning and adapt to emerging trends.
Responsible: Students will demonstrate a deep sense of duty to both their organization and society, managing finances in a way that promotes the well-being of future generations.
Prime Texts:
Matt Bamber and Simon Perry (2024)
Accounting and Finance for Managers
, Kogan Page
Other Relevant Texts:
Simon Thompson (2025)
Green and Sustainable Finance
, Kogan Page
Stephen Frost (2024)
Financial Accounting and Reporting for Non-Accounting Students
, Kogan Page
Eddie McLaney and Peter Atrill (2023)
Accounting and Finance: An Introduction
, Pearson Education
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
antoinette.flynn@ul.ie