Financial Accounting information must be understood within regulatory, legislative, theoretical and conceptual contexts in order to meet the need of users. This module provides in-depth detail on the analysis and quality of financial accounting, financial reporting, and firm performance. The relevance and reliability of financial information, and the supporting frameworks and standards that allow for quality reporting and assessment, is a key input to financial markets and financial decision-making. Corporate Governance is the oversight function that addresses the risk associated with the information asymmetry associated with the reporting of financial and sustainability reporting. In this way the module explores the inextricable link between Financial Accounting information and Corporate Governance, explores the risk assessment process in companies and thus lending credibility to financial reporting.

The student will study the nature and qualities of financial accounting information and understand its impact on market liquidity, growth ambitions and investment needs. Issues of profitability, solvency, liquidity, capitalisation, and hedging will be examined within the context of information asymmetry accompanied by an evaluation of the Risk Management framework, now mandatory in corporate structures. Students will be exposed to the major financial reporting systems, standards, and statements that support the reporting of financial information. Regulatory and stakeholder perspectives of corporate governance will be introduced to assist in determining the credibility of financial reporting and validity of compliance declarations, within ethical and sustainability contexts. Building upon financial analysis techniques and distinguishing between analysis and synthesis, new directions for suggested corporate entities will be proposed. Exposure to relevant ISAs (International Standards on Auditing) is envisaged to underline the quality, consistency, and credibility of audited financial accounting information.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the systems, standards, and statements that allow for financial information to be credibly reported to relevant stakeholders. • Assess a company's sustainability efforts by critiquing its disclosures pertaining to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges and support its claims of being a responsible corporate citizen. • Demonstrate how financial, regulatory, legislative and governance mechanisms provide the corporate transparency that underpins the credibility of financial reporting. • Critically evaluate firm performance and business model direction using relevant financial statement information and supporting textual evidence. • Synthesise appropriate information to propose a new strategic direction for an assigned company.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Demonstrate an appreciation of the governance role of financial accounting information. • Challenge a company's assertion to be a responsible corporate citizen by discussing and evaluating its ESG disclosures.

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Module content will be delivered through face-to-face classroom-based lectures, supported by tutorials that allow for an applied focus on financial statement materials and reporting systems and standards. A social constructivist style of learning will be embedded into the class design to allow for open and inquisitive discussions on ongoing events, which will develop learners' articulation skills and sense of responsibility by promoting an environment of experience-sharing, critical evaluation, and constructive criticism on business direction and firm performance.