This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the core concepts and practical applications in financial accounting, digital systems, and management accounting. You’ll gain an understanding of the principles and tools used in both financial and management accounting, as well as the impact of digital systems in enhancing accounting practices. The module emphasises the role of accounting in business decision-making, the application of various costing methods, and the integration of data analysis techniques for managerial efficiency. Ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and environmental impacts in accounting practices will also be discussed.
View the full module definitionThis module equips you with essential business skills and knowledge to identify opportunities and develop and execute a successful product or service tailored to the uniquely challenging winter market. You’ll explore core business concepts, including value proposition development, market research, marketing strategies, and budgeting whilst working as part of a team and building skills in leadership and decision-making in a dynamic business environment. You’ll learn to conduct industry-specific research, understand customer needs, and devise marketing strategies that respond to seasonal demand. You’ll also develop SMART objectives and apply Effectuation Theory to guide decision-making in uncertain market conditions. Additionally, the module covers important aspects of business operations, such as event planning, regulations (e.g. for food products), and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business contexts. Throughout the module, you’ll engage in team-building exercises, leadership development, and budget management while working collaboratively on your business plans. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to apply these skills in a real-world scenario, culminating in a final winter market event where you’ll pitch your product or service to a public audience, integrating all aspects of your learning.
View the full module definitionThis module introduces you to foundational understanding of the financial environment and essential analytical skills required for business decision-making. It covers important parts of financial systems, trends in digital finance and FinTech, ethical principles, sustainability, and the role of financial markets. You'll learn to evaluate financial data using advanced analytical techniques, supported by practical applications such as ratio analysis, financial statement interpretation, and the use of Microsoft Excel. By engaging with this module, you'll gain an in-depth appreciation for the financial decision-making process, including investment appraisal, the time value of money, and the evaluation of financial data credibility. The module also emphasises the application of theoretical knowledge to real-life situations, helping you build valuable skills for careers in business, accounting, and finance.
View the full module definitionIn an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, understanding the global business environment is paramount for future leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. This module delves deep into the multifaceted dynamics that shape international business operations and markets. Spanning from global trade patterns and international market structures to the nuanced socio-cultural and political factors that influence cross-border transactions, this module provides you with a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities inherent in global commerce. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, you’ll gain insights into the external forces impacting multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) beyond their domestic markets. This module will introduce concepts, models and frameworks that can be applied to increase the probability of success for your own organisations and will equip you to develop your own plans within the overall business context. It also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in the context of global business, equipping you with the skills required to analyse complex information and make strategic decisions.
View the full module definitionOrganisational behaviour is about learning how people behave in, and towards, organisations so as to better understand how to be a high performing employee. In this module you'll be introduced to a range of organisational behaviour issues that you may encounter in your career, from dealing with demotivation to building and participating in high performing, diverse teams. You'll be provided with evidence-informed analyses of the ways in which culture, leadership, power, and politics affect workers and workplaces to help you understand the human side of management, and diagnose problems affecting organisations both independently and as part of a group. Running through the module, also, is a key theme of how technology affects work and workers; we'll begin with the creation of Scientific Management and the growth of assembly lines that transformed skilled, independent humans into semi- and un-skilled workers, and consider whether there are any parallels with the growing interest in AI in the business world. Along the way you'll have the opportunity to tackle business issues using organisational behaviour-related theories, models, concepts and research evidence to build your human and social capitals, and critical analysis skills. At the module's core is the aim to inspire you to value and continuously use the best available management research and evidence to effectively manage and lead people, cultures, and organisations throughout your careers.
View the full module definitionEntering higher education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all our students to make the most of the opportunities higher education provides, reach your potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we you to have completed your Into ARU exploration by week 6. If for any reason you're unable to complete by that date, we'll signpost to existing services so that we can be confident that you are supported.
Financial management is the assessment of the investment and financing decisions of firms and you’ll gain knowledge of the theoretical foundations underlying much of financial management practice and learn how those theories should be applied in practice. You’ll learn how to apply problem solving and analytical skills to complex and current issues in corporate finance.
View the full module definitionYou'll explore basic accounting concepts to develop the knowledge and skills required to understand and apply International Accounting Standards in the preparation of financial statements for entities. You’ll consider the conceptual frameworks for financial reporting, the required accounting treatment for key items appearing in financial statements, the preparation of cash flow statements and the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
View the full module definitionAs organisations develop they must always have an eye on the future and make decisions that influence performance. Planning and decision making is a core aspect of business strategy and this module looks at the accounting and finance information that is used in planning and support of the decision making process and control against those plans. It will introduce and demonstrate the accounting techniques used in planning and control and short and long term decision making. The module will also draw on aspects of organisational behaviour, and the risky, uncertain and quickly-changing environment in which many organisations operate.
View the full module definitionUK taxation can be exceedingly complicated for both companies and individuals in today's worldwide economy. You’ll then develop this to assess individual liability to tax and the profits chargeable to UK Tax on companies and unincorporated businesses. This will involve a full understanding of the UK Tax system. A detailed study will be made of both Income Tax and Capital Gains tax. The impact of both overseas and UK subsidiaries will be studied in detail. This will culminate in the ability to compute the tax burden for individuals, unincorporated businesses and companies and groups of companies with overseas and UK subsidiaries. Tax planning issues will be introduced at the later stage of the module.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
The role and requirements of a professional accountant extend far beyond that of being responsible for the preparation of financial and management accounts. You'll be responsible for compliance with the statutory requirements of company law and other frameworks whilst ensuring that accounting standards are adhered to, risks are identified and managed and internal audits and non-financial elements including Corporate Social Reporting and environmental issues are reported. In this module, you'll examine the nature, purpose and scope of assurance engagements, including the statutory audit, its regulatory environment and professional ethics relating to audit and assurance, underpinned with the importance of auditing theory and how it is put to practice. Internal audit will be covered, including the scope of internal audit as well as the differences between internal audit and external audit. You'll then explore a range of areas relating to an audit of financial statements including, planning and risk assessment, evaluating internal controls, audit evidence and a review of the financial statements. The final stage deals with reporting, including statutory audit reports, management reports, internal audit report and an evaluation of current issues facing auditing profession. As you go through the module, you'll gain the technical knowledge needed and communication skills to tackle real-life challenges in the workplace.
View the full module definitionCorporations can operate in exceedingly complex international markets and so clear financial reporting requires the ability to interpret complex transactions by applying accounting principles and regulations. You’ll develop the ability to exercise judgement in a corporate reporting environment and develop the skills and knowledge to understand and apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFS) in the preparation of financial statements. You’ll explore relevant accounting regulations and the skills to utilise sound judgement in the application of these regulations to specific situations and to be able to clearly communicate the conclusions of your analysis. The required accounting treatment for key items appearing in financial statements will follow and the analysis and interpretation of financial statements concludes the module. Key financial reporting standards, their application and theoretical background will be explained in lecture sessions and you'll work on practical examples and case studies for discussion and clarification in seminars.
View the full module definitionYou'll gain a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level with an emphasis on the applications of the principles and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research. Both normative and positive aspects of the theory are examined, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence from various implications in practice. You'll focus on key aspects of the financial operations related to maximising the valuation of a corporation in an international financial environment. Principles that corporations use in their investment and financing decision-making are reviewed and evaluated using practical examples. You'll be introduced to the wider corporate financial operations, including hedging and financial derivatives, including financial leverage and capital structure, portfolio and evaluation models, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, foreign exchange market, forward and money market hedging, financial futures and options, interest rate swaps. This module is part of a broader programme offering support for you to study for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CBI). You'll develop the knowledge and skills required in finance, business analysis and banking related professions or to start your own business through practical tasks involving developing financial strategies, conducting a financial analysis and managing foreign currency risks, among others using professional database such as Bloomberg and Osiris, etc. You'll also develop your professional identity by engaging in tasks that enhance your career development and employability.
View the full module definitionThis module aims to enhance your employability and bring authenticity to your research investigations by introducing contemporary business research in areas of Accounting, Finance, Business Management and Operations Management. You’ll explore a detailed area of contemporary research in the modern business world utilising data and information from public sources which provide the analytical basis of your research topic. In this way, your research can include evolving business situations such as: adoption of new technologies, strategies for a post-Covid19 business environment, changes in customer behaviour after Covid-19, business challenges in post-Brexit Britain etc. Your module tutor will support your progression through the various stages of the research process including the introduction of theoretical frameworks, targeted literature searches, data collection using professional business database and data analysis utilizing different methods. The final business report allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual desk-based/secondary research focused on a field relevant to your degree award and subject.
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