47736 - Accounting

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students are able to: -demonstrate an understanding of fundamental financial accounting principles and management accounting techniques - accurately prepare financial statements, budgets, and accountability reports applying knowledge to practical scenarios. - apply accounting techniques to support business decisions. - assess international norms, standards, and practices - develop analytical rigor, attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy.

Course contents

The course comprises two modules: 1) Financial accounting 2) Management accounting. . The first module introduces students to the fundamentals of financial accounting, including accounting principles and financial statements preparation. The second module focuses on management accounting tools and processes used to support internal business decisions. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand, manage, and interpret key accounting processes in both domestic and international contexts.

Structure of the course:

1 Accounting in action 1/2

2 Accounting in action 2/2

3 The recording process

4 Adjusting the accounts

5 In class exercises

6 Completing the accounting cycle

7 Accounting for Merchandising Operations

8 Inventories

9 In class exercises

10 Mock exam

11 Introduction to Module 2 and costs basics

12 Costs behaviour and cost-volume-profit relationship

13 Absorption costing

14 Short-term decision making

15 In class exercises

16 Pricing

17 Budgeting

18 Variance analysis

19 Performance measurament

20 Mock exam

Readings/Bibliography

Required Readings:

Financial accounting module

Jerry J. Weygandt, Paul D. Kimmel, Donald E. Kieso, Financial Accounting: IFRS edition, 3rd edition, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-118-97808-5. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Management accounting module

Bhimani A, Horngren CT, Datar SM and Rajan MV (2008), Management and cost accounting, 4th edition, FT/Prentice Hall (Ch. 2, 8, 12, 14, 15).

Carey M, Knowles C and Towers-Clark J (2011), Accounting - A Smart Approach, Oxford University Press (Ch. 11, 14)

Garrison RA, Noreen, EW, Brewer PC, Montague NR (2024), Managerial Accounting, 18th edition, McGrow Hill (Ch. 11 pp.494-503 only; Ch. 12)

Reading Packet:

Two separate reading packets, one for Financial accounting and one for Management accounting, are available at Copisteria Asterisco (Via Belle Arti 31/B, near the Bigiavi Library and just around the corner from Piazza Scaravilli). This arrangement ensures full compliance with current copyright regulations.

To purchase the packets, simply visit Copisteria Asterisco and request the Financial accounting and Management accounting Reading Packets by Professor Paolo Ferri.

Please note that the cost may be slightly higher than standard photocopies, as the materials are protected by copyright. This approach reflects a commitment to the legal and ethical distribution of course content.

Teaching methods

The main instructional approaches used in the course are:

- Lectures

- Problem-Based Learning

Assessment methods

Though not compulsory, class attendance and participation in in-class assignments is strongly encouraged.

Course evaluation will be as detailed in the following:

Component Weight (%)

First Midterm Exam 51%

First Midterm Exam 49%

Final Exam 100%

- Exam structure:

The exam will be a computer-based MCQ test.

First midterm: 16 FA questions (30 minutes); Second midterm: 15 MA questions (30 minutes). Full exam: 31 multiple-choice questions - 16 FA questions (30 minutes); 15 MA questions (30 minutes). There will be a 10-minute break between the two tests.

Only one option is correct

Correct answer = 1 point; Incorrect answer = 0 points; blank answer = 0 points

31 questions right = 30 cum laude

16, 17, 18 questions right = 18/30

To pass the exam, you must get at least 8 FA and 8 MA questions right (if you get 16 FA questions right and 0 MA questions right you don’t pass the exam).

- Exam policy:

You can sit a midterm exam only once

If you pass the first midterm (FA) but fail the second one (MA) or refuse the MA mark, you can only sit the full exam. You can sit the second midterm (MA) on Jan 9 OR Jan 28. If you fail or refuse the mark on Jan 9, you can only take the full exam on Jan 28 or September 9.

Check out exam dates and time also on ALMAESAMI (same website used for registration).

Grading scale:

< 18: failed

18-23: sufficient

24-27: good

28-30: very good

30 e lode: outstanding

Students with disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) are required to make their condition known to find the best possibile accommodation to their needs.

Teaching tools

Tools, platforms, or resources used during the course:

- Learning platform: Virtuale (virtuale.unibo.it) contains the slides and the team-work assignments

- Presentation software: PowerPoint

- Communication tools: Email;

- Other digital tools/software: Excel

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Ferri