CMiME:Advanced Financial Accounting

This module provides an overview and critical discussion of financial reporting. The focus of the module will be the financial reporting (and capital market communication)of internationally active and publicly tradedcompanies,but we will also address the specific situation of young, innovative start-up companies, with a special emphasis on the reporting for intangible assets. Students will become familiar with the conceptual basis andthemostimportant topic areas ofInternational Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Theories covered in this course include accounting theory,financialandinformationeconomics, and agency theory. To apply and critically assess accounting methods, students will employ critical reasoning skills.

More specifically, the course objectives are as follows:
• To introduce to you the most important features of financial markets and the principles of corporate financial management.

• To acquaint you with the institutional foundations of financial reporting under IFRS and to familiarize you with the organizations and regulations behind IFRS accounting.

• To introduce to you the conceptual framework that underlies IFRS, to advance your knowledge and understanding of IFRS financial statements, and to familiarize you with the most important IFRS accounting topics that are of relevance to practitioners, i.e. to managers, auditors, regulators, analysts and investors.

• To give an overview of the accounting rules and reporting requirements for M&A transac-tions and the techniques for preparing consolidated group financial statements.

• To raise your awareness of the economic consequences of financial reporting and to expose you to empirical research in the area of financial reporting.

The course will draw on currenttextbooks(e.g.,Picker et al., Applying International Financial Reporting Standards),as well as corporateannual reports,press articles,and relevant research papers.

Teaching methods will include lectures, in-class discussion, and group activities (case studies).

100% written exam

Introduction to Accounting, or equivalent BSc course

125