Module Code: H8FSTA
Long Title Financial Statement Analysis
Title Financial Statement Analysis
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator:  
Module Author: DESMOND GIBNEY
Departments:  
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of role of financial statements in business decisions
LO2 Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the structure and elements of financial statements
LO3 Apply a range of analytic techniques including ratio analysis to financial statements for a range of business scenarios
LO4 Apply knowledge of accounting issues to analyse the financial performance, position and adaptability of organisations
LO5 Demonstrate an understanding of current developments in financial reporting and their impact on financial statement analysis
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
18481 H7FACC2 Financial Accounting 2
18482 H7FACC3 Financial Accounting 3
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Background and Context (15%)
• Historical development of financial statements • The role of financial statements and their analysis in business decision making • The regulatory and legal context • Business ethics and Corporate Governance issues
Structure and Elements of Financial Statements (10%)
• The Conceptual Framework and assumptions underlying the preparation and analysis of financial statements • The main elements of financial statements (Statement of Financial Position; Statement of Comprehensive Income; Statement of Changes in Equity; Cash Flows; Notes to the Financial Statements). • Narrative Reports
Analytic Techniques applied to Financial Statements (35%)
• Horizontal, vertical and same-size analysis • Issues in calculating and interpreting accounting ratios and other metrics • Liquidity • Efficiency • Profitability • Financial structure • Investment and shareholder ratios
Issues in Analysing Financial Statements (30%)
• The importance of assumptions, accounting policies and standards • The impact of different accounting treatment of items on the reported results and analysis from financial statements • Creative accounting • Financial, operating and non-financial data • Limitations of ratio analysis
Developments in Financial Statement Analysis (10%)
• Alternative approaches • Specialised reporting • Emerging issues in management accounting • Current Issues in financial statement analysis
Module Teaching & Learning Strategy
This module will be delivered through a combination of class-based lectures and practical workshops. Case study material will be incorporated into lectures. The case studies and practical examples will be discussed and worked through during the practical workshops
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Assessment70.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Open-book Examination % of total: 30
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
The main purpose of the assessment will be to test the student’s ability to apply financial statement analysis techniques in a variety of business scenarios. The assessment will also test the student’s knowledge of the various elements of the financial statements and their relevance to business decisions. The assessment will take the form of an open-book case study based exam. Prior to the assessment date, the students will be assigned individual and group tasks that will involve conducting research on various organisations and analysing their financial statements
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 70
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed:  
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
End-of-Semester Final Examination
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 3 Every Week 3.00
Practical No Description 1 Every Week 1.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 3 Every Week 3.00
Practical No Description 1 Every Week 1.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Philip O'Regan. (2006), Financial information analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, [ISBN: 978-0470865729].
  • Cotter. (2009), Cases in International Financial Reporting Standards, 2nd. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • ALEXANDER, BRITTON and JORISSEN. (2009), International Financial Reporting and Analysis, 4th. Cengage.
  • CONNOLLY. (2011), International Financial Accounting and Reporting, 3rd. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: