Corporate Finance

The focus of corporate finance is the sourcing and investment of finance in the business. It addresses the key principles and concepts that are needed to ensure the financing and investment decisions reflect the strategic requirements of the business. It focuses on applied techniques that managers need in order to take financial decisions that create value for the business.

Corporate finance is fundamental feature of modern business. In an increasingly competitive and complex business environment, decisions on from where a business obtains financing and the investment opportunities that it chooses to pursue are often critical. This unit will provide you with knowledge of the key principles and concepts that are important in these decisions. It will also equip you with the skills that are needed to apply this knowledge in a contemporary work environment

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:  

1. Critically analyze the factors that influence capital structure decisions and strategy
2. Critically evaluate alternative sources of finance to ensure that financing decisions reflect the strategic objectives and strategic circumstances of the business
3. Critically evaluate approaches to the calculation of the cost of capital that take account of techniques for the valuation of equity and different types of risk
4. Critically evaluate the strategic objectives and environment in which the business operates in order to decide on appropriate advanced investment appraisal techniques
5. Critically evaluate contemporary issues in corporate finance, including the importance of ethics and corporate governance, and the role of corporate finance in the market for ownership and control

Corporate Reporting

Unit Purpose
The rationale of this unit is to assist the learners in the preparation and interpretation of financial statements for a group of companies where it is prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to understand and evaluate the key aspects of accounting theory. On the completion of the unit the learners will be able to communicate complex numerical and qualitative information effectively and solve problems in a selective and critical manner.

Unit Introduction
Financial reporting is a large area which looks into the regulatory framework and financial accountability to main stakeholders of a business both internally and externally. The unit delivers the main sources of regulatory framework and explains on the relevance for companies. Accounting concepts and theories have been provided illustrating aspects of accounting information and its presentation. Further the unit provides the information on the key accounting policies and practices within corporate accounting.

On completion of this unit, the learner can:

• Identify the main sources of regulatory frameworks and list their key features.
• Identify and explain the current presentation and uses of accounting information.
• Evaluate the exploitation of accounting information.
• Identify and evaluate the impact of regulatory frameworks on businesses
• Identify accounting concepts and theories.
• Evaluate the concepts and theories identified.
• Evaluate appropriate accounting calculations and implement their computation.
• Interpretation of the accounting information gathered.
• Critical assessment of the accounting information gathered.
• Identify specific accounting regulations as relevant for the chosen sector.
• Critically analyze the specific accounting regulations identified.
• Identify key accounting practices and policies.
• Evaluate the key accounting practices and policies identified.

Developing International Markets

The focus of this unit is on international market development and is designed to help you understand marketing practice from a global perspective. The unit will consider and assess a range of different market entry models and tactics, and consider the implications of increasing globalization.

You will consider the nature of globalization and will develop a greater understanding of the globalization process, including its benefits but also the associated risks. You will develop the ability to analyze and evaluate the strategic responses of international businesses to changes in their global environment

This unit will develop an understanding of global marketing environments and the challenges and opportunities presented to business. The unit will focus on an evaluation of the practical application of global marketing theories, giving you an opportunity to review multinational companies’ strategies and tactics in the context of a global marketplace using practical real life examples.

This unit will evaluate the marketing challenges faced by companies attempting to develop and grow in international markets and appraise the strategies organizations adopt to deliver success in the global marketplace. The unit will also examine the means by which corporate marketing strategies can be deployed in the search for sustainable competitive advantage. 

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:

1. Critically analyze the key characteristics of the international globalized business environment
2. Critically evaluate strategic international marketing opportunities
3. Appraise the suitability of alternative market entry methods as part of the formulation of an international strategy
4. Examine and justify relevant marketing strategies within different cross-cultural settings, applying them to real life case studies

Effective Financial Management

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to develop strategies for implementing and leading excellence in practice in respect of equality, diversity and rights in a health and social care setting.

The focus of Effective Financial Management is the management of financial resources in a business. It addresses the applied techniques that managers need in order to take financial decisions in a business. It also addresses the critical and theoretical knowledge and skills that managers need to take financial management responsibilities.

The aim of this unit is to enable you to:

• Assess the objectives of financial management
• Evaluate organizational activities, processes and performance
• Understand the impact of the financial risk on financial management in a business
• Examine and explain how businesses can finance their activities
• Evaluate options for the financing of a business
• Apply techniques to make appropriate investment decisions

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:

1. Assess the objectives of financial management and the role of different stakeholders in the financial strategy of a business
2. Evaluate organizational activities, processes and performance, using projected financial statements and measures of business performance
3. Evaluate financial risk using suitable techniques in order to apply approaches that reduce exposure to financial risks
4. Evaluate options for the financing of business activities, including the characteristics of different sources of finance and how best to meet the financing needs of the business
5. Evaluate investment opportunities in order to ensure that investment decisions reflect the needs of the business and its financial management strategy

Financial Analysis And Planning

Unit Introduction

Financial analysis course provides an understanding of how financial planning and analysis can be applied by companies to gain a competitive edge in terms of identifying cost patterns, uncovering savings and maintaining cash flow.

Unit Aim

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to financial analysis and planning. Upon completion of this unit, learners will understand the importance of analyzing financial information, the importance of budgeting and monitoring finances, as well as the relevance and importance of having access to different sources of finance.

Unit Overview

This unit teaches learners the importance of analyzing financial information and the accounting software and packages that can assist with this. Learners are also taught the significance of planning and monitoring a budget and where organizations can access various sources of finance.

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this unit, the learner will be able to:

1: Evaluate the importance of understanding financial information

2: Evaluate the importance of planning effective budgets

3: Analyze techniques for monitoring an organization’s financial position

4: Analyze sources of finance

5: Apply financial analysis and planning in context

Finance for Managers

This unit is designed to enable you to gain a knowledge and understanding of accounting principles, processes, and concepts that can be applied in a general management context. These principles, processes, and concepts are key in the understanding of how a business operates and what ultimately makes it successful

The unit will specifically allow you to develop the skills required to record business transactions and generate financial information. This information is used as the basis for effective management control and planning. Inadequate and inaccurate record keeping leads to poor financial analysis and results.

As managers or aspiring managers, the unit aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills required to complete and review financial accounting tasks in business. These tasks are required by managers to prepare, review and interpret internal and external financial information and report findings to a range of business stakeholders.

The unit also allows you to consider the importance of effective management of cash flow and to highlight cash flow problems which could lead to business failure. Financial performance of any business is measured through the final accounts of the organization. You will review appropriate internal and published reports and accounts to make effective analytical judgements.

Managers are frequently required to make strategic and investment decisions. This unit will allow you to consider the practical use of costing, pricing and capital investment techniques in order to make informed business decisions.  

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:

1. Explain the purpose of financial and management accounting.
2. Interpret financial statements to review the performance of business organizations and report to stakeholders.
3. Prepare cash flow forecasts and financial budgets to aid management decision making.
4. Demonstrate the use of costing and pricing methods to contribute to business decision making.

Financial Analyst

Unit purpose

The purpose of this unit is to develop a critical understanding of market equilibrium models, bond valuation and performance evaluation. At the end of this module students should be able to evaluate the impact of current developments in the world’s capital markets on the investment process and critically appraise current thinking on the theories and investments. They should be able to make sound recommendations for investments and risk mitigation in selected scenarios.

Unit Introduction

The Financial Analyst module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the investment environment and process, the concepts underlying investment decisions and the analysis and strategies involved in investment in financial assets, principally but not exclusively, those traded on recognized secondary markets. The module introduces students to the markets on which financial assets are traded, to the theories and techniques used to analyze those assets, and to the theories and techniques used to manage portfolios of financial assets. The main key skills that are required are to monitor targets and meet the deadlines.

Collectively locate, analyze, summarize and communicate numerate and qualitative information effectively in weighting, using appropriate information and advanced technology to comment and support on the arguments given.

On completion of this unit, the learner can:

• Identify different types of securities and their characteristics
• Evaluate the characteristics of each type of security for selected scenarios
• Critical application of the characteristics to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different types of securities.
• Identify the regulations and procedures relating to trading securities.
• Evaluate issues arising in the global markets including (LSE)
• Identify and explain the principles of investment theory.
• Critically evaluate the use of securities for selected scenarios
• Application of the underlying concepts of market analysis and efficiency.
• Identify the range of taxes, their purposes and their characteristics.
• Critical evaluation of the impact of taxation for selected scenarios
• Explain the regulations prevailing in the financial services industry
• Evaluate risk mitigation methods in investments.
• Application of the methods to real world scenario examples.
• Identify client portfolios according to customer profile
• Recommend and justify appropriate types of savings and investments
• Investigate issues relating to portfolio management

International Business Economics and Markets

This unit is aimed at developing a strong working understanding of economic theory and principles in the ever-changing and dynamic international economic marketplace. When a firm decides to engage in international trade, it has different options. The aim of this unit is to make you aware of the relevance of each method of entry with the analysis of case histories.

A key focus will be on how multinational firms and organizations operate internationally in an increasingly competitive marketplace. One of the key driving factors is the rise of information and communication technologies, and many markets that were previously limited to within nations are now truly international. The factors of production are increasingly mobile across the world with the movement of labor and capital being commonplace.

You will also gain a working knowledge of the organizations that facilitate the many processes involved within the international trading environment.

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:

1. Analyze economic principles associated with international business
2. Evaluate markets from an international perspective
3. Evaluate the significance of international trading blocs and organizations
4. Be able to use models of reflective practice to evaluate own development

Introduction to Quantitative Methods

Quantitative skills are seen as indispensable for aspiring managers and entrepreneurs. Numbers make their presence felt in a range of managerial tasks across all functions of an enterprise. The focus of the Quantitative Methods syllabus is to:

• Develop quantitative thinking and skills
• Develop skills in gathering and computing numbers
• Cultivate the ability to present, interpret and communicate quantitative results for managerial decision making
• Build a robust quantitative foundation for other business unit

Quantitative skills built at this level will help you to apply a number of concepts in other core areas of business management: marketing, accounting, finance, and human resource management. Many decisions in these areas require quantitative skills, for example calculating the sales volume for recovering costs, determining the price of a new product, estimating demand for the product, measuring the overall performance of the business etc.  

Learning Outcomes

The learner will:

1. Apply numeracy and quantitative techniques for use in day-to-day business activities
2. Apply algebraic methods to formulate and solve business problems
3. Discuss the process of gathering business and management data.
4. Analyze data using statistical tools and interpret the results

Information Technology and e-Business

Unit Aim

This unit will equip the learner with an understanding of the economic and social impact of technology, how technology can be applied within business functions, the benefits of strategic and integrated approaches to the application of technology and the regulatory environment surrounding information technology (IT) in business.

Unit Overview

This unit is designed for learners considering a career in business management. This unit is intended to provide learners with a well-rounded understanding of the impact of information technologies on business. It situates this in a wider socio-economic and regulatory context. The focus is on the value of a strategic, holistic approach to applying IT and e-technologies, the barriers to achieving this and how these technologies can have an impact on different key business functions.

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this unit, the learner will:

1. Apply theories and models of information technology in context
2. Evaluate the role of information technology within the economic and social world
3. Analyze the value of strategic approaches to information technology in business
4. Analyze ways in which technology can be applied in key functional areas
5. Evaluate the factors which affect the use of technology in business

Strategy and Global Finance

Unit purpose

The rationale of this unit is to ensure the learner can use knowledge and techniques at the forefront of the discipline to make decisions that add value in terms of corporate finance based on sound theoretical concepts. In addition, it enables the learner to present, interpret and critically evaluate financial information and to work independently to solve the problems arising within the specified time given. It also ensures that the learning can be applied in practical contexts.

Unit Introduction

This unit introduces strategic financial decision making in international business today and considers competitiveness not only with regional markets but internationally. It uses corporate finance techniques to analyze corporate risk and performance from a global viewpoint. The unit covers the concept of globalization, multinational organizations, their business environment and investment processes and recommends appropriate strategies in order to enhance the value of an organization. Further the unit looks into the preparation of reports explaining the outcome of strategic decisions, use of appropriate sources of finance, the risks involved, suitable risk management techniques and critical assessment of potential investment decision from a global environment perspective.

On completion of this unit, the learner can:

• Explain the concept of globalization
• Explain the affiliation between the concept of globalization and investment process.
• Evaluate approaches to investment in globalized businesses
• Review and identify the global business environment factors.
• Evaluate the impact of the identified factors on selected national and multinational organizations
• Describe the current financial position of selected organizations.
• Explain how the identified organizations achieve their financial goals
• Evaluate and recommend strategies which enhance the value of the organization.
• Evaluate the financial consequences of the strategic decision made.
• Explain the range and impact of strategic decisions in selected organizations.
• Identify and explain the sources of finance available for selected scenarios.
• Critically evaluate the risk involved for the identified sources of finance.
• Analyze and explain the cost involved in managing the global risk
• Evaluate risk mitigation techniques for the typical risks as identified at 6.1 above
• Evaluate the suitability of techniques identified at 6.2 above to manage the global risk to a selected organization.
• Identify the potential investment decisions and strategies available for chosen scenarios.

Critically evaluate the decisions and strategies selected.

Strategic Financial Management

Unit purpose

To provide learners with the skills to apply financial principles relevant to strategic management in organizational contexts. To demonstrate understanding of strategic planning for profit as well as not for profit organizations with a global focus. The unit develops learner knowledge of concepts and frameworks to produce effective strategic plans.

On completion of this unit, the learner can:

• Describe appropriate finance for an organization from alternative sources, through the use of selected investment appraisal techniques.
• Contrast the usefulness of various investment appraisal approaches.
• Analyze international aspects of financial risk management.
• Explain the importance of costs in pricing strategies.
• Evaluate existing costing systems and propose improvements
• Design a costing system for an organization.
• Identify various sources of risks that relate to a business.
• Evaluate techniques for risk recording and monitoring.
• Measure and monitor the likely impact of various risks to an identified business.
• Apply strategies and techniques to mitigate particular business risks.
• Evaluate the value of intangible resources to selected organizations.
• Monitor and evaluate intangible and tangible resources using appropriate strategies and tools
• Evaluate the efficiency of resource utilization in an organization using appropriate techniques.
• Analyze financial statements to determine the financial viability of an organization.
• Apply financial ratios to improve information quality.
• Make financial recommendations for an organization based on sourced information.

Strategic Auditing

Unit purpose

The rationale of this unit is to enable students to develop critical awareness of current standards and issues in auditing and to be able to choose and apply suitable investigative techniques in a variety of audit situations which are simple and non-simple in the accounting environment. The unit discusses the aims, objectives and methods of auditors and their contribution to the achievement of a true and fair view of the published accounts.

Unit Introduction

The unit examines the history of financial regulation and audit, and critically evaluates the current regulatory environment for auditing and the rules of professional conduct for auditors. The unit also discusses the significance of legal and professional behavior in the performance of auditing. In addition, the audit risk involved and the procedures to minimize the risk are evaluated. The unit also covers the relationship between accounts preparation and auditing and discusses current developments in auditing and relevant research information in relation to auditing.

On completion of this unit, the learner can:

• Critically evaluate the history of auditing and regulatory environments.
• Evaluate current audit practice and regulatory environment.
• Identify the rules of professional conduct.
• Critical evaluation of the application of the rules of professional conduct for auditors.
• Identify and explain the importance of legal and professional requirements.
• Evaluate the identified requirements for the performance of audit.
• Identification and analysis of audit strategy in general.
• Critical evaluation of the effectiveness
• Evaluate the risks involved in the process of auditing
• Explain and evaluate appropriate measures to minimize the risks identified in specific scenarios
• Identify the link between preparation of accounts and the audit conducted.
• Identify the link between preparation of accounts and the audit conducted.
• Explain and evaluate the features of the link identified.
• Identify and explain current developments in auditing.
• Critical assessment of the current developments identified.