The BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance prepares students for a career in Accounting and Finance. The programme provides a comprehensive education in the quantitative and analytical skills required in the business and in a range of accounting practices. The role of the accountant is placed within the broader business context that is delivered through a range of business relevant electives.
Both Accounting and Finance are core components of insuring the success of any business entity. Our degree programme provides each student with an in-depth knowledge of the area of accounting and finance as well as the practical skills, both of which are essential in the rapidly changing and highly competitive world of business. This in turn then creates a number of opportunities for advancement within a whole range of organisations.
The programme builds on long established and well recognised core competencies within Independent College Dublin in the delivery of and highest quality accounting and finance tuition.
In addition, the importance of new and emerging technologies is recognised and incorporated into programme content throughout its three stages.
Another important dimension of the programme is the International one. With growing internationalisation within business, it is essential that best practice internationally is recognised and incorporated in an appropriate way into degree programmes such as this.
Protection of Enrolled Learners
Independent College has approval to offer students learner protection insurance. Learner Protection insurance is only in place when each student receives their Insurance Policy.’ Each learner should ensure that they receive a Learner Protection Insurance Policy in their name. Learner Protection insurance is provided by O’Driscoll O’Neil and underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Limited. The learner protection policy provides for a refund of fees as specified in the 2012 Act. In some circumstances, it may be possible for a learner to transfer to a similar programme in another provider. In such circumstances, the learner may opt to receive the cost of an alternative similar academic programme. Transfer to another programme is always only a second option. The learner protection insurance policy is governed by s. 65(4)(b) of the 2012 Act.’
Aims & Objections
Independent College Dublin has a history of providing degree programmes that appeal to learners and produce graduates which match employer needs. Reviewing the accounting and finance programme has afforded the opportunity to ensure the programme will achieve its aims and equally, ensuring that those aims match stakeholder needs within a very challenging business and commercial environment.
Following the review process the overall aims of the BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance were revised as follows:
1. To provide learners with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theories, concepts and methods of accounting and finance and the interrelationships between accounting and finance and other broader business functions.
2. To equip learners with the capability to a prepare a range of standard accounting statements for use by management in a business environment, and interpreting the business implications of such information.
3. To create an environment where learners will be able to work effectively in teams and independently, to evaluate critically, think creatively and communicate effectively with respect to issues in various areas of accounting and finance.
4. To provide links with accounting and finance bodies to maximise opportunities of engagement and optimise career development for learners.
5. To facilitate the development by the learner of a range of transferable skills that are directly complementary and relevant to the workplace.
6. To provide learners with the knowledge and foundation to successfully pursue further study in professional or postgraduate programmes
- Information Systems in Business
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- Introduction to Marketing Perspectives
- Global Organisations & HRM
- Introduction to Economics
- Learning to Learn
Stage One: Semester Two
- Introduction to Statistics & Data Analytics
- Financial Accounting
- Marketing Tools & Analysis
- Organisational Behaviour
- Leadership & Management
- Legal Issues In Business
Stage Two: Semester One
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Income Tax
- Legal Issues in Corporate Entities, Management & Regulation
Stage Two: Semester Two
- Advanced Management Accounting
- Advanced Financial Accounting: Implementation Issues
- Financial Risk Management
- Corporate Tax
- Legal Issues in Corporate Financing & Associated Processes
- Corporate Governance & Accountability
Stage Three: Semester One
- Applied Project 1
- International Financial Reporting: Frameworks & Standards
- Indirect Taxes
- Audit & Assurance Frameworks
- Performance Management Accounting
- Strategic Financial Management
Stage Three: Semester Two
- Applied Project 2
- International Financial Reporting: Advanced Standards & Consolidations
- Capital Gains Taxes & Capital Acquisitions Taxes
- Audit & Assurance Reporting
- Advanced Performance Management
- International Financial Management
Programme Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the programme students should be able to:
-Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of accounting and finance techniques and concepts, including current reporting standards and a range of contemporary issues.
-Apply a professional knowledge and competency in the preparation of accounting and financial information for internal and external reporting, and interpret the significance and relevance of that information.
-Analyse contemporary theories and practice concerning financial management, risk, and the operation of the accounting and finance function.
-Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of internal control issues in enterprises, and the effects of the regulatory environment on financial reporting.
-Assess the ethical responsibilities of accounting and finance and related professionals, identify potential ethical dilemmas that might arise, and evaluate possible solution approaches.
-Create, evaluate and assess options to enable effective problem solving and decision making, making use of appropriate qualitative, quantitative and ICT techniques and skills.
-Display a range of personal and interpersonal skills, including the capacity for continuous learning, independent research, effective communication, performing to deadlines, and working successfully in teams.
-Demonstrate a level of academic and professional ability supporting progression to further academic programmes and/or professional studies for relevant mainstream professional examinations.
Teaching & Assessment
The programme teaching and learning strategy is designed to allow the learner to progress through the theoretical and practical concepts in an orderly and logical fashion. The assessment strategy is planned to ensure practical application of the core principles of the module and facilitates feedback, which underpins the overall learning experience.
The primary purpose of Independent College Dublin’s strategy is that teaching, and assessment supports learning. In addition, assessment supports standards based on appropriate learning outcomes. The programme teaching and assessment strategy is informed by the QQI Business Award Standards. The programme learning outcomes (PLO), the module learning outcomes (MLO), and the graduate attributes also inform this process.
Throughout the programme, learners will experience a varied range of teaching and learning strategies, which are selectively chosen, based on level, module content and suitability to assessment. Most modules will primarily be delivered through a mix of lectures and practical workshops, with tutorials in place to support where necessary. Typically, material will be presented during lectures and workshops, with supporting documentation available via Moodle to learners.
It is envisaged that the learners will assimilate much of the material through problem solving and exercises. Emphasis will be placed on allowing the learners to examine the exercise problem descriptions and try possible solutions in the workshops. Tutorials will be used to allow the learners to get help, reinforce more difficult subject matter and provide learners with the opportunity for assistance to a specific problem.
Teaching will focus on the learner applying problem solving skills to existing programme material. Skills will be developed through a variety of mechanisms, for example:
• Integrated tutorials with industry engagement.
• Problem based learning exercises with trade practitioners.
• Co-delivering and guest lecturing on focussed syllabus content.
• Application workshop sessions, diagnostic and troubleshooting skills.
• Case study analysis, review, critiquing – reflective learning and writing skills.
• Blended learning and Flipped Classroom delivery
• Online synchronous and asynchronous delivery of lecturers.
• Directed e-learning
Formative assessment will from an integral part of the learning journey for the learner with feedback being provided on the solutions to problems posed in class and through assignment being critiqued and challenged in the educational environment. This will allow for risk assessment and a continuous improvement process to become part of their solution design.
Additionally, the teaching and learning strategy is informed by Independent College Dublin’s overall teaching and learning strategy, the scheme of assessment and the module specific teaching and learning strategy.
Across recruitment, agencies and website- based recruitment sites, there are numerous employment opportunities in the following areas:
• Small Medium Enterprises.
• The Public Sector.
• Large corporates
Previous graduates from a sister program in BA (Honours) Business Studies at Independent College Dublin have been employed in the following (not an exhaustive list)) companies:
• State Street.
• Air BnB.
• PWC Group.
• In the Company of Huskies.
• Procter and Gamble.
• Fidelity Investments.
Independent College Dublin has recently employed a Student Experience and Careers Officer to provide learners with strong self-assessment processes and feedback tools to assist in one-to-one sessions in training on graduate behavioural competencies and career matching. This is complemented by visiting careers mentors and career coaches who have been engaged with final year learners in our existing programmes to facilitate their engagement with industry. To date significant emphasis has been placed on building communication and interpersonal confidence and skills to communicate the learners’ value to an employer.
The annual tuition fee for February and September 2021 academic year is €4,600 for domestic based students already located in Ireland or the European Union.
The annual tuition fee is €6,500 for Non EU based students.