MSc Finance

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Financial Statement Analysis

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN71132
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Since the Dot.com bubble of the late 1990s, the high profile financial reporting scandals such as Enron of the early 2000s, and the financial crisis around 2008, there is continued recognition among academics, practitioners, and policymakers of the importance of financial statement analysis and security valuation. Accounting information in the financial statements serves two important roles in the capital market. Prior to the commitment of capital, investors use financial statement information to assess the future performance and risk of firms. This valuation role of accounting information facilitates security selection decisions of investors.  After the commitment of capital, investors use financial statement information to monitor the firms and appraise managers. This governance role of accounting information contributes to the confidence and protection of investors. Overall, this course contains two parts. The first part comprises of five lectures lectures to develop your understanding of equity valuation, with emphasis on the link with empirical academic research. The second part includes another five lectures to build your knowledge on the theory and application of financial statement analysis in accounting and finance context.

 

 

Pre/co-requisites

BMAN71132 Programme Req: BMAN71132 is only available as an elective to students on MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting & Finance and MSc Finance

Aims

  • The course unit aims to strengthen students’ understanding of the key concepts and methodologies in financial statement analysis and security valuation.
  • It also seeks to enhance students’ knowledge of the theory and evidence on financial statement analysis and security valuation through state-of-the art researches.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit successful students will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main concepts, methodologies, and terminologies associated with financial statement analysis and security valuation.
  • Understand the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and models applied in financial statement analysis and security valuation.
  • Awareness of important and cutting edge academic research literature relevant to financial statement analysis and security valuation.

Assessment methods

Written Examination (100%) 

Feedback methods

During the lectures the students are informed for the exam performance of prior years’ students. In addition, every week during the semester there are specific office hours during which the students can meet the teaching staff in order to discuss issues regarding their studying. Also, the students contact the teaching staff through emails to ask and clarify issues, as well as to arrange separate meetings outside the office hours.

 

 

Recommended reading

Suggested reading:

Penman, S.H., 2013. Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill.

Academic papers:

All papers referenced in lectures are downloadable electronically through the University of Manchester electronic library system.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 128

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Edward Lee Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Informal Contact Methods

Office hours

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