MSc Accounting

Market based accounting research examines the relationship between accounting information and capital markets. Following major financial reporting scandals and the financial crisis, there is renewed recognition of the importance of capital markets to the growth and development of the wider economy. Accounting information influences the underlying efficiency and confidence of capital markets through the crucial roles it play in security valuation and corporate governance. As such, evidence and theories associated with market based accounting research contribute to important debates and decisions among academics, practitioners, and policy makers.

Some important issues in this area include, but are not limited to the following. Do financial statements contain useful information for security valuation and selection? What determines the behaviour of financial analysts and the usefulness of their forecasts and research? How do corporate accounting policy choices affect managerial accountability and capital acquisition? Can changes in disclosure regulations and accounting standards enhance corporate transparency? How do the institutional environment and reforms affect the relationship between accounting information and capital markets in leading emerging economies like China?

 Overall, the course unit builds students’ understanding of these and other interesting issues in market based accounting research, which also strengthens the foundation of students’ dissertation development.