MSc Accounting / Course details

The primary focus of this unit is on the nature of the financial statement auditor's role in enhancing the confidence of users of those statements about the quality of the information they contain as a basis for making decisions. The course is based mainly on academic research and is designed to engage students in advanced debates on major issues in auditing theory and practice. In addition, the course also looks at the development of assurance for other areas of corporate reporting, such as on sustainability reports. The course will involve use of relevant real-life case studies on financial statements auditing and analysis of quantitative and qualitative research findings with a view to gain better understanding of topical issues surrounding the auditing profession.

BMAN73821 Programme Req: BMAN73821 is only available as a core unit to students on MSc Accounting

• To examine the role of the statutory company audit and to assess its purposefulness in terms of holding corporations to account and, more broadly, serving the public interest; 
• To evaluate the contribution of research in enhancing understanding of auditing practice and its regulation; and
• To assess the public policy priorities that historically have shaped audit reform initiatives and to provide students with the opportunity to rethink future reform priorities.  

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

• Explain and discuss theoretical rationalisations for financial statement auditing and other forms of assurance;
• Demonstrate understanding of, and evaluate the contribution of, major strands of research on issues relating to audit quality, auditor independence, judgement and reporting, and assurance of non-financial information;
• Demonstrate an appreciation of recent policy/regulatory developments, and related research evidence concerning the auditors’ role in corporate governance and accountability.

Written Examination (100%)

Informal advice and discussion during class meetings.

Responses to student emails and questions from a member of staff including feedback provided to a group via an online discussion forum.

Written and/or verbal comments on optional non-assessed coursework.

Written and/or verbal comments after students have given a group or individual presentation.

Generic feedback posted on Blackboard regarding overall examination performance.

Throughout the course, reference will be made to relevant journal articles and pronouncements from regulatory bodies, such as the UK Financial Reporting Council, and the International Audit and Assurance Standards Board, as well as material from the financial press. References to (and where possible links to copies of) these will be provided in the lectures and on Blackboard as the course proceeds.

 Informal Contact Methods

Office Hours

Online Learning Activities (blogs, discussions, self assessment questions)