PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
Instructional goals
The course will give the students the basics of
financial reporting and financial
statements analysis
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: The student - by participating in the lectures and practical activities of the course - will acquire full knowledge of the main operating logics of companies, as well as the preparation of the financial statements. The acquisition of such knowledge will be ascertained through a final written test.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The student - acquiring the correct tools and method - will be able to interpret , also with respect to concrete cases, the main values of the financial statements. The presence of online content in the digital platform of the course and the carrying out of practical exercises will make it possible to verify in real time the skills acquired by the students.
Making judgements: The student, through the use of the methodologies acquired during the course, will be able to collect data and materials to understand the judgments on the main company performance and read a financial statement drawn up according to the international and national rules.
The student will also acquire the basics to independently evaluate such data by formulating his own critical judgment on the main accounting results.
Communication skills: At the end of the course the student will be able to master, with adequate terminological precision, the economic-business vocabulary of the subject.
Learning skills: The economic and business knowledge acquired during the course will allow the student to autonomously understand and interpret the national accounting standards and the forecasts relating to the preparation of the financial statements.
The student will develop a solid knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the subject that will allow him to continue to deepen the topics addressed.
Course Contents
1. Introduction to accounting
2. Introduction to the analysis of firms' performance
Reference Books
• G. Fiori - R. Tiscini (2025) Fundamentals of accounting - EGEA
• Slides set of the course.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lectures, practical team-work, case studies, guest speakers, financial chronicle discussion
Assessment Method
The exam is written. It consists of open-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, and accounting and performance analysis exercises.
Non-attending students: final exam (100% of the final grade).
Attending students: midterm exam (25% of the final grade); project work (25% of the final grade); final exam (50% of the final grade). If the weighted average of the three assessments (midterm exam, project work, final exam) is lower than the final exam grade, the final grade will be equal to the final exam grade.
Thesis assignment criteria
None.
Week 1
Financial information: external reporting and
managerial accounting. The manangement
cycle. Financial reporting and users decisions.
Financial statements for the representation
of business activities
Week 2
Accounting for financing and purchasing. Exercises.
Week 3
Accounting for sales activities. Business cases.
The accrual principle.
Week 4
Balance sheet and income statement.
Adjustments: Estimating Profit and Loss.
Week 5
The Accrual Principle.
Week 6
Adjustments on Current Expenses and
Revenues.
Week 7
Adjustments on-going services.
Week 8
Balance sheet and income statement.
Generally accounting principles
Week 9
Performance measurement principles. Balance sheet Analysis.
Solvency and liquidity analysis.
Week 10
Performance measurement principles:
profitability and financial risk analysis.
Week 11
Cost-volume-profit analysis, Profitability
ratios. Financial risk ratios, working capital
analysis.
Week 12
Accounting and non financial disclosure.
Exercises and Trial test