PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING

Gianfranco Siciliano

Instructional goals

Equip students with the basic quantitative foundations needed to measure profit and financial position, and to evaluate the economic sustainability and performance of business activities.

Intended learning outcomes

Independent Judgment: Students will develop critical thinking skills that enable them to independently assess the accounting treatment of different business transactions. They will also acquire methodological tools to analyze and interpret financial statement information in a structured and informed manner. Communication Skills: Students will gain the ability to communicate effectively using appropriate accounting and business terminology. They will be able to discuss financial statements, explain accounting treatments, and express reasoned opinions on business transactions and financial reporting outcomes. Learning Skills: Students will develop the ability to approach complex problems by breaking them down into manageable components and identifying appropriate solutions. They will apply the techniques and concepts learned during lectures and reinforced through regular in-class and individual practice assignments, both in class and independently.

Course Contents

1. Introduction to the logic and structure of financial statements 2. Introduction to business performance analysis

Reference Books

The required textbook will be communicated prior to the start of the semester. Students are kindly asked to wait for this announcement before purchasing any course material.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and 2 in-class exercise sessions, the timing of which will be set during the course based on class progress

Assessment Method

Written Exam. The written assessment will include multiple-choice questions and practical exercises. For attending students, the evaluation will consist of three components: 1st Midterm exam (30% of the final grade) 2nd Midterm exam (70% of the final grade) For non-attending students: final exam which will account for 100% of final grade.

Thesis assignment criteria

None

Week 1

The Role of Accounting in Business – Why accounting exists, who uses it.

Week 2

The Statement of Financial Position — Measuring financial position

Week 3

The Statement of Profit or Loss — Measuring profit.

Week 4

Applying Accounting Conventions — Inventory, receivables, provisions.

Week 5

Depreciation and Amortization — Matching asset cost over time.

Week 6

Exercise session

Week 7

The Statement of Cash Flows — Profit is not cash

Week 8

Financial Reporting by Limited Companies — Company accounts and disclosure.

Week 9

Understanding Financial Reports: Trend Analysis — Horizontal and vertical analysis.

Week 10

The Management of Working Capital — Managing the operating cycle.

Week 11

Financing the Business — Sources of finance and the stock market.

Week 12

Exercise session