International Accounting and Finance (with internship) MSc

Program Overview

This MSc program in International Accounting and Finance combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in accounting and finance. It offers a specialist pathway in accounting (linked to ACCA Fundamentals) while providing flexibility in selecting finance and strategy modules within an international context. Graduates are prepared for senior positions in accounting and finance and qualify for exemptions from ACCA and CIMA modules.

Program Outline

International Accounting and Finance (with Internship) - MSc

Degree Overview:

This MSc program is designed for current or aspiring finance or accounting professionals seeking an academic qualification in both domestic and international financial operations. It offers a specialist pathway in accounting (linked to the ACCA Fundamentals papers) while providing the opportunity to select modules in finance and strategy.

• Develop analytical and business-led tools for decision-making, including the use of databases like Bloomberg.
• Enhance professional skills through training in specialist software (SPSS and N-Vivo).
• Gain practical experience through an optional work placement (subject to validation).
• Prepare for ACCA and CIMA qualifications with exemptions from specific modules.

Outline:

The program is offered full-time with durations of 27 months (January start) and 24 months (September start).

Modules:

• Creativity Enterprise and Innovation: This module focuses on the importance of creative thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills in a rapidly changing world.
• Curiosity, Creativity and Research: This module introduces students to the research process, the researcher's mindset, and the concept of creativity in research.
Students will identify potential topics for their practice-based dissertation and explore them using creative thinking techniques.
• Research in Action: This module focuses on the nature, approaches, methods, tools, and techniques of research within relevant business disciplines.
It aims to develop the skills and knowledge required to complete Master's level research, with an emphasis on improving business processes and practices.
• Management Consultancy in a Global Environment: This module develops professional consultancy skills by studying organizational structure and culture, situational analysis and diagnosis, communication strategies for consulting, and group dynamics.
It focuses on developing business research, client handling, and project management skills.
• Audit Risk: This module equips students with knowledge and understanding of the assurance engagement process and its application within the professional regulatory framework.
It explores the nature and purpose of internal audit, its role in overall performance, and its relationship with external audit.
• Corporate Financial Management: This module covers the theory and techniques of making value-maximizing investment and financing decisions based on key factors like cash, risk, and time.
It incorporates the study of the economic environment and addresses specialized areas like profit distribution, merger and acquisition strategy, working capital management, and international financial management.
• Theories & Issues in Accounting and Finance: This module develops higher-level cognitive skills required at postgraduate level and encourages inquisitiveness about current issues in the subject area.
It emphasizes scholarly reading and research, introducing students to current developments in accounting and finance theories, including financial management and environmental accounting approaches.
• Financial Reporting: This module develops skills in comprehending and applying accounting standards related to the preparation of financial statements.
• Capstone Business Project: This independent research project draws upon students' skills and knowledge gained throughout the program, enabling them to apply their learning to a scenario that adds value to an organization and creates real-world impact.
Students can choose a project related to their current role or explore different sectors or organizations.
• Internship: All students will study for a 20-credit internship (instead of taking two 10-credit optional modules).
This module allows students to gain valuable work experience while studying their master's degree. The Employment Team supports students in finding internships.

Assessment:

Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, individual and group presentations, and written exams. A typical 20-credit taught module involves 200 study hours (52 contact hours and 148 group and private study hours). The use of Bloomberg is embedded within modules.

Teaching:

• Lectures cover concepts that underpin and facilitate informed participative approaches to learning.
• Workshops, seminars, case studies, and student-led discussions facilitate more active modes of learning.
• Students benefit from excellent learning materials, small class sizes, and training in the use of Bloomberg, Thomson-One Banker, SPSS, and N-Vivo.
• Lecturers offer a rich profile of academic and professional qualifications backed by professional teaching and/or research experience.
• A dedicated Dissertation/Business Project Facilitator provides guidance and constructive advice on the preparation of the dissertation/report.
• A personal tutoring system is tailored to individual and group needs, with allocated personal tutors available for 1:1 and group sessions.
• A personal tutor is also available "on call" in a designated room called "Talk" for confidential 1:1 pastoral care meetings every day of the academic semester.

Careers:

Graduates with a combination of an LSBU Masters degree and a professional accounting qualification are highly employable in senior positions in accounting and finance, both in the UK and internationally. Excellent career opportunities exist in accounting firms, industry, banking, finance, and commerce.

Other:

• The program features guest speakers and industry events.
• LSBU Business School is a member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), providing students with access to BGA's individual membership benefits.
• The program offers multiple start dates and modes of delivery to suit individual needs.
• Students receive business start-up advice and support during the program.
• Opportunities exist to network and develop connectivity with the postgraduate research and enterprise community.
• Life coaching and extended internship work experience opportunities are available for all students.

The course is not currently open to international students. Home Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method Mode Full-time Duration 27 months Start date January Application code 5593 Application method Direct to LSBU Mode Full-time Duration 24 months Start date September Application code 5723 Application method Direct to LSBU Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Prepare to start On completing the process, new students formally join the University. Enrolment consists of two stages: online, and your face-to-face enrolment meeting. (2011). International Financial Reporting & Analysis.5th edition. South Western - Cengage Learning.Hillier, D, Ross S. A., Westerfield R. W., Jaffe J., Jordan, B. (2011). Corporate Finance, European Edition,McGraw-Hill.Cottrell S. (2005). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing effective analysis and argument, Palgrave MacMillan, New York, New York, USA.You could also read background material on:International Financial Reporting StandardsFinancial AnalysisLook at the on-line annual report of a FTSE 100 company.You could visit the following websites to read current issues in International Banking, Investment and Financewww.economist.comwww.liffe.comwww.marketeye.co.ukwww.bankofengland.co.ukwww.imf.orgwww.cme.comwww.yahoofinance.comwww.bloomberg.co.ukwww.ftse.comwww.globalinvestor.comwww.fsa.gov.ukwww.isda.com All modules are assessed by a mix of coursework, individual and group presentations and written exams. The module encourages students to question what they see and experience around them with an aim to enhance their creativity and to discover new and improved ways of doing things. Curiosity, Creativity and Research This module introduces students to the research process, the mindset of the researcher and in particular to the idea of creativity in research and what it means to be a ‘creative researcher’. In this module, students will identify potential topics for their practice-based dissertation and explore these with the aid of creative thinking techniques. In this way their research ideas can be refined and expressed in terms of clear research questions and objectives making use of the relevant literature and theoretical concepts. Research in Action The module focuses on the nature, approaches, methods, tools and techniques of research within relevant disciplines from the business environment. In doing so it attempts to develop the skills and knowledge required to complete Master’s level research where the emphasis of the research is in improving aspects of business process and business practice. Thus the module is practically oriented towards the completion of a research proposal that will form the basis of the final practice-based project module.Management Consultancy in a Global Environment This module is designed to develop professional consultancy skills by studying organisational structure and culture, situational analysis and diagnosis, communication strategies for consulting and group dynamics. Focusing on the development of business research; client handling and project management skills, completion of this module will enable students to prepare a succinct, clear, evidence based, persuasive consultancy led project plan , aligned to the strategic vision of an organisation and which they are able to effectively pitch to a client. Audit Risk This module equips students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the process of carrying out the assurance engagement and its application in the context of the professional regulatory framework. This module will make students critically evaluate the nature and purpose of internal audit and describe its role as part of overall performance and its relationship with external audit. Corporate Financial Management The module deals with the theory and techniques of making value-maximising investment and financing decisions based on key factors such as cash, risk and time. It also incorporates the study of the economic environment in which such decisions are taken, and addresses other specialised areas such as the profit distribution decision, merger and acquisition strategy, management of working capital and international financial management. It applies concepts and theories that are central modern financial management.Theories & Issues in Accounting and FinanceThe purpose of this module is to develop the higher level cognitive skills required at postgraduate level, and the inquisitiveness about current issues in the subject area that is required from the reflective practitioner. This is achieved through emphasis on scholarly reading and research, introducing students to current developments in the theories of accounting and finance, including the major approaches to financial management and environmental accounting.Financial ReportingThis module develops skills in the comprehension and application of accounting standards as related to the preparation of financial statements. The module covers the preparation of financial statements for individual reporting entities. Key technical aspects of corporate reporting are addresses, theoretical issues such as earnings management and the arguments for and against regulation of corporate reporting.Capstone Business Project This capstone, independent research project draws upon the students’ skills and knowledge gained thus far enabling application of learning to a scenario resulting in added value to an organisation and creating real world impact. This student driven project must address a current issue or opportunity in an organisational or industrial context. Projects can relate to a student’s current role or students can use this opportunity to deepen their knowledge of different sectors or organisations thus make connections utilising the project as a vehicle to impress future employers creating a possible stepping stone to their next job. Alternatively they may wish to investigate possible entrepreneurial opportunities.InternshipAll students will study for a 20 credit internship (instead of taking two 10 credit optional modules). This module allows students to gain valuable work experience while studying their master's degree. The student is supported in finding the internship by the Employment Team.Take an internshipAll students have the option to study for a 20 credit internship (instead of taking two 10 credit optional modules). However, the student is supported during the search process and when the student is actually working. The work placement should have some direct bearing on what the student is studying - a student studying MSc Inernational Accounting and Finance would be expected to secure an internship with some connection with aspects of accounting or finance within the business community. Facilities Specialist industry software prepares our students with the digital skills that employers' value. Students on our programmes have access to Bloomberg, SAGE, FAME, NVivo, and SPSS.Read more about LSBU Business School's specialist facilities and software. Careers Employability ServiceWe are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary.