Financial Reporting

Objectives

The course has a practical emphasis and combines lectures, individual assignments, and group assignments to give students the ability to (i) prepare, read, and analyze companies’ financial statements and (ii) understand why firms choose certain accounting methods. The course is particularly relevant for students who are interested in pursuing a career in auditing, public accounting, consulting, credit and equity analysis, corporate finance, and banking.

General characterization

Code

2238

Credits

3,5

Responsible teacher

Filipa Castro

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites


Bibliography

The textbook used is:

"Financial Accounting and Reporting" by Elliott and Elliott, 17th Edition, Pearson.
Resources

The course builds on knowledge acquired during introductory undergraduate accounting courses. Useful background readings are the following:

1. Introduction to Financial Accounting by Horngren, Sundem, Elliott, and Philbrick, 10th edition, Pearson.

2. Financial Accounting by Stickney, Weil, Francis, and Schipper, 13th Edition, South-Western Cengage Learning.

Moodle will be used to make materials available to students (e.g., slides, news articles, etc.).

Teaching method

Classes are twice a week and last for 1.5 hours. Classes are devoted to the presentation of the material by the instructor and to application of the material in the form of exercises. Also, we will discuss applications of the material to real-world problems using research projects. The individual assignments give students an opportunity to assess their progress in the course.
Class attendance is optional but strongly encouraged. Prompt arrival at class is expected. Students are expected to participate actively, both during class and in its preparation. Through a teaching approach that mixes lectures, class discussion, individual assignments, and group assignments, students will be challenged to develop critical skills and build on the knowledge required to interpret and analyze firms' financial statements.

Evaluation method

Grades will be determined using the following factors and relative weights:
1.    Final exam: 50%
2.    Individual assignment (in class): 20%
3.    Group assignment: 30%
The final exam is mandatory and comprehensive. Students are not allowed to consult any materials during the exam. There is no minimum grade requirement for the exam.

Subject matter

•    Introduction to financial statements
•    Revenue recognition
•    Statement of Cash-Flows
•    Financial instruments
•    Employee benefits
•    Property Plant and Equipment
•    Intangible Assets
•    Inventory
•    Preparation of consolidated financial statements

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: