Financial Accounting, Bachelor Course

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Bachelor's Programme in Business and Economics (S1EKA)

Admission to the course requires at least 105 credits, at least 45 of which must be from FEK101 Business Administration, Organization and Leadership, 7.5 credits, FEK102 Business Administration, Marketing, 7.5 credits, FEK103 Business Administration, Financial Accounting, 7.5 credits, FEK104 Business Administration, Management Accounting, 7.5 credits, FEK201 Business Administration, Strategic Marketing Management, 7.5 credits, FEK202 Business Administration, Strategy, 7.5 credits, FEK203 Business Administration, Economic and Financial Management, 7.5 credits, FEK204 Business Administration and Operations Management, 7.5 credits, or from FEG100 Business Administration 1, 30 credits and FEG200 Business Administration 2, 30 credits or equivalent.

This course focuses on the measurement issues that arise in financial statement preparation. Several accounting items are covered from a preparer perspective. In a financial statement analysis section, the measurement issues are covered from a user perspective. In addition, the course covers issues that arise in the regulation and auditing of financial accounting.

In the area of regulation, the course gives an overview of current regulation, why regulation exists and the costs and benefits of regulation. Various regulatory vehicles are discussed, as well as which specific rules Swedish and other companies currently must follow. The section on measurement focuses on conceptual issues that apply to different accounting items, and how these issues relate to current accounting standards. The student also learns technical solutions in financial statement preparation, for example in group accounting.

Financial statement analysis covers how users of financial statements are affected by accounting standards, and how these standards are reflected in actual financial statements.

The course includes elements that will strengthen students’ generic competences. Analytical skills are acquired in solving theoretical and practical assignments. Oral and written communication skills, as well as training in finding information, are acquired via the submission of written reports combined with oral presentations and discussions in seminar groups.

On successful completion of the course, students shall be able to:

1. describe how conceptual ideas are reflected in regulation and specific standards, including in technical aspects of accounting. Students should also be able to identify how standards are reflected in financial statements, and asses their usefulness for financial statement analysis,
2. use an annual report to assess how accounting quality affects the usefulness of financial statements for analysis, and communicate their findings in written and oral form,
3. prepare consolidated financial statements.

Lectures, seminars.

Language of instruction: Swedish in autumn semesters (teaching in English may occur.) and English in spring semesters.

Learning outcome 1 is assessed through a written exam.
Learning outcome 2 is assessed through a case study done in groups and reported in written and oral form.
Learning outcome 3 is assessed through a written case study done individually.

Due to resource constraints, the case studied can only be performed and assessed with the course dates. A student who does not participate in compulsory oral presentations and discussions in seminar groups needs to complete an oral make-up assignment on site.

• If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).
• If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.
• If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.
• If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

To pass the course, a student must receive a passing grade on all intended learning outcomes. The course grade A-F is based on the examiners combined assessment of the student's performance on all examined parts of the course.

Grade (Definition) Characteristic:
A (Excellent) A distinguished result that is excellent with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

B (Very good) A very good result with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

C (Good) The result is of a good standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought and lives up to expectations.

D (Satisfactory) The result is of a satisfactory standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

E (Sufficient) The result satisfies the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought, but not more.

F (Fail) The result does not meet the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

Some occasional examination elements of the course may have the grading scale UG (Fail/Pass).

A course evaluation is conducted anonymously either digitally via the course website or via a written questionnaire handed out at the last scheduled meeting of the course or in connection with the exam. The results of the evaluation are to be communicated to students via the course committee and course website.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The School of Business, Economics and Law has an AI policy regarding the use of generative AI or similar tools. General rules and guidelines for the use of such tools are published and updated on the course's learning platform together with specific provisions applicable to this course.