AC480     
Quantitative Methods in Accounting and Finance

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Maria Correia

Dr Jose Carabias Palmeiro

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Accounting and Finance. This course is available on the MSc in Accounting, Organisations and Institutions. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes.

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Accounting and Finance.

Students on the MSc in Accounting, Organisations and Institutions wishing to take AC415 Management Accounting for Decision Making are required to attend Section 2 (Introduction to Management Accounting). Section 2 cannot be taken concurrently with AC490 Management Accounting, Decisions and Control.

Students on the MSc in Accounting, Organisations and Institutions wishing to take AC416 Topics in Financial Reporting are required to attend Section 3 (Introduction to Financial Accounting). Section 3 cannot be taken concurrently with AC491 Financial Accounting, Reporting and Disclosure.

This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

The objective of the course is to provide students with the necessary background required for core accounting and finance courses. The course is structured in three main sections:

Section 1 - Quantitative Methods

This section equips students with essential quantitative tools for technical MSc courses, covering introductory topics in basic calculus, probability, and statistics.

Section 2 - Introduction to Management Accounting

This section focuses on the use of accounting for internal planning and control. Key topics include basic cost concepts, cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis, and cost allocation methods.

Section 3 - Introduction to Financial Accounting

This section introduces fundamental accounting concepts and the main financial statements. It emphasises the perspective of external users—such as investors and analysts—highlighting how financial information is interpreted and used, particularly for valuation purposes.

Teaching

Teaching takes place before the start of AT.

Indicative reading

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Illustrative texts:

Thomas, W., W. Tietz, T. Suwardy, K. Chern, W. Harrison, C. Horngren. Financial Accounting (IFRS), 12th ed., Pearson.

Weetman P. and D. Jubb. Financial and Management Accounting: an Introduction, 9th ed., Pearson.

Assessment

This course is not assessed. However, students will be given application exercises to complete on their own or in groups.


Key facts

Department: Accounting

Course Study Period: Pre-sessional

Unit value: Non-credit bearing

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 185

Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills