Dr Pascal Frantz

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Accounting and Data Analytics. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

The objective of the course is to provide students with the necessary background required for the core courses in the MSc in Accounting and Data Analytics. The course is structured in five 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 Finance

This section introduces students to the time value of money, cost of capital, and the valuation of projects and firms.

Section 3 - 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 4 - 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.

Section 5 – Programming

This section introduces students to programming in Python and R.

Teaching takes place before the start of AT.

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.

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