ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
Code ACFI115
Coordinator Mr CR Barlow
Finance and Accounting
C.R.Barlow@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2023-24 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours   8

     8

 18

10

 44
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 106
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 2: Skills Tasks – Creating a LinkedIn Profile Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard  10    5       
Assessment 1: Group Report and Presentation Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration and Size: 3000 word Report and 10 minute presentation Weighting: 50% Reassessment opportunity: Yes   0    50       
Assessment 8: Reflective Log Size: Between 1000 to 1500 words Weighting: 20% Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Applies Anonymous Assessment: Yes   0    20       
Assessment 6: Skills Tasks – Commercial Awareness Task Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard U  0    5       
Assessment 7: Skills Tasks – Organisation and Planning Task Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Stand  0    5       
Assessment 3: Skills Tasks – Creating a Handshake Profile Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standar  0    5       
Assessment 5: Skills Tasks – Elevator Pitch Presentation Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard  0    5       
Assessment 4: Skills Tasks – Academic Referencing Task Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Varied Weighting: 5 % Reassessment opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard U  0    5       

Aims

The module aims to highlight the importance of being employability active from the start of their university journey so that they can identify the key skills required to be successful in securing graduate jobs/summer internships/placements. The graduate job market is highly competitive and by providing students with an understanding of some of the key skills required of the professional accountant in the current business environment, and the opportunity to acquire and apply those skills, the students will be better skilled for the roles offered.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to understand the importance of written and verbal communication from personal and business perspectives.

(LO2) Students will be able to experience working with others and how to develop effective relationships.

(LO3) Students will be able to build confidence in being able to present.

(LO4) Students will be able to develop ways to work more effectively to improve organisational and planning skills.

(LO5) Students will be able to understand the importance of lifelong learning.

(LO6) Students will be able to learn to be positive when working with others.

(LO7) Students will be able to gain an awareness of the commercial issues facing organisations.

(LO8) Students will gain an understanding of the latest professional skills required in the accountancy profession

(S1) Adaptability

(S2) Problem solving skills

(S3) Commercial awareness

(S4) Teamwork

(S5) Organisational skills

(S6) Communication skills

(S7) Lifelong learning skills

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method: Workshop
Description: Workshops for the students to reflect on the skills acquired and how to ensure that they are developed further on completion of the module. 9 x 2 hour workshops.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 18
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Group Study
Description: Session to foster student community and engagement by working with others on their ‘active learning’ activities. Students will be required to work within their assessment teams outside of workshop.
Scheduled Student Hours: 10
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method: Seminar
Scheduled Student Hours: 8
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method: Field Trip
Scheduled Student Hours: 8
Attendance Recorded: No

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 106
Description: The module will be assessed through the use of one team-based activity, which will require students to work outside of class on a regular basis throughout the semester. It will also include a series of individual skills tasks that will require work on throughout the semester, alongside a final reflective learning log.

Costs Information:
Students will incur no additional costs as a result of taking this module

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Lifelong learning skills
How this is developed: Students will be introduced to the importance of lifelong learning during the workshops with the students then given the opportunity to reflect on their performance in the group work so as to be able to identify key skills for development moving forward.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Reflective Log

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: Students will be given the opportunity to practise communication skills during the weekly workshops prior to the final assessed presentation in the group work.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Presentation

S kills / attributes: Organisational skills
How this is developed: Students will be introduced how to plan and organise key components of the group work prior to submitting a group plan for the group work itself.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report

Skills / attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: Students will be introduced to how a small group develops into a successful team through the various stage of Tuckman’s Stages of Small Group Development. Students will then work in a group as part of the group assessment to help identify these stages in practice.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Presentation / Report

Skills / attributes: Commercial awareness
How this is developed: Students will be introduced to the importance of commercial awareness in helping understand the key aspects of a business and its sector prior to making an application for a graduate job/summer internship/placement
Mode of assessment (if appli cable): Group Report and Commercial Awareness Skills Task

Skills / attributes: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: Students will be given a variety of short case studies in the workshops that they are then required to use to solve business problems. The solutions to the problems will then be presented during the workshop
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Presentation / Report

Skills / attributes: Adaptability
How this is developed: Working in groups on the assessments and being faced with the challenges of working in a group will develop the students’ understanding of how they need to adapt to the changing circumstances.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report

Syllabus
 

1. Networking
2. Teamwork
3. Communication
4. Organisation and planning
5. Commercial Awareness
6. Presenting with Confidence
7. Cultural awareness
8. Lifelong learning and reflection

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.