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Unit information: Accounting and Capital Markets in 2020/21

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Accounting and Capital Markets
Unit code EFIMM0010
Credit points 15
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Korczak
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

none

Co-requisites

none

School/department School of Accounting and Finance - Business School
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The module's aims are to provide a critical examination of the role of accounting information in capital markets and to focus on the theoretical and empirical evidence on how accounting information is used in investment decisions. In addition, the module examines how accounting can resolve information asymmetries between capital providers and management, thus addressing the stewardship and contracting roles of accounting information.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

  • Appraise accounting information through a capital market lens
  • Critically discuss the academic research on the use and usefulness of accounting based valuation models
  • Understand how accounting information is analysed in the broader industrial and economic context
  • Use and evaluate accounting-based models in the estimation of credit default risk
  • Understand how financial statements are used in contracts between capital providers and managers
  • Critically evaluate the potential conflicts that can arise between the contracting and valuation roles of accounting information

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions including lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, discussion boards and other online learning opportunities

Assessment Information

This unit will be assessed by 100% coursework

Reading and References

Core text:

  • Scott, William R. Financial Accounting Theory (Sixth or Seventh Edition).

This is a research-led unit and therefore there will be a reliance on seminal and current research papers.

Additional reading:

  • Barker, R. (2001) Determining Value FT Prentice Hall.
  • Barth, M. E., Beaver, W. H., and Landsman, W. R. 2001. The relevance of the value relevance literature for financial accounting standard setting: another view. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 31(1–3): 77-104.
  • Beyer, A., Cohen, D. A., Lys, T. Z., and Walther, B. R. 2010. The financial reporting environment: Review of the recent literature. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2): 296-343.
  • Callen, J. L. 2009. Shocks to shocks: A theoretical foundation for the information content of earnings. Contemporary Accounting Research, 26(1): 135-166.
  • Feltham, G.A., Ohlson, J.A., 1995. Valuation and clean surplus accounting for operating and financial activities. Contemporary Accounting Research, 11, 689–731.
  • Holthausen, R. W., and Watts, R. L. 2001. The relevance of the value-relevance literature for financial accounting standard setting. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 31(1–3): 3-75.
  • Kothari, S., Ramanna, K., and Skinner, D. J. 2010. Implications for GAAP from an analysis of positive research in accounting. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2): 246-286.
  • Lambert, R. A. 2001. Contracting theory and accounting. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 32(1): 3-87.
  • Ohlson, J. A. 1980. Financial ratios and the probabilistic prediction of bankruptcy. Journal of Accounting Research, 18: 109-131.
  • Ohlson, J.A., 1995. Earnings, book values, and dividends in equity valuation. Contemporary Accounting Research 11: 661–687.
  • Ohlson, J.A., 2009. Accounting data and value: The basic results. Contemporary Accounting Research 26: 231–259
  • Scott, William R. Financial Accounting Theory (Sixth Edition).

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