ICM335-Financial Reporting

Module Provider: ICMA Centre
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Xi Li
Email: xi.li@icmacentre.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to increase students’ confidence in using financial reports and statements to comment on firm performance and value. In so doing, it encourages students to consider the different ways in which firms communicate, as well as introducing them to the valuation techniques used in Part 2 modules.

Aims:

The module aims to increase students’ confidence in using financial reports and statements to comment on firm performance and value. In so doing, it encourages students to consider the different ways in which firms communicate, as well as introducing them to the valuation techniques used in Part 2 modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Evaluate the usefulness of annual reports and published financial statements from the perspective of different stakeholders


• Use financial statements to compare the performance of firms over time and with their competitors at a specific point in time


• Use the data in financial statements, together with market data, to value companies using multiples and free cash flow

Additional outcomes:

The module will enhance students' critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills.

Outline content:

• Companies, stakeholders and communication


• The annual report: narrative and quantitative reporting


• Financial statements: the relationships between the income statement, statement of financial position and cash flow statement


• Valuation using free cash flows


• Valuation using multiples

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught using lectures, as well as interactive sessions and smaller group seminars during which students will have the chance to talk about their work and receive formative feedback. The interactive sessions may be incorporated into the lectures themselves. Students will be expected to read a range of books, chapters, journal articles and newspaper articles to prepare for seminars and interactive sessions and as they work on their assignment.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will be required to write an essay on a theme related to the aim of this module. The maximum word limit for the essay will be 2,000 inclusive of any list of references, in-text citations, footnotes, tables and figures. The essay will be submitted on a date at the end of the Autumn Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will undertake activities and participate in discussions during the seminars and interactive sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;


• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment in the form of an essay takes place in August/September. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 5 April 2023