AC213-Business Strategy for Accountants

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: AC107 Management Information and AC109 Introduction to Business and AC110 Introduction to Accounting
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: MM276 Business Strategy
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Helen Crofts
Email: h.c.crofts@henley.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Dan Luo
Email: dan.luo@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the prerequisite modules through their application to real-world business problems and case study scenarios. This module aims to provide students with an understanding of how organisations develop and implement business strategy, and to apply and evaluate that knowledge. At the end of the module, students should have a good understanding of the external and internal environment of the firm and how they influence strategic decision making.

This module is also delivered at University of Reading Malaysia and Beijing Institute of Technology. 

Aims:

The aim is to provide students with an understanding of the nature of business strategy with particular emphasis on the way in which the activities of an organisation are interrelated both with each other and with the strategic, competitive and environmental contexts within which they operate. The module aims to build on students' knowledge of a range of business theories and techniques, and assist them in utilising and combining knowledge from prior learning so that they can:

• Analyse an organisation and its environment


• Analyse and identify the consequences of an organisation’s current objectives, market position and direction. 


• Analyse for a given situation the external factors which may impact upon an organisation's performance and competitive market position


• Evaluate its current position and performance from both a financial and a non-financial perspective, using management information and data analysis


• Evaluate the likely consequences of strategic choices and recommend strategies to meet the objectives


• Recommend appropriate methods of implementing strategies and of measuring and monitoring strategic performance


• The module will also help students’ development by involving them in a discussion of ideas, views and conclusions about business with their peers. The students will be required to work in groups to analyse business situations and to present and defend their group conclusions in a presentation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain, analyse and evaluate the consequences of an organisation’s current strategic direction including objectives and market position.


2. Use data to evaluate the likely consequences of strategic choices and technology developments, and recommend strategies to meet the objectives of an organisation.


3. Recommend appropriate methods for an organisation toimplement and monitor strategies including strategies for technology and innovation and demonstrate how data can be used subsequently to measure and monitor strategic performance.

Additional outcomes:

In addition to an assessed group presentation, the module aims to provide opportunities to develop interpersonal and team working skills using in-class discussions and group-based exercises. Structured activities are designed to develop independent learning, including reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning. Students will be provided with opportunities to access information from a wide range of sources and form a judgement on the success or otherwise of strategies in discussion with others.

Outline content:

Topics covered include:

Strategic Analysis, including:

Evaluation of an organisation’s purpose, analysis of external factors, analysis of current markets and competence strategy, evaluation of internal factors and their impact on a chosen strategy, analysis of risks of current position, ethical factors, and analysis of performance using financial and non-financial data.

Strategic Choice, including:

Capturing, analysing, and presenting relevant quantitative and qualitative data, evaluating risks and selecting management strategies, selecting and justifying a choice of business strategy, positioning and marketing strategy, and assessing the value and limitations of data.



Strategic Implementation, including:

Functional strategies, organisational structure, governance structure, monitoring of performance, strategic change management and ethical dilemmas.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught through lectures and tutorials. Lectures deliver core content and involve class interaction. Tutorials are case-study or skill-based and are an opportunity for deepening of knowledge and a practical application of core concepts and approaches. Students will be set pre-class tasks for the tutorials, based on guided pre-readings and case analysis, and will be able to test their knowledge and understanding of these materials, with immediate feedback from the tutorial leader.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1 x 2.5 Hour Final Examination.

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 x 15 minute Group Presentation (20%) – Week 11 of Autumn Term

Formative assessment methods:

Tutorials are an opportunity to receive oral feedback on a variety of small group tasks, oriented around close case studies of a range of organisations. Through this informal feedback mechanism students are able to practice and develop various skillsets related to case study analysis and the communication of ideas and arguments in a coherent manner. 

Penalties for late submission:

The following penalties are applied 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: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/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 weighted average mark of 40% for a university pass

In order to apply for ICAEW Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) against the Business Strategy and Technology paper (in the ACA Professional Level), a minimum mark of 50% must be obtained on this module.

Reassessment arrangements:

By examination only.

Re-examination for Part 2 modules takes place in August/September of the same year 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text book - ICAEW Business Strategy and Technology Workbook and Question Bank. Available through ICAEW: Cost approximately £58.

Last updated: 24 April 2023