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ACCT

Accounting

ACCT 5100
Financial Accounting Foundations
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 510
Exclusion(s)
ACCT 5150, IMBA 5030
Description
Introduction to accounting concepts, preparation and interpretation of financial statements. This is a core course for MBA.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Compare and contrast the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows.
- 2.
  Explain the economic environment of corporate financial reporting.
- 3.
  Infer economic events from financial statements.
- 4.
  Analyze a company’s financial health and provide a reasoned basis for the conclusions.
- 5.
  Adjust financial statements to make them more useful for decision making needs.
- 6.
  Recognize the most common cases of accounting frauds.
- 7.
  Describe the most common trading rules based on accounting information.
ACCT 5140
Financial Statement Analysis
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 514
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5100 OR ACCT 5150 OR Equivalent
Description
Integrated analysis of industry strategy, accounting policy, financial ratios and cash flows for application in equity valuation, credit analysis and bond ratings. Essential for those planning careers in financial management, investment analysis, credit analysis, business valuation, and consulting.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Use alternative measures of profitability and financial ratios to evaluate firm performance and identify investment targets.
- 2.
  Use financial ratios and price multiples to determine the timing of investment.
- 3.
  Use financial ratios to forecast financial statements and conduct credit analysis.
- 4.
  Understand how managers can use discretions in accounting method choices and estimates to influence financial statements and how to make adjustment to conduct meaningful comparisons.
- 5.
  Understand the difference between net income and cash flow from operations and how to use it and other indicators to detect accounting manipulation.
ACCT 5150
Accounting Foundations
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 515
Exclusion(s)
ACCT 5100, IMBA 5030
Description
Introduction to accounting concepts, preparation and interpretation of financial statements.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Compare and contrast the balance sheets, income statements, statements of shareholders’ equity, and statements of cash flows.
- 2.
  Explain the economic environment of corporate financial reporting.
- 3.
  Infer economic events from financial statements.
- 4.
  Analyze a company’s financial health and provide a reasoned basis for the conclusions.
- 5.
  Adjust financial statements to make them more useful for decision making needs.
- 6.
  Recognize the most common cases of accounting frauds.
- 7.
  Describe the most common trading rules based on accounting information.
ACCT 5160
Corporate Financial Reporting I
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 516
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5100 or ACCT 5150
Description
Corporate financial reporting from the perspective of managers and financial statement users, including analysts. Topics include inventories, fixed assets, income taxes, liabilities, leases, off-balance-sheet debt, and dilutive securities.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Think critically and creatively and use analytical and quantitative techniques to make effective decisions.
- 2.
  Explain the financial accounting frameworks.
- 3.
  Use financial accounting information sophisticatedly, interpret financial strategies, assess financial risk and analyze financial accounting choices made by managers.
- 4.
  Recognize the international dimensions of accounting.
- 5.
  Define the role played by accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
- 6.
  Describe the accounting environment in Hong Kong.
- 7.
  Identify ethical challenges, creative accounting, and earnings management issues, and develop ethical and social responsibility.
ACCT 5170
Corporate Financial Reporting II
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 517
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5160
Description
Corporate financial reporting from the perspective of managers and financial statement users, including analysts. Topics include intercorporate investments, business combinations, multinational operations, pensions, and earnings quality.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Think critically and creatively and use analytical and quantitative techniques to make effective decisions.
- 2.
  Explain the financial accounting frameworks.
- 3.
  Use financial accounting information sophisticatedly, interpret financial strategies, assess financial risk and analyze financial accounting choices made by managers.
- 4.
  Recognize the international dimensions of accounting.
- 5.
  Define the role played by accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
- 6.
  Identify ethical challenges, creative accounting, and earnings management issues, and develop ethical and social responsibility.
ACCT 5180
Advanced Corporate Financial Reporting
[2-0-0:2]
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5160 AND ACCT 5170
Description
Reporting of business entities with inter-corporate investments in subsidiaries and/or associated companies and cross-border activities. Topics include business combinations, consolidated financial statements, equity accounting, and translations of foreign currency transactions.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) for:
  a) consolidating the financial statements of parent and subsidiary companies, including those subsidiaries which are wholly-owned and partially-owned;
  b) reporting investment in other companies using equity accounting;
  c) translating foreign currency transactions and operations, and reporting the effect on financial statements.
- 2.
  Discuss financial reporting practices by referring to the Conceptual Framework.
- 3.
  Explain the international dimensions of accounting.
- 4.
  Assess financial strategies and risk management policies of business entities with inter-corporate investments that convey control and/or significant influence and cross-border activities.
- 5.
  Demonstrate the roles of accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
- 6.
  Identify ethical challenges, creative accounting, and earnings management issues, and point out ethical and social responsibility of entities.
- 7.
  Analyze financial reporting issues, and propose and explain solutions thereof, in a team environment.
ACCT 5210
Managerial Accounting Foundations
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 521
Exclusion(s)
IMBA 5060
Description
Use of accounting data in decision-making, financial planning, control, and performance evaluation within organizations. This is a core course for MBA.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Interpret and explain cost concepts and related terms.
- 2.
  Interpret cost-volume-profit analysis.
- 3.
  Estimate the cost and price of a product.
- 4.
  Apply core managerial accounting information to strategic decision making.
- 5.
  Identify the internal budgeting process.
- 6.
  Construct cost management tools such as Activity-Based Costing.
- 7.
  Organize managerial accounting information to conduct performance evaluations.
- 8.
  Identify managerial accounting information as a competitive tool.
ACCT 5220
International Treasury Management
[2-0-0:2]
Description
Specialized knowledge in international treasury operation and management control, risk management, inflation and foreign currency changes as well as international transfer pricing.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Facilitate students to topics related to treasury management and its international issues.
- 2.
  Expose students to working capital management and related international financial management issues.
- 3.
  Facilitate students to financial statement issues related foreign currency translation in consolidated financial statements and inflation restatement in price level changes.
- 4.
  Expose students to international transfer pricing issues related to international duty and tax.
- 5.
  Expose students to management internal control and risk management issues in international field.
- 6.
  Facilitate students to management control related to international management accounting issues.
ACCT 5310
Fundamental and Quantitative Equity Analysis Using Accounting Information
[2-0-0:2]
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5100 OR ACCT 5150 OR Equivalent, AND FINA 5120 OR Equivalent
Description
The course covers fundamental equity analysis based on forecasted financial statements. It also introduces quantitative investment strategies based on the drivers of stock price movements. The course is useful for those planning careers in investment analysis, fund management and consulting.
ACCT 5320
Beyond the Headlines: Financial Reporting and Valuation Issues in M&A
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 6900C
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5100 OR (ACCT 5160 AND ACCT 5170)
Description
Financial accounting is the fundamental language used to express the economic realities of complex financial scenarios including mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and corporate divestitures. Understanding this language is crucial for converting financial statement data into decision enhancing information, and expressing strategic business plans and investment ideas in a powerful and convincing way. The course is designed to develop sophisticated users of financial accounting information and will benefit any student who desires to increase his or her ability to understand and profitably exploit financial information. The class format involves a mixture of lecture and class discussion.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Differentiate implications for firms operating under various influence and control situations.
- 2.
  Recognize the latest financial reporting rules for M&A deals.
- 3.
  List tax structuring and tax implications of M&A deals.
- 4.
  Analyze M&A risk management including earn-outs, contingent value rights, and collars.
ACCT 5410
Taxation
[2-0-0:2]
Background
ACCT 2010 or equivalant
Description
The course introduces the fundamentals of Hong Kong taxation based on case law and legislation. Topics include: property tax, salaries tax, profits tax, depreciation allowances, personal assessment, and stamp duty.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Recognize the basic principles of Hong Kong taxation and operation of the tax system.
- 2.
  Compute the tax liabilities for individuals and companies.
- 3.
  Explain the tax implications of transactions on business activities.
- 4.
  Apply their tax knowledge to tax cases and in real-life contexts.
ACCT 5430
Tax and Business Strategy
[2-0-0:2]
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5150
Description
This course provides students with the framework of strategic tax planning. Students learn how to integrate the role of tax in various corporate decision-making.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Apply the framework of strategic tax planning.
- 2.
  Analyze how taxes impact choices of organizational forms.
- 3.
  Evaluate the role of tax in corporate investment and financing decisions.
- 4.
  Analyze cross-border tax planning opportunities for multinationals.
- 5.
  Explain the ethics of tax planning.
ACCT 5510
Auditing
[2-0-0:2]
Background
ACCT 2010 or equivalent
Description
It covers the relevant principles, objectives and ethical requirements of audit and assurance services; identifies the audit process from client acceptance, design of audit procedures and express an appropriate audit conclusion based on the audit evidence obtained. Topics include: audit planning, audit evidence and documentation, internal control, completion of audit, audit opinion and reporting, professional ethics, rights and obligation of auditors.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Describe the auditing profession, and the regulatory, legal and reporting framework of auditing.
- 2.
  Recognize the basic principles, objectives and ethical requirements of audit and assurance services.
- 3.
  Identify the audit process from client acceptance, design of audit procedures and recommend an appropriate audit conclusion based on the audit evidence obtained.
- 4.
  Assess risks and threats to an audit of financial statements through analytical and critical thinking.
- 5.
  Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
ACCT 5630
Business Law
[2-0-0:2]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 690O
Description
This course is designed for the study of Business Law with practical examples of the application of law in the real business world. The course materials cover topics highly relevant to the business managers in the decision making process. The end goal is to elevate the student's level of understanding of the surrounding legal environment.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Apply the legal knowledge studied to situations they are likely to encounter in their daily life and future careers.
- 2.
  Recognize the importance of different functional areas of the law, and solve legal and business problems critically and creatively by referring to the well-established cases and ordinances.
- 3.
  Recognize the importance of the law of professional negligence and duty of care on the part of the accountants and auditors, and become a responsible and capable member of the accounting profession.
- 4.
  Develop selected skills like analytical and critical thinking, effective communication and team work through the group project and presentation.
- 5.
  Recognize the importance of ethical responsibility, identify the ethical dilemmas, apply the ethical standards and recognize the consequences of breaching the ethical standards.
- 6.
  Recognize the importance of ethical responsibility and corporate social responsibility in the context of Chinese business ethics.
ACCT 5640
Company Law
[2-0-0:2]
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5630
Description
Law relating to companies registered in Hong Kong; company formation and records; share and loan capital; management and administration; reconstructions; mergers and take-overs; liquidation and receivership.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Explain the documents that lay down the features of a company and its internal procedures, and evaluate whether they can be altered.
- 2.
  Explain the role of key personnel in the management and administration of a company, and judge their rights and obligations.
- 3.
  Apply the rules in relation to company meetings.
- 4.
  Explain legal considerations and apply the legal rules in raising share or loan capital.
- 5.
  Explain the schemes of arrangement and apply the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs.
- 6.
  Explain the law in relation to commencement, conduct and consequences of winding up and apply the avoidance powers.
- 7.
  Explain the role, structure, duties, powers and procedures of some important external bodies in relation to the work of an accountant.
ACCT 5650
Corporate Governance and Compliance
[2-0-0:2]
Description
The course covers corporate governance at two levels. At the practice level, it builds on students' prior knowledge of company law, and introduces them to the various requirements of compliance by company boards as stipulated in the Hong Kong regulatory framework. At the company policies level, this course introduces students to broader aspects of corporate governance, focusing on the multitude and interaction of stakeholders and how their interests may be protected.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Describe the background of development of corporate governance, and its importance to the sustainability of businesses by way of protecting stakeholders’ interests.
- 2.
  Explain the objectives and roles of directors, accountants and other responsible persons in the corporate governance system, and how stakeholders’ interests can be protected under different corporate governance theories and models.
- 3.
  Comply with the legal and regulatory framework for governance of companies in Hong Kong, while acknowledging recent developments in China and other countries.
- 4.
  Promulgate corporate governance principles and best practice.
- 5.
  Apply probity and ethical standards in governance.
- 6.
  Assert the value and importance of internal control functions and risk management to sound corporate governance.
- 7.
  Explain corporate social responsibility and its emerging importance to modern businesses, and recent developments in related corporate governance practice.
ACCT 5710
Data Analytics in Accounting
[2-0-0:2]
Description
Data analytics is the process of collecting, organizing and analyzing big data in order to discover useful information for different uses. This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the nature and role of data analytics and how important it is to accountants, and enable students to apply and understand big data issues and utilize data mining, data modeling, data analysis and data visualization techniques to solve accounting and business related issues.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Explain and define the nature and role of data analytics and its application in accounting and business.
- 2.
  Explain and define issues related to big data and how to utilize big data.
- 3.
  Apply data mining modeling, analysis, and visualization techniques to solve accounting and business issues.
- 4.
  Utilize data analytics application(s) to perform and develop skills in business analysis.
- 5.
  Diagnose problems and issues by using big data to make responsible and ethical decisions.
ACCT 5720
Advanced Data Analytics in Accounting
[2-0-0:2]
Prerequisite(s)
ACCT 5710
Description
With the foundation of ACCT 5710 Data Analytics in Accounting, this course aims to provide students with advanced and practical knowledge of applications in data analytics designed by accounting professionals and enable students to apply and understand data analytics technologies to perform audit, enhance financial reporting, and minimize risks as accounting professionals.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Describe and apply knowledge and accounting applications on common ERP capabilities - collection, cleaning and analysis of data.
- 2.
  Identify common data analytics challenges and risks in accounting issues.
- 3.
  Utilize and apply accounting data analytics and its applications on modeling patterns of data, and identifying outliers and anomalies.
- 4.
  Apply and evaluate accounting analytics techniques on analysis for fraudulent activities in corporations.
- 5.
  Identify and incorporate accounting analytics technology and options for visualizations.
- 6.
  Identify and explain accounting issues in decision making in the data age - the future of data analytics in accounting.
ACCT 5801
Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Their Business Applications
[2-0-0:2]
Description
This course discusses cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others), blockchain (the technology behind the meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies), and the multidimensional business applications of blockchain technology. The course provides a basic set of skills to understand the hype about cryptocurrencies, and more importantly, its underlying technology, and to envision a future of blockchain with or without cryptocurrencies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Describe the history of blockchain technology and its recent development.
- 2.
  Explain the technical details and trading mechanisms of cryptocurrencies.
- 3.
  Identify real-world applications of blockchain technology.
- 4.
  Explain initial coin offering (ICO) and evaluate its similarity and difference with traditional fund raising methods.
- 5.
  Recognize regulations on cryptocurrency and ICO.
ACCT 6900
Special Topics
[1-4 credit(s)]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 690
Description
Selected topics in an identified area of accounting. This course may be repeated for credit if based on a different selection of topics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 6970
Independent Study
[1-4 credit(s)]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 697
Description
Study of selected accounting issues under the supervision of a faculty member. (Special permission from the Associate Dean is required for MBA students to take this course.)
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 6990
MPhil Thesis Research
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 699
Description
Master's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 7720
Doctoral Seminar - Research in Managerial Accounting, Auditing and Governance
[3-1-0:4]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 772
Description
Discussion of research in managerial accounting, auditing and corporate governance. Use of analytical and empirical tools in economics, finance and statistics to examine important accounting issues in the above areas.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 7730
Doctoral Seminar - Research in Financial Accounting
[3-1-0:4]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 773
Description
Use of empirical and analytical research methods in economics, finance, and statistics to examine important financial accounting issues.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 7740
Empirical Research in Governance, Contracting and Auditing
[2-4 credits]
Description
Use of empirical research methods in economics, finance and statistics to examine issues in governance, contracting and auditing.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Explain the association between corporate board structures and accounting.
- 2.
  Explain the association between corporate ownership structures and accounting.
- 3.
  Explain the association between the incentives of executives and accounting.
- 4.
  Explain the association between debt contracts and accounting.
- 5.
  Explain the association between auditing and accounting.
- 6.
  Explain the association between regulation and accounting.
- 7.
  Explain the association between litigation and accounting.
ACCT 7900
Doctoral Seminar
[1-4 credit(s)]
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 790
Description
Current research topics in accounting.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.
ACCT 7990
Doctoral Thesis Research
Previous Course Code(s)
ACCT 799
Description
Original and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.
  Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in their specialization.
- 2.
  Apply their specialized knowledge to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
- 3.
  Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
- 4.
  Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within their area of specialization.
- 5.
  Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.

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