Undergraduate Courses 2024-25

Undergraduate courses marked with [BLD] or [SPO] may be offered in the mode of blended learning or self-paced online delivery respectively, subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• ACCT 1010

  Accounting, Business and Society

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ACCT 2010, CORE 1310

  Description

  Overview of accounting in business and social contexts; use of accounting information for accountability and decision-making in companies, non-profit organizations, and government; major elements of accounting, including assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses; discharge of accountability by companies through corporate social and environmental reports. The aim of this course is to make students aware of how accounting could be applicable to fundamental business transactions and ways to evaluate how businesses are operated.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    List the broad framework of ethics, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility, while demonstrating the knowledge and respect of ethics and ethical standards in accounting in particular
  • 2.
    Explain the roles of accounting in business and social contexts; and their bearings on corporate social and environmental accounting
  • 3.
    Identify the different users of accounting information and their information needs; and the approaches to use the information in financial statements according to their needs
  • 4.
    Identify and describe broad aspects of appropriate accounting treatments for different transactions of different organisations, and how such may address stakeholders’ information needs
  • 5.
    Read, interpret, and analyze financial statements, including the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statements
• ACCT 1610

  Laws in Society and Business

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ACCT 3610

  Description

  This course provides an introduction to law and business society. Topics include general introduction to the concepts in law; an introduction to the Hong Kong legal system under the principle of "one country, two systems"; copyright law; trademark law; agency law; insolvency law; employment law and business ethics. As Hong Kong is a well-developed business society, this course is intended to build students' understanding of the relationship between the law and the society and discuss laws in society and business.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    To build students’ understanding of the relationship between the law and the society
  • 2.
    To enhance selected skills like analytical and critical thinking, effective communication and team work
  • 3.
    To discuss the importance of ethical responsibility and apply the ethical standard to resolve the dilemmas
  • 4.
    To analyze the law of agency and attain a balance between the principal and the agent
  • 5.
    To analyze the law of copyright and attain a balance between the copyright owner and the user
  • 6.
    To analyze the law of trademarks and attain a balance between the trademark owner and the general public
  • 7.
    To analyze the law of insolvency and attain a balance of interests among different stakeholders
• ACCT 2010

  Principles of Accounting I

  3 Credit(s)
  Mode of Delivery

  [BLD] Blended learning

  Description

  For SB&M students, and programs that designate the course as a required/specified elective course. This is the first course of the principles of accounting sequence. Introduction to the concepts and principles of financial accounting, including the analysis, recording, and reporting of business transactions and preparation of financial statements.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understanding Basic Accounting Concepts.
  • 2.
    Transaction Analysis: Apply conceptual knowledge to business transactions and translate them into financial statements.
  • 3.
    Financial Statements Preparation: Learn to prepare and understand the four major financial statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows, and Statement of Stockholder’s Equity.
  • 4.
    Financial Statement Analysis: Demonstrate the skills to read, analyze, and interpret financial statements and key financial ratios.
  • 5.
    Understanding Ethical Principles: Recognize the importance of ethics in accounting and the impact of ethical (unethical) behaviors on financial reporting and business practices.
• ACCT 2200

  Principles of Accounting II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (for non-BIBU students) ACCT 2010

  Description

  For SB&M students, and programs that designate the course as a required/specified elective course. This is the second course of the principles of accounting sequence. It introduces concepts, accounting methods, and analytical tools related to managerial and cost accounting. Topics include fundamental cost concepts, job-order and process costing systems, CVP analysis, budgets and standards, segment reporting, and decision-making using cost information.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Define and classify cost accounting concepts used by managers.
  • 2.
    Apply and analyze various costing methods to calculate and interpret costs used by manufacturing organizations.
  • 3.
    Analyze different types of cost behaviors and evaluate the relationships between cost, volume, and profit.
  • 4.
    Apply management accounting principles to analyze and interpret relevant information for effective decision-making.
  • 5.
    Understand the benefits of budgeting and prepare the master budget.
  • 6.
    Understand how standard costs are determined and variances are investigated.
  • 7.
    Understand how management accounting utilizes financial accounting information for the measurement of the performance of individuals and business segments.
  • 8.
    Understand and apply various capital budgeting tools.
• ACCT 3010

  Financial Accounting I

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2010

  Exclusion(s)

  ACCT 3030

  Mode of Delivery

  [BLD] Blended learning

  Description

  Study of the application of generally accepted accounting principles to accounting for business organizations; evaluation of balance sheet accounts and the related effects on income determination.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Think critically and creatively and make effective decisions supported by analytical and quantitative techniques.
  • 2.
    Demonstrate an ability to understand in-depth grasp of financial accounting frameworks.
  • 3.
    Demonstrate sophisticated user of financial accounting information by interpreting financial strategies, assess financial risk and understand financial accounting choices made by managers.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the international dimensions of accounting.
  • 5.
    Understand the role played by accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
  • 6.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the accounting environment in Hong Kong.
  • 7.
    Demonstrate an understanding of ethical challenges, creative accounting, and earnings management issues, and develop ethical and social responsibility.
• ACCT 3020

  Financial Accounting II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 3010

  Exclusion(s)

  ACCT 3030

  Description

  Continuation of ACCT 3010. Special problems in accounting for owner's equity and long-term liabilities including corporate bonds, leases, deferred taxation and pensions.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Demonstrate an ability to understand in-depth grasp of financial accounting frameworks.
  • 2.
    Demonstrate an effective user of financial accounting information by interpreting financial strategies, assess financial risk and understand financial accounting choices made by managers.
  • 3.
    Understand the role played by accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the international dimensions of accounting.
  • 5.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the accounting environment in Hong Kong.
• ACCT 3030

  Intermediate Financial Accounting for Non-Accounting Majors

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2010

  Exclusion(s)

  ACCT 3010, ACCT 3020

  Description

  Financial accounting concepts and practices with particular emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of financial reports and data.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Think critically and creatively in making effective decisions supported by analytical and quantitative techniques.
  • 2.
    Explain the interdependence and distinctive elements of accounting, finance and economics, and integrate them to solve business problems.
  • 3.
    Apply financial accounting frameworks to business situations.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the international dimensions of accounting. Identify the activities/issues in accounting that may present ethical challenges, and articulate the consequences associated with unethical behavior.
• ACCT 3210

  Advanced Management Accounting

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2200

  Description

  This course covers advanced quantitative methods for management decision-making (decision trees, linear regression, learning curves, and linear programming), pricing and transfer pricing decisions, allocation of common and joint costs, variance analysis, performance measurement and incentive compensation.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Analyze and evaluate a variety of business problems to develop effective and innovative solutions.
  • 2.
    Develop leadership skills by solving operational and strategic planning problems.
  • 3.
    Demonstrate communication skills through class participation and case discussions.
• ACCT 3610

  Business Law

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is to provide students with an awareness of the overall legal framework in which businesses in Hong Kong operate so as to enable them to apply the relevant laws and practices to business problems and practical solutions. The main objective is to give students an understanding of how the society and business function in different socio-legal contexts like the legal system and process and its influence on citizens’ social rights and duties; the enforcement and honoring of agreement between private citizens, the use of business organizations in commercial society, the relationship between employee and employer from social and legal perspectives, the growing importance of business ethics and corporate social responsibilities etc.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Analyze the principal concepts of the contract law.
  • 2.
    Analyze the principal concepts of the law of tort and negligence.
  • 3.
    Analyze the principal concepts of the consumer laws.
  • 4.
    Analyze the principal aspects of regulations that govern the different business organizations.
  • 5.
    Analyze the principal concepts of the employment laws.
  • 6.
    Understand the principal concepts of the data protection laws.
• ACCT 3630

  ESG Measurement, Disclosure and Applications

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2010 AND FINA 2303

  Exclusion(s)

  ENVR 4320

  Description

  Environment, Society and Governance (ESG) are three pillars in the emerging system of sustainable finance. This course is designed for students interested in the concept of ESG, especially for those who aspire to learn about the measurement and disclosure of ESG and their applications in the management of business and investment. The course covers topics such as the history and regulations of sustainable finance, the concept and measurement of ESG risks, the disclosure framework and ratings of ESG, the ESG-related investing approaches and financial products. It also covers how management can integrate climate-related risks into business strategies and capture low-carbon opportunities. For all UG students in Year 3 or above.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand the concepts of ESG and sustainable finance
  • 2.
    Understand the measurement of ESG factors and analyze their disclosures
  • 3.
    Understand the processes and limitations of ESG ratings
  • 4.
    Understand the concept of climate risks and analyze their disclosures
  • 5.
    Understand how to consider ESG in investing
  • 6.
    Understand how to integrate climate-related risks into business strategy and capture low-carbon opportunities
• ACCT 3880

  Professional Excellence Program

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Introductory-level seminars and workshops on the accounting/auditing professions; development of life-skills including writing and other communication skills; and individual thinking skills; ethics for accountants. For SB&M students only. Graded P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Identify and analyze key issues in the contemporary business environment, including those affecting the accounting and finance profession.
  • 2.
    Explain how professional accountants would add values in business transactions.
  • 3.
    Explain the role played by professional accountants in providing and ensuring the integrity of financial and related information.
  • 4.
    Appreciate the multi-disciplinary approach to solve business problems.
  • 5.
    Demonstrate how safeguards could be used to deal with ethical threats.
  • 6.
    Demonstrate a sound understanding of contemporary business issues by conducting research on selected topics and presenting original ideas in a logical and creative manner.
• ACCT 4010

  Advanced Financial Accounting

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 3020

  Description

  Addresses accounting issues associated with (1) intercorporate investment activity that conveys significant influence or control and (2) cross-border activities. The core topics addressed are business combinations, consolidated financial statements, associated companies, and foreign currency issues.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Develop a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of advanced financial accounting.
  • 2.
    Apply critical and creative thinking to make effective decisions, supported by appropriate analytical and quantitative techniques.
  • 3.
    Apply financial accounting frameworks to analyze corporate performance and business situations.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the international dimensions of accounting.
  • 5.
    Understand ethical and social responsibilities in local and global context.
• ACCT 4410

  Taxation

  3 Credit(s)
  Corequisite(s)

  ACCT 3010 AND ACCT 3610

  Description

  The Hong Kong taxation system and its administration; taxation of individuals, partnerships and corporations; stamp duty; obligations compliance.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Describe the law and practice of Hong Kong tax, including source of tax law; Inland Revenue practices including those dealing with basic principles and practices relating to cross-border transactions between Hong Kong and the Mainland China.
  • 2.
    Describe and explain the law, principles and practices of Hong Kong property tax, salaries tax and profit tax, depreciation allowance, personal assessment, tax management, stamp duty and tax administration.
  • 3.
    Apply the tax principles to practical business situations and identify issues in income taxes and stamp duty planning.
  • 4.
    Explain the law and practice of offence and penalty.
  • 5.
    Describe the basic principles and ethical requirements of tax practice.
  • 6.
    Demonstarte an ability to communicate effectively in verbal, written and electronic formats.
• ACCT 4510

  Auditing

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 3020

  Description

  Objectives, standards and procedures of auditing; preparation of working papers; applications of statistical sampling; computer-assisted auditing and auditing of electronic data processing (EDP) services; professional liability and ethics.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand the regulatory and professional framework of the auditing profession.
  • 2.
    Apply auditing theories, standards, and procedures to the practice of auditing, including designing and implementing methodologies for examining, verifying, evaluating and reporting on the financial statements of organizations.
  • 3.
    Identify an ethical dilemma in a scenario case of auditing, articulate the consequences associated with unethical behavior, and apply professional ethical standards to propose and defend a resolution.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate critical judgment by analyzing core issues and key assumptions in auditing scenarios, and evaluate problems from multiple perspectives.
• ACCT 4610

  Company Law

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 3610

  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 and apply the process of forming an incorporated body.
  • 2.
    Analyse how companies make decisions and manage their activities, and apply the rules and requirements to practical business situations.
  • 3.
    Analyse the essential elements of agency relationship, including the role of an agent, how an agency is created, the different types of authority of an agent, and the rights, duties and liabilities of an agent and a principal.
  • 4.
    Analyse the legal implications of issuing share capital and loan capital.
  • 5.
    Explain and apply the important rules and requirements applicable to public companies in relation to fund-raising, prospectus contents and liabilities, and continuing obligations of listed companies.
  • 6.
    Explain and apply the schemes of arrangement, reconstruction, and the take-over provisions of the Companies Ordinance.
  • 7.
    Analyse and apply the rules and requirements regarding company liquidation and winding up.
  • 8.
    Describe the key roles of external regulatory bodies, including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Financial Reporting Council and the Insurance Authority.
• ACCT 4710

  Accounting Analytics for Professional Accountants

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2010 AND ISOM 2010

  Description

  Data analytics is reshaping the work of accountants. Applications of data analytics in accounting including: Auditing/Assurance - data analytics techniques used by accounting professionals and auditors nowadays to detect fraud and conduct forensic accounting. Enhancing Financial Reporting: more sophisticated data analytics tools can allow companies to link diverse financial and non-financial datasets and provide more comprehensive and rigorous financial reports to stakeholders. Managing risks: data analytics techniques such as continuous auditing and continuous monitoring can help accounting professionals assess and manage relevant risk levels within their organization. This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the nature and role of data analytics 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.
    Identify and incorporate useful sources of financial and non-financial data that help accountants' decision-making
  • 2.
    Apply and demonstrate knowledge of the nature and role of accounting data analytics and understand how important it is to accounting professionals
  • 3.
    Use and evaluate analytics techniques to interpret accounting data, analyze business process, and develop solutions for issues in accounting processes
  • 4.
    Utilize data analytics application(s) to perform and develop skills in accounting audit, fraud detection and business analysis
  • 5.
    Diagnose accounting problems and issues by using accounting data analytics to make responsible and ethical decisions
• ACCT 4720

  Equity Investment with Machine Learning

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ACCT 2010 AND ISOM 3400

  Description

  This course is designed for students interesting in the investment management business, especially for those who aspire to learn the application of quantitative and machine learning technology in equity investing. The course will cover a wide range of topics in equity investing, including quantitative investment process, multi-factor stock-selection models, portfolio construction methods, performance evaluation, and an introduction of applications of AI/machine learning technology in equity investing. This is a very hands-on course. Students will be required to conduct quantitative and machine learning analyses using Python. Prior knowledge in capital markets and python programing is required. For students in their third year of study and above.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand the philosophy, theory, and process of quantitative equity investing
  • 2.
    Understand the role of financial statement information in equity investing
  • 3.
    Understand the potential application of machine learning technology in equity investment
  • 4.
    Develop investment strategies using accounting and other financial information
  • 5.
    Conduct backtests on quantitative strategies and evaluate their performance
  • 6.
    Articulate the logic of investment strategies and backtest results clearly
• ACCT 4980

  Independent Study

  1-4 Credit(s)
  Description

  Directed study of selected problems in accounting not covered in other courses. Graded letter grade or P/F subject to different offerings.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Demonstrate an in-depth and substantial knowledge on the topic chosen for the independent study.
  • 2.
    Develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  • 3.
    Integrate knowledge from a range of fields to effectively communicate key issues from the chosen area of study.