AF5043 - Decision Making in the Financial Environment

You will learn by means of lectures (24 hours) and seminars (12 hours), supported by tutor-directed study (82 hours) and independent learning (82 hours). These will introduce you to different types of financial decisions and will demonstrate, through use of worked examples, how this information can be used to make decisions. You will then be required to apply these methods by undertaking exercises in advance of your seminar. Your tutor will work through these with you in the seminar session and discuss how these techniques can aid decision making, whilst introducing critical reflection on the techniques you cover. This will provide you with a means of formative assessment and feedback, by enabling you to determine your level of knowledge and understanding of a topic and ability to apply the techniques you have learnt.

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan (TLP) that outlines the pattern and content of formal sessions, tutor-directed study, and independent study. Support in relation to the day-to-day operation of the module will be provided by the module tutor in the first instance. You will also receive feedback from tutors in seminars, facilitated by the formative assessment activities, during which you will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have in respect of the subject matter. You will have access to an electronic reading list will provide you with information in respect of the supporting texts. Your lectures will be recorded and uploaded to the e-learning portal which you will be able to access to consolidate your knowledge and develop understanding.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding (KU):
• Use financial analysis to interpret financial information and make decisions (MLO1)

• Apply short term decision making techniques to make operational financial decisions (MLO2)

• Apply long term decision making techniques to make strategic financial decisions (MLO3).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):

• Make recommendations to stakeholders resulting from analysis of financial statements (MLO4).


Personal Values Attributes (PVA):

The module will be assessed by a 2 hour open notes examination which will comprise short answer and long form questions (candidates will be advised on permissible materials).

This will assess MLOs 1 – 4

Appropriate to level 4 study

N/A

Decision Making in the financial environment will provide you with the knowledge and numerical and problem-solving skills that will greatly enhance your employability within any business environment. You will be able to assess the performance of businesses with regard to profitability, solvency, financial structure and working capital management by means of analysing and interpreting their financial statements. You will also be able to make decisions in relation to both short and long term decisions as well as how to use budgets for planning and control purposes. You will also be able to deal with risk and uncertainty in a decision making situation.