AP2SB2-Financial Management

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: AP1SB1 Introduction to Management
Non-modular pre-requisites: Food Science with Business (3 & 4 Year programmes) are not required to have undertaken the AP1SB1 Pre-requisite module
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Chittur Srinivasan

Email: C.S.Srinivasan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

You will learn financial management concepts that are relevant for decision making in all functional areas of a business. You will understand the crucial role of the finance function and gain a good grounding in the principles, concepts, analytical techniques and practical applications of financial management in the context of a business enterprise. You will acquire the skills to assess the financial needs of a business, evaluate alternative investment projects, identify and evaluate possible sources of finance and take decisions regarding the deployment of finance at the level of the non-specialist manager.

Aims:
This module aims to give students an appreciation of the role of the finance function in business. It aims to provide a good grounding in the principles, concepts, analytical techniques and practical applications of financial management in the context of a business enterprise. It will enable the student to assess the financial needs of a business, identify possible sources of that finance, evaluate alternative sources of finance and take decisions regarding the deployment of finance at the level of the non-specialist manager.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module, students should be able to: * Understand the role of the finance function in business and its relationship with the corporate planning process. * Demonstrate the ability to apply basic management accounting skills. * Be able to analyse and interpret financial statements from the perspective of management and external users. * Be able to estimate the financial needs of a business, identify and select from alternative sources of finance and provide a rationale for the choice. * Be able to appraise capital investment projects and select suitable projects in the context of financial constraints, risk factors and company objectives. * Understand the principles of working capital management. * Develop an appreciation of financial management issues in the context of international business operations.

Additional outcomes:
In addition, students will also be able to: * Follow discussions and debates in the financial press. * Develop the basic skills required for a non-specialist financial manager in a business enterprise.

Outline content:

• Introduction to Financial Management - role of the finance function in business. * Review of managerial accounting concepts. * Financial planning and projected financial statements. * Analysis and interpretation of financial statements. * Capital investment appraisal: techniques and issues. * Risk, return and capital investment appraisal. * Sources of finance and financial markets. * The cost of capital and the capital structure decision. * Management of working capital. * Issues in f inancial management in the context of international business operations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be covered through 10 lectures supplemented with exercises and assignments to be completed by students outside contact hours.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Set exercise	20
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
Two-hour examination paper during Summer term

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor 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[1] (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 mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By re-examination August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 24 July 2020