2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5019M Forensic Accounting and Finance

15 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Prof Steve Toms
Email: J.S.Toms@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

For all programmes except MSc Accounting & Finance a knowledge of accounting from previous degree (to be approved by the Module Leader) or attendance at LUBS 5205M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module aims to set out the context, motivations and rationalisation of financial statement fraud. It will explain how such frauds are perpetuated, detected and investigated with a view to understanding how effective mechanisms to prevent recurrence might be successfully implemented, using examples from the present day, historical and international contexts. It will illustrate how forensic techniques are employed to investigative fraud and provide an understanding of associated legal processes. It will explain the theoretical and empirical perspective of research in the field of forensic accounting, thereby illustrating the consequences of unethical behaviour and appropriate professional responses to it.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to critically assess:
- theoretical and empirical research in the field of forensic accounting
- causes and consequences of financial statement fraud
- the principles and practice of some of the methods used to identify and investigate fraud
- implications and relevance of current knowledge boundaries in forensic accounting and finance
- theories and relevant empirical research evidence in the field of accounting, corporate finance, organisations, psychology, law and financial markets

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- work effectively independently and in teams
- structure and communicate quantitative and qualitative information

Subject specific
- extract relevant information to understand the determinants of fraud and formulate potential solutions to prevent the occurrence of fraud in structured and unstructured business situations
- apply numerical and statistical skills to manipulate and interrogate data using appropriate technology in professional contexts
- Interpret financial and non-financial information and data to provide a professional insight into the operations of a complex business for the purpose of planning investigations and providing expert comment

Syllabus

Indicative content:
Creative accounting, business valuation, psychology of fraud, corporate crime, historical and international perspectives, financial and accounting regulation, fraud investigations.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	6	1.00	6.00
Private study hours			122.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Post-lecture reading: 40 hours
Seminar reading and preparation: 30 hours
Preparation for written exams: 54 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback will be provided to students on their responses to a number of pre-set tutorial questions. Students will also be actively engaged in class discussions and debates.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 15/01/2016

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD