• Accounting

Accounting

Accounting is at the very heart of every business activity and is a rewarding and challenging activity in its own right.  Accounting is concerned with collecting, analysing, summarising and presenting financial data in order to comply with company legislation and assist decision making by management.  By the end of the course you will have acquired a sound knowledge of accounting principles and techniques and be able to solve complex accounting problems.

You will start by looking at basic bookkeeping techniques, which will form the basis for your understanding of a wide range of topics, delivered later in the course, relating to more sophisticated methods of financial and management accounting used in business and industry.

What will I study in Accounting?

AS Unit 1

Introduction to Financial Accounting

You will be introduced to the general purposes of accounting: accounting records, subsidiary books and ledger accounts; verification of accounting records; trading and profit and loss accounts; balance sheets including simple adjustments. 

AS Unit 2

Financial and Management Accounting

The second unit examines different types of business organisation: accounting concepts; further aspects of the preparation of the final accounts and balance sheets of sole traders; an introduction to budgeting and budgetary control.

A2 Unit 3

Further Aspects of Financial Accounting

Developing material and concepts learnt during the AS, you will examine sources of finance: incomplete records; partnership accounts; published accounts of limited companies; accounting standards and stock valuation.

A2 Unit 4

Further Aspects of Management Accounting

The last unit covers: manufacturing accounts; marginal, absorption and activity based costing; standard costing and variance analysis; capital investment appraisal and social accounting.

How will I be assessed?

Examination papers are 90 minutes in the AS units and 2 hours at A2 level.  Questions are based around knowledge of accountancy terminology, techniques and problem-solving exercises.

Do I need to have studied Accounting before?

It is not necessary for you to have studied any accounting before starting the course but you should be methodical and comfortable with numerical and statistical data, enjoy paying attention to detail and be able to write logically.

Which subjects complement Accounting?

Accounting combines well with a number of other subjects.  The related disciplines of Business Studies, ICT and Mathematics are obvious examples.  If you are looking for a broader programme of study, Accounting combines well with the study of a language or science subjects.  This approach mirrors some of the developments at university where language, science and engineering courses often include aspects of Business Management.

What careers can Accounting lead to?

A good grade in Accounting at A level is valued by universities and employers, as it requires you to develop a high level of analytical skill and to demonstrate the ability to solve realistic accounting problems.  This course lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Accounting or related subjects in higher education.  Careers include accountancy itself, management and finance or related business fields.