Birmingham City University : MSc Accountancy and Finance (CIMA Pathway) - MSc

• Birmingham City Business School

• School
• The Department of Accountancy and Finance

• Campus
• City North

• Duration
• 2012/13 Full Time: 1 year

• Fees
• 2012/13 (Full Time): £8,000
  2012/13 International: £10,300 per year

Overview

Designed with academic rigour, professional relevance and a real commitment to employability, this course (which was created in consultation with CIMA), gives you the chance not only to study for a respected Master’s degree, but also CIMA’s ‘Certificate of Exemption’ from the Strategic and Management Level Papers*.

Therefore it is particularly attractive if you:

• want to study at an advanced level whilst also becoming CIMA qualified;
• already hold a CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and now wish to obtain a postgraduate university Masters academic qualification as well as complete your accountancy professional training (especially if you did not take a graduate route and consequently do not hold a university bachelor’s degree).

It goes without saying that a CV bearing not only a respected professional qualification, but also a postgraduate university award of depth and integrity, demands the attention of any employer in this competitive field.

Covering key issues such as business management strategy; corporate governance and operations risk analysis; performance measurement and evaluation; strategic financial management; and operations and project management, the MSc brings you face-to-face with the challenges and opportunities of a dynamic contemporary sector.

It prepares you to confidently take up a career in accountancy and finance across different industry sectors, or to put forward a serious case for your progression to senior management roles within your organisation.

*Please note: for full CIMA membership, you would need to sit and pass the TOPCIMA (T4) paper which is offered by Birmingham City University and externally examined by CIMA.

Key Facts

• The course has been accredited by CIMA for exemptions from the Management and Strategic Levels Papers.
• The course focuses on current and topical issues in accounting and finance, particularly related to corporate businesses, but also extending to investment analysis and portfolio management.
• You get the chance to study alongside people from other countries, enabling you to develop your knowledge of the cultural implications of business practice.
• You enjoy small class sizes and comprehensive learner development support throughout the course.
• If your first language is not English, the course offers you the opportunity to develop a high level of proficiency in the international business language of English.

Course Structure

The MSc Accountancy and Finance (CIMA) consists of an intensive twelve months programme of study and enquiry, including an element of project research.

Designed in consultation with CIMA, and emphasising the development of intellectual, analytical, technical, team, interpersonal and transferable skills, it extends your knowledge in core areas of accounting and finance, providing an advanced preparation for career development in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Postgraduate Certificate stage
Initially, you investigate the financial management theories which influence corporate financial decisions at strategic level, and the key asset pricing models on which modern investment analysis and portfolio management are based.

At this stage, you will also examine conventional approaches to organisational practices, and gain an understanding of information systems and the interconnectivity between business strategy and information strategy.

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to explore current issues in corporate governance, with particular emphasis on operations risks analysis and control relating to accounting and finance functions within the overall context of strategic risk management. 

Postgraduate Diploma stage
Here, you consider performance measurement and evaluation, with a thorough investigation of the tools and techniques employed by successful management accountants.

You gain a critical understanding of the strategic financial management decisions of national and multinational companies, and explore complex group structures and the application of existing and proposed accounting standards against a background of rapid development and change.

Master’s stage
As you progress, you assess the importance of both operations management and project management, and the potential positive contribution they can make to organisations in today’s competitive environment.

You look at the techniques needed for the successful design and execution of a successful project and, having gained a critical understanding of modern research methods, you undertake your own 12,000 word dissertation.

Enabling you to demonstrate your capacity for sustained, innovative and independent thought, the dissertation topic is chosen, investigated and published by you, with the advice of your supervisor.

This major piece of work will be weighty proof of your competencies and capabilities, and evidence of your value to any high-level decision-making team.

Modules

Postgraduate Certificate Stage (September to December)

Modern Theory of Finance (MTF)
Business Management Strategy (BMS)
Corporate Governance and Operations Risk Control (CG&ORC)

Postgraduate Diploma Stage (January to April)

Corporate Reporting (CR)
Strategic Financial Management (SFM)
Performance Measurement and Evaluation (PME)

Master's Stage (May to September)
Operations and Project Management
Research Skills in Accounting and Finance
Dissertation Project

Entry Requirements

You will need to demonstrate academic ability and technical capability in accounting and finance to be able to study on this programme. Consequently the entry requirements for the programme are as follows:

• Good Honours degree in Accountancy, Accountancy and Finance, or Business-related degree, with Accountancy as major.

or:

• CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting

In addition to the above requirements where English is not your first language, you must be able to furnish satisfactory evidence of a level of attainment in English language commensurate with study at Masters Level at Birmingham City University.

In most cases, a TOEFL score of at least 575 or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 average or 6.0 in all bands or an alternative qualification evidencing an equivalent competence in English will be required

Application Details

Please apply online. Click here for the online application form.

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.

Fees Notes

If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For information on postgraduate fees visit the fees area of the Student Info section.