Accounting and Finance - Higher Cert

Course Code: US610

Level

Duration

2 Years

Department

Business & Financial Services

CAO Points

367

Course Type

Undergraduate - CAO

Location

Limerick

Our two year Higher Certificate (Level 6) programme in Accounting & Finance will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a successful career at Accounting Technician level. This programme is both a qualification in its own right and a stepping stone to the Level 7 (Ordinary) Degree programme in Accounting & Finance.

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 O6/H7 grades in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Who can I contact?

What modules will I study?

Year 1 - Semester 1

Title: Business Communication And Analysis

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is that learners will be introduced to the communication process and the essentials of effective business communication be that verbal, non-verbal or written.

Title: Business Management

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to provide learners with a broad awareness of management theories and concepts and their application to the various structures, functions and operations of organisations.

Title: Cost Accounting - Core

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the basic concepts of costing with a focus on the analysis of costs associated with running businesses.

Title: Financial Accounting Principles

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to develop the learners understanding of the principles of accounting. The focus is on the use of double entry and accounting systems. Recording transactions and events including sales, purchases,and depreciation. Preparing a trial balance and basic financial statements. No prior knowledge of Accounting is required.

Title: Introduction To Microeconomics

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to provide learners with decision-making skills and an understanding of the competitive environment. The module also aims to develop learner's analytical ability and critical thinking skills.

Title: Marketing Principles

Credits: 5
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Marketing Principles is an exploration of the theory and practice of marketing, and the marketing function, within the business environment. Guiding learners from the fundamentals of marketing through to the role and application of marketing within an organisation. This module will build on the fundamental principles of marketing whilst illustrating the application of these principles to the development of marketing strategy in industry.
Year 1 - Semester 2

Title: Cost Accounting - Fundamentals

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to continue to introduce learners to the basic concepts of costing with a focus on the analysis of costs associated with running of businesses.

Title: Entrepreneurship

Credits: 5
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This module is designed to introduce students to Entrepreneurship. They will research an entrepreneur of their choice to understand the obstacles that their chosen entrepreneur encountered. The module will then require a feasibility study to be concluded in relation to a business idea of their choice.

Title: Financial Accounting Fundamentals

Credits: 5
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Learners wil be provided with the necessary knowledge,skills and competence to prepare and present financial statements in accordance with current statutory requirements and standards. Students will explore many aspects of financial accounting that affect the preparation of the financial statements.

Title: Information Technology And Data Analysis Application

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is that learners will be introduced to the communication process and the essentials of effective business communication. Equally, the learner will be introduced to information technology and the impact on business along with associate risks and regulations

Title: Introduction To Macroeconomics

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of the macroeconomic environment. The module also aims to develop learners' analytical ability and critical thinking skills.

Title: Quantitative Methods For Business

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to understand the use/benefits of maths and statistics in a business context. In particular, learners will use quantitative techniques to deal with the following:

Uncertainty in business and the role of probability.

Estimating future costs based on past cost behaviour patterns

Capital investment decisions

Measure Inflation

Present Data in a useful/readable manner
Year 2 - Semester 1

Title: Computerised Sage Accounts And Payroll

Credits: 5
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Students become proficient in the use of Sage accounting and Sage Payroll package

Title: Financial Accounting For Companies

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain knowledge of key aspects of financial accounting for companies which includes focus on the purpose of financial accounting, double entry, preparation of financial statements for companies and application of IFRS to aid the preparation of financial statements.

Title: Law And Business 1

Credits: 5
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The module introduces learners to the key features of the Irish legal system and provides a foundation for the study of substantive areas of Irish law. The module introduces learners to the sources of Irish law, the Irish court system, the principle of stare decisis (rules of precedent), and the administration of justice. The module will also introduce learners to contract law and the sale of goods and supply of services legislation.

Title: Management Accounting - Decision Making

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to enable learners to understand how relevant management accounting techniques can be used to assist managers in optimal decision-making. On completion of this module learners should be able to understand and skilfully apply several calculative management accounting techniques, have an appreciation of their limitations, and be able to communicate the outcomes effectively to specialists and non-specialists.

Title: Project Planning & Control

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to introduce students to the key concepts around managing projects, particularly project identification, planning and control, and incorporating lean and agile management principles. The module will provide Business and Finance students with a set of tools and techniques which can be used by financial professionals and project managers at different phases of the project life cycle, including identifying and selecting projects, and planning, performing and controlling projects. The module will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a project schedule, allocate resources, measure resource utilisation, determine costs, manage risk and close a project. Students will be using MS Project to gain hands-on experience of using industry standard project management software.

Title: Public Finance

Credits: 5
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The module is designed to address the main theories and practices of pubic finance in Ireland and other jurisdictions. In addition, the module will explore the political economy of modern taxation systems.
Year 2 - Semester 2

Title: Business Technology And Data Analytics

Credits: 5
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On completion of this module, learners will be able to demonstrate and evaluate how businesses may make use (or better use) of IS, IT and data to improve business and financial decision making capabilities, overall performance and better understand customers. Learners will explore the role and application of IS and IT in the management and control of organisations, particularly in the Accounting & Finance function. Learners will also gain the knowledge and skills necessary to use the core functions of Excel (intermediate level) and data analytics tools such as Power BI / Tableau or similar.

Title: Financial Accounting

Credits: 5
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The aim of this module is to allow the learner gain knowledge of key aspects of financial accounting for non companies which includes focus on the preparation of financial statements for clubs and societies, partnerships, dealing with incomplete records and continued focus on double entry accounting through the correction of errors and suspense accounts.

Title: Income Tax & Vat

Credits: 5
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This module will introduce learners to the Irish tax system. It will examine two tax heads being Income Tax & VAT. It will provide learners with the skills necessary to attend to the compliance issues associated with the aforementioned taxes.

Title: Law And Business 2

Credits: 5
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This module builds on the Law and Business 1 module and continues to introduce learners to substantive areas of Irish law. The module introduces the learners to the rules and principles of tort law. In addition, the module introduces learners to employment law, succession law, and consumer protection law as well as other pertinent business law topics.

Title: Management Accounting - Planning & Control

Credits: 5
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This module will focus on the development of essential accounting techniques to assist 'internal' users (i.e. management) with planning and control. It aims to provide knowledge of underlying key theoretical principles and the skills to apply that knowledge to a variety of different business scenarios.

Title: Preparation For The Workplace

Credits: 5
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This module is designed to not only provide the learner with the skills to enable them to procure employment but also to enable them to communicate professionally in a work context . Learners will develop the expertise to create a professional curriculum vitae and job application cover letter. Students will have the opportunity to simulate the interview process giving them the confidence to sell their skills and abilities to prospective employers. The module will emphasise the importance of professional verbal, written and electronic communication in work related situations.

Are there opportunities for further study?

Successful graduates of this programme will have the opportunity to progress to the Level 7 (Ordinary) 1 year add-on degree programme in Accounting and Finance. Successful graduates of this programme may, alternatively choose to pursue Professional Accountancy Examinations and may benefit from examination exemptions from the relevant bodies.