AF3005 - Contemporary Issues in Accounting, Finance and Economics

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will explore the contemporary issues that are impacting the world of Accounting, Finance and Economics today. You will be able to understand and critically apprise the issues in order to demonstrate how these contemporary issues are likely to shape the future of the Accounting, Finance and Economics landscape. For example:





Accounting


The rise of Artificial Intelligence and changing nature of the Accounting profession


Global Accounting standard harmonisation


Governance and its impact on companies






Finance


COVID-19 (Global Pandemics) and market volatility


Open Banking


Development of FinTech


Development of RegTech






Economics


Global financial crisis


China/USA trade war


Brexit for macroeconomics






You will be assessed my means of a continuous professional development (CPD) event. You will be expected to prepare a professional briefing paper and present (in your group) to a panel of academics and industry experts. In this event you will present on your chosen contemporary issue, providing a critical appraisal to demonstrate your understanding of how the issue will impact the Accounting, Finance or Economics landscape. This will involve you carrying out research on a topic and being able to find innovative and interesting ways to disseminate that research to the experts and your peers during the event.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn though lectures, structured seminars and independent learning. The lectures will give you the key insights into the issues that are facing the world of Accounting, Finance and Economics, while the seminars will enable you to explore the issues in more depth using case studies and examples from a range of sources. The seminars will give you the opportunity to debate and discuss the issues and the impact that they have in the macro environment. Learning in this way will enable you to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge to conduct the research and insights required to deliver a successful CPD briefing paper and presentation.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported in a number of ways. The most direct from of support will be through the seminars, where you will engage and interact in debates and discussions around a given topic. In addition, there will be a number of drop-in sessions to support you though the CPD event planning process. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions about your topic and ways to approach the presentation and briefing paper. There will be ongoing support from your module tutor via email and informal discussions. Lectures will be recorded using Panopto and made available on Blackboard. In addition, a range of material will be made available from professional bodies and sources which will support your study of the contemporary issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:


Acquire knowledge of contemporary practice in Accounting, Finance and Economics (MLO1).






Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:


Critically assess your Continuous Professional Development by means of a group-delivered professional training event supported by an appropriate briefing paper (MLO2).






Develop and critically assess your research and presentation skills through delivery to a peer audience (MLO3).






Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):


Develop and critique your research skills by investigating particular Accounting, Finance and Economics issues and synthesising the material into an evaluative briefing paper (MLO4).

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:


This will be provided to you through a range of seminar activities which will enable you to prepare for summative assessment during, and at end of the module. You will be given the opportunity to develop presentation skills through examples. Formative assessment will be provided by tutors during sessions, and through guidance notes to seminar activities.





Summative Assessment:





Continuous Professional Development event - You will be expected to submit a 1500 words group briefing paper (worth 50%) and deliver a 30min group presentation (worth 50%). Feedback will be provided in written format for both elements (briefing paper construction and presentation) (MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4).

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module examines the contemporary issues and controversies in the fields of Accounting, Finance and Economics. As such, it enables you to get a broad understanding the current debates and challenges the three fields are facing, moreover, how this impacts business. You will gain an understanding of these issues from academics and professionals. You will be expected produce a briefing paper and a presentation on a contemporary issue, to a group of experts and your peers. This will require you to undertake research in order to produce a quality briefing paper that is comparable to the standard of a Continuous Professional Development event, and a presentation that enables your audience to gain insights into the given topic. The module will prepare you, in terms of both knowledge and skills, to study Accounting, Finance or Economics to a more advanced level.

Course info

UCAS Code N775

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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