Course Overview
Entry Qualifications
In addition to the standard College entry requirements (see below) this course also usually requires students to have achieved grade 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics and a grade 5 or above in English Languages. It is not necessary to have previously studied Accounting.
What will I study?
This course helps students to understand the responsibilities of an accountant. It will help them to appreciate that accountants form recommendations, based upon financial evidence which have significant impacts on the business, the wider economy and society.
Students will develop the ability to classify and organise financial data so that they can methodically analyse that data, solve problems logically and make reasoned choices. They will learn to justify and communicate their reasoned choices effectively.
The course covers the full range of Financial Accounting and Cost and Management Accounting:
Financial Accounting is concerned with the classification and organisation of financial information and how it is presented in its final form such as Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Cash flow statements. Emphasis is placed on different kinds of business organisation such as sole traders, limited companies and partnerships in order to be able to evaluate their performance.
Cost and Management Accounting is concerned with using financial information in the decision-making process. The topics studies include Budgeting, Marginal, Absorption and Activity Based Costing, Standard Costing and Variance Analysis and Investment Appraisal. Emphasis is placed on purpose and benefits and limitations of these techniques.
How will I study?
The focus of both parts of the course is problem solving. Students will spend a considerable amount of time applying accounting techniques to particular problems. Students are set regular independent study assignments and tests to check understanding of the work completed in class. The course will develop key skills such as numeracy and communication. Extra support is available when needed.
How is the course examined?
Assessment is wholly by examination. There are two 3 hour written exam papers at the end of the second year of study: Both of these exam papers contain a series of compulsory questions and count equally towards the overall grade.
Where next?
Most of our students who look for employment after A-levels seek work in the area of business and finance. Knowledge of accounting is a requirement for most business-related degrees and for many professions.
Those who go on to further study often choose degrees in Economics, Business or Accountancy. Fast track degrees in Accounting are now available to very able students with guaranteed vocational employment. Some of our students seek employment and training with accounting firms straight after A-levels.
What does the course combine well with?
Accounting combines well with any subject, but particularly well with Economics or Business.
College Entry Requirements
We normally expect applicants to have achieved good GCSE passes in at least six subjects, these must:
• demonstrate the suitability for Advanced Level study
• have been achieved at Grade 4/C as a minimum
• include two at Grade 5/B as a minimum
• include English Language – a minimum grade of 4/C
• Mathematics at a grade 4/C as a minimum
