MSc Accounting and Finance (CIMA Gateway)

The MSc in Accounting and Finance offered by Westford Uni Online in collaboration with Abertay University is designed according to the standards and accredited by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). It focuses on strengthening managerial and leadership qualities into accounting and finance professionals who look forward to progressing in their careers.

While the programme covers fundamental concepts of accounting and finance, it also delves into managerial and leadership theories. Learners pursing this programme are expected to incorporate both – the practical and theoretical concepts, combining learnings from their field of expertise to the theories of management.

Other key concepts that will be addressed in this programme include, decision making; planning and strategizing. This will help professionals contribute towards the growth of their businesses or the organisations that they work with.

Evaluation of the programme will be based on assignments, presentations, and practical course work. Classroom examination may also be a part of the assessment criteria depending on the nature of the modules.

Westford Uni Online aims to create corporate-ready individuals who will be able to advance in their careers or implement their learning outcomes to self-owned businesses, yielding into professional growth. By the end of the degree course, learners will be able to:

Program Highlights:

• Develop a critical understanding of the basic concepts and theories of international financial reporting and analysis, and display thorough understanding of current developments in international accounting and reporting standards and procedures.
• Examine contemporary advancements in strategic financial accounting, management accounting, and social, environmental, and sustainability accounting from a theoretical, practical, and historical perspective.
• Efficiently collaborate with clients, consumers, and stakeholders in the development of marketing and e-business strategies for a variety of platforms.
• Critically comprehend the basic concepts and theories of corporate finance and equity investments.
• Use suitable strategic management accounting methodologies for strategic planning, control, and performance management, and analyse a company project to discover areas for improvement.
• Identify, conceptualise, and define a research question(s) and justify its relevance to practice and its significance as a potential contribution to existing knowledge.
• Critically analyse a variety of complicated scenarios and produce evidence-based solutions in the framework of key accounting and finance theories and strong organizational management principles, particularly in the field of financial and management accounting.
• Effectively interpret, analyse, and convey knowledge and information utilizing a variety of analytical tools for presenting, discussing, and reviewing financial and accounting strategies in academic, professional, or practical situations, both individually and as part of a team.

Module  

List

Credits

Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis

20

	Critically understand the underlying principles and theories of financial reporting and analysis in the international context.
	Appraise validity and applicability of different techniques in financial reporting and analysis.
	Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the recent development of international accounting and reporting standards and practices.

Advanced Management Accounting for Decision Making

20

	Appraise the use of management accounting techniques in different organisations.
	Apply appropriate management accounting techniques to provide solutions for management.
	Develop the skills required to analyse, plan and manage costs in line with an organisations short and long-term strategy.

Project Management

20

	Integrate a wide knowledge of management theories and practices within the area of project management to solve problems.
	Demonstrate a critical understanding of project management theories, concepts and principles.
	Apply a wide range of professional project management skills, techniques and practices.

Advanced Performance Management

20

	Demonstrate an understanding of current developments in strategic management accounting.
	Apply appropriate strategic management accounting techniques for strategic planning, control and performance management.
	. Evaluate issues from a strategic management accounting perspective and develop appropriate solutions to support management decision- making.

Case Studies in Management Accounting

20

	Gather complex and conflicting information and synthesize this to create a critical analysis of a business challenge.
	Work with external business leaders, in a peer relationship, while demonstrating high levels of professionalism in conduct and communication.
	With a business partner, develop potential solutions and implementation strategies to a current problem.

Research Methods

20

	Critically review current knowledge in a specified area and establish its status and limitations.
	Identify, conceptualise and define a research question(s) and justify its relevance to practice and its significance as a potential contribution to existing knowledge.
	Select and justify a research methodology to meet specified research aims and objectives.
	Critically analyse and interpret primary/secondary research data (quantitative and/ or qualitative), testing for validity and reliability of the results.

Dissertation

60

	Carry out research and produce a proposal and subsequent dissertation detailing the investigation and justifying appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
	Carry out a literature review in a way that assists in the refinement and shaping of research questions/hypothesis, and apply critical thinking.
	Design a research methodology appropriate to their investigation.
	Analyse the data/information collected through that process to identify appropriate conclusions, using the application of knowledge, skills and abilities.

TOTAL 

180

Eligibility

• Applicant of MSc Accounting and Finance (CIMA Gateway) must hold bachelors Degree
• IELTS with a score of 6.0 or equivalent
• In case the applicant does not have documentation for English proficiency, they must submit a letter from an employer they are working for or have worked for; stating that the prospective students’ English proficiency is good and the language of communication in the company is in English.
• A minimum work experience of 3 years.