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MN52143: Sustainability accounting

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWPF 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Sustainability and accounting portfolio (CWPF 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: While taking this module you must take MN52090
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
  • Critically discuss the role of accounting by businesses for the sustainability-related impacts of their activities and such impacts on their activities
  • Explain alternative methods of preparing and reporting sustainability-related information and appraise their strengths and weaknesses
  • Identify, analyse and interpret sustainability-related information obtained from practice
  • Discuss current developments in preparing/ reporting sustainability-related information from provider and user perspectives
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of the wider social and ethical issues associated with financial decisions.



Synopsis: Develop a broad understanding of the reporting standards and framework on sustainability. You will explore standards issued by bodies like: - Global Reporting Initiative - Sustainability Accounting Standards Board - the International Accounting Standards Board You will also gain the knowledge and skills to measure and report on social and environmental performance.

Content: Key elements to be included:
  • Context and concepts - interactions among the economy, environment and society; concepts of sustainability; motivations for business engagement (e.g. ethics v. the `business case'; notions of responsibility); the institutional framework for policy and accounting in the field of sustainability
  • Economic instruments for environmental management - theory, current schemes and accounting implications
  • Theories and methods of accounting for, reporting on and assurance of sustainability-related information provided by businesses (including for internal users)
  • Use of sustainability-related information in financial products and decisions
  • Current developments/emerging issues in sustainability and accounting at the time the unit is run


Course availability:

MN52143 is Optional on the following courses:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.