Professional/Short Course Managerial Finance for the Built Environment

Content

The scope of the module addresses one of the mandatory competencies for the RICS by giving a firm grounding in the interpretation of published accounts and other financial data and introduces management accounting in such areas as budget control, cost allocation and cost behaviour.  

The module will also cover areas in financial management such as capital investment decision making and financing of businesses.  

Because the module is meant for non-specialists, it will walk you through the basics up to a level that will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to help you make financial decisions for your project and/or company.  

What will the course outcome be? 

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:  

• Examine how organisations compile financial records and compute financial statements; and analyse the legislation, accounting concepts and principles that underpin financial statements.  
• Evaluate and interpret the contents of financial reports with the use of recognised tools to assess a company's performance and financial position.  
• Identify the essential features of the valuation and control of assets and liabilities; and analyse how organisations make tactical decisions and control profitability.  
• Examine and discuss the principles of costing, overheads, break-even analysis and pricing theories; and analyse how organisations prepare and use budgets.  
• Critically apply and appraise the uses and management of finance and accounting concepts and techniques to an organisation.  

In addition, the educational experience may explore, develop, and practise but not formally discretely assess the following:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of good corporate governance and corporate social responsibility within an organisation; understand and use relevant communications and information technologies for application in business and management contexts. 

Learning and Teaching

This course will be delivered as on-campus seminars with resources available online to support your studies. You will have the flexibility to fit your studies around personal and professional commitments, with access to our learning resources any time. Studying while you work also provides valuable opportunities to apply what you have learned directly to your role.

Our comprehensive learning platform provides your entire course content, and puts you in contact with your tutor and fellow students.

Assessment

We assess your work through a variety of coursework assignments, including essays, reports, surveys and presentations. We also encourage you to do 'formative work' to prepare for assessment. This does not count towards final marks, but the feedback you receive helps improve your performance.

The assignment is based around one element: Report (maximum 3000 words, supplemented with a range of illustrative graphics, images, diagrams etc.) that considers financial accounting, management accounting and financial management.