Accounting & Finance Management

Overview
A Progressive Diploma course designed to prepare graduates for management careers in accounting and finance.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance Management provides advanced study of accounting and finance at postgraduate level, enabling learners to significantly extend their specialist knowledge of accounting and finance principles and practices and enabling them to develop the skills needed for the increasingly complex global accounting and finance environment.

Why Study Accounting & Finance at Griffith College?
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Finance Management programme is available on a part-time basis over a one-year period and aims to prepare graduates for careers in International Accounting and Finance Management.

• On completion of the taught programme, learners will gain up to nine exemptions from the ACCA foundation papers along with having the preparation to complete up to four professional ACCA examinations.
• Students will advance their functional management competencies in finance and accounting.
• Students will develop and refine transferable interpersonal and leadership skills which they can bring to the workplace
• Students will gain the experience of working in culturally diverse teams across a multicultural environment promoting a greater understanding of different business settings and contexts.
• A flexible study model gives students the option of part-time study with the possibility of choosing their own elective modules.
• A highly practical learning approach taught by a Graduate Business School lecturing team with outstanding industry experience.
• The part time programme is designed with the working professional in mind; study this course with a split between evening classes and weekend workshops.
• Finalist for Excellence in Education from the Irish Accountancy Awards 2020.
• Students have the opportunity to further their studies by progressing onto our MSc in Accounting and Finance Management.

Strategic Performance Management
This module provides learners with an understanding of key issues and methodologies relating to strategic management accounting. Learners will develop their ability to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgment in selecting and applying strategic management accounting techniques in different business contexts and to contribute to the evaluation of the performance of an organisation and its strategic development. Learners cultivate with an understanding of current developments and emerging issues to ensure they have an appreciation of how they might affect or influence the management of performance within organisations.

International Financial Reporting and Analysis
An accounting and finance graduate encounters various financial transactions in the work place. They are expected to apply knowledge, skills and exercise appropriate judgement in the application and evaluation of financial reporting principles and practices in a range of business contexts and situations. The aim of this module is the development and application of knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups, and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.

Advanced Audit and Assurance
On the completion of this module, the learner knows how to apply knowledge, skills and exercise appropriate judgements in the analysis, evaluation and conclusion on the assurance and non-assurance engagement in the context of best practice and current developments in the field. The module enables the learner to understand and apply the underlying laws, regulations and professional standards relevant to the assurance and non-assurance engagement. The learner can appreciate and reflect on the ethical and professional requirements of the accountant and auditor in selecting clients, performing assurance and non-assurance engagements and reporting on these engagements.

Law and Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance deals with the emergence of corporate governance requirements in developed capital markets. It gives learners the opportunity to learn the theoretical principles behind corporate governance and to examine its application in specific cases. The module looks at the divergence, which exists among the different corporate governance regimes, which operate around the globe with an emphasis on looking at a principle versus rules-based system. International practices along with specific national codes examined.

Strategic Financial Management
The module analyses and evaluates the main concepts in finance relevant to financial management decision making. The module looks at macroeconomic variables such as interest rates and exchange rates in the context of financial and investment decision making. The module also analyses some practical and applied questions in relation to derivative pricing and investment appraisal. The module develops the learner’s advisory skills in evaluating business financing options, managing financial risks and formulating appropriate investment decisions.

Research Methods
Within this module, learners develop an understanding of the nature, purpose and value of business and commercial research. The learner is guided on how to conduct a critical literature review using best practice in developing a critical approach. Through the module, workshops are provided covering the various primary data techniques. Learners develop a knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and understand how these can be usefully employed in carrying out a research dissertation. Learners can make a strong argument and defend their work in a professional manner. Learners are equipped with a well-developed research proposal, which then directs their dissertation research.

Business Consultancy and Analysis
The module develops learners’ strategic and critical thinking, integrating knowledge and skills from across the programme including financial, legal, audit and taxation modules within the broader organisational, strategic context. The module is designed to build the competencies needed to work in a professional environment, together with developing soft skills (namely teamwork, oral and written communication and IT skills).

Electives
Taxation (IRL)
The aim of this module is to develop the learner’s skills in interpreting, understanding and applying the principles and legislation governing the Irish taxation system. The module provides learners with knowledge of the various reliefs and exemptions available to individuals and corporations (both single corporations and group corporations).

International Tax Law
This module analyses the principal features of the International Tax Law system, from the perspective of Irish and EU law. The module looks generally at the main theories, concepts and principles of International Tax Law and then more particularly at the main substantive areas of the subject such as Public International Law and Taxation, the OECD Model Income Tax Convention and EC law as it affects Member States’ tax systems.

Digital Business
Centred on digital marketing and strategy, combined with trends that are shaping modern Ebusiness, this module explores how digital marketing fits in with the overall business strategy at a practical level. Learners acquire knowledge on how to plan and implement effective digital campaigns using digital assets at management level for accountable results.

Portfolio Management
Portfolio management examines the continuous and systematic decision-making processes, which integrate several investment processes in a consistent manner to achieve the desired investment outcome. Its goal is to meet the underlying clients’ needs after due consideration to all relevant investment objectives and constraints.

Managerial Economics
This module focuses on the subject of economics, with a strong emphasis on key macroeconomic and microeconomic principles, global trade, supply markets, competition and regulation. At a microeconomic level, it develops a broad knowledge base and an in-depth understanding of the interconnectivity of economies and the impact this has in global trade and international business. The module increases the learners’ understanding of global and regional economies, of the economic cycle and of the interconnectedness and inherent tension in global trade and global business.

Regional Analysis
The aim of this module is for learners to analyse Asian markets from the perspective of investing firms. Learners assess the risks and benefits from such investment and the appropriate entry strategies for the market. All learners must investigate how to adapt and expand current business strategy for success, taking into account the intricacies of alternative approaches to internationalisation.

Leadership and Management Development
The module encourages learners to critically examine global leadership and management models. They are given the opportunity to consider models with which they are familiar, or of which they have had experience; to gain knowledge and understanding of new international models; to consider how they might modify their own current or future leadership and management behaviours; and to recognise the importance of continuous development in global leadership and management roles.

The entry requirements for this programme is a minimum of 2.2 honours undergraduate degree (level 8) in an accounting and finance-related discipline.

Non-business graduates with relevant work experience may apply on the basis of their experiential learning. Please contact the admissions team to find out more.

Accreditation of Prior Learning and Prior Experience (APL/APEL)
The Graduate Business School welcomes applications from those with prior academic and/or professional learning experience which may be relevant to the PGDip in Accounting and Finance Management programme. Applicants who wish for their prior academic and/or professional learning experience to be considered are requested to indicate this at the time of application and we will be happy to examine all of the relevant documentation accordingly.

English Language
Students who are not native English speakers will be required to provide proof of English language proficiency. A minimum score of IELTS 6.5, 575 TOEFL or equivalent is required.

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply
Applicants can apply directly on our website.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide supporting documents, including:
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Undergraduate Degree Award and Transcripts
• Up to date and detailed CV

If applicable:
• Translation of both degree award and transcripts
• Current GNIB
• Proof of English Proficiency

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.
Timetable TBC.

Intake Dates:
We run two intakes for this course, commencing as follows:
Autumn: September*
Spring: February*

*subject to sufficient numbers.

Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Finance Management students may progress onto the MSc dissertation stage of the programme.

You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.

Career Progression
Through the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance Management, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of communication and presentation skills, and covered a diverse range of topics.

There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
• Financial Accountant
• Audit Manager
• Risk Analyst
• Accounts Receivable Associate
• Accounts Payable Associate
• Finance Director
• Investor Services Analyst
• Procurement Specialist
• Junior Management Accountant
• Accounting Technician