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University College Dublin

Strategic Management Accounting

Programme Overview

This comprehensive course targets high-level graduates with a solid background in management accounting, financial accounting and reporting, finance, taxation or law, seeking a long-term career with leadership-level responsibility in the corporate finance function, management consulting, controlling and accounting.

This MSc in Strategic Management Accounting will equip you with a systematic and rigorous knowledge of management accounting within the context of strategic management. Our close ties with the business world and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) have informed the design of the course so that it responds to strategic corporate needs.

The select worldwide status of this programme grants successful graduates with exemptions from all CIMA exams except the final integrated case study at CIMA strategic level and an invaluable management accounting specialisation.

A blended teaching approach characterised by varied in-class methods (lectures, seminars, case studies, guest speakers from industry) provides a balance between theoretical learning and skill development, with top-class faculty and senior professionals ensuring the academic rigour and real-life relevance of the course content.

What will I learn?
The course develops the necessary skills and knowledge to analyse business strategy and how business works, provide the relevant information required for business and strategic decisions, integrate the "people side" of numbers, and manage successful strategy implementation.

How will I benefit?

Successful completion of the course corresponds to an extensive knowledge base in the areas of management accounting, management control and performance management, backed by a vital set of technical, analytical and personal skills.
1.A firm grasp of the tools and techniques for measuring and managing business performance, financial reporting and analysis, and risk management.
2.Direct relevance of the course content to corporate needs, providing a solid foundation for a successful career within industry, in senior management and consulting positions.
3.A fast-track approach to completing the highly regarded international CIMA professional qualification and being awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.

Entry requirements

A second class honours grade 1 Business degree (or equivalent). An overall Irish system final average grade of 62% or GPA of 3.15/4.2 is required (or equivalent).

And

Applicants are required to have a strong background in management accounting, financial accounting and reporting, finance, taxation or law and related subjects.
And
In general, applicants are required to have successfully completed 30 credits (e.g. 6 modules x 5 credits) in these subjects in their qualifying primary or postgraduate degree.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our courses. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Duration

1 year full-time.

Careers or further progression

Career opportunities

The MSc in Strategic Management Accounting provides access to a wide range of employment opportunities, including: Management Consulting and Advisory positions, Management Accountant, Financial Controller, Financial Analyst / Commercial Finance Analyst, Business Analyst, Director of Finance, Governance and Compliance Manager, Pricing Manager.

As the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification is globally recognised, as a graduate of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School programme and on successful completion of the final CIMA examination, you will be able to work both nationally and internationally.

Graduates of the MSc in Strategic Management Accounting enjoy excellent job prospects. In 2016, 91% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: First Destination Report 2016)

Potential careers for our graduates include:
Strategy Consultant
Financial Controller
Director of Finance / CFO
Management Accountant
Investment Executive
Financial Accountant

Further enquiries

The Admissions Office can be contacted at smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Subjects taught

Curriculum

This multi-faceted, CIMA-accredited course is structured around 10 core modules and a dedicated professional skills module, covering a comprehensive range of specialist disciplines designed to deepen graduates understanding of the financial and strategic workings of businesses.

The summer term offers students a capstone module including a dedicated speaker series on current finance function challenges and CFO perspectives. Students can also choose from some summer term modules or a research project, or in a small number of cases compete for an internship. With any possible internship opportunity, students have to go through a competitive recruitment process, including interviews with employers to be selected.

A CIMA strategic level final case study seminar at the end of the summer term allows students to kick-start their own preparation for this exam.

Semester 1
Performance Measurement and Management
Strategic Corporate Finance
Strategic Management
Organisational Behaviour
Project Management

Semester 2
Management Control Systems
International Financial Reporting and Analysis
Risk Management Systems
Corporate Governance and Ethics

Summer Term
Current Issues in Performance Measurement and Control

Option modules (15 ECTS - two modules)
Current Issues in Accounting Practice
Mergers & Acquisitions
Cross-Cultural Management
The Science of Teams
Corporate Governance and Ethics (Auditing and Accountability)

OR
Enterprise-based Research/Dissertation (15 ECTS credits)

OR
Strategic Management Accounting Internship (15 ECTS credits)