Module Descriptors
SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE
ACCT40280
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Karl Mccormack
Email: K.McCormack@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
100% Individual 1500 word assignment. (Business Plan)
(Tests All Learning Outcomes)
(Tests All Learning Outcomes)
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Overview
This module is mainly concerned with developing an understanding of the role of accounting and finance in small business enterprise. The importance of business planning in this context is examined; the module follows through the successful deployment of a viable business idea from the start-up stages to the day to day management of a small business (as opposed to a large organization).
The Individual
Characteristics of the entrepreneur and reasons for small business failure (external & internal factors)
Business Viability
Classifications of costs
Profit Margins
Contribution, Break-even analysis and Margin of Safety
Assessing the Market
Capital Requirements
Bank Finance and Services for Small Business, Uses and Sources of Finance including Local/Central Government Initiatives
Legal Status
Sole Trader, Partnerships, Limited company, Franchise and Business Names
Marketing Plan
Marketing objectives & Target Market, Marketing Mix (The Four P?s),
Pricing Policy & Unique Selling Proposition, Promoting the Business
The Business Plan
The importance, format & preparation of a Business Plan
Accounting for a Small Business
The importance, format & preparation of a Cash Flow Forecast
The Accounting Requirements of the Companies Act
Understanding The Profit & Loss Account & Balance Sheet
Interpretation of the Final Accounts including the use of accounting ratios
Taxation of Small Companies
Taxation of a sole trader, partnership, Limited Co, Value Added Tax, National Insurance
Working Capital Management (Control Systems)
Debtors, Creditors, Stock
This module is mainly concerned with developing an understanding of the role of accounting and finance in small business enterprise. The importance of business planning in this context is examined; the module follows through the successful deployment of a viable business idea from the start-up stages to the day to day management of a small business (as opposed to a large organization).
The Individual
Characteristics of the entrepreneur and reasons for small business failure (external & internal factors)
Business Viability
Classifications of costs
Profit Margins
Contribution, Break-even analysis and Margin of Safety
Assessing the Market
Capital Requirements
Bank Finance and Services for Small Business, Uses and Sources of Finance including Local/Central Government Initiatives
Legal Status
Sole Trader, Partnerships, Limited company, Franchise and Business Names
Marketing Plan
Marketing objectives & Target Market, Marketing Mix (The Four P?s),
Pricing Policy & Unique Selling Proposition, Promoting the Business
The Business Plan
The importance, format & preparation of a Business Plan
Accounting for a Small Business
The importance, format & preparation of a Cash Flow Forecast
The Accounting Requirements of the Companies Act
Understanding The Profit & Loss Account & Balance Sheet
Interpretation of the Final Accounts including the use of accounting ratios
Taxation of Small Companies
Taxation of a sole trader, partnership, Limited Co, Value Added Tax, National Insurance
Working Capital Management (Control Systems)
Debtors, Creditors, Stock
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE IN SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Knowledge & Understanding
2. APPLY APPROPRIATE ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE TECHNIQUES IN THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Learning
3. ANALYSE THE IMPACT OF THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Analysis
Knowledge & Understanding
2. APPLY APPROPRIATE ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE TECHNIQUES IN THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Learning
3. ANALYSE THE IMPACT OF THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Analysis
RESOURCES
The University Library and learning resources
Electronic data bases such as EBSCO
Electronic data bases such as EBSCO
SPECIAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS ONLY
TEXTS
Burns, P. (2001) Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Palgrave. ISBN 0-333-91474-0
Gowthorpe, C. (2003) Business Accounting & Finance for Non-Specialists, 1st Ed, Thomson. ISBN 1-86152-872-8
Hughes, V. & D. Weller (2003) Setting up a Small Business, 3rd Ed, Teach Yourself Guide, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. ISBN 0-340-85947-4
Gowthorpe, C. (2003) Business Accounting & Finance for Non-Specialists, 1st Ed, Thomson. ISBN 1-86152-872-8
Hughes, V. & D. Weller (2003) Setting up a Small Business, 3rd Ed, Teach Yourself Guide, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. ISBN 0-340-85947-4
Learning Strategies
The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 111 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.
The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.
The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.