Module Descriptors
SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE
XXFO50011
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 5
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module 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
Module Additional Assessment Details
100% Individual 2000 word assignment. (Business Plan) (Tests All Learning Outcomes)
Module Learning Strategies
36 hours of tutor led activity (24 hours of formal lectures/large group activity, 12 hours of tutorials)
114 hours of student centered activities involving reading, self assessed exercises, case study analysis, computer assisted learning, assignment work and revision.
114 hours of student centered activities involving reading, self assessed exercises, case study analysis, computer assisted learning, assignment work and revision.
Module Resources
The University Library and learning resources
Electronic data bases such as EBSCO
Electronic data bases such as EBSCO
Module 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