ELE 3735 Financial accounting
ELE 3735 Financial accounting
Firms may choose from different accounting languages and dialects in Norway. The main alternatives are GRS (God RegnskapsSkikk = good accounting practice in Norway) and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). Within each of these alternatives there are dialects. All listed companies must apply IFRS, other companies may choose freely between the main alternatives. Some companies may also choose between the dialects. This means that firms may calculate revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity using five different set of rules.
The diversity in how to calculate accounting numbers is a challenge to both preparers and users. Preparers must know which set of rules to apply and how to apply the accounting standards and valuation methods that belong to the chosen set of rules. Users must know how to interpret figures prepared under different set of rules in order to make informed decisions.
The aim of this course is to provide users and prepares with the knowledge that enables them to navigate correctly in an environment with different ways to measure revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity. The course will put particular emphasis on GRS since 99 % of all Norwegian firms use GRS. However, since the largest firms (including listed firms) use IFRS and there exists a proposal to change the legislation towards IFRS for SME, the course will also cover key differences between GRS and IFRS and main features of the proposed Accounting Act.
Students should be able to:
- Explain the structure of the Norwegian accounting regulation
identify sources that may explain how various accounting issues are to be handled.
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Compare and contrast income-based and balance sheet-based accounting models
- Use the fundamental accounting principles in GRS to find solutions to accounting problems
- Prepare individual accounts for non-listed Norwegian firms using GRS
- Give example of main differences between GRS and IFRS
- Describe main features in the propsed new Accounting Act
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to discuss accounting issues in light of both revenue-based and balance sheet-based accounting models, and analyse the pros and cons of GRS and IFRS.
- The regulation of the obligation to prepare financial statements in Norway
- How to measure net income? Revenue-based and balance sheet-based accounting models, GRS vs. IFRS and accounting models based on fair value and historical cost.
- How should we understand and interpret the fundamental accounting principles in GRS?
- General GRS-rules for recognition and measurement of fixed assets, immaterial assets, financial assets (fixed and current), inventory and accounts receivable.
- Special issues with GRS, e.g. amortized cost, leasing, pensions, factoring, deferred taxes, employee options and revenue recognition (further information will be given during the course).
- Recognition and measurement according to IFRS, e.g. accounting for investment property, biological assets (e.g. farmed fish and forest) and property, plant and equipment (further information will be given at during the course).
- Main features in The proposed new Accounting Act.
- Accounting and earnings quality.
The course consists of 40 hours of lectures and assignment reviews. Further information will be given at the start of the course.
It is assumed that students have access to a spreadsheet program and Internett.
For electives re-sit is normally offered at the next scheduled course. If an elective is discontinued or is not initiated in the semester it is offered, re-sit will be offered in the electives ordinary semester.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification.
Financial Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis ((BØK 3531 or 3532) or similar.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Invigilation Weight: 100 Grouping: Individual Support materials:
Duration: 3 Hour(s) Exam code: ELE37351 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination when next scheduled course |
| Course code | Credit reduction |
|---|---|
| BØK 3647 | 100 |
Kurset er overlappende med BØK 3647 Finansregnskap, 15 studiepoeng som hører til regnskapsutdanningen for Bachelorstudiet i økonomi og administrasjon, 3. år. Studenter som planlegger å ta regnskapsutdanningen bør derfor ikke ta dette kurset.
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 40 Hour(s) | Lectures incl. revirews of assignments. |
Student's own work with learning resources | 135 Hour(s) | |
Examination | 25 Hour(s) | Preparations incl. exam. |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.