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The great thing about studying accounts at Ashbourne is that you will benefit from being taught by a teacher who trained and worked as an accountant before he started teaching. Brendan not only knows his subject well but also explains the subject matter in a clear and straightforward manner, unlike many of the accounting teachers he came across as part of his training! He believes that what are essentially simple concepts are very often, unnecessarily over-complicated, and tries hard to avoid this mistake. Students will spend a large proportion of time working through questions and are continually given feedback and advice on how to improve their answers. They learn to prepare key accounting statements, such as year-end accounts, costing and budgeting statements, but also how to analyse and interpret data. Exam assessment criteria is shared with students in an effort to improve students' grades.
Why study Accounting?
Accounting is the backbone of business and is key to survival and success in the recession. For example, a strict set of internal accounting controls helps cost cutting and improves efficiency. A level students learn to prepare end of year accounts for a range of businesses, from corner shops to 'plc.s' and the management accounting aspect of the course means students also learn to prepare information for management decision-making. A level accounts is actually a good grounding for any business or finance related degree and for later professional qualifications. Ultimately, students who study Accounting will find it easier to get a job in the downturn and will improve their promotion prospects and earning potential.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow AQA specification for Accounting
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called 'Introduction to Financial Accounting.' In this unit students study the purpose of Accounting, Accounting records including subsidiary books and ledger accounts, the verification of accounting records and trading and profit and loss accounts and balance sheets including simple adjustments.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called 'Financial and Management Accounting.' This unit involves students looking at different types of business organization and accounting concepts including; cost, going concern, accruals and consistency; prudence' materiality; realization; business entity and objectivity. Students also examine further aspects of the preparation of final accounts and balance sheets of sole traders, internal final accounts of limited companies, ratio analysis and the assessment of business performance and an introduction to budgeting and budgetary control.
Unit 3
A2 unit 3 is called 'Further Aspects of Financial Accounting.' This unit involves looking at sources of finance including; internal finance; shares; debentures; bank loans; overdrafts; mortgages. Students investigate issues such as incomplete records, partnership accounts; published accounts of limited companies; accounting standards and stock valuation
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is called 'Further Aspects of Management Accounting.' This unit involves looking at Manufacturing accounts; marginal absorption and activity based costing; standard costing and variance analysis; capital investment appraisal; budgeting and other factors affecting decision-making.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Students sit a 1 hour, 30 minute examination. It consists of four compulsory questions - each with a variable number of sub questions.
Unit 2
Students sit a 1 hour, 30 minute examination. It consists of four compulsory questions, each with a variable number of sub questions.
Unit 3
Students sit a 2 hour examination, consisting of four compulsory questions each with a variable number of sub-questions.
Unit 4
Students sit a 2 hour examination, consisting of four compulsory questions each with a variable number of sub-questions.
How is the course structured?
Students study AS unit 1 between September and December of the AS year and AS unit 2 between January and March. They study A2 unit 3 between September and December of the A2 year and unit 4 between January and March of the A2 year.
When do the exams take place?
AS students sit their examinations in May/June. There will be opportunities to resit AS units in January of the A2 year. A2 units will be sat in June of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Brendan Casey
(BSc Hons (London School of Economics), BEd (Greenwich) Accounts, Business, Economics (HoD))
Brendan is Head of the highly successful Economics and Business Studies Department. He is another long-standing member of staff, having been at Ashbourne for over ten years. Brendan is a graduate of the London School of Economics. He trained as an accountant and worked in the city before completing his PGCE at the University of Greenwich. Brendan is a lifelong supporter of Chelsea Football Club.
Beyond A Level for Accounting Students
Accounting A Level will benefit students going on to Accounting, Business, Business Management and Finance related courses. It would be invaluable training for anyone aiming to set up their own business
Any other information
Competence in Mathematics is a prerequisite for success in this course.
Textbooks
AS Level
Title - AQA Accounting AS: Students Book
Author - Austen and Hailstone
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Accounting-AS-Students-Level/dp/0748798692/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275662809&sr=8-1
Title - A-Z Accounting Handbook
Author - Ian Harrison
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-Accounting-Handbook-Complete/dp/0340991054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275663083&sr=1-1
A2 Level
Title - AQA Accounting A2: Students Book
Author - Halls-Bryan and Merrills
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Accounting-A2-Students-Book/dp/0748798706/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Title - A-Z Accounting Handbook
Author - Ian Harrison
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-Accounting-Handbook-Complete/dp/0340991054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275663083&sr=1-1 |
