| COURSE SYNOPSES (Synopses are very central in that these are summaries of the key concepts to be taught in each module. |
| COURSE | SYNOPSIS |
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | |
| ACM 101 Accountant in Business | To provide students with an understanding of basic accounting principles, concepts and processes in financial accounting. ● To enable students identify, record and account for basic business transactions and events so as to provide accounting information to facilitate decision making processes that will be beneficial to organisations ● To enable students apply theory to solving practical problems ● To enable students appreciate the role of the Accountant in businesses. |
| ACM 102 Micro Economics | The course illustrates the way in which economists view the world. You will learn about basic tools of micro- and macroeconomic analysis and, by applying them, you will understand the behaviour of households, firms and government. Problems include: trade and specialization; the operation of markets; industrial structure and economic welfare; the determination of aggregate output and price level; fiscal and monetary policy and foreign exchange rates Students should learn ● The fundamental concepts of economic theory and its applications in decision making environment. Define the concept of demand and supply for goods and services and appreciate economics and the role it plays in practical decision making. ● How it enables management to perform economic decisions in managing their organisations. Explain elasticity of demand and the impact of substitute and complementary goods. ● To equip managers with the expertise needed to intelligently prepare and interpret reports expressed in economic terms. ● To make way for effective communication between those in key management positions and economic analysts. Explain the economic behaviour of costs in the short and long term. ● To form a basis for the promotion of more informed decisions on business problems as well as permit more effective decision making in business. ● To lay a foundation for other related courses in the programme. Define perfect competition, oligopoly, monopolistic competition and monopoly. |
| ACM 103 Business Mathematics | This course provide the student with skills in calculating specific business mathematics applications such as checking accounts, payroll, taxes, invoices, cash discounts, trade discounts, inventories, simple and compound interest, annuities, mortgages, depreciations, and financial statements. It also offers skills in business statistics basic computation, presentation, and analysis. Upon successful completion, students should be able to: ● Analyze real world scenarios to recognize when simple and compound interest, annuities, payroll preparation, pricing, invoice preparation, trade discounts, taxes, and depreciation are appropriate, formulate problems about the scenarios, creatively model these scenarios (using technology if appropriate) in order to solve the problems using multiple approaches, judge if the results are reasonable, and then interpret and clearly communicate the results. ● Appreciate business mathematics concepts that are encountered in the real world, understand and be able to communicate the underlying business concepts and mathematics involved to help another person gain insight into the situation. ● Work with simple and compound interest, annuities, payroll preparation, pricing, invoice preparation, trade discounts, taxes, and depreciation problems in various situations and use correct mathematical terminology, notation, and symbolic processes in order to be prepared for future coursework in business and mathematics that requires the use of and an understanding of the concepts of business mathematics. |
| ACM 104 Introduction to Business Management | As an introduction to business management, it will focus on ● organizing, ● analyzing and ● planning business operations. It will teach students the basic principles and concepts of business management both of large corporation and small scale business ventures. It will aim to deepen the knowledge and skills of future finance managers, investment bankers and financial decision makers. |
| TFT 310 African Economic History | This course reflects on diverse histories experienced, remembered, recounted and often in some ways invented by peoples from various communities. Recognition and appreciation of this diversity can help Africans transform a source of bafflement into a source of wisdom, energy, and respect for others and for themselves. In-depth case studies from different periods of history and different parts of the continent are undertaken to develop students’ capability to read histories critically and enable those histories to shed light on current events and on reasonable hopes for the future. |
| TFT310 Development Business writing and communication | This course is designed to help students further develop and polish their skills in specifically academic writing. Students are guided through the process of ● preparing, ● writing, and ● presenting formal papers. Exercises are designed to develop students’ talents in various modes of written and oral communications, including ● descriptive, ● narrative, ● expository, and ● argumentative writing. Reviews of grammar, mechanics, and usage are conducted. The issue of plagiarism is explored in detail, and effective ways to avoid plagiarism are presented. |
| ACM 108 French, Swahili, and or Portuguese Elective | In this elective course, students will choose between these offered courses from an elementary to intermediate levels. |
| Semester 2 | |
| ACM 105 Corporate Finance 1 = F9 Financial Management | The focus of this Module is to take on board those who may not have been exposed to Economics, Accounting at their first degree level and therefore basic broad Economics and Accounting Concepts are introduced here to assist the student gravitate to more complex Financial Management in the later stages of the degree programme. Course work with carry 50 % while Examinations will also carry 50% therefore it is imperative that the students should individually and in groups if requested to make sure that they work on the individual and group assignments and submit on time for marking. Introduction to Corporate Finance ● Various Concepts of Corporate Finance ● Definition of Corporate Finance Financial Statement Analysis ● Trend Analysis ● Ratio Analysis Sources of Finance ● Capital Structure overview ● Ordinary Shares ● Preference Shares ● Debt ● Time Value of Money Concepts ● PAYBACK ● DISCOUNTED PAYBACK ● Accounting Ratios Cost of Capital ● Cost of Debt ● Cost of Preference Shares ● Cost of Ordinary Shares |
| ICT 145 Information & Communication Technology = F1 Business and Technology | Students should be able to gain knowledge about various information technology resources available and understand the process of acquiring, developing. Control and auditing information systems. The students should be able to; ● Learn basic terminology and provide an overview of IS topics ● Learn transaction processing in automated systems presenting basic information input/output, processing and data storage concepts ● Cover three of the most important tools and techniques used to understand, evaluate, design and document information systems; ● data flow diagrams, ● business flow diagrams and ● flow charts. ● Business stakeholders and external environment ● Business structure ● Accounting and reporting systems, controls and compliance ● Leadership and teamwork ● Personal effectiveness and communication ● Ethics in accounting and business ● Data protection and security |
| ACM 106 Macro Economics | It will deal with the actions and decisions of individual agents with respect to ● the economy, ● households, ● workers, ● businesses and ● the economy of the country. The main focus of this course is Zimbabwean economy and other examples will be drawn from other countries as well. |
| ACM 107 Business Law = F4 Corporate and Business Law | Business and Corporate law, is a compulsory level one course for all accounting and finance students and is optional for other departments. The course is built on the knowledge of basic principles and concepts of business law. This course aims to give students a general introduction to various rules and principles which the Zimbabwean Business and Corporate sector uses to construct the correct business practices. This course covers topics such as: ● Introduction to law, ● Principles of Contract law (various special types of contracts ● Principles of sales and Special sales, principles of lease), ● Principles of law of Agency, ● Introduction to corporate law and practice and ● Principles of insolvency law (both Individual and Corporate. ● Essential elements of the legal system ● Obligations ● Employment law ● Formation and constitution of business organisations ● Financing companies ● Management, administration, and regulation of companies ● Corporate fraudulent and criminal behaviour |
| APH 110 African Philosophy and Ethics Ignatian Spirituality | Students come from different ethnic and historical heritages, including European and or Arab colonial influences. This course focuses on the common history of the African peoples based on the archaeological findings, linguistic commonality and the geo-political relations. Students will gain a deeper and broader historical consciousness of their common ancestral heritages and common destiny as a people. The works of Chiekh Anta Diop and Theophil Obenga are invaluable in this course. It continues introducing students to the practice of philosophising by examining African philosophies. The focus is on central topics and themes, including interpretations of time, nature, gods/God, person (including the stages of the human life cycle), community (social roles and ethical norms), politics and political structures, virtues and vices, death and life after death. |
| Year 2 | |
| Semester 1 | |
| ACM 201 Financial management = F9 Financial Management | To enable students to appreciate the role of financial management in organization. The details of areas to be covered are as follows : 1. The Financial Management Function 2. Investment Appraisal Techniques such as IRR and NPV 3. Asset Investment decisions and capital rationing 4. Investment appraisal under uncertainty 5. Working capital management – inventory control 6. Working capital management – accounts receivable and payable 7. Working capital management – cash and funding strategies 8. Economic environment for business 9. Financial markets and the treasury function 10. Foreign exchange risk 11. Interest rate risk 12. Dividend policy 13. Financial ratios |
| ACM 202 Financial Accounting 1 = F3 Financial Accounting | The main objective of the course is to build on knowledge obtained in Introductory Financial Accounting and gain an understanding of more advanced topics in this subject. A key aspect of the course is the preparation of the financial statements of limited liability companies in accordance with the requirements of the International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and applicable laws of Zimbabwe. Aims of the course ● To provide continuity with the Introductory Financial Accounting course. ● To examine a working knowledge of examinable IAS and IFRS at this level ● To develop an interest in and understanding of more advanced applications of financial accounting in the formal sector of the economy ● To define and understand Qualitative characteristics of financial information ● To work through the Double-entry and accounting systems ● To Record Financial transactions ● To prepare Trial balance ● To Prepare basic financial statements taking into account the necessary adjustments ● To Prepare simple consolidated financial statements and ● To Interprete financial statements |
| Management accounting = F2 Management Accounting | The purpose of the course is for the student to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies to analyse and solve problems relating to the general principles of management accounting, with specific reference to relevant costing, budgeting, basic variance analysis and new perspectives in management accounting. Intended learning Outcomes students should be able to: ● To differentiate understand relevant and irrelevant costs of materials, labour and overheads ● To be able to prepare different types of budgets and find any relationships among them. ● To compute basic variances ● To calculate profits using marginal costing and Absorption costing, and to reconcile the budgeted profits with the variances to get actual profits. ● To determine the Break Even Point in units and in revenue for a simple product. ● To understand how to make short term decisions where there is single limiting factor and whether to accept or reject a special order. ● To appreciate new management techniques for instance, ABC, life cycle costing, target costing and backflush costing. ● To understand Cost accounting techniques ● To understand Standard costing concepts Budgeting to include the following ● Budgeting Systems ● Types of Budgets ● Quantitative Analysis in Budgeting ● Behavioural aspects of Budgeting |
| ACM 203 Introduction to Taxation = F6 | The module develops on the fundamentals learnt in the module Principles of taxation and planning. The module is designed for learners who want to obtain subsequent knowledge of Zimbabwean income taxation of incorporated businesses including specialised trades such as mining and farming. The module also deals with taxation of special taxpayers who include partnerships, trusts and deceased estates. While the foundation has been laid in principles of taxation and planning that are critical for those who seek a career within the accounting profession, they are essential for all who are in the field of business as taxes are often the largest single expense of most traders such as companies. The module develops on the determination of tax obligations for traders. Upon completion of this module learners should have a good understanding of the theoretical and technical aspects of the tax law and computation of tax for traders. students should be able to: ● Recognize and apply the law and principles relevant to the recognition of income and deductions, for traders such as incorporated businesses. ● Calculate tax payable by taxpayers on income from: partnerships, farmers, mining operations, deceased estates and trusts. ● Apply the applicable law to make deductions from payments and calculate tax payable on receipts from pension and benefit funds. ● Identify tax rates applicable to different types of income and to different taxpayers, including special taxpayers such as farmers and miners. ● Apply the provisions of the relevant law to minimise tax payable by taxpayers and effect the provisions of the law in business decision making. Specifically the Module will cover the following topics 1. Gross Income – General 2. Gross Income – Specific Sections in the Income Tax Act 3. Lump Sum Payments 4. Lease Premiums and Lease Improvements 5. Deemed Accrual and Deemed Source 6. Exemptions, Deductions and Prohibited Deductions 7. Capital Allowances – including areas covered under the 4th Schedule 8. Suspensive Sales and Hire Purchase Agreements 9. Credits and Calculations of Tax 10. Double Taxation Relief 11. Mining – including areas covered by the 5th Schedule 12. Farming 13. Partnership 14. Deceased Estates and Trusts 15. Capital Gains Tax 16. Administration 17. Value Added Tax 18. Tax Planning |
| ACM 204 Audit Theory and Practice = F 8 Auditing Principles and Policies | The main objective of the course is to build foundational knowledge of Audit .This course is meant to prepare student for both a theoretical appreciation of Auditing and an introductory aspect on application. The details of the syllabus coverage is: 1. Audit Framework and Regulation 2. Internal Audit 3. Planning and Risk Assessment 4. Internal Control 5. Audit Evidence 6. Review 7. Reporting |
| TFT 411 Research Methods | This course will equip students with the necessary social science research and statistical skills to conduct, tabulate, and analyze their research projects using tools like SPSS and Mat lab. The following are the topics to be covered in the Research Methods Module 1. Definition of Research and Research Methods 2. The scientific method applied to social reality 3. Research Ethics 4. Problem conception and background information 5. Types of research 6. Research questions and variables 7. Participation and action research 8. Research as a community development 9. Project Monitoring and Evaluation 10. Research planning and design 11. Sampling 12. Data collection – basic concepts and techniques 13. Quality of data 14. Quantitative and qualitative analysis and interpretation 15. Research findings and dissemination |
| Semester 2 | |
| ACM 206 Corporate Finance 2 = F9 Financial Management | To apply knowledge of Corporate Finance 1 ▪ Valuation of securities ▪ Computing the weighted average cost of capital ▪ Making lease or Buy decisions ▪ Introduce students to dynamics of working capital management |
| ACM 207 Performance Management = F5 Performance Management | Specialist Cost and Management Accounting Techniques such as: 1. Activity Based Costing 2. Life Cycle Costing 3. Target Costing 4. Throughput Accounting 5. Environmental Accounting Decision Making Techniques to include the following 1. Relevant Cost Analysis 2. Cost Volume Profit Analysis 3. Limiting Factors Pricing Decisions Make or Buy and other short term Decisions Dealing with Risk and Uncertainty in Decision Making Standard Costing and Variance Analysis to capture the following aspects 1. Budgeting and Standard Costing 2. Material Mix and Yield Variances 3. Sales Mix and Quantity Variances 4. Planning and Operational Variances 5. Behavioural aspects of Standard Costing Performance Measurement and Control to cover the following details 6. Performance Management Information Systems 7. Sources of Management Information 8. Management Reports 9. The scope of Performance Management 10. Divisional Performance and Transfer Pricing 11. Performance Analysis in NGOs and the Public Sector 12. External Considerations and Behavioural aspects |
| ACM 208 Corporate governance | Governance and Ethics is a core component of the knowledge and skill base of today’s professionals in accounting & management. ● As key business decision-makers, accountants & finance specialists must be proficient in regulatory regimes, compliance requirements, and governance mechanisms to ensure lawful, ethical and effective corporate behaviour and operations. ● From an individual perspective, this module provides candidates with the analytical and decision-making skills and knowledge to identify and resolve professional and governance issues. ● The skills and knowledge obtained in this unit are also important for subjects that specialise in the functional disciplines of accounting such as Advanced Taxation, Financial Reporting, Strategic Management Accounting and Advanced Audit and Assurance. More than ever, today’s professionals in accounting & finance are less involved in traditional accounting functions and are more concerned with leadership and management. ● Today’s professionals in accounting & Management are leaders in their field providing key support to senior management and are directly involved in many important decisions. An understanding of ethics and governance is essential to those in leadership roles, and to those who support their leaders. ● This subject not only develops an awareness of corporate governance but also helps members (and those whom they support) in discharging their duties and responsibilities in an ethical manner. |
| ACM 209 Social Corporate responsibility (CSR) | This course will use social studies and analysis to explore the social responsibilities of corporations in the society. ● Defining Corporate Social Responsibility from different angels ● This ethical approach to business will focus on the civic duty of the corporation, its actions and operations and their benefits to the common good, and especially to our common home. ● Case study of scandals around CSR ● CSR in the wider world and CSR in Zimbabwe |
| ACM 210 ICT & Forensic Auditing | This course will build on the ICT1145 and further the role of ICT in digital audits. It will also cover the area of computer forensics in accounting and corporate governance. The issues of digital frauds, data manipulation, security and data recovery will be covered. The following materials will be covered under this module 1. Fraud Prevention 2. Definitions of Fraud and other economic crimes 3. Methods of Fraud Prevention 4. Role of different players in fraud prevention 5. Essential requirements for adequate fraud prevention 6. Fraud risk assessment 7. Prevention strategies. |
| TFT 401 Project management | The project management is one of the key courses in the study of the Accounting and Management degree programme and recognises the student’s capability to conduct a research. ● Definition of Project management ● Identification of Projects ● Bidding for Projects ● Conditions/guidelines in Project Management ● Planning ● Budgeting and budget utilisation ● Variance analysis ● Implementation ● Monitoring and evaluation ● Reporting ● Closure |
| Year 3 | |
| Semester 1 | |
| ACM 303 Industrial Attachment | According to General Academic Regulations, students in this degree programme must complete eight to twelve months of closely supervised internship in a reputable institution. The students will secure the internships themselves with the help of the Programme Coordinator and the policy for internship must be followed. Students may be allowed to undertake internship positions in other countries, as long as they are able to fund their trip and the supervisor is able to conduct his inspection without any hindrance. The use of ICT whenever possible should be encouraged. |
| Semester 2 | |
| ACM301 ACM 302 Industrial Attachment | During the internship months, each student must identify and carry out an internship project. This must be approved by the Dean of the School and the Programme Coordinator. Internship Project Presentation This must be presented at the return of the student from the Industrial Attachment program. |
| Year 4 | |
| Semester 1 | |
| ACM 401 Financial Reporting = F7 Financial Reporting | The main objective of the course is to build on knowledge obtained in Introductory Financial Accounting and gain an understanding of more advanced topics in this subject. A key aspect of the course is the preparation of the financial statements of limited liability companies in accordance with the requirements of the International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The major benefits for the students are that they will be in a position to make an important contribution to the requirements of their employers when they go to their industrial attachment during the third year of their studies. Learning outcomes ● A Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting ● The fundamental concepts of relevance and faithful representation – true and fair view ● The enhancing characteristics of comparability, verifiability, timeliness, and understandability ● Recognition and Measurement ● The legal versus the commercial view of accounting ● Alternative models and practices ● A regulatory framework for Financial Reporting ● Financial Statements including group statements ● Business Combinations ● Analysing and Interpretation of Financial Statements |
| ACM 402 Advanced Management Accounting | The focus of this course is to develop further Management accounting concepts learnt earlier as well as introduce advanced topics necessary in the decision-making process undertaken by management. Management accountants will optimise performance only if they choose and apply the appropriate management information to the decisions they have to take. The course considers how to select relevant information and the ways in which it can be used The course aims to; To evaluate business decisions using short term decision techniques for analysing and managing costs for competitive advantage. ● To evaluate performance using budgets, recognising alternative approaches and sensitivity to variable factors. ● To use appropriate information for management decision-making in responsibility centres ● discuss the broader managerial issues arising from the division of the organisation into responsibility centres Students should be able to; ▪ Explain and discuss a range of advanced costing methods ▪ Understand and critique both the theoretical issues and influences on practical decisions associated with multi-product break-even analysis ▪ Understand the nature of standard costing and demonstrate the necessary skills to calculate advanced variances ▪ Identify and critique a range of investment appraisal techniques, select as appropriate and apply within the investment appraisal process, and make a justifiable recommendation ▪ Explain the nature and significance of risk and uncertainty, and devise strategies for dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making ▪ Identify and evaluate the key factors that influence transfer pricing ▪ Numeracy and quantitative skills applied to management accounting scenarios ▪ Effective communication of complex solutions to business related decisions ▪ Personal effectiveness, applying critical self-awareness and personal resource management in the context of a diverse business environment. ▪ Analytical and research skills into a management accounting related business problem and the ability to apply these skills in the assembling and analysis of data collected ▪ Complex problem-solving skills within the management accounting arena ▪ Digital and information literacy skills |
| ACM 403 Advanced Taxation | This course builds on ACM203 (Introduction to Taxation). It will cover advanced knowledge and skills necessary for professional judgment, information and advice on businesses that have major financial implications. The aim of the syllabus is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement in providing relevant information and advice to individuals and businesses on the impact of the major taxes on financial decisions and situations. The Advanced Taxation syllabus further develops the key aspects of taxation introduced in the compulsory Taxation syllabus within the Skills module and extends the candidates’ knowledge of the tax system, together with their ability to apply that knowledge to the issues commonly encountered by individuals and businesses; such that successful candidates should have the ability to interpret and analyse the information provided and communicate the outcomes in a manner appropriate to the intended audience. The syllabus builds on the basic knowledge of core taxes from the earlier taxation exam and introduces candidates to additional taxes in the form of donations tax, estate duty and transfer duty. The syllabus extends the knowledge of income tax, company tax and capital gains tax, to encompass further overseas aspects of taxation, the taxation of trusts and additional exemptions and reliefs. Candidates are not expected to concentrate on the computational aspects of taxation. Instead this exam seeks to develop candidates’ skills of analysis, interpretation and communication. Candidates are expected to be able to use established tax planning methods and consider current issues in taxation. On successful completion of this exam, candidates should be able to: ● Apply further knowledge and understanding of the Zimbabwean tax system through the study of further taxes, together with more advanced topics within the taxes studied previously. ● Identify and evaluate the impact of relevant taxes on various situations and courses of action, including the interaction of taxes. ● Provide advice on minimising and/or deferring tax liabilities by the use of standard tax planning measures. ● Communicate with clients, ZIMRA and other professionals in an appropriate manner. |
| ACM 404 Advanced Audit and Assurance | The main objective of the course is to build foundational knowledge of Audit .This course is meant to prepare student for both a theoretical appreciation of Auditing and an introductory aspect on application. ● Regulatory Environment ● Professional and Ethical Considerations ● Practice Management ● Audit of Historical Financial Information ● Other Assignments ● Reporting ● Current Issues and Developments |
| ACM 405 Global Finance and Development | This course is a build-up from other earlier on finance courses. It covers the theory and practice of International Finance, focusing on the international financial systems, and impact of globalisation, world trade and economic integration on the international financial systems, including historical developments. The course specifically deals with the international financial system, world foreign exchange markets, the risks of holding assets and liabilities in foreign currency, management and control of risk, balance of payments, financing of international trade, foreign direct investment, operation of world capital markets and international capital budgeting students should be able to:- 1. Appreciate the historical background and existing institutional framework of international financial systems. 2. Demonstrate understanding of the use of theories and available data relating to Balance of Payments by analysing this data and recommending appropriate courses of action to fiscal and monetary authorities. 3. Formulate and recommend methods and tools for use by multinational corporations and other investors in assessing and selecting foreign investment opportunities and managing different foreign exchange environments 4. Assess and analyse political risk and recommend how to manage this risk 5. Assess and analyse foreign exchange risk and recommend how to manage this risk 6. Carry out capital budgeting/appraisals for an international business |
| ACM 406 Advanced Business Mathematics | This course will focus on advanced levels of ACM103. The Advanced Business Mathematics will cover particular topics in mathematics, statistical concepts and principles, accounting concepts, and mathematical formulas that are prevalent in the business world. |
| Semester 2 | |
| ACM 407 Ethics in Business | This course builds on ACM209 on Social Corporate Responsibility. The Ethics in Business is an advanced level course on ● Individual and corporate social responsibilities. ● Definitions of different types of ethics ● The history of ethics and current developments Students will learn case based ethical theories and moral reasoning at the highest level. |
| ACM 408 Research Project | This is a research component where students are expected to carry out a research on any auditing, accounting, taxation and costing topic where they are expected to apply theory learnt during the course of the programme. |
| ACM 409 Elective: Social entrepreneurship | This course requires students to use a disciplined market-based approach to refining business plan recommendations for developing a sustainable and scalable solution. This analysis will encompass an assessment of strategy, environment analysis, and market segmentation. It will also encompass an assessment of critical success factors in value chain innovation, operations, and human talent, as well as organization and governance considerations. Particular attention will focus on business model innovation and the validity of assumptions about revenue and expense drivers, as well as the effective use of metrics to support continuous innovation adaptation, and learning, and to assess both social impact and financial viability. It mirrors the workplace and provides you with real world challenges allowing you to demonstrate a blend of technical, practical and professional skills. Work through the Ethics and Professional Skills module either before you start, or alongside your studies. This gives one an insight into professional skills that one can apply in one’s examination and in the workplace |
