Module 1: Accounting: an introduction

Learning outcomes: At the end of this module, you should have an understanding of:

• What accounting is, and why it is important
• How to prepare a straightforward balance sheet
• How to prepare a simplified income statement
• How to prepare a simplified cash flow statement
• How to enter your transactions on an accounting worksheet

Module 2: The accounting cycle

Learning outcomes: At the end of this module, you should have an understanding of:

• The concepts and definitions which underlie accounting
• How to enter transactions into a ledger and extract a trial balance
• The importance of the trial balance
• How to close the accounting cycle and start a new cycle
• How to account for depreciation

Module 3: The components of financial statements

Learning outcomes: At the end of this module, you should have an understanding of:

• The different types of assets
• The different types of liabilities
• Equity accounts for the different entity forms
• The main accounting operations
• How to account for revenue and inventory

Module 4: Interpretation of financial statements and access to finance

Learning outcomes: At the end of this module, you should have an understanding of:

• The horizontal method of financial analysis
• The vertical method of financial analysis
• The financial ratio method of financial analysis
• The importance of a cash budget
• How to access finance through various options
• The importance of timely and accurate financial statements
• The difference between simple interest and compound interest