F1: Business and Technology

The Business and Technology module introduces students who may not have a business background to the business, which as an entity is made up of people and systems which interact with the environment and with each other. It begins with examining the purpose and types of business which exist, the key stakeholders and the rights and responsibilities that businesses have in connection with them, exploring the external influences that affect the business in its environment, including economic, legal, social and technological factors.
The module then examines the structure and functions of business, focusing on corporate governance and the specific accounting-related roles in this process, particularly in financial reporting, assurance, control and compliance. It introduces key leadership, management and people issues such as effective individual and team behaviour, motivation and personal effectiveness.
The final section of the module examines how behaviour at all levels within the business should be underpinned by accepted professional ethics and professional values.

On successful completion of this module, Students should be able to:

• Understand the purpose and types of businesses and how they interact with key stakeholders and the external environment.
• Understand business organisation structure, functions and the role of corporate governance.
• Recognise the functions, systems and new technologies in accountancy and audit in communicating, reporting and assuring financial information, including the effective compliance, internal control and security of financial and other data.
• Recognise the principles of authority and leadership and how teams and individuals are recruited, managed, motivated and developed.
• Understand the importance of personal effectiveness as the basis for effective team and organisational behaviour.
• Recognise that all aspects of business and finance should be conducted in a manner which complies with and is in the spirit of accepted professional ethics and professional values.