Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

BE-507 Accounting 5 (or equivalent)

Additional pre-requisites: In addition to a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the main principles for accounting under International Financial Reporting Standards, a thorough understanding of conceptual frameworks for accounting is beneficial. It is further recommended to have completed a course in accounting theory.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course the student should, using contemporary accounting issues, be able to:

  • Identify conflicts between various objectives for financial reporting.
  • Explain the advantages of principle-based accounting regulation.
  • Identify and discuss inconsistencies in the current accounting regulation across different standards
  • Reflect on how the scope of different standards put pressures on the accounting definitions and may lead to accounting arbitrage
  • Analyze contemporary accounting issues, suggest reasonable solutions and comment on existing points of view.

Contents

The course is based on the most recent and ongoing discussions in international accounting and standard setting activities. After an introduction on conceptual frameworks for accounting, key concepts and theories and certain cross sections of the accounting regulation, the course uses recent cases from the standard setters and regulators to illustrate how these concepts are used to conclude on the most appropriate accounting. When discussing the cases, the existing body of literature and standards are revisited that are relevant for the case, thus reaffirming knowledge from prior courses. The course is problem focused with the ambition of strengthening critical thinking and identifying alternative views and approaches.

Teaching and learning methods

As the course is based on current issues and therefore case based, weekly lectures will form the basis. The cases and issues presented in the lectures will be analyzed and students will have to prepare short resumes of the key accounting concepts involved and how they compete and are weighted against each other.

During the course, the students are required to hand in an essay based on a problem presented by the lecturer. This hand in will not be graded, but feedback will be provided. The hand-in may be prepared in pairs of two if warranted.

Students will also be asked to prepare for each lecture by reading relevant case papers from the literature as identified by the lecturer. Towards the end of the course, students will be challenged to briefly present in class their observations from the case readings.

Examination requirements

Approved mandatory assignment.

Examinations

4-hour written individual examination under supervision. Letter grades.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representatives, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Offered as a free-standing course

No

Admission for external candidates

No
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 9:14:43 AM