Business and Technology

The business organisation, its stakeholders and the external environment              

• Business organization: Meaning, Features, Types;
• Stakeholders in  business  organisations:  Types  of  Stakeholders,  Agency Relationship, Power & Influence of various stakeholder groups ;
•  Political and legal factors affecting business: Effect of political system & Government Policy on Organizations, Legal Provisions for protection of employees, Principles of consumer protection.  Macroeconomic factors: Objectives of macroeconomic policy, impact of economic issues on the individual, the household and the business; impact of fiscal and monetary policy measures on the individual, the household and businesses; Micro  economic  factors:  Concept  of  Demand  and  Supply, Elasticity of Demand, Types of Markets; Social and demographic factors: Medium & Long Term effects on the business & economy; Technological factors: Downsizing,  Delayering and Outsourcing; Environmental  factors:  Types  &  impact  on business, benefits to stakeholders; Competitive factors: SWOT analysis, Porter’s Value Chain Model, Porter’s five forces mode

Business organizational structure, functions and governance                                    

• The formal and informal business organization: Meaning and interrelationship. Business organizational structure and design: Concept and types. Advantages   and   disadvantages   of   Centralization   and Decentralization
• Organisational culture in business: Meaning and factors affecting organization culture. Committees in business organisations:  Purpose, types and advantages & Disadvantages.
• Governance  and  social  responsibility  in  business:  agency concept, corporate governance and social responsibility

Accounting and reporting systems, controls and compliance, technology and security            

• The  relationship  between  accounting  and  other  business functions, Accounting and finance functions within business organisations,  Principles  of  law  and  regulation  governing accounting and auditing.
• The sources and purpose of internal and external financial information provided by business, Financial systems, procedures and related IT applications.
• Internal controls, authorisation, security of data and compliance within business.
• Fraud and fraudulent behaviour and their prevention in business, including money laundering.
• The application and impact of Financial Technology (FinTech) in accountancy and audit.

Leading and managing individuals and teams                                                             

• Leadership, management and supervision: Meaning and distinction, schools of management thought, authority & responsibility. Recruitment and selection of employees.
• Individual and group behavior in business organisations, Team formation, development and management, Motivating individuals and groups,
• Learning and training at work, Review and appraisal of individual performance

Personal effectiveness and communication and Professional ethics in accounting and business                                                                                                                                    

·       Personal effectiveness techniques; Consequences of ineffectiveness at work

·       Competence frameworks and personal development

·       Sources of conflicts and techniques for conflict resolution and referral;

·       Communicating in business. 

·       Fundamental principles of ethical behavior, Role of regulatory and professional bodies in promoting ethical and professional standards in the accountancy profession;

Corporate codes of ethics; Ethical conflicts and dilemmas