Accounting - A Level

Accounting is at the very heart of every business activity and is a rewarding and challenging activity in its own right. Accounting is concerned with collecting, analysing, summarising and presenting financial data in order to comply with company legislation and assist decision making by management. By the end of the course you will have acquired a sound knowledge of accounting principles and techniques and be able to solve complex accounting problems.

You will start by looking at basic bookkeeping techniques, which will form the basis for your understanding of a wide range of topics, delivered later in the course, relating to more sophisticated methods of financial and management accounting used in business and industry.

What will I study in Accounting?

AS Units 1 and 2
Introduction to Financial Accounting. You will be introduced to the general purposes of accounting; accounting records, subsidiary books and ledger accounts; verification of accounting records; trading and profit and loss accounts; and balance sheets including simple adjustments.

Financial & Management Accounting. The second unit examines different types of business organisation; accounting concepts; further aspects of the preparation of the final accounts and balance sheets of sole traders; and an introduction to budgeting and budgetary control.

A2 Units 3 and 4
Further Aspects of Financial Accounting. Developing material and concepts learnt during the AS, you will examine sources of finance; incomplete records; partnership accounts; published accounts of limited companies; accounting standards and stock valuation.

Further Aspects of Management Accounting. The last unit covers manufacturing accounts; marginal, absorption and activity based costing; standard costing and variance analysis; capital investment appraisal and social accounting.

How will I be assessed?

Papers are 1 ½ hours long in the AS units and 2 hours in the A2. Questions are based around knowledge of accountancy terminology, techniques and problem-solving exercises.

Do I need to have studied Accounting before?

It is not necessary for you to have studied any accounting before starting the course, but you should be comfortable with numerical and statistical data, be methodical, enjoy paying good attention to detail and be able to write logically.

Who will teach me?

David Molloy has taught Accounting for 25 years and prepared final accounts for both large and small companies. He is a keen investor taking both long and short positions with an expert knowledge of how markets work, the credit crunch, and the current international economic situation as it affects companies. He enjoys teaching and brings real life experience to the classroom.

Ciara McPolin joined Lansdowne in 2011 having worked as a professional accountant for several years before completing her PGCE. She brings industry experience and has a particular interest in UK and European economics.

Which subjects complement Accounting?

Accounting combines well with a number of other subjects. The related disciplines of Business Studies, ICT and Mathematics are obvious examples. If you are looking for a broader programme of study, Accounting combines well with the study of a language or science subjects. This approach mirrors some of the developments at university where language, science and engineering courses often include aspects of Business Management.

What careers can Accounting lead to?

A good grade in Accounting at A level is valued by universities and employers, as it requires you to develop a high level of analytical skill and to demonstrate the ability to solve realistic accounting problems. This course lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Accounting or related subjects in higher education. Careers include accountancy itself, management and finance or related business fields.