Course requirements
Master degree in Law. This course is part of the Advanced Master Law and Finance.
More information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/master/law-and-finance
Course information
This foundation course intends to give students of the Advanced Master Law & Finance an introduction to financial reporting in order to understand its basic principles based on the international financial reporting standards (IFRS). Students will learn how to critically assess the financial statement of a commercial business, including its Statement of Financial Position (balance sheet), Statement of Comprehensive Income (including the Income Statement), and Cash Flow Statement.
The dynamics behind financing a business will be taught using several literature sources as well as the tool “Financial Mindmap”, which has specifically been designed for lawyers.
At the end of the course, a preview and basic understanding of the financial reporting within banks will be addressed to understand both sides of the economic system.
Course learning objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to:
Understand the dynamics and interrelation between the Statement of Financial Position (balance sheet), Statement of Comprehensive Income and the Cash Flow Statement under IFRS;
Understand and apply basic principles of ratios analysis for investment decision making;
Critically assess and evaluate a business by analysing financial statements using ratio’s for the purposes of financial funding (debt as well as equity) and investment decision making (capital management);
Identify and understand a general and first insight of the financial reporting of banks (including liquidity and solvability ratio’s).
Mode of instruction
Online training courses (lectures) and seminars will be held in a weekly schedule and routine. Preparation is requested by watching short videos and reading the material before the lectures.
Lectures will be held in online sprints of 20 to 40 minutes where the main topics will be explained. Afterwards, online tests are performed, using www.socrative.com.
Seminars are online as well, where students will prepare assignments as well as present their findings and solutions on assignments.
Number of weeks: 5
Number of lectures & seminars: 10
Name of lecturer: P.N. (Pim) van Berkel
Required preparation by students: reading and viewing of prescribed materials, preparation of case studies and any other assignments.
Course Load
Lectures & seminars: 20 hours
Preperation for seminars and exam: 117 hours
Online exam: 3 hours
Total: 140 hours
Examination method
Individual assignment: 20%;
Group assignment: 30%;
Final exam (individual): 50%;
The final grade, on a scale from 1(poor) to 10 (outstanding), for the complete course will be the weighted average of the assignments and the individually written final exam, which will be online (ANS).
Final exam:
The final exam will cover all the material discussed during the lectures and seminars.
Further information about the assignments and the exam will be communicated to students through Brightspace, at the start of the course.
Course materials
All material is prepared by using several kinds of literatures, which are coming from the following sources:
a. Lecture slides Financial Mindmap & Basics Financial reporting.
b. Bookboon (free); www.bookboon.com
"Basics of International Financial Reporting"
"Decision making using financial ratios"
Contact
Course Coordinator:
P.N. (Pim) van Berkel, MSc
Work address: Steenschuur 25, Leiden;
Contact information after an appointment with the Secretariat 071 – 527 7851;
E-mail: P.n.van.berkel@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institute/Department
Institute: Institute of Tax Law and Economics
Department: Business Studies
Address secretariat: Steenschuur 25, Leiden (B2.26);
Office hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday between 9 o’clock and 5 o’clock;
Telephone number secretariat: 071 – 527 7851;
E-mail: bedrijfswetenschappen@law.leidenuniv.nl
Programme Coordinator:
Ms. Orsolya Kalsbeek-Bagdi
Email address: lawandfinance@law.leidenuniv.nl
Disclaimer: This course has been updated to the best of our knowledge at the current time of publishing. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the fluctuating changes in lock down regulations all information contained within this course description are subject to change up to 1 September 2020.
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus after 1 September 2020, changes to the course description can only be made in the event of strict necessity and only in the circumstances where the interests of the students are not impinged. Should there be a need for any change during the duration of the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis and will not be to the prejudice of students. Modifications after 1 September 2020 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board.