Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
This curricular unit complements the previous unit of Complements of Financial Accounting, integrated in the first semester of the current course. Several specific issues and topics are addressed concerning corporate and economic groups. Thus, the aim and objectives are the following:
1. Identify the process of companies¿ star-ups, the modification process in their capital as well as the other main operations concerning equity.
2. Understand the process of acquisition, merger, and other corporate operations.
3. Analyze the importance of financial consolidated accounts and identify the main techniques to achieve the integrated consolidated accounts.
After completing this curricular unit, students should, complementary to the several doctrinal issues, achieve a critical assessment of corporate¿ transformations, as well as identifying the role of business groups towards economic development, environmental responsibility, and sustainability.
Syllabus
1. General framework and overview. 2. Formation of companies, start-ups, and changes in capital. 3. Shares and treasury shares, and other equity operations. 4. Dissolution and liquidation. 5. Mergers and acquisitions. 6. Business combinations. 7. Interests in joint ventures and investments in associates. 8. Investments in subsidiaries and consolidation financial statements. 9. The taxation of corporate groups. 10. Financial and sustainability reporting. Environmental, social and governance disclosures and the materiality matrix.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
A master¿s degree in accounting and finance should include a set of topics that allow students to achieve a comprehensive understanding of corporate transformation as well as the importance of corporate coalitions. Complementary, the role of business groups in economic development of a region or a country are also outlined. Thus, in this course, the topics covered will meet the objectives defined above in their extent by focusing on accounting procedures and legal issues of corporate transformation. Indeed, it focuses on the preparation and analysis of consolidated accounts as the financial scorecard of economic groups. In addition to the accounting and legal issues, the fiscal tax regulations are also analyzed. . Both the financial and economic implications of the shareholders¿ decisions about equity change are highlighted. According to the developments occurred in the last decade, particularly in the scope of listed companies, this curricular unit also focus the aspects of environmental and social responsibilities, and sustainability. The disclosure in sustainability reporting is an issue that consolidates the integrated approach of this curricular unit, particularly regarding the information preparation and dissemination.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Apart from the curricular unit theoretical framework, the syllabus will be illustrated with current case studies, encouraging on an ongoing basis the students¿ active participation towards a better comprehensiveness of the topics under analysis. With this approach, student can easily extrapolate those topics into new contexts in the field of business management.
The assessment in this curricular unit will be made through a written test (40%) and through the development of a work followed by an oral presentation (60%), in which the students are encouraged to implement exploratory analysis based on the topics discussed in the classes.
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
Being Accounting a structural pillar of the overall Management field, students must acquire skills in the accounting scientific domain, particularly regarding the developments in the international financial reporting. This course is instrumental, providing a dynamic update in the accounting regulation and the financial reporting: recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosures.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
ALMEIDA, A. P. (2013). Sociedades Comerciais: Valores Mobiliários e Mercados, 7.ª Edição. Coimbra Editora.
ALVES, S.; CARMO, C. (2021). Contabilidade das Sociedades e Consolidação de Contas, 2.ª Edição. Almedina.
EPSTEIN, B. J.; MIRZA, A. A. (2005). IFRS - Interpretation and Application of International Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards. John Wiley & Sons.
FURTADO, J. P. (2007). Código das Sociedades Comerciais - Anotado, 5.ª Edição. Petrony.
RODRIGUES, A., CARVALHO, C., CRAVO, D., & AZEVEDO, G. (2011). SNC - Contabilidade Financeira: sua aplicação, 2ª Edição. Almedina.
SILVA, F. V. G.; PEREIRA, J. M., & RODRIGUES, L. L. (2006). Contabilidade das Sociedades, 12.ª Edição. Plátano Editora.
VAN GREUNING, H. (2009). International Financial Reporting Standards - A Practical Guide, 5th Edition. World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/2620
