NTU NBS: Year 2 Semester 2

Year 2 Semester 2

Hey! I have decided to reduce the number of AUs taken to 16AUs this semester and it was so much manageable than the previous semester.

AB2000 Career Foundations II (CORE - 1AU)

Course Format: 

Attendance (45%)

Class Participation (10%)

Dressing (10%)

Resume and Cover letter (35%)

Attained Score: Unknown

Final Grade: P

There were 5 3.5 hours lessons for this module, however, the instructor never fails to stretch the lessons till 4 hrs. There were 3 lessons focusing on interview skills and resume building tips while the other 2 lessons were outsourced to external facilitators and focused on dressing and etiquette. As for the assignment, I've re-used the one written in Career Foundations I since there were not much changes. 

AC2101 Accounting Recognition & Measurement (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (15%)

Mid Terms (20%)

Group Presentation (15%)

Final Examination - open book (50%)

Attained Score: 

Coursework (50% - A-, of which Mid Terms - A-)

Final Grade: B+

This is yet another challenging accounting module that I've taken so far. Personally, I dislike accounting calculations as the amount of calculations is voluminous and intimidating. But yeah, this module extends the knowledge from Accounting I and II and move on to complex financial reporting issues such as Leases, Financial Instruments, Construction Contracts, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Split Accounting and Share-based payment transactions. The mid terms was supposed to be easy since more than 50% of the cohort got an A- and above. Group presentation was just tutorial presentation of a given tutorial topic like the previous accounting modules. The final examination was quite challenging for me, considering I've spent so much effort and time preparing for it and I can't even determine the accounting treatment for several issues.  

AC2104 Auditing & Assurance (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Mid Terms (15%)

Group Presentation (8%)

1 page Presentation Critique (2%)

15 Connect Quizzes (5%)

Seminar Activities (5%)

Mini-Group Presentation (5%)

Final Examination - open book (50%)

Attained Score: 

Mid Terms (A+)

Group Presentation + Critique (A)

Connect Quizzes + Seminar Activities + Mini-Group Presentation (A+)

Final Grade: A

When I first started this course, I was kind of intimidated by the numerous course components and was apprehensive about it. However, this course turns out to be my favourite course of this semester. It was both interesting and fun learning about risk assessment and coming up with different audit procedures to address the risks. Also, this course is largely qualitative in nature. The only quantitative part would be calculating materiality and performing analytical procedures (e.g. ratio analysis). 

The group presentation and mini-group presentation were assigned tutorial questions, where most of the answers could be obtained from the textbook and the internet. For the seminar activities, it's spontaneous class activities where the group completes selected tutorial questions issued by the professor and then, different groups will discuss their answers in class. 

AC2401 Accounting Information Systems (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Process Analysis Report (2000 words, 12%)

ERP Implementation Presentation (13%)

SAP Quiz (15%)

Final Examination - open book (50%)

Attained Score: 

Process Analysis Report (B+)

Final Grade: A

This module is heavily focused on coursework. There were only about 4-5 seminars and 6 SAP lab sessions. The effective course duration is 11 weeks, excluding 1 week of e-learning and the last week of presentation. The main highlights of the seminar sessions was to map out the business process using system flowcharts and solving efficiency and controls issues within the business process. The SAP lab sessions focuses on the use of SAP ERP system - FI, CO and MM modules. More of the work is done on both project components. The Process Analysis Report requires us to map out the business process of an existing company (can't use fictitious company), as such, we were required to go down to the company and interview various key personnel involved in the revenue/expenditure cycle. Time and effort is also required to learn use the flowchart software to draw the charts. As for the second component, it requires us to select an ERP package and implement it to the company we have chosen in our process analysis report. A live demonstration of the ERP package is required during the final presentation, so we are required to fully understand and use all the functionalities of the ERP package that we have chosen. 

NTU NBS: Year 2 Semester 1

Year 2 Semester 1

I took 20 AUs this semester. The workload was immense but I'm glad I've completed it.

AB1000 Career Foundations I (CORE - 1AU)

Course Format: 

Attendance (20%)

Class Participation (30%)

Pre-Assignment (25%)

Post Assignment (25%)

Attained Score: Unknown

Final Grade: P

Not much comments on this since it's just a one-day affair where various external trainers come to administer the programme. 

AC1102 Accounting II (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

5 Connect Quizzes (10%)

Group Report (15%)

Mid Terms (15%)

Final Examination (50%)

Attained Score: 

5 Connect Quizzes (9.8%/10%)

Group Report (A+)

Mid Terms (11.7%/15%) 

Final Grade: A

This module is a pure financial accounting module and it extends the knowledge acquired from AC1101. It focuses a lot on the balance sheet items. MORE FRS were introduced, ranging from FRS 36 PPE, FRS 36 Impairment Loss, FRS37 Liabilities, FRS 38 Intangibles, FRS 40 IP, FRS 105 NCAHFS, INT FRS107 NCAHFDTO, FRS 108 Operating Segments, FRS109 Investments in Shares, FRS 113 Fair Value and some presentation FRS like FRS 1 and FRS 7. The group project was not difficult, it was on changes in accounting policies (with reference of FRS 8). I guess once you are able to apply the FRS on your case company to suggest the changes in their accounting policies and highlight the effect of changes, you'll do fine. The mid terms was a pure financial statement presentation question, requiring the presentation of P/L, Balance sheet, Statement of changes in equity and notes to financial statements. With practice, you'll be fine as well. I feel that the most challenging component would be the final exam as it really test on the application of all the FRS that we have learnt. The time pressure is another issue. Among all my final exams, I would have to say this is the toughest. 

People always suggest to get course coordinator for accounting modules, but in my humble opinion, it does not really matter. I didn't get the course coord for both AC1101 and AC1102 but the professors that taught me are really proficient in their subject matter and they do teach well. As long as you are willing to put in the effort and clarify your doubts with them, I'm sure you'll be able to do well. 

AC2301 Principles of Taxation (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Group Presentation (10%)

Quiz 1 (10%)

Quiz 2 (10%)

Final Examination - 1 A4 cheat sheet (60%)

Attained Score: All Unknown

Final Grade: A-

I would say this module is quite interesting. The concepts may be difficult to grasp when you initially learn it but once you take time to review it, it all makes sense. There is a balance of quantitative and qualitative concept for this module, and it made a lot of reference of the Income Tax Act and IRAS e-tax guide. The learning process was made easier as the clarification provided in IRAS e-tax guide are really comprehensive and clear. There was one week on GST as well so GST Act was also referred. I must say this module requires time to reorganise all the knowledge that was acquired and apply to the various exam questions. The exam questions really tested on the application of tax knowledge and it's pretty standard if you refer to past exam questions. 

AC2302 Company Law and Corporate Governance (CORE - 4AU)

Course Format: 

Class Participation (10%)

Elearning (10%)

Quiz 1 (15%)

Quiz 2 (15%)

Final Examination (50%)

Attained Score: 

Class Participation (B+)

Elearning (A+)

Quiz 1 (A-)

Quiz 2 (A-)

Final Grade: A-

I'm just overwhelmed by the content from this module. It is reading intensive and there is 2 sessions per week. That means you'll have to constantly prepare for the case questions and tutorial questions on top of your readings. I kind of enjoy this module as I personally think it is more straightforward than Business Law. It emphasises more on the Companies Act, Securities and Futures Act and Bankruptcy Act which is more standardised as compared to the case laws in Business Law. 

I guess the most important takeaway that I've gained from this module is how to present an effective argument and defence by tying all the statutory provisions and case law together. 

GC0001 Intro to Sustainability: Multidisciplinary Approaches & Solution (GER CORE - 1AU)

Course Format: LAMS

Final Grade: P

I seriously have no recollections of this module since I've completed it on the first week of school. Similar to HY0001, this module is fully online and is part of the 3 1AU modules that all NTU students will have to take. I'm not even sure whether they have a course outline for the module and I can't seem to find it anywhere. There are 6 LAMS sequences to complete and a quiz at the end of each sequence.