BTEC HND in Business (Finance)

The aim of this unit is to investigate the principles that underpin the marketing process and how they apply in business. It is a broad-based unit providing a general overview of marketing for all students and a foundation for further study in the specialist area of marketing.

The unit is designed to give the student an understanding of the management of finance within a business organisation. Students will look at the sources of finance and learn how to interpret and use financial information for decision-making purposes. They will learn basic financial techniques used for making decisions in relation to costing and budgeting, pricing and investments.

This unit provides an introduction to the nature of organisations in relation to management practices. The unit examines the internal nature of organisations from both a theoretical and practical point of view. The unit develops an understanding of the behaviour of people within organisations and the significance of organisational design and characteristics. The unit aims to provide the basis for, and to underpin further study in, specialist areas of business.

The aim of the unit is to encourage learners to identify the objectives of organisations and the influence of stakeholders. Learners are also encouraged to investigate the operation of organisations in relation to the local, national and global environment. The unit also provides learners with a solid base of understanding of the parameters within which organisations act that can be built upon in future units.

The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to the law of contract, with a particular focus on the formation and operation of a business contract. Learners are encouraged to explore the contents of such an agreement and, in particular, to appreciate the practical application of standard-form business contracts. Additionally, the unit enables learners to understand how the Law of Tort differs from the law of contract and examines the Tort of Negligence and issues of liability pertinent to business.

In this unit students will learn about managing finance within the business environment. They will learn about the management of working capital in the business, budgetary control and costing techniques. They will apply some statistical techniques for the purpose of financial analysis.

Organisations have always depended on information to ensure success. Over the years, organisations have changed their information systems from dealing purely with data processing to strategic and decision support. Managers need information to plan successfully in the short, medium and long term. It is also recognised nowadays that information is required at all levels in an organization and that information itself can have many sources. The importance of valid information in gaining competitive advantage needs to be stressed.

Learners will gain an understanding of the ways in which data can be processed and the applications that support organizations. They will also be asked to evaluate the capacity of an information system to satisfy the needs of the user.

This unit provides an introduction to the concepts and practices of Human Resource Management within the United Kingdom. The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the personnel function of management through the consideration of systems and frameworks, which create and sustain the employment relationship within the organisation.

In business, good decision making requires the effective use of information. This unit gives learners the opportunity to examine a variety of sources and develop techniques for four aspects of information: data gathering, data storage, and the tools available to create useful information and present it.

Computers are used in business for much of this and the appreciation and use of appropriate IT software is central to the completion of this unit. Specifically, learners will use spreadsheets and other software for data analysis and the preparation of information. The use of spreadsheets for the manipulation of numbers, and understanding of how to apply the results, are seen as more important than the mathematical derivation of formulae used. They will also gain an appreciation of information systems currently used at all levels in an organization as aids to decision making.

In this unit students will learn how to prepare financial statements for different types of business enterprise and how to make appropriate adjustments to those statements. They will learn the detailed legal and regulatory provisions relating to financial reporting and how to apply appropriate accounting principles. They will learn the basic principles of preparing group accounts. On completion of the unit, students will be able to prepare final accounts for a variety of business organisations.

The unit covers the structure of financial systems within an organisation and the auditing of those systems. Students will learn how both manual and computerised accounting systems operate and how they are controlled and safeguarded. They will be introduced to the concept, principles and techniques of auditing.

In this unit students will learn about tax provisions for both individuals and limited companies. They will learn how to calculate taxable income and tax payable taking account of all types of income and relevant expenditure and any appropriate tax-free allowances. The unit covers income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax for individuals and businesses.

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ ability to evaluate the strategy process and its implementation in organisations. This will involve an evaluation of the impacts of the external operating environment and the need to adopt organisational strategies to ensure effective business performance.

This unit is designed to provide students with an understanding of key areas of advertising and promotion and to develop student’s ability to select and apply appropriate communications tools within a strategic and tactical framework. It is a broad-based unit covering theoretical concepts as well as current promotional practice. It provides the basis for career choices in this field as well as for further study for professional qualifications.

The unit is primarily designed for students who are interested in small business enterprises and looks at the development and expansion of such businesses. The unit will particularly appropriate for Higher National Certificate learners who are involved in small business enterprises. The unit draws together many of the topics covered in other units and allows learners to practice skills required in a small business.

This unit is designed to introduce learners to the techniques and methods of research. The unit addresses a variety of research methodologies, including the opportunity to carry out interventionist or action research. Learners will be required to produce a project report based on independent research into an area of professional business practice that interests them and will add to their professional development. The study should use both primary and secondary sources of information, and should be an exploration of a current major issue. The study undertaken should build on knowledge, skills and understanding that have been achieved in other units. Tutors approval should be sought before commencing study.