Gestión Académica

BACHELOR´S DEGREE IN COMMERCE AND MARKETING

The Bachelor´s Degree in Commerce and Marketing aims to train professionals in the marketing area of whatever industry sector, as well as marketing specialists capable of analyzing and dealing with business issues both on a national and international basis. 

Accounting plays a crucial role in this context as the accounting system provides reliable and relevant information leading company managers and external users to informed business decisions. 

As students have no previous exposure to accounting and financial statements, Introduction to Accounting will equip them with basic practical skills and theoretical knowledge of bookkeeping and financial reporting.This involves preparing and interpreting business accounting information as well as becoming familiar with the Spanish Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 

All in all, it is an introductory course which combines theoretical and practical aspects, where students will:

• Learn the key concepts of accounting.
• Understand the need for generally accepted accounting principles.
• Receive a firm grounding in the accounting principles and procedures underlying the company´s financial statements that will prepare them to carry out the bookkeeping process and transaction analysis.
• Develop skills to complete the accounting cycle.
• Be equipped with the knowledge necessary to prepare and present financial statements. 

According to the Bachelor´s Degree in Commerce and Marketing study plan, Introduction to Accounting is classified as follows: 

BACHELOR´S DEGREE IN TOURISM

The Bachelor´s Degree in Tourism aims to provide students with general training in business management and allow them to develop the skills required to plan tourist destinations, use natural, cultural and sporting resources and products for tourist purposes, and manage all types of events related to leisure in general. 

Accounting plays a crucial role in this context as the accounting system provides reliable and relevant information leading tourist sector company/organization managers and external users to informed business decisions. 

Introduction to Accountingis concerned with Financial Accounting which provides information designed to satisfy the needs of users outside the reporting company. As students have no previous exposure to accounting and financial statements, the course will equip them with basic skills and knowledge of the key concepts of accounting that will be very useful in order to earn their Bachelor´s Degree and succeed in the professional environment for which they are training. 

All in all, it is an introductory course which combines theoretical and practical aspects, enabling students to understand the accounting principles and procedures underlying a company´s financial statements, as well as becoming familiar with the Spanish Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). As a result, students will:

• Learn the key concepts of accounting.
• Understand the need for generally accepted accounting principles.
• Receive a firm grounding in the accounting principles and procedures underlying the company´s financial statements that will prepare them to carry out the bookkeeping process and transaction analysis.
• Develop skills to complete the accounting cycle.
• Be equipped with the knowledge necessary to prepare and present financial statements. 

According to the Bachelor´s Degree in Tourism study plan, Introduction to Accounting is classified as follows: 

The course requires no previous knowledge.

BACHELOR´S DEGREE IN COMMERCE AND MARKETING

The general competencies which students will develop by taking Introduction to Accounting include: 

CG1: Capability for analysis and synthesis.

CG2: Capability for fluent oral and written communication in mother tongue.

CG3: Learning capability.

CG4: Capability for fluent oral and written communication in English.

CG5: Capability for working and learning independently.

CG6: Capability for teamwork.

CG7: Willingness to lifelong learning.

CG8: Problem-solving capability.

CG9: Decision-making.

CG12: Inter-personal skills.

CG14: Critical reasoning.

CG15: Ethical commitment.

CG17: Creativity.

CG18: Leadership.

CG20: Initiative and enterprise.

CG22: Environmental awareness.

CG23: Integration of democratic values and of the culture of peace in the working environment.

CG24: Integration of the principles of equal treatment and opportunities for men and women in the working environment.

CG25: Integration of the principles of equal opportunities and universal access for the disabled in the working environment. 

Students will also develop the following specific competencies on the course: 

CE6: Know the fundamentals of accounting.

CE7: Acquire knowledge of trade law and the ability to apply it.

CE11: Develop skills for economic and financial decision-making.

CE12: Master financial and accounting procedures from a commercial and marketing standpoint both on a national and international basis.

CE35: Analyze and apply ICTs in the field of trade relations. 

As far as learning outcomes are concerned, the knowledge and skills that students will possess upon successful completion of the course will enable them to: 

RA6.8: Understand the accounting principles and procedures underlying the company´s financial statements at a basic level and apply them in the bookkeeping process and transaction analysis.

RA6.9: Complete the accounting cycle, determining accounting profit and producing the annual financial statements.

RA6.10: Know and apply primary accounting regulations.

RA6.11: Understand legal, mercantile and accounting texts.

RA6.12: Use office automation and business accounting software.

BACHELOR´S DEGREE IN TOURISM

The general competencies which students will develop by taking Introduction to Accounting include: 

CG1: Capability for analysis and synthesis.

CG2: Capability for fluent oral and written communication in mother tongue.

CG3: Learning capability.

CG4: Capability for fluent oral and written communication in English.

CG5: Capability for working and learning independently.

CG6: Capability for teamwork.

CG7: IT knowledge relating to the field of study.

CG8: Problem-solving capability.

CG9: Decision-making capability.

CG12: Inter-personal skills.

CG14: Critical reasoning.

CG17: Creativity.

CG18: Leadership.

CG21: Motivation to achieve quality.

CG23: Integration of democratic values and of the culture of peace in the working environment.

CG24: Integration of the principles of equal treatment and opportunities for men and women in the working environment.

CG25: Integration of the principles of equal opportunities and universal access for the disabled in the working environment. 

Students will also develop the following specific competencies on the course: 

CE6: Acquire a strong customer service orientation.

CE9: Critically analyze, synthesize and summarize the information regarding the financial position and economic performance of tourism entities.

CE13: Manage communication techniques.

CE24: Analyze and apply ICTs in the various areas of the tourism industry. 

As far as learning outcomes are concerned, the knowledge and skills that students will possess upon successful completion of the course will enable them to: 

RA3.1: Find, collect, manage and draw conclusions from accounting information.

RA3.2: Know the accounting and finance systems and procedures applicable to tourism businesses.

RA3.4: Prepare and interpret financial statements.

RA3.5: Understand and draw up financial information for managers and decision-makers outside the reporting company.

Following is the abbreviated programme of the course Introduction to Accounting:

Abbveviated programme

Lesson 1.- Definition and branches of Accounting

Lesson 2.- Corporate net worth

Lesson 3.- The bookkeeping process

Lesson 4.- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Lesson 5.- The accounting cycle

Lesson 6.- Assets

Lesson 7.- Shareholders´ equity and liabilities

Lesson 8.- The determination of accounting profit

Lesson 9.- Annual accounts

The detailed programme of the course, along with the specific objectives of each lesson are listed below:

Detailed programme and lesson objectives

Lesson 1.- Definition and branches of Accounting

1.1.      The need for economic information

1.2.       Definition of Accounting

1.3.       Branches of Accounting

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 2.- Corporate net worth

2.1.      Business activities

2.2.      Corporate assets and corporate sources of financing

2.3.      Categories of assets, liabilities and shareholders´ equity

2.4.      Order of presentation in the financial statements

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 3.- The bookkeeping process

3.1.      The accounting method

3.2.      Accounts as an instrument of representation and measurement

3.3.      Classifications of accounts

3.4.      Recording of business transactions

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 4.- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

4.1.      Harmonization of international accounting standards

4.2.      Structure of the Spanish General Accounting Plan

4.3.      Accounting principles

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 5.- The accounting cycle

5.1.      The opening phase

5.2.      The recording phase

5.3.      The closing and summarizing phase

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 6.- Assets

6.1.      Classification of assets

6.2.      Inventories

6.3.      Financial assets

6.4.      Tangible and intangible fixed assets

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 7.- Shareholders´ equity and liabilities

7.1.      Shareholders´ equity

7.2.      Liabilities

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 8.- The determination of accounting profit

8.1.      Income and expenses

8.2.      The end-of-period adjusting process

Overall objective of the lesson:

Lesson 9.- Annual accounts

 9.1.      Preparation of annual accounts

 9.2.      Interpreting annual accounts

Overall objective of the lesson:

The teaching-learning methodology used in the course Introduction to Accounting is based on a combination of face-to-face and non-contact activities, in both cases encouraging active student participation by means of the introduction of elements of dialogue and argument during the classes, with a view to assessing their understanding and monitoring on the topics explained.

In this discipline theory and practice are perfectly integrated, so any teaching method for accounting must necessarily have a strong practical orientation on a sound theoretical basis, where the student tries to face and confront economic reality by applying theoretical knowledge. Accordingly, in-class practical activities are set up which involve the participative discussion and resolution of exercises wherein students take an active role, consolidating previously acquired knowledge and identifying gaps and doubts that may arise upon its implementation.

The basic material used in the development of this course includes the relevant laws and regulations, a course theory manual and the practice exercises booklet prepared by the faculty members teaching the course, supplemented with other material prepared by teachers. In order to support teaching, students are provided with other resources which complement both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and include references to useful books as well as national and international websites from which they may obtain relevant and updated information. In addition to the material listed above, teachers will make other useful study material available to students through the Virtual Campus.

 As described below, the proposed methodology of the course is constituted by the following activities:

•  Work requiring attendance: 53 hours

 – Lectures. Lectures are aimed at presenting the key concepts and theoretical aspects of the subject, which are illustrated with numerous examples. The course will foster active participation and student engagement as an enhancement of lectures. The development of lectures is based on the course material which will be available to students in advance of lectures, so that they can prepare lessons before they are delivered in class.

– In-class practical sessions. In-class practical activities involve discussing and solving practice exercises which will help students consolidate their understanding of the subject and develop their capability for analysis by applying previously acquired theoretical knowledge. Active-learning techniques will be used aimed at encouraging student participation and interpersonal interaction among students as well as between the teacher and students.

– Group tutorials. Each class group is divided into three subgroups for the purpose of conducting group tutorials. These consist of an instructional activity conducted by a faculty member in order to review and discuss the material and topics presented in class, both individually and in groups.

– Evaluation session. Written exam consisting of theoretical questions and practice exercises to assess student progress.

•  Work not requiring attendance: 97 hours

– Individual work. It consists of the following activities: reading lecture notes in advance of class and the subsequent study of these once they have been dealt with in the lectures; doing the practice exercises at home before in-class practical sessions and the subsequent study of these once solutions have been given and discussed in class; completing homework assignments and carrying out, where appropriate, any other out-of-class activities; and preparing for the final exam.

The following is a summary of hours for each activity:

Only for illustrative purposes a summary table of the hours of the various activities allocated by lessons is presented below:

If deemed necessary by health authorities, in the event of serious unforeseen circumstances, teaching activities may be conducted online.

The following methods will be used to assess student performance:

1.- Continuous assessment (4 points out of 10)

It involves analyzing the various stages the student will pass through during the learning process so as to assess student progress throughout the course and then produce a final evaluation result from these periodic assessments.

The top score on the continuous assessment can be earned as follows:

• During lectures and/or in-class practical sessions, throughout the semester in which the course is taught, students will take two objective tests accounting for a maximum of 3.6 points. The purpose of these tests is for the student to demonstrate the skills acquired at specific points in time during the course. Should tests be made up of multiple-choice and true/false questions, scoring rules will penalize wrong answers.
• During group tutorials, students will be assigned several practice cases and other material that they must discuss and work out individually or in groups, making a group presentation of their results if deemed appropriate by the teacher. The proper completion of the assignments, along with the student´s attitude and active class participation will be the criteria used for assessing group tutorials, which score up to 0.4 points.

Continuous assessment tests and activities will be carried out during lectures, in-class practical sessions and group tutorials, and students must attend classes in the group to which they have officially been assigned.

2.- Final exam (6 points out of 10)

It is the overall assessment made at the end of the learning process, which quantifies and evaluates student performance through a grade. Its primary purpose will be to measure the level of student achievement at the end of the course.

Grading system:

The final grade in the January and May examination sittings will be a weighted average of scores from the continuous assessment and the final exam with a weighting of 40% for the continuous assessment and 60% for the final exam. Continuous assessment tests and activities shall not be repeated nor reassessed, and the results of the continuous assessment carried out during the course will not be modified, and will be taken into account to determine the final grade for each one of the above mentioned examinations.

However, the final exam scheduled for June will be worth 10 points and account for 100% of the final grade. Therefore, the continuous assessment mark attained during the teaching period will not be taken into account in calculating the final grade for the June sitting, but will be replaced by some examination questions and practice exercises specifically aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills students are otherwise expected to acquire throughout the course.

In every single sitting, successful completion of the course is achieved when the student attains a final passing grade of 5 points or above (out of 10).

If deemed necessary by health authorities, in the event of serious unforeseen circumstances, the assessment of student performance may be conducted online.

Please be advised that the University of Oviedo Code of Ethics, which is available at the following link: Universidad de Oviedo - Código ético (uniovi.es), is in force and shall apply.

Part-time students assessment

Nevertheless, in the January and May examination sittings, those part-time students who have successfully proven their eligibility shall be administered the same final examination as all regular students, as well as some additional questions and practice exercises specifically aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills students are otherwise expected to acquire throughout the course. The maximum score on this test, the only one that part-time students have to take, is 10 points and successful completion of the course is achieved when the student attains a final passing grade of 5 points or above.

In the June examination sitting, part-time students will take the same final examination as all regular students.

In any case, it is up to the Faculty´s Governing Committee to evaluate and resolve the aforementioned procedure.

Laws and regulations

Real Decreto 1514/2007, de 16 de noviembre, por el que se aprueba el Plan General de Contabilidad (BOE de 20 de noviembre).

Real Decreto 1515/2007, de 16 de noviembre, por el que se aprueba el Plan General de Contabilidad de Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas y los criterios contables específicos para microempresas (BOE de 21 de noviembre).

Real Decreto 602/2016, de 2 de diciembre, por el que se modifican el Plan General de Contabilidad aprobado por el Real Decreto 1514/2007, de 16 de noviembre; el Plan General de Contabilidad de Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas aprobado por el Real Decreto 1515/2007, de 16 de noviembre; las Normas para la Formulación de Cuentas Anuales Consolidadas aprobadas por el Real Decreto 1159/2010, de 17 de septiembre; y las Normas de Adaptación del Plan General de Contabilidad a las entidades sin fines lucrativos aprobadas por el Real Decreto 1491/2011, de 24 de octubre (BOE de 17 de diciembre).

Real Decreto 1/2021, de 12 de enero, por el que se modifican el Plan General de Contabilidad aprobado por el Real Decreto 1514/2007, de 16 de noviembre; el Plan General de Contabilidad de Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas aprobado por el Real Decreto 1515/2007, de 16 de noviembre; las Normas para la Formulación de Cuentas Anuales Consolidadas aprobadas por el Real Decreto 1159/2010, de 17 de septiembre; y las normas de adaptación del Plan General de Contabilidad a las entidades sin fines lucrativos aprobadas por el Real Decreto 1491/2011, de 24 de octubre (BOE de 30 de enero). 

Basic bibliography in Spanish

Varios Autores (2017): “Manual de Introducción a la Contabilidad”, 3ª EDICIÓN, Ediuno Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.

Varios Autores (2013): “Supuestos Prácticos de Introducción a la Contabilidad”, Ediuno, Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.

Supplementary bibliography in Spanish

Alfonso López, J.L. (Coord.) (2009): “La Contabilidad Financiera (Guía pedagógica, adaptada al Plan General de Contabilidad 2007)”. Thomson Reuters-Aranzadi, Cizur Menor.

Arquero Montano, J. L.; Jiménez Cardoso, S. M. y Ruiz Albert, I. (2011): “Introducción a la Contabilidad”, Pirámide, Madrid.

Cervera Oliver, M.; González García, A. y Romano Aparicio, J. (2017): “Contabilidad Financiera”, Centro de Estudios Financieros, Madrid.

Dieguez Soto, J. (2015): “Contabilidad Financiera. El Plan General de Contabilidad”, Pirámide, Madrid.

García Benau, M. A. (2011): “Introducción a la Contabilidad”, Centro de Estudios Financieros, Madrid.

Larrán Jorge, M. (Coord.) (2009): “Fundamentos de Contabilidad Financiera. Teoría y Práctica”, Pirámide, Madrid.

López Díaz, A. (Dir.) (2008): “Manual de Contabilidad Financiera”, Universitas, Madrid.

Montesinos Julve, V. (2010): ““Fundamentos de Contabilidad Financiera”, Pirámide, Madrid.

Rodriguez Ariza, L. y López Pérez, M.V. (2015): “Contabilidad General. Teoría y Práctica”, Pirámide, Madrid.

Socias Salvá, a. y otros Autores (2016): “Contabilidad Financiera. El Plan General de Contabilidad”, 3ª ed, 1ª reimpr, Pirámide, Madrid.

Socias Salvá, a. y otros Autores (2011): “Contabilidad Financiera. El Plan General de Contabilidad. Supuestos”, Pirámide, Madrid.

Varios Autores (2009a): “Manual de Contabilidad Financiera y Analítica I”, Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.

Varios Autores (2009b): “Manual de Contabilidad Financiera y Analítica II”, Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.

Wanden-Berghe, J.L. y Fernández Daza, E. (2012): “Introducción a la Contabilidad”, Pirámide, Madrid.

Bibliography in English

Albrecht, W.S., Stice, E.K. and Stice, J.D. (2011): "Financial Accounting Concepts", 11th Edition, South-Western, Mason, USA.

Alexander, D. and Nobes, C. (2010): “Financial Accounting: An International Introduction”, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, Harlow, England.

Harrison, W.T., Horngren, C.T., Thomas, C.W. and Suwardy, T. (2011): "Financial Accounting", 8th Edition, Pearson.

As basic accounting information resources, students may also visit the website of the following national and international bodies: