The first part of this course deals with an introduction into the current state of sustainability reporting in Europe. For that purpose, the most common reporting standards are discussed with a particular focus on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy. The other part of this course deals with the economic and technical fundamentals of consolidated financial statements and their accounting implications from the perspective of IFRS. The relevant accounting standards covered include IFRS 3 (business combinations), IFRS 10 (consolidated financial statements), IFRS 11 (joint arrangements) and IAS 28 (investments in associates).

At the end of the course, students are able to critically reflect on the role of accounting and sustainability reporting for achieving sustainable development. Furthermore, they can assess the most relevant sustainability reporting legislation in Europe, including the CSRD, the ESRS and the EU Taxonomy Regulation. In addition they are able to assess the relevance of consolidated financial statements for corporate practice and the effects of business combinations on nonconsolidated as well as on consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, they can draw up such consolidated financial statements by making the basic assessments required and performing the necessary calculations.

This course is a PI course with 80 % attendance in the units. Compulsory attendance applies for our on-campus units and for (possible) online units if a change to distance learning is required. For the on-campus units, attendance is checked by means of an attendance list. Please note that it is your responsibility to sign the list and that it is not possible to make a subsequent entry in the list. In the case of online units, we will verify your attendance via the attendance report in MS Teams. No further action is required on your part here.

Students who do not meet this limit for attendance will not be allowed to pass the course. Please keep in mind that there is no possibility to compensate for unexcused absences.

Deadline Submission case study: 29.11.2024, 11:59 am

The course consists of lectures, practical examples and discussions. The lectures are partly based on international textbooks and partly on the text of IFRS. Relevant chapters in the books and additional material will be announced and partly also provided throughout the course.

At the end of part 1 students work out case studies.

The Assessment is based on:

· Three quizzes:

1. Quiz of Part 1:        21st of November, 10:30 am -> 15% of the total grade
2. Quiz A of Part 2:   4th of December, 5 pm (at the beginning of the unit) -> 25% of the total grade
3. Quiz B of Part 2:   9th of December, 5:30 pm -> 25% of the total grade

· Case study (submission deadline 2024-11-29, noon): 35% ot the total grade

In order to pass the course, students are required to achieve more than 50 % of the total reachable points.

Grading scale:
1 - 84 %
2 - 72 %
3 - 60 %
4 - 50 %

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Good knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting.