Module Details

Module Code: AGRI S7012
Full Title: Finance and Communications
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 7.5
Module Owner::
  • Breda Brennan
  • Matthew Molloy
  • Ronan MacAnTsaoir
  • John Kelly
Departments: Agriculture, Food and Animal Health
Module Description: The aim is to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of financial management as they apply in modern agriculture. The course will deal with financial affairs both on and off the farm and with the basic principles of company financing. This module will develop the skills necessary to write effective, concise and authoritative documents. Focus will be placed on language, style/format and reinforcing arguments with appropriate references. Documents will be prepared with the appropriate software (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) so that students gain practical experience in improving their computer literacy.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Discuss the principles of financial management systems as they apply to agri-business and farm production.
MLO2 Appraise the importance of cost control, cash flow,profit and bench marking as essential components in the effective management of an agri-business or farm.
MLO3 Analyse investment opportunities on and off the farm using a range of appraisal techniques.
MLO4 Summarise the role of capital budgeting in the medium term planning and ongoing management of an agri-business or farm including the financing options that may be required to fund such budgeting and planning.
MLO5 Explain the importance of the taxation system and the role of tax planning in the decision making process.
MLO6 Use government, EU, OECD and commercial agricultural websites, to gather and submit physical and financial information.
MLO7 Apply a range of agricultural appropriate smart technology apps or ICT programmes to solve or answer industry related queries and recording agricultural related data.
MLO8 Select, categorise and analyse information and write an academic, scientific or business report using the appropriate structure, layout and style, with appropriate referencing.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction to financial management
Structure of finance; Financial statements; Financial versus management accounting; Profit and cash flow; Sources and application of funds statement; Cash flow statement, monitoring and tracking costs, Developing and interpreting agricultural and agri-business financial metrics. Bench marking with similar businesses.
Cash Flow and profit
Cost/price assumptions; Analysis of cash flows; Completing annual cash flow projections; Comparison of budgeted versus actual cash flows; Monitoring and controlling cash flow; Working capital management. Developing and creating profit and loss accounts for a farm or agri-business and interpreting and bench marking against similar businesses.
Investment Appraisal
Identify areas for investment on and off farm; Off farm – risk and return, stocks and bonds, funds, deposits, portfolio management, correlation and diversification. On farm - Quantify impact of investment on cash flow and profit; Time value of money to include net present value/internal rate of return/payback method; Costing of investment; Partial budgeting. Financing options for investments.
Capital Budgeting and planning
Repayment capacity and optimum repayment schedule. Reviewing a 5 year farm financial plan for a farm or agri-business incorporating this investment.
Taxation Theory and Structure
Taxation system in Ireland; Completion of returns; Taxes on income and profit; Taxation of capital transactions – capital gains tax, capital acquisitions tax, stamp duty; Minimising the tax bill – measures appropriate to agriculture. Indirect taxation – VAT; Corporation tax.
Collecting and interpreting information
Awareness of relevant web sites and information sources relevant to agri and farm businesses. Library techniques in effective online information collation. Accessing other information sources such as libraries, online journals and scientific websites. Use of industry apps in the agri sector for managing production systems, breeding and financial management.
Technical Writing and communication
Scientific and professional writing techniques, layout of documents, tables, figures, super and sub scripting, and referencing. Online etiquette. Using spreadsheets for processing and visualising data. Presentations.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Part Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Project on an off farm or alternative on farm investment.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcome 6,7,8
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Critique review of a financial topic within the agricultural sector such as an annual report of a agribusiness, Teagasc enterprise sector road maps. International comparisons using online database for information is required.The topic must be agreed with the lecturer. A presentation which visualises data collected must be completed.
Assessment Type Class Test % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5,6,8
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Two class tests worth 20% each with one being at the end of the module.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
A repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

This module has no Full Time On Campus workload.
Workload: Part Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Interactive lectures related to the indicative content. Every Week 3.50 3.5
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.50 2.5
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Online Contact Contact Online support Every Week 1.00 1
Total Weekly Learner Workload 10.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Conlon, T.. (2012), The Student’s Tax Handbook, McKeown Murray Publications.
  • Maher, J. et al. (2010), Farm Planning, Teagasc.
  • Mulholland, M.. (2008), Introduction to Agri-business in Ireland, 2nd. Teagasc.
  • Teagasc Handbook. (2013), Management Data for Farm Planning, Teagasc.
  • McDonnell, J. (2012), Farm Management, Teagasc.
  • Teagasc. (2018), Farm Business and Technology Workbook, 1. 7.
  • Agricultural Science Association. (2021), ACA Farmers Handbook.
  • Tom Burns,Sandra Sinfield. (2012), Essential Study Skills, SAGE Publications, p.472, [ISBN: 978-1446203255].
  • Catherine Dawson. (2013), Basic Study Skills: A Practical Guide to Learning for All Students, How To Books, [ISBN: 978-1845285203].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Arnold, G.. (2007), Essentials of Corporate Financial Management, Prentice Hall.
  • Dyson, J.R.. (2010), Accounting for Non-Accounting Students, 8th. Financal Times Management.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources