DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Chairperson
Brian Mahaso
MBA, BBA, BSc Hons
Lecturers
- Siduduziwe Malufu – MCom, MBA, BBA
- Msongelwa Ndlovu – MSc, BBA
- Mary Ndlovu – MSc, BCom
- Esther Zinyandu – MSc, BCom
- Unalinah Moyo – MSc, BCom
- Zibusiso Moyo – MSc, BCom
- Dumisani Nyathi- MCom, BCom
- Shadreck Matindike – MCom, BCom
MISSION
The Department endeavors to provide a quality degree programme in finance to students who want to take up careers in Finance, Banking, and Insurance, in the private and public sector.
PHILOSOPHY
It is the philosophy of the department that students majoring in Finance be educationally prepared to take up careers in financial management in the private and public sector, and in the church, domestically and internationally. The faculty, which has broad and diverse international experience, seeks to provide students with training and education that qualify them for employment in a multicultural environment.
OBJECTIVES
The Department of Finance has these objectives for its students:
- To develop students’ financial management skills which will enable them to meet the organisational challenges in the future.
- To prepare students to be academically sound for graduate studies and other professional undertakings.
- To help students harmonise business ethics and Christian values.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for admission, a candidate is expected to
- Have 5 O’ levels including Mathematics.
- Have at least two ‘A’ Level subjects passed
- Students with accounting or business studies in O/A Level programme have an added advantage.
Those admitted from A-Levels take at least four years, while those from neighbouring countries take at least five, including the one year Pre-University Programme, to complete their studies in these degrees. The Department accepts a limited number of students based on the Mature Age Examination, and/or professional qualification and related work experience. Generally, the number of such students shall not exceed two percent of the total student enrolment in the Department in a given year (see the section for Mature Age Entrance Requirements in this Bulletin).Requirements for Minor Maths at ‘O’ level is needed.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for graduation students must have successfully completed the following requirements:
| General Education | 27 |
| Core | 54 |
| Concentration | 30 |
| Cognates | 6 |
| Work Experience | 3 |
| BBA Finance Total Credits | 120 |
DEGREES OFFERED
The Finance Department offers the following:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance (General)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance (Honours)
- Minor in Economics
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN FINANCE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
CORE COURSES
ACCT 111 - Financial Accounting I A (3 Credits)
Students in this course are introduced to fundamental concepts of financial accounting. Emphasis is placed on understanding the accounting cycle, the content and preparation of the basic financial statements for sole proprietors. Other topics covered are cash handling systems and internal control, accounting for inventory, short-term investments, plant assets, intangible assets, natural resources and long-term liabilities. A study of generally accepted accounting principles, International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is included.
ACCT 112 - Financial Accounting IB (3 Credits)
This is the second part of the course, Financial Accounting I. Topics covered are accounting for long-term liabilities, the issues of incomplete single entry record and cost and management accounting. Students are also introduced to accounting for other forms of business organisations such as partnerships, joint ventures, and manufacturing organisations. Cost and Managerial Accounting concepts are also introduced. Financial planning and control is also introduced by discussing topics such as cash flow statements, and analysis and interpretation of financial statements. All topics are covered based on the provisions of the International Financial Reporting Standards.
ACCT 211 - Financial Accounting IIA (3 Credits)
This course builds on the knowledge attained in Financial Accounting I. It affords a student a deeper understanding of partnership formation and dissolutions, accounting for equity and debt securities, accountings for corporate income taxes (deferred taxes). A detailed approach to classification of transaction and determination of income and expense under situations such as contingencies and events occurring after the balance sheet date, discontinued operations and accounting changes are also covered in this course. Emphasis is again placed on working out financial statements in accordance to International Accounting Standards, statements of cash flows are also discussed in this course.
ACCT 261 - Tax Law & Practice I (3 Credits)
The course introduces students to the current law relating to taxation in Zimbabwe and its practical application in determining the source of gross income. It also involves the calculation of taxable income and tax payable for individuals, proprietors and farming operations.
ACCT 262 - Tax Law & Practice II (3 Credits)
The course builds on the knowledge attained in Taxation I. It continues to expose the students to taxation of partnership, companies, miners, trusts and estates according to the Zimbabwe INCOME Tax Act. The course also includes the study and application of the Capital Gains Act, Estate Duty Act, and Value Added Tax (VAT).
ACCT 271 - Accounting Software Packages (3 Credits)
The course is designed to introduce students to accounting software packages such as Sun Accounting, Pastel Accounting and others that are commonly used by the industry. It is a review of all accounting procedures: creating journals, posting to ledger accounts, trial balance extraction, and processing financial statements all done on a computer with hands on experience. The course will have lab periods, which are compulsory.
ACCT 231 - Management & Cost Accounting I (3 Credits)
The course provides a foundation for supplying detailed records of cost relating to products, operations or functions. It involves the study of cost behavior; determination, accumulation and allocation procedures. It also deals with accounting for the basic elements of costs that is material, labor and overheads as well as Activity–Based Costing (ABC). It discusses in detail the two basic costing systems: Job Order and Process costing and includes accounting for joint and by-products. The course further looks at short run decision making and Break Even Analysis.
BSAD 495 - Research Methods (3 Credits)
It is a study of quantitative and qualitative methods and procedures of research in the field of business. Emphasis is placed on topic formulation, problem statement, and research design, sampling techniques, methods of data collection, processing and analysing data, testing of hypotheses, statistical inferences and report writing. Students will be required to submit a research project
FNCE 200 - Financial Information Systems (3 Credits)
This course provides an examination of financial information systems. It focuses on the use and effect of computer information processing in a business environment, with emphasis on business computing equipment, management concerns such as decision support systems, computer security, database management, structured systems analysis and development lifecycle.
ECON 115 - Principles of Economics (3 Credits)
Explores the theories currently used to explain how people choose what to consume and produce. This analysis is extended to well-defined groups such as business firms. The course also explores the phenomenon called ‘the market’ with its prices and the way in which people react to them.
FNCE 274 - Financial Management (3 Credits)
The focus of this course is in the area of financial management. We will show managers how to interface with accounting and finance departments, help them to understand how firms meet their financial objectives utilizing financial decision making. This course will also explain financial tools and techniques, which can be used to help firms maximize value by improving decisions relating to capital budgeting, capital structure, and working capital management. This course will deal with a number of related topics, including multinational financial management, risk management, mergers and acquisition.
MKTG 126 - Principles of Marketing (3 Credits)
This course covers a general survey of the major marketing methods, techniques, institutions and practices, examined from the viewpoint of their effects on the exchange of processes involved in moving goods from producers to ultimate consumers, creation, analysis and maintenance of market.
MGMT 155 - Principles of Management (3 Credits)
An introduction to the concepts of effective and efficient management of business organisations. The primary emphasis includes the history and development of management thought, functions of management, organization, leadership & motivation, controlling, budgeting & non – budgetary controls .
MKTG 166 - Entrepreneurship (3 Credits)
The course provides an understanding of entrepreneurship in individuals, environmental assessment, and preparation for new entrepreneurship ventures. Furthermore, it enables students to develop and implement an effective business plan; evaluation of entrepreneurial opportunities, structuring and legal issues associated with new business ventures, knowledge in start-up financing, organizing, marketing and managing of entrepreneurship.
MGMT 241 - Business Law I (3 Credits)
The course looks at Mercantile Law. It is intended to familiarize students with the basic laws that cover contracts, sales partnerships, negotiable instruments, bailments, sureties, and bankruptcies.
MGMT 242 - Business Law II (3 Credits)
This course is a company law intended to familiarize students with the basic laws that cover the nature and classification of companies, promotion and formation of companies, Memorandum of and Articles of Association, membership, share, dividends, share capital, winding and amalgamation.
MGMT 360 - Production & Operations Management (3 Credits)
The course allows for the analysis of problems and issues faced by production and operation managers in manufacturing and service industries. Concepts and techniques covered include merchandising, scheduling, production and capacity planning, quality control, plant layout, facility location, line balancing, queue analysis, production and controls, forecasting, and linear programming.
CONCENTRATION COURSES
FNCE 245 - Insurance & Risk Management (3 Credits)
This course deals with the fundamentals of insurance and the insurance industry; concepts of risk and uncertainty; quantitative techniques of risk management; methods of dealing with risk; risk financing techniques, and risk management in insurance. In addition this course explores the principles of risk management and insurance. The course provides an understanding of the foundations, applications and selection of insurance. Fundamentals of life and health insurance as well as property and liability insurance will be included. Enterprise risk management for corporations, financial risk management, overview of employee benefits, and strategic policies to mitigate risk will also be covered.
FNCE 285 - Investment & Portfolio Management (3 Credits)
A study of the techniques, vehicles and strategies for implementing investment goals in light of risk-return trade-offs. Key factors that determine the composition of the individual or the institutional portfolio are emphasized. Also included are theories and techniques for the management of portfolios with emphasis on the portfolio manager’s role in diversification, and meeting investor’s goals, risk evaluation, and portfolio analysis.
FNCE 265 - Money & Banking (3 Credits)
A study of commercial banking, the operation and control of the banking system, and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Central banking system of selected African countries are discussed, as well as money and credit in circulation, and the effect of monetary policies.
FNCE 275 - Intermediate Corporate Finance (3 Credits)
Includes analytical and decision-making approaches to challenges confronting financial management. Areas such as planning, control and financing of current operations (short-term financing), and long-term capital commitments, management of cash flow, evaluation of income-producing property and expansion are included. Also included is the cost of capital.
FNCE 290 - Financial Modelling (3 Credits)
The course applies economic theories to solve various problems in financial management and investments. Using a hands-on approach in building financial spreadsheet models, the student will gain knowledge of numerical and graphical practices. These include but are not limited to asset return calculations, portfolio theory, index models, and the capital asset pricing model, option pricing models, bond pricing and investment performance analysis. MS Excel is the primary tool to implement these financial models; however the course will also make use of statistics and probability.
FNCE 295 - Financial Derivatives (3 Credits)
The theory of futures and options pricing, and the application of the theory to develop a framework for analysing hedging and investment decisions using futures and options. Attention is given to practical concentrations in the use of these investments.
FNCE 310 - Public Finance (3 Credits)
The theory of futures and options pricing, and the application of the theory to develop a framework for analysing hedging and investment decisions using futures and options. Attention is given to practical concentrations in the use of these investments.
FNCE 315 - International Financial Management (3 Credits)
A study of financial management and maintenance of international enterprises. Short – and long-term capital sources and uses are explored, as well as capital budgeting in changing foreign exchange conditions, exchange exposure coverage, taxation impacts, and global risks diversification.
FNCE 320 - Advanced Corporate Finance (3 Credits)
An advanced study of the financial management of business firms. Special emphasis is placed on areas of major interest from both applied and theoretical points of view. Areas covered include capital budgeting, capital valuation, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, leasing, international investments and financing decisions, cash flow estimation, and short-term asset management.
FNCE 325 - Corporate Financial Strategy (3 Credits)
The course lays a lot of emphasis on the need for students to understand the issues surrounding corporate governance, goals and objectives of both public and private institutions in an economy, before exploring corporate strategies and strategic Business Units (SBUs) before considering valuation of the firm / equity using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Relative and Contingent Valuation Approaches. Topics such as Linking corporate to Financial Strategies, Valuation of the Firm / Equity, Approaches to Estimation of Beta and Growth Rate of the Firm, Short Term Financial Strategies are discussed in much detail based on mergers and acquisitions.
COGNATE COURSES
MATH 182 - Business Calculus (3 Credits)
This is an introduction to calculus of functions of one variable including finding extreme; partial derivatives; applications of continuous random variables and multivariate calculus.
STAT 285-Statistical Methods I (3 Credits)
This is a study of basic descriptive and inferential statistics, including probability distributions, simple linear regression, statistical inference involving the binomial, normal, t, F and Chi-Square distributions.
BSIA 400 - Industrial Attachment (January to August) (3 Credits)
Students enrolled in the department of Finance are required to have a practical experience in their related field of study. The main objective of the attachment program is to provide practical experience in the area of study and develop abilities to apply theory to practice.
HONOURS REQUIREMENT
FNCE 430 - Financial Statement Analysis for Investment
FNCE 435 - Financial Markets Regulation
FNCE 440 - Risk Analysis and Management
FNCE 445 - Fund Management
FNCE 460 - Financial Econometrics
FNCE 497 - Financial Engineering
FNCE 498 - Financial Modelling Project
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
Behaviour Development
CONV 111-412: CONVOCATION (0 Credits)
ORIE 100: ORIENTATION (0 Credits)
WOED 121-122: WORK EDUCATION (0 Credits)
ORIE 100: ORIENTATION (0 Credits)
WOED 121-122: WORK EDUCATION (0 Credits)
Health and Physical Education
PHED 116: Physical Education (2 Credits)
HLED 115: Healthier Living (2 Credits)
HLED 115: Healthier Living (2 Credits)
Mathematics
MATH 181: Business Algebra (3 Credits)
Languages Communication
COMM 102: Communication Skills and Academic Writing (3 Credits)
Natural & Social Sciences
BIOL 389: Philosophical Biology (2 Credits)
HIST 276: Selected Themes in Zimbabwean History (2 Credits)
HIST 276: Selected Themes in Zimbabwean History (2 Credits)
Computers
INSY 115: Computer Concepts & Applications(3 Credits)
Ethics and Philosophy
RELT 105: Christian Beliefs (3 Credits)
RELB 180: Studies in the Gospels (3 Credits)
RELH 360: Seventh-day Adventist Heritage (2 Credits)
RELT 215: Philosophy of Christian Education (2 Credits)
RELB 180: Studies in the Gospels (3 Credits)
RELH 360: Seventh-day Adventist Heritage (2 Credits)
RELT 215: Philosophy of Christian Education (2 Credits)
