International Business Management and Accounting

A.Y. 2019/2020
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
SECS-P/08
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course is built to provide students with an understanding of the mechanics of the inner workings of a company, and in particular on how to be an effective boss of that organization. What will be discussed will not relate to functional matters ("how to do a business plan" or "what are the most relevant marketing levers"), rather on what processes and methodologies need to be in place, for the company as a whole to be in a condition to obtain the desired level of financial performance. It is about how making things happen, in particular from the position of the leader of that organization.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be in a condition to read and assess the economic and financial performance of a company. And likewise, be capable to understand what are the management and business levers that led to that type of performance. Once students complete the transition into the professional world, they will already have a base upon which to build, as to how a company (or a smaller organizational unit) should be run, and as to what business decisions should be made to reach success.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
The course has a length of 60 hours and it is built according to the following program:
1.Laying the basics for success. Which includes:
a. Clarity on why do companies exist: income and value and the conditions that have to be met for income and value to be healthy.
b.The role of the boss: energy and motivation.
c. Management team accountability: the virtuous circle of transparency of responsibilities, target assignment, development of implementation plans, control.
2. Managing the profit and loss account. Which includes:
a. How to achieve commercial success: emphasis on monetary impact, the role of pricing, rigor in use of specific strategic roles.
b. The drive for efficiency: processes for good use of company resources, technical levers for cost reduction.
c. Risk management: exposure map (credit, fraud, legal, market, business, operating) and optimization measures.
3. Building the organizational infrastructure. Which includes:
a. Managing colleagues and their motivation: selection criteria, mapping of the personnel body, bonus systems.
b. Organizational design and allocation of responsibilities: structure, management by committee or by individual, ranks.
c. The behavior of the boss in everyday's life: management by fear (yes or no?), daily tactics for good leadership, traps to avoid.
d. How to interact with the team: empathy, assertiveness, respect.
4. Understanding international groups. Which includes:
a. Types of international group.
b. Management practices according to type of group.
5. Principles of accounting. Which includes:
a. Basic principles and double entry.
b. Profit and loss accounting.
c. Balance sheet accounting.
6. Accounting in real cases. Which includes:
a. Manufacturing case.
b. Retailing case.
c. Banking case.
d. Insurance case.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites: 80% class frequency (12 sessions out of 15).
Teaching methods
Classes and simulations (role-play). Also, the course will provide for multiple external speakers, including CEOs and entrepreneurs, as well as experts from several markets which will illustrate their experiences and how numbers in their respective industries can be read.
Teaching Resources
The book "As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be the boss: How to Manage a Company" relating to the International management sections (available on www.amazon.it and its sister sites).

The slides shown in class for the accounting section.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For attending students, the exam will be structured as mid-term at the end of the management section, and a final at the end of the course. For non attendants: regular exams in one session only, approximately 5 times a year.
SECS-P/08 - MANAGEMENT - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Polo-Friz Diego
Shifts:
-
Professor: Polo-Friz Diego
Professor(s)