Accounting

Accounting HND

(SCQF level 8)

Full-time, Accounting and Finance

Course Options
No course offerings available at the moment.

Overview

The HND Accounting Award has been designed to meet the demands and requirements of the accounting industry. 

Opportunities are provided to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in preparation for employment, for progression to further study at university, or for courses run by professional accounting organisations like ACCA, CIPFA and CIMA. 

The course focuses on the technical skill of students to be able to process accounting information for a variety of organisations including Sole Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies.  Students will also learn how to handle both Financial and Management Accounting scenarios and prepare written reports to communicate the outcomes.  In addition, training is included on popular accounting software such as SAGE Accounts and SAGE Payroll.  The course also enhances your skill in using Excel spreadsheets.  

Personal Development Planning is also a key element of this course to encourage learners to consider future paths and set targets to ensure that the most is being made of opportunities available.   

A full list of the units covered is provided in the section “what you study” below. 

Throughout the course, you will undertake a programme of guidance activities designed to encourage the successful completion of the course. 

You will be required to attend college on 4 days every week from 9am to 5pm for two academic years.  However, in order to progress to the second year you are required to pass all the units undertaken in year 1.  

The course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8. 

Why Choose City of Glasgow College?

City of Glasgow College is a next-generation college.  Our Campuses at City and Riverside have been meticulously designed to offer superb opportunities to our students and to meet and adapt to the changing needs of future generations. This future-proofing complements the vast open and inspiring learning and teaching environment.  Here’s just a few reasons why you should make City your first choice:

  • We have designed our curriculum to develop the technical skills of students and it is closely aligned with industry requirements, meaning our graduates can successfully transition from their course into employment. 
  • Our Financial Services curriculum has been recognised by the industry in Scotland as we have recently won the 2019 Pioneer Award as a result of our industry engagement and teaching content. 
  • We support our students in a classroom environment encouraging student engagement and improving attainment.
  • Over 90% of our successful students’ progress directly to further learning, apprenticeships, or employment. 
  • All of our students have a named Academic Advisor who can provide advice, support and signposting in key areas, such as:
    • Opportunities to discuss your academic progress.
    • Encouragement and an informed view with ways to enhance your academic studies.
    • Planned workshops from the student services team on a range of areas including finance and funding, careers information, help to be a class rep etc. You can suggest to your Academic Advisor workshops and talks that would benefit you.
    • A reliable point of contact throughout your studies, enabling you to make the most of your time at the college.

Make City of Glasgow College your first choice for a world-class education.

Studying HND Accounting, in particular, gave me an advantage in my current role as I had a really good understanding of Debits and Credits.  That helped me when I was undertaking ICAS qualifications as part of my apprenticeship with EY"  Danielle Stewart, Associate, Ernst and Young LLP.

Minimum entry requirements

Year 1

  • Two Highers at Grade C or above in relevant* subjects AND National 5 English and a numeracy based subject at Grade C or above if not passed at Higher; OR
  • Other equivalent qualifications or experience, where verifiable evidence has been provided. 

* relevant subjects include English, Mathematics, Business Management, Economics, Geography, History, Administration, Modern Studies and a Science subject.  

Direct Entry into Year 2

  • HNC Accounting full time course with 15 credits; OR
  • HNC Accounting part time course with 12 credits.  

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

Additional selection requirements
  • You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area

What you study

Year 1

The mandatory units are:

  • Recording Financial Information.
  • Preparing Final Accounts.
  • Using Financial Accounting Software.
  • Cost Accounting.
  • Management Accounting Using IT.
  • Group Award Graded Unit.

The other units full-time students study to bring their total credits up to 15 are:

  • Payroll.
  • Personal Development Planning.
  • IT in Business:  Spreadsheets.
  • Business Law.
  • Economic Issues.
  • Mathematics for Business.

Year 2

The mandatory units are:

  • Financial Reporting and Analysis.
  • Accounting for Specialised Transactions.
  • Management Accounting for Decision Making.
  • Management Accounting for Planning and Control.
  • Business Taxation.
  • Accounting Graded Units 2 and 3.

The other units full-time students study to bring their total credits up to 15 are:

  • Using Software Applications Packages.
  • Statistics for Business.
  • Auditing.
  • Income Tax.

After the course

This course prepares you for a career in:

  • Bookkeeping.
  • Financial and/or Management Accounting.
  • Accounts Technician.
  • Assistant Accountant.
  • Accounts Supervisor.
  • Financial Reporting.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Taxation.

Continuing Study

If you intend to progress to a degree course or apply for professional accounting bodies' exemptions, you are advised to liaise directly with the university/professional body concerned.

  • Successful students can progress to degree courses in related areas in Business and Finance.
  • Some popular progression routes are listed below:
    • Year 3 of BA Accountancy at Glasgow Caledonian University.
    • Year 3 of BA Accounting at the University of the West of Scotland.
    • Year 2 of BA Accountancy at the University of Stirling.
    • Year 3 of BA Accounting at Edinburgh Napier University.
    • Year 3 of BA Accounting with Finance at the University of Abertay.

HND Accounting allows exemptions from the foundation level exams for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

How the course is taught

This course is classroom-based and attendance is vital or important content will be missed.  Students are timetabled for approximately 16 hours a week, over 3 days.  An additional 16 hours should be allowed for studying out with class time in order to be successful.  

Learners will be completing practical assignments based on a variety of case studies.  There will also be an element of report writing to demonstrate the ability to explain and analyse financial information.  

Resources are provided to enable students to revise classroom learning in their own time.  

Students will be required to use IT to complete some of the units.  Excel spreadsheet teaching is timetabled in the first 12 weeks however applicants should ensure that they possess a basic level of IT ability in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.  

Materials

You will be provided with all course materials by your lecturers.  These materials will also be available electronically on the college Virtual Learning Environment, My City.  

All students should bring paper, calculator (a scientific calculator is not required), ruler, pens and pencils.  

Guide to Applying
Funding and fees information
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