LEARNING OUTCOMES
The objective is to combine student's analytical skills and knowledge of management and financial accounting with his/her understanding of economics, strategic management, finance and information systems. Students must be able to execute real life projects providing value added to case companies or other institutions. Final report to be presented to the company management must also include conclusions and recommendations. Course develops advanced communication and presentation skills.
Credits: 8
Schedule: 02.09.2024 - 24.10.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jari Huikku, Jukka Sihvonen
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course will be completed as an assignment to a case company. The assignment will be tailored by each case. There are 8-10 cases by course which will be allocated to teams considering their preferences. Previous assignments have included eg. following subjects:
- Strategic competitor analysis (several works)
- Digitalization
- Artificial intelligence and Robotic Process Automatization
- Shared service centers- Internal audit and board work
- Benchmarking and developing CSR reporting
- Long-term liquidity planning
Masters' level capstone course is an evolving concept, and the contents may be further specified during the course.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course will be completed as a 3-5 person group assignment to a case company. During the course each team will present two interim reports. In addition, teams will have at least two individual coaching sessions with the instructor(s) during the course. The apex of the course is the final report to be presented to the management of the case company.
Course assessment will be based on reports and presentations. Individual contribution can be considered in the assessment.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
- Classroom hours, team sessions and presentation of interim report(s), 20 h
- Group work, 80 h
- Preparation and presentation of final report, 60 h
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Material distributed by the lecturers.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
3 Good Health and Well-being
5 Gender Equality
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
13 Climate Action
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I - II
2024-2025 Spring IV - V
2025-2026 Autumn I - II
2025-2026 Spring IV - VRegistration:
In autumn 2024 & 2025 maximum number of participants is 40 students. In spring 2024 & 2025 maximum number of participants is 45. Priority is given to MSc students in Accounting who are close to graduation.
applies in this implementation
The 2024 autumn course will be predominantly taught at the classroom (Ekonominaukio 1). However, some classes, contacts with the companies and presentations will be arranged online (this will be clarified in the beginning of the course).
Please note that the course will start in the first period and final presentations will most likely extend to the second, i.e. the final presentations will typically take place at the end of October or in November.
Please note also that each team will have their kick-off meeting with their case partner during the first two weeks of the course. Keep the flexibility in your timetables!
Attendance in all sessions is mandatory.
It is also worth understanding that we need FULL COMMITMENT from all the students that enroll the course. Our partners expect that Aalto University is able to deliver on their projects, considering the time and effort they have devoted together with the instructors on building and defining the cases.
Students will be divided into the working teams by the teachers in charge.