Course Spotlight - AC101: Managerial Accounting and Financial Control

We sat down with Jordi, who took AC101: Managerial Accounting and Financial Control in 2023, to hear about his experience of the course. 

 

Why did you decide to attend LSE Summer School?

I decided to attend LSE Summer School for two reasons: because of the university's prestige, and because of how international the campus community is. Firstly, it is well known that LSE is one of the leading universities, not only in the United Kingdom but also in Europe and worldwide. The professors are reputable professionals in their fields, so receiving quality education in the subject you most enjoy is guaranteed. On the other hand, LSE is known for having a highly international campus, where it is very easy to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, further enriching the experience.

Certainly, these expectations were met, and not only did I receive quality education in the fields of accounting and finance, but I also made friends from different backgrounds whom I know will be lifelong!

Why did you choose AC101?

A friend of mine recommended AC101 to me - he really liked it, so I started researching on my own to see if this course would be ideal for me. When I learned more about the course, I was intrigued by the entire syllabus, from basic concepts of cost accounting like break-even analysis to more advanced topics like international financial management. I thought that if my professional goal was to secure a job in strategic consulting or investment banking, it would be necessary to be one step ahead in terms of technical knowledge, so AC101 seemed like a great option.

Tell us about an average day as a student on AC101.

In my daily routine, I would wake up at 6:00 a.m., have breakfast, and head to the gym with my roommate. I would quickly skim through the topics planned for the day's lecture and seminar. After getting ready, I'd take the Tube and be on campus in less than 10 minutes, ready for my morning seminar.

Once there, the teacher would give us time to solve some practical exercises related to the previous day's lecture. Then, we would go over the solutions together, and before ending the class, we would always have an open discussion to encourage participation. At noon, I'd have lunch at a café near the campus, where you could get a great meal for less than £8, and then attend my afternoon lecture.

In the lecture, the professor would start by introducing a topic, and once everyone understood it, we would move on to examples relating to the topic, which helped us prepare for the practical class the next day. What I liked the most was when the professor related the topic to a current news item. After the lecture, around 5:30 p.m., I had the rest of the afternoon free to explore London!

Finally, after dinner at a traditional restaurant, I would return to my flat and rest to be ready for the next day.

What was your favourite part of AC101?

What I liked most about the course was that I could perfectly understand the relationship between the theoretical concepts explained in class and their application in the real world. This is because at the end of each lecture, we analysed a real case where, to solve it, we had to apply the knowledge learned in that session. I think this is essential to maintain interest and motivation in the subject; the excitement of knowing that what you learn will be needed tomorrow if you want to solve complex problems is the motivation that led me to recommend the course to all my friends interested in finance.

What advice would you give to students considering AC101?

I would tell them not to worry if they have no prior experience with accounting and finance. This is an introductory course, so concepts are worked on from the ground up, with the aim of providing students with a solid foundation in accounting and finance by the end of it.

Additionally, I would recommend staying up to date with the syllabus. The professors assigned exercises to be completed each day, which really helped to reinforce the concepts taught in class. Also, I would advise them to ask questions in class. The professors are professionals in their field, so any related doubts, even if not covered in the syllabus, can be easily resolved by them.

Finally, on a personal note, I would recommend that they network. This is an unparalleled opportunity to make connections and meet people with similar interests and motivations.

What are your short-term professional goals, and how does AC101 contribute to these goals?

My main short-term professional goal is to secure internships in the sector that interests me the most: Investment Banking.

It is well known that this is a highly competitive sector, with many applicants each year, but I can affirm that taking AC101 at LSE Summer School has helped me in various ways to increase my chances of achieving my goal.

On one hand, at LSE, I met many students with the same interests as me, so I was able to learn many tips and establish meaningful connections. On the other hand, all the knowledge related to finance helped me easily pass technical interviews.

The outcome? 5 months after completing AC101, I obtained an offer to join one of the leading investment banks in their London offices.

Was meeting and talking to other students on your course easy?

Yes, once all the students accepted into the programme were confirmed, we created a WhatsApp group where we could get to know each other even before the course started. When I arrived in London, it was very easy to meet people from my course and have conversations about topics of interest to me. On the other hand, in the practical classes, we worked on tasks as a team, which not only improved the outcome of the exercises but also allowed us to get to know each other a little better. With these friends I met, after class, we used to explore London, visit its museums, and stroll through the parks.

What would be your top tip for future Summer School students?

I would tell them to take advantage of all the opportunities and events that LSE offers. During the course, many networking events and professional skill development sessions are organised. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn skills that would otherwise be more difficult to acquire. On the other hand, these events are also a great opportunity to meet people and make friends. In my opinion, London is even more beautiful when you enjoy it with good company.

Did you feel supported by your lecturers?

Absolutely! Both the lecturer and my practical class teacher were accessible throughout the course. In my personal case, I remember that at the beginning of the course I had quite a few doubts related to the homework exercises, and I was surprised by how quickly they responded to my questions via email, as well as the effectiveness of their responses.

On the other hand, and on a more personal level, after the exam, we had the opportunity to chat with the teachers in one of the campus bars, which was great for asking questions about career orientation and learning more about the teachers' career paths. To this day, I continue to maintain regular contact with them, to the point where they have become my mentors.

Would you recommend AC101 and why?

Without a doubt, I would recommend this course to all those interested in the world of finance who want to delve deeper into the field, as well as to those students who are unsure if finance is the career path they want to pursue, as it is a great way to discover your passion for it. It is well known that securing a role in the finance industry is not easy nowadays, so I would recommend this course to all those people who want to differentiate themselves from the majority of applicants!