MSc Financial Services Thesis - Possible topics

ALL theses will require primary research. All final documents must contain both qualitative and quantitative analysis

Topics here are presented in general terms and can be reiterated to meet a specific direction for research and analysis

Topic 1 Accounting for Derivatives –

– role of FAIR VALUE– Disclosures– Accounting Policies

Topic 2 Corporate governance and economic performance (3 separate theses here)1. UK and Irish publicly traded entities, 2. Chinese and Irish publicly traded entities3. US and Irish publicly traded entities

– Presence or absence of governance mechanisms– Transparency– Compliance

Topic 3 Regulation on disclosure of financial instruments in financial reporting

– IAS 32, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 9– Fair value– Hedging effectiveness

Topic 4 Legislation in the Irish Financial Services sector

– Liquidity in Irish banks and credit unions– Standards of probity – Central Bank Reform Act October 2010 . . – Corporate Governance Code for Credit Unions and Insurance firms November

2010

Topic 5 Financial analysis, off-balance sheets obligations and Going concern

– Substance over form– Sensitivity analysis– Hedging – SIVs, SPEs