Business and Technology from edX

Don't have a business background but want to understand how people and systems of an organisation interact with the world and each other? Work through this course and equip yourself with the knowledge you need to make sense of the external influences that affect the business in its environment, including economic, legal, social and technological factors.

Understanding a Business and its environment is important in shaping the role of key business functions. This carefully considered assessment of the business’s environment can contribute to the efficient, effective and ethical management and development of an organisation.

This course is especially beneficial if you want to:

Understand the purpose and types of businesses
Delve deeper into the structure and key functions of a business, including corporate governance
Launch your own business and need an understanding of leadership, management and people issues including motivation
Prepare for the ACCA’s exam in Business and Technology (BT). Please note this course and the exam was previously named ‘Accountant in Business’.

There is no prior knowledge required. Start learning today and accelerate your business and finance acumen.

To check availability of this course in your country please click here.

Course update:

To coincide with syllabus changes coming into effect from 20th September 2023 onwards, ACCA-X will be releasing a new version of this course on 28th August 2023. This new version will include technical content and question updates relevant to the 2023/2024 syllabus.

It is therefore important to ensure you enrol onto the correct version of the course. Detailed syllabus information is available within the course and can also be found here

This course does not offer an edX certificate.

Those learners who would like to earn an award will have the opportunity to register with ACCA as a student, take computer based exams and gain the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business.

You can find your nearest ACCA exam centre on the ACCA website.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Types of businesses, their purposes, and their interactions with stakeholders and the external environment
Business organisational structure, functions and the role of corporate governance
The function of accountancy and audit

The principles of authority, leadership and team management
Personal effectiveness as the basis for effective team and organisational behaviour
Upholding professional ethics and professional values in business

Types of businesses, their purposes, and their interactions with stakeholders and the external environment
Business organisational structure, functions and the role of corporate governance
The function of accountancy and audit
The principles of authority, leadership and team management
Personal effectiveness as the basis for effective team and organisational behaviour
Upholding professional ethics and professional values in business

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Facilitates learners' understanding of how external factors impact business and organizational performance

Suitable for learners who lack a deep business background, as it provides foundational knowledge in organizational structure and functions

Provides a comprehensive overview of the business environment, encompassing economic, legal, social, and technological influences

Covers key business principles, such as governance, leadership, motivation, and ethical practices

Instructed by experienced professionals in the field, providing learners with access to real-world insights

May require learners to take additional courses to satisfy exam requirements (caveat only)

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business and Technology with these activities:

Review notes from previous courses related to business or finance

Show steps

Refreshes foundational knowledge and concepts essential for understanding the material in this course.

Browse courses on Business Management

Show steps

Gather notes, textbooks, or other materials from previous courses related to business or finance.
Review the materials, focusing on key concepts, theories, and formulas.
Identify areas where your understanding is weak or needs reinforcement.

Read 'Business and Its Environment' by Ken Richards

Show steps

Builds foundational knowledge of management concepts, their impact on business, and organizational response to the external factors.

Show steps

Obtain the book and read the first three chapters.
Summarize key points from each chapter.
Identify examples of how businesses interact with their environment.

Watch online tutorials on leadership and management

Show steps

Enhances understanding of leadership principles and management practices, providing practical insights and real-world examples.

Browse courses on Leadership

Show steps

Identify reputable online platforms offering tutorials on leadership and management.
Select tutorials that align with specific areas of interest or knowledge gaps.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts and strategies.
Reflect on how these concepts can be applied to real-world situations.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Solve accounting practice problems

Show steps

Reinforces accounting concepts and improves problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Accounting

Show steps

Access practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or the course platform.
Attempt to solve the problems independently.
Check answers against provided solutions or consult with an expert if needed.

Participate in a study group with fellow learners

Show steps

Fosters collaborative learning, discussion, and peer support, strengthening understanding of course concepts.

Show steps

Identify or create a study group with other learners taking the course.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course material, share insights, and ask questions.
Collaborate on assignments, projects, or practice problems.
Provide feedback and support to other group members.

Develop a business plan for a hypothetical organization

Show steps

Allows practical application of concepts learned in the course by simulating the process of developing and launching a business.

Browse courses on Business Planning

Show steps

Brainstorm ideas for a hypothetical organization.
Conduct market research to identify target audience and competition.
Create a business plan outline, including executive summary, market analysis, operations plan, and financial projections.
Develop a detailed business plan document.
Present the business plan to a group for feedback.

Contribute to open-source projects related to business or finance

Show steps

Provides hands-on experience and insights into practical applications of business and finance concepts in the real world.

Browse courses on Open Source

Show steps

Identify open-source projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab that align with your interests in business or finance.
Review the project documentation and codebase to understand its purpose and functionality.
Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
Collaborate with other contributors and seek feedback on your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Business and Technology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand business principles and practices, and to start and manage your own business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their performance by understanding their needs and recommending solutions. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to gather and analyze data, develop solutions, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEOs are responsible for the overall leadership and management of an organization. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand business strategy and management principles, and to make sound strategic decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Accountant

Accountants are responsible for recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand accounting principles and practices, and to prepare financial statements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs are responsible for overseeing the financial operations of an organization. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand financial management principles and practices, and to make sound financial decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

COOs are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand business operations and management principles, and to make sound operational decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by identifying and solving problems. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the challenges facing organizations, develop solutions, and implement change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand project management principles and practices, and to manage projects effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand business operations and management principles, and to make sound operational decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Auditor

Auditors are responsible for examining and evaluating financial records to ensure that they are accurate and complete. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand auditing standards and procedures, and to conduct effective audits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Marketer

Marketers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote products and services. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand marketing principles and practices, and to develop effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketer

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources of an organization. The Business and Technology course from ACCA provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand human resources principles and practices, and to manage employee relations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are expected to understand how organizations operate in their environment, including the impact of economic, legal, social, and technological factors. The Business and Technology course from ACCA covers these topics, providing you with the foundation you need to analyze financial data and make sound investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. The Business and Technology course from ACCA may be useful for Data Analysts who want to understand the business context of data, and to use data to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. The Business and Technology course from ACCA may be useful for Software Engineers who want to understand the business side of software development, and to develop software that meets the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer