Department of Management Seminar with Matt Davies, Aston Business School Simulation-Based Learning in Accounting: Introducing Accounting Bissim and Be Finance Fluent

Abstract: Accounting education faces a familiar problem: many students perceive accounting as dull, mechanical, or detached from real organisational decision-making, even as the discipline demands increasing levels of technical competence and professional judgement. This seminar introduces two complementary simulation-based learning innovations – Accounting Bissim and Be Finance Fluent (BFF) – designed to tackle this problem by combining technical depth with scaffolded, experiential learning.

Accounting Bissim is a specially adapted version of a full business simulation (Bissim), in which students operate as management teams over multiple simulated years, making integrated strategic, financial, operational, and sustainability decisions. The simulation produces realistic financial statements, financial and non-financial KPIs and provides a safe context in which students practice applying the concepts they have learned while experiencing uncertainty, trade-offs, and the cumulative consequences of management decision-making.

While Accounting Bissim is primarily designed for in-class use, Be Finance Fluent (BFF), by contrast, is a digital mobile simulation game intended to support the practice of foundational accounting and finance skills outside the classroom. BFF is, in effect, similar to Duolingo – but for accounting and finance. The game incorporates the Colour Accounting Learning Method for recording financial transactions, developed by Wealthvox. The game is currently under development and seminar participants will be invited to download a prototype of the game and provide feedback.

The seminar will demonstrate how Accounting Bissim and BFF can be embedded across undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programmes, and how they support employability skills, sustainability literacy, and emerging AI-enhanced learning practices. Drawing on student feedback and classroom experience, the session will reflect on design principles, implementation challenges, and opportunities for adaptation within other accounting and business curricula.

Bio: Matt Davies is an Associate Professorial Teaching Fellow in Accounting and Finance at Aston Business School, a National Teaching Fellow, and a Principal Teaching Fellow of Advance HE. He is a Chartered Accountant and an experienced accounting and finance educator and trainer, with special interests in executive and entrepreneurship education, online and blended learning, gamification, and business simulations.