Registered Mentor with the Oxford Brookes University and seen more - - PDF document

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Research and Analysis Project

Session 1 – Jan 2018

Shan - Bhavani Shanmugabalan

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Registered Mentor with the Oxford Brookes University and seen more than 130 students successfully graduated with flying colours via his dedicated mentorship. The passion towards the mentorship and active engagement with students and members have not only contributed towards the success of the mentorship but also focus on continuous improvement on the program.

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Contents

• Introduction to the Degree Program
• Eligibility Requirements
• Assessment Criteria & Deliverables
• Selection of Topic & Organisation
• Report Structure

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Oxford Brookes University

• Oxford Brookes University, being a public university, has

degree awarding powers in the UK

• The degree is quality assured by the Quality Assurance Agency

(QAA) in the UK

• Outside of the UK the degree is widely recognised by

governments across the world

• Consistently ranked as the best vocational / professional

practice based UK university

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Oxford Brookes University

• It will significantly improve your position in a very

competitive global labour market

• Development of research and soft skills not covered in ACCA

professional examinations

• Better prepared for further qualifications
• UK degrees are among the highest regarded internationally
• Only university to have such a collaborative link with ACCA

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Eligibility

1. Opted-in to the degree scheme before passing F7, F8 and F9 2. Pass F7, F8 and F9 and successfully complete all nine Fundamental level papers, 2 months before the start of the submission period 3. Hold a recognised English Qualification, which is submitted and approved by ACCA before passing F7, F8 & F9 4. Complete the ACCA Professional Ethics module before 31 Mar / 30 Sep

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Eligibility

5. Complete and pass the Research and Analysis Project 6. The degree must be completed within 10 years of the earliest

• f the date of your first ACCA examination pass or the date of

your first ACCA exemption being granted Contact ACCA @ studetns@accaglobal.com for any clarifications

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Eligibility

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Eligibility

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Eligibility

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http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/

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Eligibility

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http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/ Submission Period commence on 1 May and 1 November

Deliverables

1. Research Report (“RR”) - 7,000 - 7,500 words 2. List of Reference in accordance with Harvard Referencing 3. Skills and Learning Statement (“SLS”) - 1,800 - 2,000 words 4. 15 minute Presentation on the project to your project mentor and the submission of the slides to OBU 5. Excel spreadsheet with necessary workings to evidence your IT skills

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Deliverables

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Submission Portal

Deliverables

6. A viva may be undertaken face to face or by other medium such as Skype, expected to last around 15 minutes and students could be asked about any aspect of their submission

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Assessment Criteria

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Criteria Technical and Professional Skills

• 1. Understanding of

accountancy / business models Highly appropriate choice of theory/concepts. Very clear relevance and shows evidence of wider reading

• 2. Application of

accountancy / business models Insightful and critical application of models to the project topic.

• 3. Evaluation of

information, analysis and conclusions High level of critical thought shown in the analysis and a rigorous approach to the evaluation of information.

• 4. Presentation of project

findings Can engage reader in a professional manner and produce a relevant and coherent project report with appropriate structure.

Assessment Criteria

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Criteria Graduate Skills

• 5. Communication

Language mostly fluent. Grammar and spelling mainly accurate.

• 6. Information gathering and

referencing Clear evidence of a range of relevant information sources. Clear evidence of correct referencing methodology.

• 7. Information technology

Shows reasonable evidence of having accessed

• nline information sources and having used a

spreadsheet and / or other software in preparing the project report.

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Assessment Criteria

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Criteria Skills and Learning Statement Self reflection Makes a reasonable attempt to address all four questions. Shows ability to reflect on judgements made / actions taken during project work. Evidence of recognising own strengths and weaknesses Communication skills A copy of the presentation to the project mentor is included. Presentation has appropriate structure. Content is clearly linked to project report findings.

Topic & Organisation

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How to choose a Research and Analysis Project?

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Topic & Organisation

1.

List of available topics

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Period of consideration

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Specific requirements / changes

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Access to information

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Examiners’ articles and guidance

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Most popular topics

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Career objectives & personal preference

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Topic & Organisation

List of available topics:

• Refer to page 38-39 of the Information Pack for the approved

list of topics.

• Students have to remain within the listed topic areas and are

not able to request to undertake a RAP based on a different topic.

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Topic & Organisation

List of available topics:

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Topic & Organisation

Period of consideration:

• All topics except 8, 15, 17 and 20, to be based on
• rganisational activity took place in the preceding three

calendar years.

• Topics 8 and 15, to use the most current 3 year financial

statements i.e. Company results published (in any form) 90 days before the start of submission period (1 May / 1 Nov).

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Topic & Organisation

Period of consideration:

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Annual results published (in any form) 90 days before the start of submission period

Topic & Organisation

Specific requirements / changes:

• T8 and 15, to be based on an organisation in the Aerospace,

Food Products or Hotel Industry classification (ICB), pertaining to P35 & 36 Submission.

• T17 & 20 have been modified to focus on an organistion that

had weak Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility practices respectively within the past 5 years

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Topic & Organisation

Access to information:

• There is no requirement to conduct primary research although

in selecting your topic and organisation and setting your

• bjectives you must consider whether or not you will need

some primary information.

• Information on target organisation, competitor(s) and industry

for critical analysis and evaluation.

• Clear evidence of a range of relevant information sources.

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Topic & Organisation

Access to information: Ministry of Trade and Industry: http://www.mti.gov.sg/ Department of Statistics: http://www.singstat.gov.sg/ Ministry of Manpower: http://mom.gov.sg/ Singapore Stock Exchange : http://www.sgx.com/ Monetary Authority of Singapore: http://www.mas.gov.sg/ SGX Research Reports: http://www.sgx.com/wps/portal/sgxweb/home/mygateway/brokers/ publications

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Topic & Organisation

Examiners’ articles and guidance:

• 2009.05 Student Accountant: Grade "A" RAP
• 2010.05 Student Accountant: How To Pass
• 2011.07 Student Accountant: Getting to grips with research in

your RAP

• 2013.05 Student Accountant: Presentation and slides
• Information Pack & Resubmission Guide

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Topic & Organisation

Most popular topics:

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65% 15% 20% Topic 8 Topic 6 Other topics

Other Popular Topics: T17 – CG; T18 - Marketing ; T20 - CSR

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Topic & Organisation

Career objectives & personal preference:

• Career objective and roles and responsibilities in the
• rganisation
• Personal preference

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Report Structure

1.

Research Report (RR)

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

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List of References

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Appendices

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Report Structure

Oxford Brookes University Research and Analysis Report An analysis and evaluation of the business and financial performance of BreadTalk Group Limited, between 1 Jan 2014 and 31 Dec 2016 ACCA No: 1234567 7,310 words

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Title page:

Report Structure

Table of content:

• Part 1 & 2 to follow the recommended structure
• Part 3 to be based on the research questions
• Concise and within a page
• Recommended to use the MS Word function

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Report Structure

PART 1 - Project objectives and overall research approach: 1.1 Reasons for choosing the topic and the organisation 1.2 Project objectives and research questions 1.3 Overall research approach.

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Report Structure

PART 2 - Information gathering and accounting / business techniques: 2.1 Sources of information 2.2 Methods used to collect information 2.3 Limitations of information gathering 2.4 Ethical issues 2.5 Accounting and business techniques

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Report Structure

PART 3 - Results, analysis, conclusions and recommendations:

• A description of the results obtained and any limitations
• Presentation of the results in an appropriate form e.g. tables,

graphs, charts

• A critical analysis / evaluation of the results which includes an

explanation of your significant findings

• Conclusions on the research findings and how well the project
• bjectives and research questions have been met
• If appropriate, recommendations on specific courses of action

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Report Structure

Word Count Limit: RR: 7,000 – 7,500 SLS: 1,800 – 2,000 Submissions out of the above range are UNLIKELY TO PASS Recommended distribution of the Word Count: Part 1 : 1,000 Part 2: 2,000 Part 3: 4,500

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Report Structure

Presentation:

• Word Processed using A4 size pages
• Black Text on a white background
• Avoid background graphics & pictures behind the text
• Arial font with a size of 11 or 12
• Line spacing not exceeding 1.5

Others:

• Avoid using 1st / 2nd person
• Key terms could be bolded to emphasise the message
• Charts / Diagrams / Tables to have an Index, Title and Citation
• Avoid over crowding in charts / diagrams

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Report Structure

List of references :

• In accordance with the Harvard Referencing System
• Citation Vs Reference
• Reference Vs Bibliography

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Report Structure

Appendices:

• Evidence of the use of Information Technology
• Computations of Financial Ratios/Indicators, preparation of

Charts, Graphs & Tables

• Record & analysis of questionnaire findings
• Where relevant to include extracts of the financial statements

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Suggested Timeline

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Useful Links

ACCA: http://www.accaglobal.com/sg/en/student/exam-entry-and- administration/oxford-brookes-bsc-hons-in-applied- accounting.html OBU: http://business.brookes.ac.uk/undergraduate/2016/acca/ OBU Mentoring: http://www.oxfordbrookesmentoring.co.uk/ OBU Submissions: http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/ WriteCheck: http://en.writecheck.com/

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Thank You!

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Shan – Bhavani Shanmugabalan FCCA, CA Singapore, BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting Email: shan@obumentorship.com Mobile: +65 9022 6425 Web Page: www.obumentorship.com FB Page: www.facebook.com/OBUMentorship