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

Research and Analysis Project Session 1 – Jan 2018 Shan - Bhavani Shanmugabalan 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. 2 1

Contents  Introduction to the Degree Program  Eligibility Requirements  Assessment Criteria & Deliverables  Selection of Topic & Organisation  Report Structure 3 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 4 2

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 5 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 6 3

Eligibility 5. Complete and pass the Research and Analysis Project 6. The degree must be completed within 10 years of the earliest of 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 7 Eligibility 8 4

Eligibility 9 Eligibility http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/ 10 5

Eligibility Submission Period commence on 1 May and 1 November http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/ 11 Deliverables Research Report (“RR”) - 7,000 - 7,500 words 1. 2. List of Reference in accordance with Harvard Referencing Skills and Learning Statement (“SLS”) - 1,800 - 2,000 words 3. 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 12 6

Deliverables Submission Portal 13 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 14 7

Assessment Criteria Criteria Technical and Professional Skills 1. Understanding of Highly appropriate choice of theory/concepts. Very accountancy / business clear relevance and shows evidence of wider models reading 2. Application of Insightful and critical application of models to the accountancy / business project topic. models 3. Evaluation of High level of critical thought shown in the analysis information, analysis and and a rigorous approach to the evaluation of conclusions information. 4. Presentation of project Can engage reader in a professional manner and findings produce a relevant and coherent project report with appropriate structure. 15 Assessment Criteria Criteria Graduate Skills 5. Communication Language mostly fluent. Grammar and spelling mainly accurate. 6. Information gathering and Clear evidence of a range of relevant information referencing sources. Clear evidence of correct referencing methodology. 7. Information technology Shows reasonable evidence of having accessed online information sources and having used a spreadsheet and / or other software in preparing the project report. 16 8

Assessment Criteria 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. 17 Topic & Organisation How to choose a Research and Analysis Project? 18 9

Topic & Organisation List of available topics 1. Period of consideration 2. Specific requirements / changes 3. Access to information 4. Examiners’ articles and guidance 5. Most popular topics 6. Career objectives & personal preference 7. 19 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. 20 10

Topic & Organisation List of available topics: 21 Topic & Organisation Period of consideration:  All topics except 8, 15, 17 and 20, to be based on organisational 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). 22 11

Topic & Organisation Period of consideration: Annual results published (in any form) 90 days before the start of submission period 23 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 24 12

Topic & Organisation Access to information: There is no requirement to conduct primary research although  in selecting your topic and organisation and setting your objectives 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.  25 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 26 13

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  27 Topic & Organisation Most popular topics: Topic 8 Topic 6 Other topics 20% 15% 65% Other Popular Topics: T17 – CG; T18 - Marketing ; T20 - CSR 28 14

Topic & Organisation Career objectives & personal preference: Career objective and roles and responsibilities in the  organisation Personal preference  29 Report Structure Research Report (RR) 1. Title Page   Table of Contents  Part 1 Part 2  Part 3  List of References 2. Appendices 3. 30 15

Report Structure Title page: 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 7,310 words ACCA No: 1234567 31 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  32 16

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. 33 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 34 17

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  objectives and research questions have been met  If appropriate, recommendations on specific courses of action 35 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 36 18