Presentation and Slides (OBU Degree)

This article is relevant to students attempting the Oxford Brookes University BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting. 

The BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting offered by Oxford Brookes University in partnership with ACCA requires the completion of a Research and Analysis (RAP). This consists of a research report (RR) and a skills and learning statement (SLS). The SLS is also made up of two parts, one being a reflective statement covering four specific questions and the other a requirement to give a 15-minutes presentation to the student's mentor and provide evidence of this presentation. 

First of all, I would like to clarify two areas where students appear to be unclear regarding the presentation. 

• It is not a presentation of at least 15 minutes. Students are required to complete the presentation within 15 minutes. 
• It is not a presentation about how the student went about the process of writing the report; it is a presentation on the topic of the report, for example: 'The business and financial performance of Tesco plc for the years 2010 to 2012'. 

The mentor will be asked to confirm that the presentation has taken place effectively and Oxford Brookes University will also require evidence to be submitted with the RAP. This evidence will consist of copies of slides used in the presentation. Usually, these slides use PowerPoint but they can also be copies of slides using some other medium. 

Contents of the Slides

The slides should be designed to support the verbal presentation given by the student. They should also be designed to appeal to an audience, which means that they must be clear and easy to read. Graphs, pictures and charts are always good ways of conveying information provided that it is clear what they are trying to portray. Slides that contain lots of words, perhaps taken straight from the research report are not very appealing and usually difficult to read. 

The markers and moderators at Oxford Brookes see a whole range of slides from ones that appear to be trying to set a new world record for how many words can be fitted in one slides to very animated ones that are almost an entertainment package on their own!

So here are a few guidelines:

• Always start with a clear opening slide with the title of the presentation and the student's name and ACCA number to identify the presenter. 
• It can often be helpful if the next slide lists the areas to be covered by the presentation
• Remember that the presentation is not about how the topic was decided upon or how the research was carried out - that is part of the RAP. This is a presentation on the topic. 
• Include relevant findings from the analysis carried out. This could be graphical (with explanations) or in chart or tabular form where key numbers are concerned. 
• The analysis and findings will have led to conclusions being drawn by the student and recommendations being made. These conclusions and recommendations are a key part of the presentation so should be shown on the slides. 

How many slides?

Whenever we deliver workshops on the degree, we are always asked the same two questions among others. Those questions are:

1. The word limit for the RR is 6,500 but what is the maximum tolerance allowed?
2. How many slides should be included?

The answer to Question 1 is always to remind students that the work limit is 6,500 and that if we were prepared to accept 7,000 we would say so but then a student would ask if 7,500 would be OK and so on. It would not be long before we were asked to accept 10,000 words and yes we do receive reports that long and yes, they will fail. So, stick to a word limit of 6,500. 

The answer to Question 2 is always that we cannot answer as it depends on the way the presentation is delivered. I have seen a range from one, which was just a title slide, to almost 90 slides which would be impossible to present in 15 minutes, requiring an average of six slides every minute or one every 10 seconds! That would not leave enough time for the slide to read or for the presenter to talk and present. 

The markers and moderators are very experienced at being the recipients of presentations and so can easily make a judgement as to the likelihood of the slides being presented during a 15-minute presentation. It is not just the number of slides, it is also the content. 

So remember:

• The presentation should be no more than 15 minutes
• It should be about your topic not the process of writing the report 
• The slides should support your presentation 
• The slides should be interesting and clearly understandable 
• The presentation and slides should contain the results of your analysis, your conclusions and recommendations 

John Playle, chief moderator and academic conduct officer of Oxford Brookes University BSc (Hons) Applied Accounting 

Links 

http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/p1/technical-articles/presentation-and-slides.html

Building on Strong Foundations

Gareth Owen, ACCA qualifications development manager, explains the structure of the Foundation level qualifications and offers advice on appropriate entry points to offer better employment opportunities, higher exam success rates and promote stronger foundations for further study. 

The Foundation level consists of the following seven qualifications:

1. Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
2. Intermediate Certificate in Financial Management Accounting 
3. Diploma in Accounting and Business
4. Certificate in Foundations in Audit
5. Certificate in Foundations in Taxation
6. Certificate in Foundations in Financial Management 
7. Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification

There are 10 Foundation level exams in total and you can select the exams you wish to take, each of which leads to the award of certain certificates and diplomas. All of the exams - except the foundation specialist awards in Audit, Tax and Financial Management - are available as computer-based exams. This means they can be taken on demand at any time of the year in ACCA licensed exam centres. 

The flexibility of this structure gives you the widest possible choice about which qualifications to register for, the level of the progamme at which to register and also about when, how often and in which order to take exams. In theory, regardless of your general education, your level of vocational skills or work experience, you can register directly for any of the seven qualifications above. However, with this choice must come a responsibility for you as a potential student to make an informed decision about what to register for and at which level. 

This is important for two main reasons:

• First, and most importantly, it is vitally important that you register at a level adequately supported by your general or vocational educational background and on the relevant experience you may possess, inlcuding your general maths and English language skills. 
• Second, the choice should be determined by where you are currently working or want to work and the specialism of work you are in or wish to be involved with.  

The Foundation level qualification and associated employment roles 

Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting 

Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - as a junior accounts clerk or junior bookkeeper of an SME, or someone in a range of junior accounting administration roles within an accounting department of a larger organization, or a business process outsourcing organization, or a financial shared service centre. 

Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting 

Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - as a bookkeeper or cost clerk in an SME, or someone in an accounting administration role within an accounting department of a larger organization, or a business process outsourcing organization, or a financial shared service centre. 

Diploma in Accounting and Business 

Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - in a wide ranging and responsible accounting role in an SMe, or those involved in financial reporting and/or in financial decision support roles, possibly in supervisory roles in the accounting departments of larger organizations. In financial shared service centres, or business process outsourcing organizations, this qualification would suit those performing financial supervisory or management roles in accounts payable and/or management roles in accounts payables and/or receivables, or a financial role in fixed asset accounting. 

Certificate in Foundations of Audit 

Aimed at those wishing to specialize in audit or to add an audit specialism to a wider accounting qualification. 

Certificate in Foundations of Taxation 

Aimed at people wishing to specialize in personal and business taxation or to add a taxation specialism to a wider accounting qualification for business or practice. 

Certificate in Foundations of Financial Management 

Aimed at people wishing to specialize in financial and credit management or to add a financial management specialism to a wider accounting qualification for business or practice. 

Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification

Aimed at those learners carrying out a wide range of accounting technician roles in commercial organizations with formal internal training programmes, requiring the assessment of off-station knowledge and understanding to balance this training programme. It is also aimed to those aspiring to work - or already working - as team managers and with supervisory responsibilities. 

Firm foundations for the ACCA Qualification

Apart from being suitable for specific vocational roles or specialisms, as indicated above, these qualifications offer valuable and relevant standalone certificates to recognize and validate specific knowledge and skills gained as a student progresses. 

The Foundation level qualifications are also designed as pathways or stepping stones towards the ACCA Qualification for those who aim to achieve ACCA membership, but who do not currently have the minimum academic qualification to apply directly to the ACCA Qualification. 

Depending on the level at which you register, you can gain valuable qualifications as you progress, which in turn leads to recognition and reward for the knowledge and skills you gain. The qualifications also provide you with good underpinning knowledge to help you better prepare for the ACCA Qualification exams. 

Links

http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/student-accountant/sa-archive/building-on-strong-foundations---starting-at-the-right-level.html

Personal Qualities for an Accountant

By Stephanie Dube Wilson, Demand Media 

A creative accountant can help her client find unique solutions. 

Accoutants work in high-stress environments where missing one detail can mean high costs for businesses down the road. An accountant needs a calm, organized and creative personality in order to thrive and not be bogged down by the responsibility of playing a key role in his clients' financial health and future. 

Strong Ethics and Integrity 

An imperative to be a good accountant is honesty and a strong sense of integrity. An accountant who lives of a life of integrity will make sure that he keeps confidential information private. He will also ensure his clients obey all relevant laws, which will keep them out of trouble in the future. 

Organized and Structured 

An accountant should personally be a very organized person who is comfortable working within a highly structured environment. An accountant's work can be repetitive and involve strict rules and regulations. She also need solid time-management skills to keep up with deadlines and complex projects. Being able to organize and prioritize is essential. 

Creative and Inquisitive 

Although an accountant needs to be comfortable with structure, he should also be creative. An accountant should come up with new and fresh ideas for overcoming obstacles or dealing with financial difficulties. An inquisitive mind that always wants to learn more and research new methods for efficiency will keep an accountant on the top of his field. 

Detail Oriented

Having an eye for detail is crucial to be a good accountant. A small error might be hidden among a long line of details that an accountant must go through in order to find. But that one small error could make a huge difference in a business's future. An accountant must also keep very detailed notes about his progress and meetings to keep his clients well informed. 

Business-Minded 

An interest in business - even having the heart of entrepreneur - will help a person be a better accountant. By understanding business models, an accountant can decipher what economic methods might fit best with a business's goals. The things that an account discovers can lead to important business decisions. If he can couch his suggestions in terms of a business's bottom line, he will be an even greater help to his clients. 

Links:

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/personal-qualities-accountant-4601.html

Auditor General’s report highlights five general weaknesses

By Loshana K Shagar

KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor General's report on seven projects and activities by government statutary bodies highlighter five general weaknesses.

In general, the weaknesses were improper payment, work or supplies not according to specifications, low quality or inappropriate, unreasonable delays, wastage, weaknesses in management of products and assets.

Tan Sri Ambrin Buang

Auditor General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said on Tuesday, among the reason were carelessness in adhering to procedures fixed by the Government, lack of attention to detail while planning projects or fixing scopes and specifications of tenders and no frequent monitoring of contractors, negotiators or suppliers.

He also mentioned reasons like lack of skill in project management, late decisions on acquisitions, incomplete and outdated agency information systems, lack of attention towards effectiveness or impact of a project, and lack of funds or for asset management.

The seven government statutory bodies audited were

1. Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
2. Universiti Malaysia Sabah
3. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
4. Universiti Utara Malaysia
5. Employees Provident Fund
6. Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) 
7. the Accountant General's Department of Malaysia

Link:

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/01/Auditors-General-Report.aspx

BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting

ACCA and Oxford Brookes University have worked together to develop a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, which is available exclusively to ACCA students who wish to obtain a degree while studying towards the ACCA Qualification.

Who can do it? 

Basically all ACCA students.
To be awarded the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, you must:

• Be eligible for the degree. This means you must be registered with Oxford Brookes University i.e. opted-in to the BSc degree scheme before passing any of the ACCA Fundamentals papers,  F7, F8 and F9 
• Pass the three ACCA Fundamentals papers F7, F8 and F9 and pass other papers as required to successfully complete all nine Fundamentals level papers 
• Complete the ACCA Professional Ethics module before submitting a Research and Analysis Project to Oxford Brookes University 
• Complete and pass the Oxford Brookes University Research and Analysis Project 

The degree must be completed within 10 years of your start date onto the ACCA's professional qualification otherwise your eligibility will be withdrawn.

Assessment 

The Research and Analysis Project (RAP) is the final component of the BSc degree and consists of two separate documents; a 7,500 Research Report (RR) and a 2,000 word Skills and Learning Statement (SLS). The Research Report was previously at 6,500 words but this did not include words included in tables. As from the November 2013 submission (Period 27) this word count has been increased to an allowance of 7,500 words for everything from the start of the title page, to the end of the conclusions. The 7,500 word count for the Research Report does not include appendices or lists of references.

You are also required to give a presentation on the project to your project mentor.

You have three attempts to pass the RAP. Unfortunately, if you fail the RAP on three separate occasions you will no longer be eligible to complete the BSc degree. Please note that you can either submit the same project topic three times or three different RAPs.

To pass the RAP you must pass both the Research Report (RR) and the Skills and Learning Statement (SLS). If you do not pass both components separately within the same RAP submission you will be awarded a Fail grade for the RAP. 

You will be given one of three Pass grades (A, B or C) or a Fail grade (F) for the performance in the RR. You will be given either a Pass grade or a Fail grade for the performance in the SLS. 

If you achieve one of the three Pass grades for the RR and the Pass grade for the SLS, then a pass in the RAP will be awarded. The grade awarded to you for the performance in the RAP will be that awarded to you for the RR i.e. A, B or C. Once you have been awarded one of the three Pass grades for the RAP, then you cannot make any further RAP submissions.

If you are awarded either a Fail grade in the RR or a Fail grade in the SLS, then you will be awarded a Fail grade for the RAP. If you are awarded a Fail grade on the first RAP submission you will be allowed up to two further RAP submissions. 

Determination of class of degree

The class of BSc degree will be based on both:

• The ACCA average mark determined from the exam marks in the Fundamentals Skills papers (F4–F9) 
• The grade achieved for the Research and Analysis Project.

The ACCA average mark will be calculated by taking the numerical average of the marks achieved in the Fundamentals Skills papers (F4–F9) that you have sat and passed.

Where the calculated average mark is not a whole number, the calculated average will be rounded up or down accordingly. If you have been given an exemption from any of the three papers F4–F6, no mark is available and so will not be included in the calculation of the ACCA average mark. 

The class of degree for each combination of ACCA average mark and Research and

Analysis Project grade is shown below.

Project topic areas and titles

If you intend to submit a Research and Analysis Project (RAP) to Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Brookes University strongly recommends that you should choose one of the following twenty approved project topic areas as the basis for your RAP.

1. An analysis and evaluation of an organisation’s budgetary control system and its links with performance management and decision making.
2. An evaluation of how the introduction of a new technology can assist an organisation in achieving its business objectives.
3. An assessment of the potential impact of an aspect of impending legislation on the operations and financial position of an organisation.
4. A review of the business management and accounting issues of environmental costs of an organisation.
5. An evaluation of the use of short term and long term Islamic financial instruments and their impact on the financial statements of an organisation. 
6. A critical review of key factors or indicators in the motivation of employees in an organisation.
7. A critical evaluation of the restructuring of an organisation’s operational activities and the effect on the organisation’s financial performance.
8. An analysis and evaluation of the business and financial performance of an organisation over a three year period. 
9. A critical evaluation of the planning and implementation of an information system in an organisation.
10. A review of the effectiveness of the use of costing techniques within an organisation. 
11. An investigation into the financial and operational costs and benefits of the internal audit / internal review activities within an organisation.
12. An investigation into the possible effects of a proposed accounting standard on the financial statements and business activities of an organisation. 
13. An evaluation of the contribution made by human resource activities to the attainment of business and financial objectives.
14. An appraisal of the business and financial objectives of a strategic investment decision made by an organisation and its impact on key stakeholders.
15. An analysis and evaluation of the management of an organisation’s working capital over a three year period and its impact on the organisation’s funding strategies.
16. A critical evaluation of the financial and operational risk management within an organisation.
17. An assessment of the quality of the corporate governance within an organisation and the impact on an organisation’s key stakeholders.
18. A review of the marketing strategy of an organisation and its effectiveness.
19. An analysis and evaluation of the financial and operational consequences of a merger between two organisations or of the acquisition of one organisation by another.
20. An assessment of an organisation's corporate social responsibility policies, including business ethics, and their impact on business practice and key stakeholders.

Sources of Information:

Website: http://www.accaglobal.com/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/bsc-degree.html

PDF: http://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/acca/global/PDF-students/2012b/bscpack2012_13.pdf

ACCA Exam Fees 2013/2014

Exam Entry Deadline

Early        : 8th March / 8th September 

Standard  : 8th April / 8th October 

Late         : 8th May / 8th November 

FIA/CAT Exam Fees 2013/2014

This only apply to those who are taking paper-based exam. 

For computer-based exam exam fees, please refer to your college/university. 

December 2013 Exam Timetable

Have you mark your calendar?!

02/12/2013 (Monday)

F5 Performance Management

P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance 

03/12/2013 (Tuesday)

F6 Taxation

P4 Advanced Financial Management 

04/12/2013 (Wednesday)

F7 Financial Reporting 

05/12/2013 (Thursday)

F8 Audit and Assurance 

P5 Advanced Performance Management 

06/12/2013 (Friday)

F1 Accountant in Business

F9 Financial Management 

P6 Advanced Taxation 

09/12/2013 (Monday)

F4 Corporate and Business Law

P3 Business Analysis 

10/12/2013 (Tuesday)

F3 Financial Accounting

P2 Corporate Reporting 

11/12/2013 (Wednesday)

F2 Management Accounting

P1 Governance, Risks and Ethics 

Most Professionals Would Job Hunt While Employed

Posted by Terri Eyden on Sep 9 2013
By Jason Bramwell

According to a recent survey from Accountemps, a specialized staffing firm for temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals, nearly three-quarters (73%) of workers polled indicated they would have no problem looking for new employment before leaving their current firm.

Of the 427 employees surveyed who work in an office environment, 46% said they would be "very comfortable" looking for a new job while employed, followed by 27% who would be "somewhat comfortable." 15% reported they would be "somewhat uncomfortable," and 11% said they would be "very uncomfortable."

Some employees may go as far as searching for a new gig while at the office. Almost half (48%) of survey respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said they would be likely to conduct job-search activities at work. This compares to 26% of professionals between the ages of 35 and 44, and 21% between the ages of 45 and 54 who expressed a similar willingness.

"The grass is not always greener on the other side, so professionals should first consider how they might improve their current situation before looking for a new job," Accountemps Chairman Max Messmer, who also authored Human Resources Kit for Dummies, 3rd Edition, said in a written statement. "When it is time to move on, conducting the job hunt using company resources is not only unethical, it places the employee at a high risk of being caught in the act."

Six Tips on Conducting a Job Search While Employed
Accountemps offers the following six tips to help professionals search for a new job while still employed.

(1) Looking at internal openings first. If you have outgrown your current role but are happy with your work environment, see if there are relevant openings within your company before looking elsewhere. When it comes to filling vacancies, many employees prefer internal candidates.

(2) Keep it to yourself. If you want to keep your job search a secret, do not mention it to anyone at work. Even the most trustworthy coworker could inadvertently spill the beans. It is best to stay mum until you announce your resignation.

(3) Play it safe when going online. Be careful when visiting job boards or using social media to conduct your search. A single status update could be enough to alert your employer. You can further minimize the risk of being caught by ensuring your privacy settings tight and using services that mask your identity when posting your resume online.

(4) Be up front with potential employers. Most hiring managers understand that you will need to make arrangements to communicate or meet outside of office hours. Schedule interviews before or after work or during your lunch break.

(5) Focus on details. If you work in a casual environment where jeans and sneakers are the norm, showing up in a suit following a job interview could reveal your intentions. Bring a change of clothes so nothing seems amiss.

(6) Partner with a recruiter. A professional recruitment agency is often your best bet when it comes to conducting a discreet job search. A recruiter can confidentially distribute your resume and identify relevant employment opportunities on your behalf.

---End of Article---

Another tip regarding tips no (5) that should bear in mind, when they said focus on details, I think not only regarding the clothes, but also the timing when you submit your resume online. When you submit your resume during your working hours, you might indirectly reveal you are misusing company resources where this will makes negative impression on you.