shan - bhavani shanmugabalan
TRANSCRIPT
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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
of the date of your first ACCA examination pass or the date of
your first ACCA exemption being granted
Contact ACCA @ [email protected] for any clarifications
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Eligibility
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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
online 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
2. Period of consideration
3. Specific requirements / changes
4. Access to information
5. Examiners’ articles and guidance
6. Most popular topics
7. 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
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).
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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
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.
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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
organisation
Personal preference
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Report Structure
1. Research Report (RR)
Title Page
Table of Contents
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
2. List of References
3. 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
objectives 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: [email protected]
Mobile: +65 9022 6425
Web Page: www.obumentorship.com
FB Page: www.facebook.com/OBUMentorship