shan - bhavani shanmugabalan · shan - bhavani shanmugabalan 2 registered mentor with the oxford...
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Research and Analysis Project
Session 1 – Jan 2020
Shan - Bhavani Shanmugabalan
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Registered Mentor with the Oxford Brookes University and supported
students successfully graduate 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.
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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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Oxford Brookes University
Cost / Fees:
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Eligibility
1. Pass Skill Level FR, AA and FM papers and successfully
complete all Knowledge Level and Skill Level papers, 2
months before the start of the submission period.
2. Complete the ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module
/Professional Ethics module before the relevant deadline.
3. Complete and pass the Research and Analysis Project.
4. 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.
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Eligibility
5. Be up-to-date with the subscription fees, in order to maintain
the status as an ACCA Student / Affiliate / Member
Contact ACCA @ [email protected] for any clarifications
➢Recommended to have an email confirmation from ACCA on the
last eligible submission period
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Eligibility
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Eligibility
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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
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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1. Understanding of accountancy / business models
Evidence of wider reading by use of highly appropriate theory / concepts /
business models.
Demonstrates thorough understanding of the theory / concepts / business
models by fully explaining / reviewing / evaluating the theory / concepts /
business models chosen.
Links theory / concepts / business models appropriately to organisation studied.
Identification and full discussion of the limitations of the application of theories
in the chosen context.
Assessment Criteria
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2. Application of accountancy / business models
Insightful and critical application of theory / concepts/business models to the
project topic.
Theory/concepts /business models applied appropriately to the research
approach (e.g. for primary research questionnaires / interview questions or for
secondary research justified use of effective and relevant comparator
/benchmark).
Very few errors in the calculations or other aspects of application of the
theory/concepts/business models.
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Assessment Criteria
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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.
Full, clear and accurate analysis of the evidence gathered against the theories
considered.
Identification and analysis of trends relating to wider factors and / or corporate
/organisational strategy.
Clear conclusions are well reasoned referring to the research aim, supported by
the models used and the evidence gathered in the chosen context.
Where relevant, well reasoned practical recommendations made.
Assessment Criteria
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4. Presentation of project findings
Can engage reader in a highly professional manner and produce a relevant and
coherent project report with appropriate structure.
Good structure using appropriate headings and sub headings appropriate to
subject and audience.
Graphs/charts used very effectively to convey findings in a manner suitable for
a business audience.
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Assessment Criteria
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5. Communication
Use of language generally appropriate, meaning is mostly clear.
Grammar, spelling and punctuation mainly accurate.
Style is acceptable to a business audience.
Assessment Criteria
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6. Information gathering and referencing
Clear evidence of a range of relevant information sources. At least 2 types of
source e.g. text books / journal articles / company sources /newspapers/business
journals. Some on line sources must be used.
Clear evidence of the use of systematic referencing. Harvard referencing is the
Oxford Brookes standard, other recognised methodologies are acceptable if
applied methodically. The list of references includes the references cited in the
body of the text and no others. All citations used in the body of the text are
included in the reference list and can be traced to source.
For primary research, appropriate choice of sources, justifiable sample strategy
with relevant permissions.
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Assessment Criteria
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7. Information technology
Shows clear evidence of having accessed online information sources and
having created and submitted a spreadsheet file (which incorporates and clearly
demonstrates use of varied formulae).
Shows clear evidence of use of other relevant software in preparing the project
report.
Assessment Criteria
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8. 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 and identifying own strengths and weaknesses and
personal development.
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Assessment Criteria
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9. Communication skills
A copy of the presentation to the Mentor is included.
The presentation summarises the findings, analysis and conclusions of the
research report.
The presentation should consist of 10-20 slides which are capable of being
delivered in 15 minutes at an acceptable pace.
Presentation has appropriate structure and the 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. Access to information
3. Period of consideration
4. Applicable industry classification for T8 & T15
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 13-14 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
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
Period of consideration:
➢ All topics except 8, 15, 17 and 20, to be based on
organisational activity took place in the preceding 3 calendar
years.
➢ Topic 17 and 20 are based on the weak CG structures / CSR
practices identified in the preceding 5 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 financial statements published (in any form) 90 days before the start of
submission period i.e. ~1 Feb (May Submission) / ~1 Aug (Nov Submission)
Start of the submission period→ 1 May / 1 Nov
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Topic & Organisation
Applicable Industry Classification for T8 & T15:
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Topic & Organisation
Examiners’ articles and guidance:
https://www.obumentorship.com/subdocsviewsession.php?catId=44
&subid=27&value=Articles%20&subval=Articles
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Topic & Organisation
Most popular topics:
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65%
15%
20%
T8 T6 Others
T06: Motivation
T08: Financial and Business Analysis
T14: Strategic Investment Decision
T19: Merges and Acquisitions
T18: Marketing
T17: Corporate Governance
T20: Corporate Social Responsibility
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:
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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 you have obtained and any limitations
➢ Presentation of your results in an appropriate form e.g. tables,
graphs, pie charts
➢ A critical analysis / evaluation of your results which includes an
explanation of your significant findings
➢ Your conclusions about your research findings and how well you
have met your project objectives and research questions
➢ ONLY IF APPROPRIATE: recommendations on specific courses
of action to identified individuals within your chosen
organisation.
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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
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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
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Report Structure
List of references :
➢ In accordance with the Harvard Referencing System
➢ Citation Vs List of Reference
➢ List of Reference Vs Bibliography
➢ Use the MS Word function
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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
➢ Relevant financial statements extracts of the target
organisation and the competitor to be included for T8 & T15.
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Suggested Timeline
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Useful Links
ACCA: https://www.accaglobal.com/sg/en/student/exam-entry-and-
administration/oxford-brookes-bsc-hons-in-applied-accounting.html
OBU: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/business/undergraduate/bsc-applied-
accounting/
OBU BSc in Applied Accounting: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/acca/
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: https://www.obumentorship.com/
FB Page: www.facebook.com/OBUMentorship