AC317-Accounting Project

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: AC206 Financial Accounting or AC216 International Corporate Financial Reporting
Non-modular pre-requisites: Must have achieved at least 60% in written assignment in pre requisite modules
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AC315 Contemporary Issues in Accounting or MM357 Management Project or ACM004 Research Methods for Accounting and Finance or AH3B02 Research Methods or AHM006 Research Methods or AHME03 Research Methods or IC305 Research Project or MM302 Entrepreneurial Project or MM310 Management with Information Technology Project
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Maggie Cooper
Email: maggie.cooper@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Students engage in a guided, independent study over two terms in their final year. The objective is to produce a long piece of written research (a ‘Project’), which engages in-depth with a chosen topic in accounting with direction from an academic supervisor.

Aims:

This module aims to develop and add to students’ knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of a particular issue facing the accountancy profession and industry. Students define and execute a piece of research, with direction from an academic supervisor. The area to research may be developed from reading or emerge from an issue identified on a work placement. Students will also develop research skills and an understanding of the research process.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. Identify and summarise a key issue for the accounting profession / industry.

2. Analyse, synthesise and evaluate the contribution of a range of academic and professional authors.

3. Critically appraise ideas / contributions from theoretical, empirical and practice-based sources.

4. Organise and evaluate different types of data or information.

5. State, explain and justify lessons and conclusions.

6. Organise and present information clearly, succinctly and in the required format.

Additional outcomes:

Module classes (initial group and with supervisor) encourage the development of oral communication skills. Working independently on a larger piece of writing and research will encourage the development of time and project planning skills.

Outline content:

Contemporary issues may include, for example; ethical and governance considerations and debates. Areas students may consider also include issues and debates related to audit, tax, financial reporting and management control or accounting. Students may identify a topic through their academic courses, through reading or through work-based experience. Whilst we will try to match students with their preferred topic there may be some limitation due to the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

An initial lecture series will introduce students to a range of areas that they could consider for their research as well as introducing them to techniques for literature review and research. Subsequent discussions, when a topic has been selected, will be held in small groups or individually, with academic supervisors.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Project Supervision	3	3
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	40
Dissertation writing	47	97
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Complete one research-based project of 5,000 - 8,000 words, (+10%) to be submitted at the end of the spring term.

Formative assessment methods:

Supervisor will provide verbal feedback in discussion with students and written feedback on their first draft.

One project proposal: maximum 500 words in length. Submitted by the Friday of the 5th week of autumn term. The proposal will be assessed on a pass / fail basis. Failed proposals can be resubmitted once by the Friday of 7th week of autumn term. Progression on the module will be conditional on achieving a pass on the proposal. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of the project.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 22 September 2022