AC209: Accounting work placement 1

Module code: AC209

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 40

Level: 5

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Helen Crofts, email: h.c.crofts@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Mini placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides insight into the practical application of accounting and business skills and competencies.

This module aims to provide students with:

1. A practical context for the academic material presented in their programme providing links between the theory and practice of accountancy.
2. An opportunity to develop personal and professional skills, including written and spoken presentation skills, team-working, and time management.
3. Relevant work experience which will enhance their CV and graduate employability.
4. Technical work experience approved by the ICAEW.

Module learning outcomes

After completing this module students will have demonstrated abilities to:

1. State the objectives they intend to meet during the work placement, including the development of core competencies.
2. Describe and assess progress toward meeting those objectives.
3. Think critically, analytically, and evaluatively about the placement, identifying areas for improvement in future work experience.
4. Use written communication skills to an appropriate professional standard.
5. Students should may also have developed some skills relating to creative problem-solving, researching, self-reliance and initiative, and team working.

Module content

The student will work as a PwC associate using the skills and competencies developed during years 1 and 2 of their degree. The placement will comprise at least twelve weeks of full-time work (with pro rata holidays comparable to standard practice in the organisation) . The student is also required to attend a training course run by the employer before the placement commences.

During the placement the student is an employee of PwC and must abide by all the company/organisations regulations and legal responsibilities as outlined in their contract of employment and associated documents. The University will accredit the position offered in terms of opportunities for student development and appropriate remuneration. The work placement must provide the student with the opportunity to expand their knowledge/understanding in one or more subject areas of their degree course and provide them with situations that will develop and enhance their ‘soft skills’.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The placement is viewed as a four–way partnership between PwC, ICAEW, the student and the University. The work content will be determined by PwC and the student’s line manager who will be responsible for setting and evaluating the work that the student must undertake. Every student within their level of competence and training should have their ability stretched when out on placement. Students must meet the professional standards required by PwC and the ICAEW. Appropriate for mal training as well as practical experience, as offered by the employer, will be reflectively analysed by the student and recorded in a reflective learning log in the format specified. During the placement the student is required to maintain a record of the work undertaken, having due regard to the confidentiality of the work and ethical standards of the ICAEW.

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

This module is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students are required to obtain a pass.

As well as academic assessment, students shall be required to comply with the professional and/or ethical rules of PwC and ICAEW. Students must complete work properly allocated to them to the standards expected and communicated to them. Failure to do so may result in termination of the contract with the result that the student may fail the placement module. There is no re-sit opportunity for the professional element of the placement module. Students must pass the professional assessment to obtain recognition of their placement as approved technical work experience by ICAEW.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Informal feedback and advice can be sought from supervisors.

Reassessment

Additional costs