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Research and Analysis Project

Session 1 – Jul 2018

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 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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Oxford Brookes University

Cost / Fees:

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Eligibility

1. Opted-in to the degree scheme before passing Skill Level

papers FR, AA and FM.

2. Pass Skill Level FR, AA and FM papers and successfully

complete all Knowledge Level (3) and Skill Level (6) 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 Skill Level papers FR,

AA and FM.

4. Complete the ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module

/Professional Ethics module before the relevant deadline.

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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.

7. Be up-to-date with the payment of your ACCA subscription

fees.

Contact ACCA @ students@accaglobal.com for any clarifications

Met the English Language requirement?

Last eligible submission period?

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Eligibility

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Eligibility

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Eligibility

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http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/

Eligibility

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http://www.obusubmissions.co.uk/

Submission Period commence on 1 May and 1 November

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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

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Submission Portal

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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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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.

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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.

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.

Consist of 10-20 slides which are capable of being

delivered in 15 minutes at an acceptable pace.

Presentation has appropriate structure. Content is clearly

linked to project report findings.

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Topic & Organisation

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How to choose a Research and Analysis Project?

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 15-16 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

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Topic & Organisation

Specific requirements / changes:

T8 and 15, to be based on an organisation in one of the below

industry sectors for P37 & 38 Submissions:

1770 Mining - 1771, 1773, 1775 and 1777

4533 Health Care Providers

2730 Electronic & Electrical Equipment - 2733 and 2737.

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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

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 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

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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: shan@obumentorship.com

Mobile: +65 9022 6425

Web Page: www.obumentorship.com

FB Page: www.facebook.com/OBUMentorship