literature review

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Faculty of Business and Law

ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/19 ASSESSMENT BRIEF

Module Code: UMADNV-15-M

Module Title: FORENSIC ACCOUNTING

Submission Deadline: 2.00p.m. (14:00) on 9 APRIL 2019

Assessment Component COURSEWORK

Assessment Weighting: 50 per cent of total module mark

Marking and feedback deadline (20 working days)

13 May 2019

Assessment Instructions

A. Objectives

This assignment seeks to assess your ability to:

 Understand, and critically evaluate, the principles and concepts in forensic accounting and fraud examination

 Critically assess the legal environment of forensic accounting.

 Apply and discuss the process and techniques relating to forensic accounting and fraud examination.

 Analyse and discuss financial evidence and fraud schemes.

 Understand ethical issues and professional environment

 Explain forensic accounting services and remediation process.

B. Context and Requirement C.

Forensic’s tentacles touches many established and emerging disciplines from law to banking, risk management, technology, psychology, sociology, ethics, accounting and the broader management disciplines. Whilst this may be a good thing, there is a danger that this development may make the field too general; with ‘forensic’ meaning different thing to different people and the term ending up as just another addendum fancifully tagged on to other fields. Yet, it is important to define its boundaries, recognise its limitations and locate avenues for its future developments. Similarly, Forensic accounting has experienced significant developments over the years and is fast becoming a versatile sub-field within accounting and finance both academically and in professional practice. It involves the acquisition and development of a range of skills, knowledge, process and techniques to address complex corporate events bordering on inter (intra) organisational disputes, creative accounting, fraud and corruption, unethical and criminal behaviours. In doing this, forensic accounting practitioners would often work with other specialist, and demonstrate critical understanding of the relevant concepts and theoretical issues underpinning the events being investigated. Having studied a number of the important themes on the forensic accounting module on the MSc Accounting and Finance programme there is a valid expectation that you have learnt and developed some important knowledge, techniques and understanding of relevant conceptual and theoretical framework for critical analysis. It is in view of this that you are required, in this written assignment, to critically evaluate the Carillion case study using the knowledge and skills that you have developed from this module in addition to your knowledge from other modules you have learnt on the programme. You are expected to demonstrate an understanding of, and to apply, forensic accounting and fraud examination process, techniques and other aspects to this case.

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Information about the case has been provided in the folder ‘Carillion case’ on the module’s Blackboard site. You will find in it the historical, management and financial information about the case. You will be expected to conduct your own additional research on the case. You are not expected to gather any primary data for this assignment. In providing a critical analysis of the case, you are expected to address a key theme that has been covered on the module. In doing this, you are expected to use variety of sources but mainly academic literature to support your critical evaluation of the case. Whilst it is recognised that this is a recent event and therefore may not have been the focus of existing literature, other relevant literature should be used to support your analysis of the case depending on the perspective you have chosen to explore the case from. For example, you may be interested in looking at case study from an ethical dimension, a financial crime dimension, a risk analysis dimension, a regulatory dimension or from multiple dimensions. Your report should be in a formal academic writing style. You will be expected to have the following sections: Introduction Brief background information about the case Literature review Critical analysis Conclusion References Additional information:

 Include an executive summary just before the introduction to provide a concise summary of the key points.

 You should present your work using Arial size 12, double spacing.

 Both in-text citation and reference list should follow Harvard style and should be used consistently.

 Do not include a Bibliography.

 Additional information should be put in the Appendix although this should be rarely used.

 Footnote should only be used where necessary and should be number serially in Arabic numerals.

Marking Criteria The following criteria will be used in evaluating this assessment:

Issue Grade A Grade B+ Grade B Grade C Refer / Fail

Relevance to

assignment brief

Assignment’s aims

and themes are

integral to the

assignment.

Clear focus on the

themes of the

assignment.

Mainly focused on

the themes of the

assignment.

Some of the

writing is focused

on the themes of

the assignment.

Makes no attempt to address

the themes of the

assignment.

Extent of

evaluation

Evaluation within

assignment rigorous

and appropriate.

Good clear evidence

of evaluation

carried out within

assignment.

Evaluation reasonably

well carried out

Some attempt at

evaluation within

assignment.

No attempt at evaluation

within assignment.

Quality of

reasoning

Analytical and clear

conclusions well-

grounded in theory

and literature,

showing development

of new concepts.

Good development

as shown in

summary of

arguments based on

theory/literature and

beginnings of

synthesis.

Evidence of findings

and conclusions

grounded in

theory/literature.

Limited evidence

of findings and

conclusions

supported by the

literature and

theory.

Unsubstantiated/invalid

conclusion, based on

anecdotes and

generalisations only.

Skill at facilitating

discussion

Excellent enabling

pacing and

summarising of

discussion.

Clear evidence of

ability to stimulate,

facilitate and

summarise

discussion.

Some ability to

stimulate and

facilitate discussion

or be directive.

Some ability to

facilitate

discussion but

tendency to miss

opportunities.

Inability to stimulate/

facilitate discussion.

Clarity and quality

of written

expression

Clarity of expression

excellent.

Consistently accurate

use of grammar and

spelling

professional/academic

writing style.

Thoughts and ideas

clearly expressed.

Grammar and

spelling accurate

and language fluent.

Language mainly

fluent. Grammar and

spelling mainly

accurate.

Meaning apparent

but language not

always fluent,

grammar and

spelling still poor.

Purpose and meaning of

assignment unclear.

Language, grammar and

spelling poor.

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Understanding of

subject

Work shows a well-

co-ordinated,

grounded and

reasoned

understanding of

topic and its

relevance to practice.

Consistent

understanding

demonstrated in a

logical, coherent

and lucid manner.

Demonstrates

understanding in a

style which is logical,

coherent and flowing.

Attempts a logical

and coherent

understanding of

the subject area.

Fails to demonstrate

understanding of the

subject/topic area.

Referencing Referencing clear,

relevant and

consistently accurate

using the Harvard

system.

Referencing

relevant and mostly

accurate using the

Harvard system.

Minor inconsistencies

and inaccuracies in

referencing using the

Harvard system.

Referencing

present but had

inconsistencies and

inaccuracies.

Referencing inaccurate or

absent.

Use of literature Has developed own

ideas and justified

using a wide range of

sources of theories

and literature which

has been thoroughly

analysed, applied and

tested.

Ability to appraise

critically the theory

and literature from a

variety of courses,

developing own

ideas in the process.

Clear evidence and

application of

readings relevant to

the subject within the

text.

Little or no

evidence of

reading around the

subject.

Evidence of some limited

reading around the subject.

Formative feedback and Support Formative feedback Formative feedback provides opportunities to reflect on your ongoing work and preparation for your assignment. You will be given a written feedback for your individual assignment. Further information about this assessment is available on the Blackboard site for this module and includes the information on the case.

Formatting Please use the following file format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. We cannot ensure that other formats are compatible with markers’ software. All work should be word processed in 12-point font Arial and double spaced. The first page of your coursework must include:

 Your student Number

 The module Name and Number

 Your word Count  The coursework title

Word Limit The maximum word limit for this coursework is 2000.

 This word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc.).

 The references, bibliography and footnotes (provided footnotes only include references) are NOT included in this word count.

 There is no direct penalty for exceeding the word count, but the marker WILL stop reading once the maximum word limit has been reached and nothing further will be taken into account in the allocation of marks.

You can view the UWE word count policy here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/aboutus/policies

Referencing:

Please adhere to the principles of good academic practice and ensure you reference all sources used when developing your assessment, using the UWE Harvard system. Failure to properly reference your work to original source material can be grounds for the assessment offence of plagiarism and may result in failure of the assessment or have more serious implications. For further guidance on correct referencing go to: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/referencing.aspx Details of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/plagiarism.aspx For general guidance on how to avoid assessment offences see: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/assessmentoffences.aspx

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Instructions for submission You must submit your assignment before the stated deadline by electronic submission through Blackboard. Notification that the electronic submission portal is open for your assignment is displayed (usually two weeks before the submission date) in the Coursework tab in myUWE, the Coursework tab in Blackboard and via an announcement in the Blackboard course. Please allow sufficient time to upload your assignment, noting that the system becomes busier and slower as the deadline approaches. Only your final upload will be counted. Ensure all your information is submitted at one attempt to avoid ‘overwriting’ your intended submission. Always check and retain your receipts. Late submission in the 24 hours following the deadline will be accepted but the assignment mark will be capped at 50%. Submissions after 24 hours will not be accepted. For full guidance on online submission through Blackboard, see: http://info.uwe.ac.uk/online/Blackboard/students/guides/assignments/default.asp Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disk or by email) are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission date. Before submitting your work, please ensure that:

 You have proof read you work thoroughly to ensure your work is presented appropriately

 You have addressed all the required elements of the assessment

 You have referenced in accordance with the guidance provided

 You have addressed each of the marking criterion

 The submission is in the correct format

Final feedback and marks release Students will normally receive marks and feedback on their submission within 20 working days of the submission deadline (not including any public holidays or university closure days). Any delay in returning students’ work will be communicated by the module leader via Blackboard. Feedback on this module is not limited to the written comments you will receive on individual written

assessment submissions. Feedback and marks for this module will be available by 13 May 2019.

For further guidance on feedback, please refer to the module handbook.

Further Guidance and Support General guidance on study skills: is available at: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspx Specific study skills pages relating to this module include: Writing skills: https://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/writing.aspx Support from the FBL Academic Success Centre: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/bl/bbs/aboutus/studentexperience/academicsupportcentre.aspx Guidance on UWE assessment regulations and terminology: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/assessmentsguide.aspx Guidance on using the library: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary.aspx

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Personal Circumstances If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to unexpected circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), you should seek advice from a Student Support Adviser at the earliest opportunity. Please note the module leader cannot grant personal circumstances or extensions.

Appointments with a student adviser can be made via an Information Point or online at: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/studentadvisers.aspx The Student Support Adviser will advise as to whether you should submit an application for ‘Personal Circumstances (PCs)’, how to do so and what evidence is required to support the application. Further details on ECs can be found here:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/personalcircumstances.aspx