Emerging issues in accounting and finance

Section

Which part of the essay is this introducing us to

Approx. idea of Word Count

Points to consider

Introduction

10% of word count

Although this is an introduction and it is the first thing that your tutor will read, you do not need to write this at the beginning of your essay. Often this will come together when you have looked at the later sections.

Section 1

Historically, producing financial statements that users find useful has been a long-standing challenge around the world. To help meet this challenge the quality of the accounting standards that companies have to comply with has risen strongly since their introduction in the 1970’s

20% of word count

Although this is 2 statements – they can be addressed together as they both relate to the past. There is some useful information to help with this in units 4 and 5. These statements are not particularly controversial. You want to support them and to illustrate with examples.

There is no substitution for reading and understanding what you have read for this section. If you are struggling to understand the readings, you need to think about why you do not understand what you have read. Content marks will be particularly relevant here. How you translate your reading into your own words will show to what extent you have understood what you have read.

Section 2

Despite this, there continues to be too many instances where published financial statements don’t help users get a reliable picture of what is happening in a business

30% of word count

Can you think of some examples which might support this – in units 6 and 7 we looked at corporate failures – were these examples where published financial statements did not show a reliable picture? or were there other reasons why these companies failed. This section gives you an opportunity to practice your critical evaluation skills. You will have looked at a number of corporate failures in tutorials and in the units – if would be good to bring in here some examples of corporate failures and ask yourself – was accounting the problem here. There does not need to be a black/white answer here – and be careful not to be too damming/complementary about accounting standards.

How have you have critically assessed the literature that you have used?

Section 3

A fair conclusion to reach from all this must be that finding the solution to this problem is not the responsibility of the accounting profession as it has done all it can reasonably do.

30% of word count

Again, this is a statement which requires you to question. You need to find evidence to support both sides of this conclusion. Can the accounting profession do more? (look at unit 8) or are the accounting standards at a point where they are doing all they should. This is really where your breadth and depth marks can be attained. Both sections 2 and 3 will be gaining you breadth/depth marks and critical evaluation marks

You must not only discuss whether or not the accounting profession as it has done all it can reasonably do to make sure that financial statements are reliable, but you will also need to consider examples to support this. You will also need to consider whether the problems lie in other areas such as auditing or regulation of accountants. To score high in this area, you will need to show that you have looked at real business examples and IFRS and applied them to the question.

How have you have critically assessed the literature that you have used

Conclusion

10% of word count

Your conclusion should balance out your arguments in sections 2 and 3.

Marks are awarded here for how you have distinguished key points from those of lesser importance.

You need to reach a positive and clearly stated conclusion based on your research. Do not "sit on the fence". There is no "correct" conclusion and we need to see your personal conclusion which you need to support based on the research you have performed. Although you do need to reach a conclusion, that does not need to be black/white. If you do not include a very clear conclusion (along with the reasoning which has led you to that conclusion) then you will not score highly in this area.

1,800 +/- 10%

Assessment Criteria

Available Marks

Presentation and Structure

This will include proper use of essay format and keeping to the word limit of 1,800 +/- 10%

Ensure your work looks professional and is easy for the marker to navigate and explore. Essays which are difficult to navigate and understand or which are in a confused structure will not score well. Make sure your work is written in a flowing style and ensure you use paragraphs, grammatical construction and punctuation properly. CASE can provide guidance if you are unsure. You must use a high standard of academic English throughout the work - avoid the use of casual or informal language or US spelling.

Your essay should be easy to read, without stopping and wondering how one point links to another. It may help for someone to read your essay to see how it flows or for you to read your essay aloud before submission.

10

Referencing

In-text citations and the reference list are complete and have been compiled in strict accordance with CASE Harvard.

5

Content

The ability to explore the topic and to demonstrate a good understanding of the topic which you have gained from an extensive range of appropriate research and reading. Ensure you perform sufficient research to fully understand the subject matter in depth rather than just a superficial level of knowledge. How you translate your reading into your own words will show to what extent you have understood what you have read. A minimum of 12 references would be considered appropriate – however, it is the quality of your research and not the quantity which is important. Do not use Wikipedia/Investopedia/uk essays etc.

25

Breadth / Depth / Integration of Literature

Give evidence that you have fully considered the question from all angles rather than having just jumped to a conclusion. (You must do this even if you do not agree with the other viewpoint)

You must not only discuss whether or not the accounting profession as it has done all it can reasonably do to make sure that financial statements are reliable, but you will also need to consider examples to support this. You will also need to consider whether the problems lie in other areas such as auditing or regulation of accountants. To score high in this area, you will need to show that you have looked at real business examples and IFRS and applied them to the question.

30

Analysis /Critical evaluation /Discussion /Exposition/Ability to draw together the arguments made to form a coherent conclusion

Marks are awarded here for how you have distinguished key points from those of lesser importance and how you have critically assessed the literature that you have used.

You need to reach a positive and clearly stated conclusion based on your research. Do not "sit on the fence". There is no "correct" conclusion and we need to see your personal conclusion which you need to support based on the research you have performed. If you do not include a very clear conclusion (along with the reasoning which has led you to that conclusion) then you will not score highly in this area.

30