Semester: E15 Module Code: PM106 Module Title: Introduction to Accounting Programme BSc (Honours) Level: Level 4 Awarding Body: University of Plymouth Module Leader Asare Amaning Format: Report Presentation: No Any special requirements: All work should be submitted on the Student Portal along with an acceptable Turnitin Report. The assignment should be submitted in pairs, only one submission with both students identity on the report. Word Limit: 2,000 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway). This must be strictly adhered to, 10% marks will be lost if not adhered to. Deadline date for submission: 27th March 2015 Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment Describe and analyse the role of accounting information in a business context. Percentage of marks awarded for module: This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for the module Assessment criteria Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria Maximum marks for each section Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion • Relevant, accurate content, demonstrating research, as required by the assessment task. • Coherent and clear discussion of the different forms of business • Clear comparison between financial and management accounting • Critical discussion of the different sources of finance 70% Referencing Style • Full in-text referencing using the Harvard citation style. • Structured reference list or bibliography using the Harvard referencing method 10% Content, style, relevance, originality Clear demonstration of rigorous research from recognised authoritative sources. Audience focus; report format 10% Introduction, conclusion and recommendation • Coherent and concise introduction, conclusion and clear recommendations 10% Assignment Task: You are a semi senior member of staff at the Accounting firm "Turpin, Barker and Armstrong based in Sutton. You have been appointed to deal with a pair of new prospective clients who have inherited quite a substantial sum of money from their grandfather's will. These two are brothers want to set up a business but have no knowledge as to what type of business they want to get into let alone the form of business entity available to them As a Semi-Senior member of the accounting staff, you are required to write a report to be delivered by your firm to these brothers explaining the issues below: • Explain the different forms of business units(sole proprietorship, partnership, limited company) available, highlighting the benefits and limitations of each (20 marks) • Explain financial accounting and management accounting, highlighting the differences between the two strands of accounting (20 marks) • Assuming that you have not been given any information about the inheritance of the brothers. Explain the sources of finance available to a business owner, looking at Short-term sources, Medium-term sources and Long-term sources of finance giving examples of each. (30 marks) • Style, layout, format (Report writing format expected) and relevance (5 marks) • Introduction, conclusion and Recommendation (15 marks) • Referencing - Harvard Style (10 marks) Total marks for assignment: 100 Standard marking system for use when marking coursework assignments – for all programmes at GSM. Indicative Grade UK% marks Characteristics. Distinction 70%+ Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Good awareness of nuances and complexities. Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research. Excellent evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced. Merit 60-69% High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structure and logically developed argument. Awareness of nuances and complexities. Evidence of independent research. Good evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced. Pass 50-59% Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks. Attempts analysis but includes some errors and / or omissions. Shows awareness of issues but no more than to be expected room attendance at classes. Arguments reasonably clear but underdeveloped. Insufficient evidence of independent research. Insufficient evaluation of source material. Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced. Pass 40-49% Adequate understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Answer too descriptive and or any attempts at analysis is superficial containing errors and omission. Shows limited awareness of issues but also some confusion. Arguments not particularly clear. Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes. Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples poorly referenced.