case study project help

Re:case study project help

Do you already have an idea on what your project will be focusing on?

I've just sent my project in to have my first draft marked so here is my contents:

1 Terms of Reference
This section should state what your report is about and why you have written it e.g 'This report has been prepared to cover Unit 10 of the AAT qualification...' and 'The report will examine the issues surrounding the X accounting system'

2 Methodology
How you got your information e.g did you arrange meetings / email people / work instructions etc

3 Executive Summary
A basic summary so that your boss could pick up the report and instantly know what it was about without having to read the whole thing e.g main issues, reccomendations and outcomes. (Probably best to write this at the end when you know what your report is all about)

4 Introduction
A basic intro to you work place and the accounting systems used already - scene setting

5 Managing People
An overview of how your department works - method of communication, planning, contigency plans, problem solbing etc.

6 Analysis of the Current System
What is good about the system you are going to change, what is bad about it. Include a SWOT analysis here to show issues in a table and to help prioritse the problems.

7 Fraud
Is the system you are reporting on subject to any fraud implications? Use a fraud matrix to show the impact and severity of risks.

8 Recommendations
How should you go about changing the system? e.g new computer programme, training. Do a cost/benefit analysis here also. Make recomendations based on the cost/benefit to ensure that you are making reasonable improvements.

9 Implementation and review
How you are going to implement your recommendations, what actually happened and how the transition went. How will you measure the success of your changes?

10 Appendices List
Any relevant information that you dont want to include in your work count should go here e.g. minutes of meetings / emails / work instructions / data charts

11 Manager’s Authenticity
A letter on headed paper signed by you manager to say that its your own work etc.

This is the layout that my college (FTC) suggested so it isn't AAT set (I dont think)

We also have a framework ticklist (from FTC) to make sure we cover all the criteria needed to pass so if you can find one off the AAT site (not sure if there is one) or get one off your training provider they are useful.

Other useful tips:

1. Check your word count (I was told no more than 4,000)

2. Remember that your focus is really on the system at fault so dont waste too many words on the introductions and general sections.

3. Number each section and then number each paragraph accordingly e.g. Section 3 Executive Summary, 3.1 XXXXX, 3.2 XXXXX (this will help if you need to reference your project)

4. Use double spacing to make it easier to read

5. Check with people if you have included their name anywhere e.g. in an email - if they dont want it there make sure you blank it out (confidentiality)

Hope this helps.

Charlotte

Re:case study project help

what was the reason for being told you were not allowed to make reference to the AAT? my opening line of the terms of reference is exactly the same as char2609 has suggested, that is is being prepared to cover the unit 10 criteria

Re:case study project help

My project terms of reference mentioned the AAT as that was the reason the report was done! I guess different tutors have different ideas.

Re:case study project help

that's funny, my tutor made quite a point about the font size and line spacing too! what college do/did you go to?

Re:case study project help

I found the project quite hard to grasp, but once you get into it it is fine. My college told us to base it on our work. I did this and although I only work for a small firm of accountants, alot had to be exaggerated, but if it gets the work done then i dont see a prob.