Question 1
critically discuss the role, objectives, and limitations of published annual financial statements for companies.
Question 1 Guidance:
Your essay should focus on the challenges facing financial accountants when preparing financial statements. In discussing the objectives and limitations, you should also discuss the need for and sources of regulation. Accounting standards that refer to the measurement basis to be used should feature prominently in your work, as should academic and practical evidence to support or challenge the currently recommended approach.
Question 2
Critically discuss the effectiveness of management accountancy as a tool for decision making, planning, and control.
Question 2 Guidance:
Your essay should focus on the challenges facing business when making and implementing decisions. The effectiveness of one or two key management accounting techniques and concepts should feature prominently in your work, as should academic and practical evidence to support or challenge how successfully the techniques achieve their aims.
Guidance on how you may approach this assessment will be provided in the lectures and workshops.
Word count 1,500, excluding abstract, bibliography and appendices.
You should use the Harvard referencing system.
Report submission deadline as per Sussex Direct.
The marking criteria will be the standard marking for Business and Management Post Graduate work a copy of which is provided below.
Assessment notice
Students submitting essays and other coursework assessments should be aware that the penalties imposed upon students committing academic misconduct may include obtaining zero marks for the assessment unit, or even more severe penalties. See http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=155 for further information. The most common forms of misconduct that are usually detected are plagiarism and personation. To find out more about them – and how to avoid them, see: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=35
Marking Criteria:
| Category | Mark | Check List | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Distinction | 80 + | High level of reflective learning
Advanced knowledge of subject area Critically reflects on established literature and theory Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well researched, written and argued in a compelling manner Extensive research-level references New insights emerging from reading research or student’s own experiences |
The work demonstrates a mastery of the subject that goes well beyond basic reading to critically explore alternative perspectives
The argument presented is well developed, complete and coherent, and is written in a compelling manner Perhaps most importantly, an 80+ piece of work is characterised by a spark of creativity, or by new ideas and insights that emerge from the student’s reading and experience |
| Distinction | 70 – 79 | High level of reflective learning
Excellent knowledge of subject area Extensive and appropriate use of literature Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well argued Arrives at innovative understanding |
The work demonstrates excellent understanding of the subject that has been gained through a thorough critical analysis of themes and issues
It draws effectively on the relevant literature and concepts to build a comprehensive and cohesive argument Work graded at 70 and above is characterised by persuasive reasoning backed up by appropriate illustrative examples |
| Merit | 60 – 69 | High level of reflective learning
Good knowledge of subject area Uses a range of texts not just text books and including refereed journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis Logically structured and argued Demonstrates learning from the project |
The work demonstrates proficient understanding of the subject gained from working with key sources
Major themes and debates in the extant literature are recognised and are at least referred to if not taken up completely throughout the project |
| Pass | 50 – 59 | Achieves reflective learning
Shows understanding of most of the issues relating to the subject Uses texts and some journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis but these are at the most basic level The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are competent but are somewhat incomplete in places |
The work demonstrates a basic competence in the subject
It draws on some relevant literature, but provides only a limited critical analysis of this material Examples are used, but without a critical, analytical context The arguments presented have some gaps Work of this grade is characterised by sufficient coverage of the subject, but unsophisticated understanding and analysis |
| Marginal Fail | 45 – 49 | There is a credible, if poor, attempt at all components of the project
Achieves reflective learning but does not grasp any wider perspective of the subject Has read some texts but not really understood the concepts Investigation and analysis falls short of pass standard, but could be raised to this standard if the student applies sufficient time and effort to revise their work The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are not competent or incomplete |
The work demonstrates only a limited degree of competence in the subject
It has some sense of academic debate and/or rational argument There is a tendency towards reportage rather than any form of interpretation Work of this grade is characterised by just acceptable comprehension in all elements, but the work could be improved to achieve a passing grade if the student puts in sufficient effort |
| Fail | 1 – 44 | Fails to achieve reflective learning
A major problem in one or more significant areas: literature, methodology, language, etc. Lack of sufficient reading Fails to extend beyond concepts and readings already taught and examined elsewhere Poorly designed and superficial analysis The argument is incoherent and/or inconsistent |
The work demonstrates a lack of understanding of the subject
There are significant gaps in the interpretation of literature and relevant concepts, and the reasoning presented is flawed, inconsistent, contradictory, or incoherent Unacceptable work is characterized by incompleteness and inadequate comprehension |
| Non-attendance | 0 | A student absent from examination; no script submitted |
Assessment notice
Students submitting essays and other coursework assessments should be aware that the penalties imposed upon students committing academic misconduct may include obtaining zero marks for the assessment unit, or even more severe penalties. See http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=155 for further information. The most common forms of misconduct that are usually detected are plagiarism and personation. To find out more about them – and how to avoid them, see: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=35
