Intermediate Accounting Project Guidelines

 

^{Objective & Audience} 

To provide students an opportunity to extend the topics covered in financial accounting (ACCT301). You will select from the topics listed below.

 

Please keep it focused and simple. The major sections in the body of the paper are:

• Introduction: Provide general background on your chosen topic [i.e. What is Sarbanes Oxley or Straight-Line Depreciation]
• Discussion: Provide the why or how, depending on topic [ie. Why is Sarbanes Oxley important; How to calculate SL depreciation and why it is used in accounting versus other methods]
• Comparison: GAAP vs. IFRS –state the perspective of how such concept differ from IFRS perspective and what is the justification behind it.(if applicable)
• Conclusion: Provide a concluding comment on the topic. This may take the form of an opinion, advice, etc backed up from references found on the topic .

^{Project/Paper Topics}

• Sarbanes-Oxley
  • Section 401: Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
  • Section 404: Internal Controls
  • Section 406: Code of Ethics
  • Other sections
• Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)
• Accounting Conceptual Frame Work-What, why, the fundemental s concepts
• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
  • Textbook Topics or subtopics within each of the covered chapters from the IFRS Textbook.
  • Accounting for Cash, valuation of Receivables, valuation of Inventories
  • Comparison of LIFO approaches IFRS
  • Evaluation of Property Plant and Equipments
  • Impairment of Intangibles
  • Depreciation , Impairment, and Depletion of Assets

 

^{Deliverables and Milestones}

The deliverable will be a

1. 3+ page (min.) paper[1] AND a
2. 7+ slide powerpoint presentation

 

The write-up will be single-sided, single-spaced, with 1-inch margins and 10-12 point font.  Tables and graphs (if any) in the body of the paper should be included where appropriate.

 

The presentation will contain at least 7 slides, including:

• title slide with the topic title of your presentation, your name (s), class information, project title, etc. (1 slide)
• setup (table of contents) slide, which lists the presentation by topic or section, or however you choose to organize your presentation. (1 slide)
• the content slides (4+)
• the conclusion slide, which summarizes the point of your presentation. (1 slide)

.

 ^{Paper Sections and Package}

The project should be organized and delivered as shown below:

 

Paper Package

• Title Page (cover sheet, including the usual member contribution(two in a group MAX) ratings: 2 = satisfactory, 1 for less than satisfactory, 0 = no contribution) and Table of Contents [-10 points, if missing]
• Body of Paper (s) (~ 2+ pages) [80 Points]
• Introduction
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Self-Reflection (1/2 to 1 pg, your thoughts and feedback) [20 Points]
• Appendices/Exhibits, if any
• Bibliography [if you reference, you must include this part]
• Powerpoint presentation [-20 points, if missing]

 

^Timing

Submissions are due on December 3^rd, 2016

 

Upload an electronic copy of your project  viaBBoard

 

^{Scoring Criteria}

First and foremost, absolutely no copying and pasting of anyone else’s work from anywhere, including from the web. Reference as appropriate.

You will earn a failing grade on the paper and possibly the course if a significant portion (10%+) of your paper is plagiarized.

1. Quality of Analysis (70%): Does the paper present the related information accurately, based on authoritative accounting literature? Is the paper presented to adequately convey the related information to the reader?
2. Format and Delivery (30%) This is not an English class, but I still look for decent presentation on the paper — I am not looking for literary type of writing. Concise and clear writing and to the point and move on.  Make sure to include headings for each section.  Use of bullet points, lists, tables highly recommended, where appropriate. Also, make sure to package your project professionally.