AC309-Accounting Work Placement 3

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: AC212 Accounting Work Placement 2
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Mini placement
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Helen Crofts
Email: h.c.crofts@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides insight into the practical application of accounting and business skills and competencies

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with

1. A practical context for the academic material presented in their programme providing links between the theory and practice of accountancy.

2. An opportunity to develop personal and professional skills, including written and spoken presentation skills, team-working, and time management.

3. Relevant work experience which will enhance their CV and graduate employability

4. Technical work experience approved by the ICAEW.

Assessable learning outcomes:

After completing this module students will have demonstrated abilities to:

1. State the objectives they intend to meet during the work placement, including the development of core competencies

2. Describe and assess progress toward meeting those objectives

3. Think critically, analytically, and evaluatively about the placement, identifying areas for improvement in future work experience

4. Use oral and written communication skills to an appropriate professional standard

Additional outcomes:

Students may also have developed some or all of the following knowledge and skills:

1. A creative problem-solving approach and sound, logical decision-making skills

2. Numeracy and the ability to research, interpret and use business and financial data in relation to project and business goals

3. An appreciation of internal and external factors that impact on the running of a company/organization

4. Self-reliance, initiative and the ability to manage time, projects and resources especially in relation to self-directed working towards goals set by managers and balancing demands from multiple simultaneous projects

5. The ability to work as part of a UK/International Team with one or more managers/supervisors and to balance demands from multiple simultaneous projects

Outline content:

The student will work as a PwC senior associate using the skills and competencies developed during all years of their degree. The placement will last at least sixteen weeks of full-time work (with pro rata holidays comparable to standard practice in the organisation) between November and March. The student is also required to attend a training course run by the employer in November preceding the placement.

During the placement the student is an employee of PwC and must abide by all the company/organisations regulations and legal responsibilities as outlined in their contract of employment and associated documents. The University will accredit the position offered in terms of opportunities for student development and appropriate remuneration. The work placement must provide the student with the opportunity to expand their knowledge/understanding in one or more subject areas of their degree course and provide them with situations that will develop and enhance their ‘soft skills’. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The placement is viewed as a four–way partnership between PwC, the ICAEW, the student and the University. The work content will be determined by PwC and the student’s line manager who will be responsible for setting and evaluating the work that the student must undertake. Every student within their level of competence and training should have their ability stretched when out on placement. Students must meet the professional standards required by PwC and the ICAEW. Appropriate form al training as well as practical experience, as offered by the employer, will be reflectively analysed by the student and recorded in a reflective learning log in the format specified.

During the placement the student is required to maintain a record of the work undertaken, having due regard to the confidentiality of the work and ethical standards of the ICAEW.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1
Work-based learning		395
Guided independent study:
Reflection			4
Total hours by term	1	395	4
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Set exercise	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A presentation muts be produced based on the learning log and given criteria. Guidance on content and assessment will be issued prior to the presentation and will be based on the criteria specified for the learning logs. The presentation will be based on the learning logs of all placements in all years.

The student is required to summarise the learning logs of all placements and submit that summary by the date specified during the first week of Summer Term. Guidance on content and assessment will be issued, prior to the submission, on the assessable learning outcomes and the criteria specified for the learning logs.

The module is academically assessed on a pass/fail basis. See note below on professional assessment and ICAEW approved work experience

Professional assessment and ICAEW approved work experience:

As well as academic assessment, students shall be required to comply with the professional and/or ethical rules of PwC and the ICAEW. Students must complete work properly allocated to them to the standards expected and communicated to them. Failure to do so may result in termination of the contract with the result that the student may fail the placement module. There is no re-sit opportunity for the professional element of the placement module. Students must pass the professional assessment to obtain recognition of their placement as approved technical work experience by the ICAEW.

Formative assessment methods:

The student is required to keep a learning log on which their written and oral assessment and presentation will be based. The log must:

1. State the objectives the student intends to meet during the work placement, including the development of core competencies.

2. Describe the work experience undertaken indicating the skills and competencies acquired and the degree to which the objectives have been met.

3. Demonstrate continuing professional development.

4. Contain analytical, critical and evaluative reflection on that experience, indicating the limits of the student’s ability.

5. Use oral and written communication skills to an appropriate professional standard.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

This module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. No mark is awarded.

Professional assessment and ICAEW approved work experience

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the learning log and a presentation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023