Prepare a report on a specific ‘Topic of Investigation’ for Aquarius’ clients as a Advisory Services Manager

Background Information

You are currently undertaking a student placement at ‘Aquarius’, a top-tier accounting firm, in their Advisory Services area. The Advisory Services area of Aquarius provides services to a diverse range of clients from all sectors of industry. One of Aquarius’ clients has requested a report on a specific ‘Topic of Investigation’. You are to write this report and submit to the Advisory Services Manager, who will send it directly to the client. The report should be of an appropriate professional standard to send to the client.

What you need to do

1. Submit a written individual report which addresses a specific topic of investigation. Each team has a particular topic of investigation. Team members will write their report on the same topic of investigation; however, you must submit your own, individually written report. Each student report should reflect independent research investigation. The topic of investigation for your group can be found in the ‘Topic Allocation’ sheet in Canvas>Assignments>Assessment Task 3: Final Report.

Assessment Details Individual Report

Each individual team member is required to undertake research to address the question posed for your team’s particular topic of investigation and individually submit a complete and thoroughly investigated report using your own research. The initial reference is related to the topic of investigation. The initial reference can be used in your report, but you must go beyond the initial reference, and include at least another 10 recent academic references in your report.

You should read through the rubric to better understand the expectations of this assessment. There you will see that you are expected to engage with an accounting theory/theories to explain your topic of investigation. Choose the theory/theories which are relevant and can be applied to explain your topic and try to link the theory/theories throughout your whole report. It is advised that one of your sections is dedicated to defining and explaining these theory/theories. Your other sections can be used to explain key aspects of your topic.

Report format: The Individual Report must be in a professional report format. The report should include a cover page, table of contents, and page numbers. The report contents should be split into several logical sections and/or sub-sections. The sections of the report should comprise: an executive summary, introduction, main section of the report, conclusion and reference list. One of the sections in your report should include discussion of the relevant theory/theories. A typical report structure is:

Executive Summary Introduction

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3 Section 4… Conclusion References

Appendices (optional)

 Length: Maximum of 2,500 words (excluding table of contents, references, tables, figures and appendices). Refer also to the section on penalties for exceeding the word limit on page 4.

 Submission: Submit in Canvas via Turnitin. Turnitin settings will allow you to resubmit up to 3 times before the due date. After the due date & time, it will not allow resubmissions (but will allow initial submissions after the due date & time). If you are unable to submit late through Canvas, please email the course coordinator for further instruction.