Assessment Brief
AF5031 – 2022/23
Accounting
BSc (Hons) Economics
BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance
BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment Management
Module Code: AF5031
Module Title: Professional Practice in Accounting, Economics and Finance
Distributed on: Teaching Week 1
Submission Time
and Date: Component 1 10-minute Group presentation will be delivered during the seminars in
teaching week 9.
Component 2 3000-word individual project submitted electronically on Turnitin by noon
Wednesday 10th May 2023 (GMT).
Word Limit: Component 1 – 10-minute group presentation (25%).
Component 2 3000-word individual project report, including a self-reflective skills audit
exercise (75%).
Weighting This coursework accounts for 100% of the total mark for this module
Component 1 (10-minute group presentation) – 25% total mark.
Component 2 (3000-word individual project report) – 75% total mark.
Submission of
Assessment
Electronic copy of the presentation slides (component 1) and individual project report
must be submitted by 12 noon (GMT) on the due date, using the Turnitin and
Blackboard Assignment system on the module Blackboard.
It is recommended that you keep a copy of your submission receipt in case of
problems.
Marked assignments will be returned electronically within 20-working days of
submission.
Presentation assessment dates and times will be posted on the e-Learning Portal 2
weeks in advance of the assessment period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment arrives before the
submission deadline stated above. See the University policy on late submission
of work (the relevant extract is set out below).
Please note that assignments are subject to anonymous marking.
Further information about general assessment criteria, ARTA regulations, referencing and plagiarism can be
found on the module’s site on the e-Learning Portal. Students are advised to read and follow this information.
This module is summatively assessed through a portfolio of work, which constitutes 100% of the assessment
mark. The portfolio consists of two parts:
Component 1: Group presentation (25%)
(Group submission in teaching week 9 (w/c 20th March 2023))
• This is a group assessment (weighted to 25% of your total marks).
• Your group (maximum of five members) will be asked to undertake research and analyse data
(quantitative and/or qualitative) on a topic that will require you to develop actionable managerial
implications by carrying out practice-based research into the area of study.
• There will be 10 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions from your tutor.
Assessment Brief
AF5031 – 2022/23
Page 2 of 8
• You will be expected to produce slides using either MS PowerPoint, Canva or Prezi.
• Only ONE member of the group will be required to submit the presentation slides by noon
Monday 20th March 2023.
Guidelines and further details on the research topic and the process of producing your presentation will be
available on the module’s e-Learning Portal.
This assessment includes group work. It is important that students familiarise themselves with the Group
Work Assessments Policy available here. This document can also be found on the module’s e-Learning
Portal.
Component 2: 3000-word individual project report (75%)
(This is an individual research report to be submitted in PDF format, noon Wednesday 10th May
2023).
This component comprises two parts:
• 1500-word research report based on the research conducted by the group. Each member of the
group will write their own report based on the group research findings, with a focus on one specific
aspect of the area of study.
• It is expected that your conclusions and recommendations are based on research which includes
academic journal articles and practitioner research.
• 1500-word individual self-reflection. This will be a personal reflection by each student on the skills
and knowledge developed during the semester. The skills development must be evidenced by
inclusion of supporting evidence of completion of relevant Graduate Futures online training courses
within appendices.
• Appendices are not included in the word count but should be directly referenced in the self-reflection
and therefore you will need to be purposeful and selective in what you include.
• You should ensure you keep description to a minimum and focus upon analysis in line with
recognised reflective practice.
• The self-reflection may be written in the first person. However, it is still a formal academic piece of
work and therefore should follow other conventions regarding style and referencing.
• 3000 words in total, excluding the reference list, appendices, and sub-headings.
This is an academic piece of work, and you will be expected to critically engage with a range of appropriate
academic theory properly referenced using APA format.
You will also be expected to use secondary data to make original conclusions.
Further information and guidance will be provided on the module e-Learning Portal.
This is an individual piece of work.
ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE
In your assignment, you should demonstrate:
• Your knowledge and understanding of relevant theories.
• Your ability to link theories to the real world.
• Your ability to communicate succinctly and efficiently, issues and circumstances that relate to
managerial implications.
• Your ability to undertake independent research.
• Use of academic references including journal articles, professional and policy reports.
• Correct use of APA referencing style and clarity of presentation.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Refer to your lecture notes and lecture PPTs, seminar questions and discussions, and online material
available on the e-Learning Portal. Additional useful material will be distributed during relevant seminars.
Assessment Brief
AF5031 – 2022/23
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Please use the University Library website and tools to source academic articles published in relevant
journals to support the theoretical arguments you put forward in your essay.
Refer to market/industry research carried out by professional sources the University Library makes available.
Ask questions! Your module tutor is happy to answer questions and offer clarification.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ARTA REGULATIONS
You are advised to read the guidance for students regarding assessment policies. They are available online
here.
WORD LIMITS AND PENALTIES FOR ASSIGNMENTS
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your individual research project report.
If the word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA this will be regarded as academic
misconduct.
The word count does not include:
• Title and contents page.
• Reference list.
• Tables, figures, and illustrations.
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense
analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.
If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the
assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit
by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.
The full Word Limit Policy is available here.
Time limits and penalties for presentations: The time allocated for the presentation must be adhered to.
At the end of this time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has been
delivered within the time limit.
LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK
Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following
penalties will apply.
For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without
approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the
assessment mark.
For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will
be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.
The Penalty does not apply to Pass/Fail Modules, i.e. there will be no penalty for late submission if
assessments on Pass/Fail are submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline.
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AF5031 – 2022/23
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Coursework submitted more than 1 day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval
will be marked as zero but will be eligible for referral. The reassessment should where appropriate, and as
determined by the Module Leader, be the same method (e.g. essay) but maybe with a different task (e.g.
different essay title) or with the same task (e.g. the same essay title) as indicated in the Module handbook.
In modules where there is more than one assessment component, Students are not required to complete all
assessment components if an overall Pass Mark (40% UG, 50% PGT) has been achieved.
The only permitted exception will be in cases where the University is prevented from doing so by a PSRB
requirement. In the case of PSRB requirements, a variation order will be required from the regulations.
In modules, where there is more than one assessment component and an overall pass mark has not been
achieved, Students will be eligible for a referral* in the individual failed module and/or not attempted
component(s) of assessment.
These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
The full policy can be found here.
REFERENCING YOUR WORK (APA STYLE)
The APA method of referencing uses the author’s name and the date of the publication.
In-text citations give brief details of the work you are referring to in your text. References are listed at the end
of the text in alphabetical order by the author’s name. The general format of an electronic journal reference in
the APA style is shown below:
Coutu, D. (2009). Why Teams Don’t Work. Harvard Business Review, 87(5), 98-105. Retrieved 29th April
2012 from EBSCO http://searchebscohost.com
References are listed at the end of the text in alphabetical order by the author’s name.
Author/s name and initials are listed first, followed by year of publication in brackets. Then there is the title of
article and the journal where the article appears, which is in italics. Then state the volume and issue number
(in brackets) along with the pages where article can be located. Finally add the date the article was retrieved
and then the name of the database, followed by the web address. Wherever possible use the homepage
URL rather than the full and extended web address.
For further information on why it is important to reference accurately go to the Referencing and
Plagiarism topic in Skills Plus available from the University Library website: www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus.
You will find other useful help guides on Skills Plus to help you with the skills involved in writing your
assessments and preparing for exams.
For further information on the APA style of referencing see the Concise Rules of APA Style (7th ed.)
located in the library at 808.06615/CON and the APA website http://www.apastyle.org/learn
Another useful website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS,
WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE.
Please note that this is intended to be an individual piece of work. Action will be taken where a student is
suspected of having cheated or engaged in any dishonest practice. You are reminded that plagiarism,
collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct as referred to in the Academic Misconduct
procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously. Assignments in which evidence of
plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.
Assessment Brief
AF5031 – 2022/23
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The full policy is available here.
For further information on Plagiarism, see the Referencing and Plagiarism topic on Skills Plus.
www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus.
MAPPING TO PROGRAMME GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Module learning outcomes: Programme (Level) Learning Outcomes that
this module contributes to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Apply knowledge and understanding of
accounting/finance/economics to solve
a problem related to professional
practice using higher-order capabilities
including critical evaluation, synthesis,
ethical judgment and communication as
well as technical skills in information
searching and the use of technology
(MLO1).
Knowledge & Understanding:
5.1.1. Apply knowledge of contemporary
professional practice in accounting, finance and
economics informed by theory and research.
5.1.2. Apply knowledge of accounting, finance
and economics to complex problems in or related
to professional practice in order to identify
justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Become a self-directed learner with the
ability to develop skills in framing your
own enquiry questions, impacting on
individual engagement and confidence
(MLO2).
• Demonstrate the Northumbria University
Employability and Leadership Attributes
which describe the key skills,
knowledge and behaviours required by
an effective leader (MLO3).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
5.2.1 Apply effective interpersonal
communication skills and the ability to work in
multi-cultural teams.
5.3.1. Produce evidence of self-reflection as a
means of informing personal development
planning.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural
awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Undertake applied and evaluated
project work and research (MLO4).
• Develop an understanding of
responsible business and reasoning by
identifying business ethical issues and
addressing such issues in a socially
responsible manner (MLO5).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural
awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.1.3 Apply and evaluate innovative project work
and research.
5.1.4. Develop an awareness of the cultural and
ethical contexts in which international business
operates.
5.2.2. Apply creative and critical thinking skills
that involve independence, understanding,
justification and the ability to challenge the
thinking of self and others.
Assessment Brief
_____________________________–
The mentioned learning outcomes and skills in this passage focus on the development of intellectual, professional, and personal attributes that are essential for effective accounting, finance, and economics professionals in today’s global and diverse business environment.
To begin with, the first two learning outcomes (5.1.1 and 5.1.2) emphasize the application of contemporary knowledge in accounting, finance, and economics to address complex problems and identify sustainable solutions. This requires the ability to critically evaluate information, conduct research, and use evidence-based approaches in decision-making. Additionally, MLO2 highlights the importance of becoming a self-directed learner who can frame their own enquiry questions and engage in continuous learning and skill development, while MLO3 stresses the development of employability and leadership attributes required to become an effective leader.
The next two learning outcomes (5.2.1 and 5.3.1) focus on interpersonal communication skills, teamwork, and self-reflection, which are essential for working in diverse and multi-cultural settings. This requires the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and collaborate with others while being open to feedback and self-improvement. Moreover, MLO4 highlights the importance of undertaking applied and evaluated project work and research, while MLO5 emphasizes the need to identify and address ethical issues in a socially responsible manner.
Finally, the last three learning outcomes (5.1.3, 5.1.4, and 5.2.2) highlight the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and global/cultural awareness in accounting, finance, and economics. This requires the ability to apply and evaluate innovative ideas, understand the cultural and ethical contexts of international business, and think critically and independently to challenge assumptions and biases.
In summary, these learning outcomes and skills provide a comprehensive framework for developing the intellectual, professional, and personal attributes required to excel in accounting, finance, and economics. By focusing on critical thinking, self-reflection, interpersonal communication, and global awareness, students can become well-rounded professionals who can thrive in today’s complex and diverse business environment.
