Industry sectors applicable for Topic 8 & 15, pertaining to Period 37 (Nov 2018) and Period 38 (May 2019), was released on 1 Jun 2018. While this provides sufficient time for students to conduct the research and analysis, choosing an organisation within the applicable industry sector has been a challenging task for many. It should also be noted that an organisation chosen out of the specified industry sector might result in the RAP not being marked or failed.

In addressing the above, this guidance note endeavours to provide clarification on the applicable industry sectors and pointers on the choosing an organisation with in the applicable industry sector.

1. Industry Sectors in scope:

In order to understand the industry sectors under scope, it is important to be clear on the sectors not within scope or covered by an Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”) Code specified for the submission periods.

Below clarifies the industries scoped in and highlights the related industry sectors and the ICB codes, that should be avoided given they are not scoped in.

1770 Mining - subsectors 1771, 1773, 1775, 1777 and 1779.

In scope:

Exploration, extraction or refining of Coal, Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold and general mining companies in relation to Minerals not defined elsewhere in the mining sector.

4533 Health Care Providers

In scope:

Owners and operators of health maintenance organizations, hospitals, clinics, dentists, opticians, nursing homes, rehabilitation and retirement centres.

Out of scope:

Owners and operators Veterinary services - 5377

Manufacturers and distributors of medical devices, supplies, drugs and vaccine -4535, 4537, 4577

Companies engaged in research and development of biological substances - 4573

2730 Electronic & Electrical Equipment - subsectors 2733 and 2737.

In scope:

Makers and distributors of electrical parts for finished products and electronic products used in different industries. Such as printed circuit boards for radios, televisions, cables, wires, ceramics, transistors, electric adapters, security cameras, lasers, smart cards, bar scanners, fingerprinting equipment and other electronic factory equipment and consumer electronics.

Out of scope:

Manufacturers and distributors of computer hardware, electronic office equipment, telecommunications equipment and semiconductors – 9572, 9574, 9578, 9576

2. How to determine the ICB code of an organisation?

It is often noted organisations involve in various activities, which covers multiple industry sectors. In choosing an organisation for the Topics 8 / 15, students have to consider the principle activity of the organisation and ensure that is within the applicable industry sector. The following pointers would help in this process:

Ø Notes to the financial statements that details the principle activities

Ø Segment report that would help to understand the key product segments

Ø Reports from the stock exchange that classifies the organisation in to specific sectors

Ø Research reports that benchmark the organisation’s performance against sector specific indices

3. Applicability:

The mentioned industry sectors are applicable for the first time submission during Period 37 & 38.

The industry sectors would also be applicable for resubmission of the Research Report in the below circumstances:

Ø Change in the organisation or topic

Ø The earlier submission was before 4 submission periods

Ø Voluntary option to apply the new industry sectors

4. Further guidance:

Reference to ICB: http://www.ftse.com/products/downloads/ICBStructure-Eng.pdf

Consult the mentor before proceeding with the choice of the organisation or contact Oxford Brookes University directly at acca@brookes.ac.uk

The Complimentary Session is intended for students preparing for the Period 36 & 37 (May & Nov 2018) Submissions and would focus on the following:

1. Structuring Part 3 of the Research Report

2. Expectations on the Analysis and Evaluation

3. Examiners’ comments

Date: 23 Feb 2018

Time: 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Venue: ACCA Singapore Office

1 Raffles Quay, #22-10A

South Tower, Singapore 048583

Click here for Registration

There have been instances of unsuccessful submissions due to not meeting the assessment criteria on the “Information Technology”, and the below content provide clarifications on the requirements and how the assessment criteria could be met!

1. Program Learning Outcome:

In having the power to award the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting Degree, Oxford Brookes University is subject to strict scrutiny of the Quality Assurance Agency (“QAA”), the body responsible to the UK Government's Department for Education for assuring the quality of UK Higher Education in the public interest.

Accordingly the learning outcome of the degree has been designed to incorporate relevant skills and the “Digital and information literacy” is one of the key components to be met.

1. Assessment Criteria:

The assessment criteria of “Information Technology” incorporate the following, in meeting the “Digital and information literacy” learning outcome:

1. Evidence of having accessed online information sources AND

2. Use of spreadsheet, which clearly demonstrates use of appropriate formulae, OR other relevant software in preparing the project report.

The above criteria have to be met regardless of the topic chosen for the Research and Analysis Project.

1. How to meet the criteria?

Online Information source: This means that the research should evidence accessing relevant online sources in the information gathering process, which would be evidenced by the citation and referencing. Examiners would be assessing this by referring to the list of reference, uploaded as part of the submission process.

Use of Spreadsheet / relevant software: This has to be evidenced by uploading the spreadsheet or relevant output files (in the event of other software), which provides sufficient evidence to the marker to assess that the IT skills have been applied.

Should you be using a software other than spreadsheets, and unsure whether the relevant documents/files to be uploaded provide sufficient evidence of IT skills, suggest to write to OBU with relevant detail to obtain clarifications.

As for spreadsheet it has been clearly clarified in the Information pack that the evidence could include such as computations of financial ratios / performance indicators, preparation of graphs / tables / pie charts from a database that records questionnaire findings and most importantly the spreadsheet MUST demonstrate use of appropriate formulae.

Therefore, processing data in a spreadsheet by merely creating graphs / charts, with no evidence of the use of formulae would not meet the requirements.

Students who choose topics that have less involvement with numbers compared to topics 8 & 15, have a misunderstanding that spreadsheets are only meant for topic 8 & 15. This is not correct.

There are several ways to evidence the use of formulae for topics other than 8 & 15, such as by summing up the survey results, computing the average of a population, including aspects such how the corporate governance / CSR / Marketing strategy had an impact on the financials, etc. Therefore students are expected to plan the research questions and approach carefully, where it allows them to evidence the use of formulae in a spreadsheet, regardless of the topic chosen.

1. Common Reason for failures:

Despite clarifications on the Information Pack, it’s unfortunate to note students failing in the assessment criteria for Information Technology and below are some common reasons for the failure, which should be avoided:

• Not uploading a spreadsheet by accident /assuming that it’s not relevant to the topic

• Attaching images of the spreadsheet in word / PDF document

• Embedding the creation of the graphs / charts / tables with formulae in the word document rather that attaching the workings in a separate spreadsheet to facilitate review

• Not uploading the spreadsheet and providing a link to a cloud storage where the files are saved

• Spreadsheet only contains graphs / charts but not evidence of the use of formulae

The assessment criteria on Information Technology is less demanding compared to others and it’s unfortunate that some students yet fail on it due to accidental errors or misunderstanding the requirements.

Hope the above has provided sufficient clarification on the requirements and helps you pass the assessment Criteria on the use of “Information Technology”, by avoiding the common mistakes!

Shan (Bhavani Shanmugabalan) - Registered Mentor for the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting