ACCT601 Week 7 Final Term Paper

Objectives

The Term Paper is an opportunity for you to conduct research and explore in depth an issue pertinent to the role of an accountant in your chosen area of interest. The objective of the Term Paper is to research, evaluate, and propose practical applications of the concepts you learned from many courses and from your chosen area of interest in your MSAC degree program. Accordingly, you will be able to choose a topic from any of the following broad areas.

·         Financial accounting and reporting

·         Governmental accounting and reporting

·         Nonprofit accounting and reporting

·         Managerial accounting

·         Auditing—public

·         Auditing—internal

·         Taxation

·         Fraud

·         Other topic from a course that you took in your MSAC program

Although the topic areas are fairly open-ended, it is expected that your paper will document theoretical underpinnings as well as practical implications. Suppose, for example, your interest is in auditing for fraud. An ideal paper would include not only a discussion of why fraud occurs but also recommendations for a business or other entity to guard against fraud. Hence, a deeper discussion of internal control procedures and the role of internal and external auditors would be appropriate. In effect, both the why and how of implementing relevant tools, technologies, process, procedures, and policies would need to be addressed.

Guidelines

APA format and citations are required. All DeVry University policies are in effect, including the plagiarism policy. Any questions about this paper may be discussed in the Course Q and A Forum discussion topic. Please note that no late submissions will be accepted for the Final Term Paper or Oral Presentation in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively.

Assignments and Milestones

The work you complete through your research in this course will culminate in a Final Term Paper in APA format along with an Oral Presentation explaining the key aspects of this Term Paper. The Final Term Paper is due in Week 7 and the related Oral Presentation will be presented by you in Week 8. Because the research and writing of the paper is a course-long effort, a number of weekly submissions are required to incrementally complete the multiple sections of the Term Paper. For additional guidance, please download and refer to the Term Paper Grading Rubrics and Term Paper Template documents available in Course Documents located under Introduction & Resources for this course.

Week 1 Term Paper Submission

Select your topic problem statement. Prepare a one-page summary (double-spaced) describing your topic proposal problem statement. You should discuss your overall topic along with three to five areas you plan to analyze and how you plan to approach your research on this topic. Your problem statement should also explain how the topic fits with the course, the degree, and your focus area. Submit your topic proposal problem statement no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 1. Your professor will review and approve your topic and provide additional feedback and comments on your topic proposal.

Week 2 Term Paper Submission

Submit a list of five to eight current references, in APA format, that will ultimately be incorporated into your Final Term Paper. Briefly describe the content of each reference and how it relates to your selected research topic. Submit your Week 2 list of references no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 2.

References

References are very important. At least five to eight references are required for the Term Paper. Anonymous authors or web pages are not acceptable. At least three of these sources used should be from academic journals or professional publications. All sources should be current within the past 18 to 24 months from the Keller library. All references should be cited within the body of your work and will also be listed on the last page of your Term Paper in a section titled References.

Week 3 Term Paper Submission

Complete the problem statement for your research effort. You should refine and thoroughly discuss the topic problem for your Term Paper and submit this documentation no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 3.

Week 4 Term Paper Submission

Research and summarize a review of the literature on your Term Paper topic, briefly describing the literature and how it relates to your Term Paper. Submit your Week 4 Term Paper Literature Review no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 4.

Literature Review

The segment referred to as a review of the literature is intended as a starting point for your research. In effect, you should research what other experts and commentators have already analyzed with respect to the problem you are scrutinizing.

Week 5 Term Paper Submission

This week, you will need to submit a draft of detailed analyses and recommendations that will ultimately be included in your Final Term Paper. Submit this draft no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 5.

Week 6 Term Paper Submission

This week, you will need to submit a draft of a summary and conclusions that will ultimately be included in your Final Term Paper. Submit this draft no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 6.

Week 7 Final Term Paper Submission

Prepare an executive summary, finalize your Term Paper (including the executive summary), and submit the complete, final version of the Final Term Paper. Submit your Week 7 Final Term Paper no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 7.