The SLS is a chance for me to explain all the skills that I have learned as a result of preparing my research and

analysis project. The Oxford Brookes requires the SLS to be a compulsory part of the project. The SLS includes the skills and knowledge that I have learned from my mentor, the research objectives that I had set and whether I have achieved them or not, the interpersonal and communication skills involved in the making of my RAP and finally the impact of undertaking this project on my employment role as well as on any future academic endeavors that I might have in mind. The four questions that the SLS should address are stated below in exact order as the OBU information pack about the Applied Accounting degree available through the ACCA website. Question 1 Reflect on what you have learnt from the meetings with your project mentor, including the presentation that you gave to your project mentor? I arranged three meetings with my mentor and instructed in the information pack. In the first meeting we planned the entire project. The second meeting was a review and to discover errors and rectify them. The third meeting was for finalization of the project and the presentation which was mandatory by the OBU. The First Meeting The first meeting with my mentor was in order to give me a start off with the project. We agreed to meet at my mentors house. I called at his place sharp at the time that we had decided. We straight away started discussing my project. I told my mentor that I had chosen topic number eight. He was pleased with my choice and told me that it was the most commonly chosen topic. He started by asking about my timelines and plan of work. I told him that I intend to start off with the research, prepare the annexure etc., write the final report and then do the referencing etc. My mentor told me that I shouldnt reference separately instead I should note down the references while writing my report. He said it was fine to properly format the references at the end of the write up, but I should note down the references in the write up. He said otherwise I might end up missing a reference which might lead to plagiarism. We discussed the methods of research and what kind of sources should I trust and which should be deemed unreliable. During the conversation my phone rang, which irritated my mentor slightly. He said that etiquettes dictate that mobile phones should be turned to silent mode when meeting with someone. We discussed the entire structure of the RAP and he told me some key points regarding financial and business analysis. I thanked my mentor and left. When I got home, I immediately started working on a structured timeframe for my report. Key Points:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Referencing should be done with the project. Timeframe should be kept in minding when deciding about techniques to use. The reliability of a resource should be checked before citing it in a report. Phones should be kept on silent mode when in a meeting.

The Second Meeting I met my mentor for the second time when I had finished my write up. I presented a printed copy of my work to my mentor. He looked at it and said that my project was narrative. I needed to add more reasoning to it. He said that I had merely stated the increase and decrease in the ratios. He told me to add more reasoning as to why the ratios went up or down. He asked me about certain ratios and why the reacted that way. He was pleased with the answers I gave him. He instructed me to write them down in the report. He also said that some ratios are linked to other ratios. He told me to research on the relation between some ratios, like the P/E ratio and EPS. He said that instead of the 3D graphics that I had incorporated into my report, I should use simple charts made on MS Excel. He also told me to add tables which listed information discussed in the narrative write up. We also discussed the SLS and my mentor told me to write it in a question answer format. He told me that I should answer each question separately. He also told me to write about each meeting individually and mention the key points separately. Key Points: 1. It is important to explain when the ratio has increased or decreased instead of just writing it. 2. The report should not be too complicated; it should be easy on the eyes. 3. The SLS should be prepared carefully and follow the format provided. The Third Meeting I met my mentor for the third and final time after I had completed the entire project and written the draft version of my SLS. I was having some trouble with referencing. I was confused how to list it down. My mentor explained how it is done either with the order of appearance in the text, or by the alphabetical order. I presented the presentation that I had prepared. I started the slideshow and started explaining my findings regarding the financial and the business performance of the company. I covered the entire scope of the project. After the presentation, my mentor asked a couple of questions and I briefed him on them. He also had a print out of my report, I directed him to the relevant page, but later added that slide to my presentation. Key Points: 1. I learned how to cite references properly.

2. It is important to keep your presentation smooth and engage audience. Overall these three meeting helped me to streamline my work and keep plowing on in the right direction. My mentor played a very important role of guiding me through the tricky parts of project preparation. I would like to thank him with all of my heart. Question 2 To what extent do you think you have achieved the RAP research objectives you set? Initially I felt lost. I saw the hundreds of results and didnt know where to begin or how to start. However, my meetings with my mentor enabled me to make a framework and an overall structure to my report. I realized that I had to limit the number of techniques and models that I use as I have a word limit. I decided to focus on the main models of business analysis while using the ratio analysis technique for my financial analysis. My mentor told me that instead of explaining a lot of models briefly, it would be better to do a more in depth analysis of fewer models. I researched my information from multiple sources like books, magazines, online publications and search engines. I collected most of my information and then applied the financial and business analysis models that I have learned over the course of my education. By combining my research and knowledge, I was able to get exactly what I needed for the preparation of this RAP. I have worked very hard to answer the research questions that I had set in order to meet my research objectives. I feel that I have made good use of the word limit that I have been constrained to. Overall I am happy with what I have achieved in limited time.

Question 3 How have you demonstrated your interpersonal and communication skills during the project work? Interpersonal and communication skills are essential to complete any project. This particular project ensures that the interpersonal and communication skills of the person undertaking it are tested and, effectively, enhanced. The main aspect in which I had to demonstrate interpersonal skills were my meetings with my mentor. During these meeting I made sure of the following: 1. I made sure I was neatly dressed before going to meet my mentor. I shaved the night before and carefully brushed my hair to appear neat and tidy, hence professional. 2. I ensured that I appeared keen and eager to discuss my project with my mentor. I also sat attentively in the meeting. 3. I made sure my facial expression showed the will to learn. For example, if my mentor said something that I didnt understand I tried to look politely confused. 4. When my mentor was talking I made sure that I listened carefully and understood everything he said.

5. When I talked I ensured that I didnt talk too fast or too slow. I tried to press my view across while remaining respectful and polite. 6. I ensured that my body language and my facial expressions remained appropriate and showed keenness and eagerness. 7. When giving the presentation I made sure that I kept my mentor engaged. I used appropriate hand gestures to show that I was making an effort with the presentation. While writing the RAP I had to ensure that all rules of a good written communication were observed. I tried to write in a flowing manner which made my RAP easier to read and understand. I made sure that my writing style was persuasive without being enforcing. When researching I had to read a great deal and communicate with a lot of different people. This helped me better understand how to work with people. After undertaking this RAP I have found that I can better communicate with people. Not only verbal communication, but my non verbal communication has improved a great deal.

How has undertaking the RAP helped you in your accountancy studies and/or current employment role? I have polished a great number of skills by undertaking this project. I believe that these skills will assist me in my current employment role as it will increase my efficiency which can lead to advanced career. First and foremost, I have learnt the application of theoretical knowledge. By applying the learnt financial analysis tools and techniques to a real life company and its competitor, I know understand how these tools can help you understand the financial and business position and performance of an actual company. Furthermore, I had to reread my course books to brush up my knowledge about core accounting techniques. This has made ratio analysis a strong suite in my accountancy studies. I have learnt IT skills from preparing this project. My MS Word skills have improved a great deal after this project. I can work quicker and format text faster than before. I have also learned very valuable MS Excel skills. My current organization uses MS Excel to build financial models. While it is not my field, but after undertaking this RAP I feel I can progress further based on my MS Excel knowledge. I also believe that having a B.Sc. hons degree will help me expand my career by enabling me to apply on more jobs.