P48 – Welcome to all newcomers and returners to the OBU Forum

[trephena]

Sorry Ehtasham I am not aware of another equally good program as WriteCheck as the latter is the student version of Turnitin (produced by the same software company), the plagiarism checker used by most universities. The way these programs work is by comparing both published material and other student work that has been submitted to universities worldwide so as Turnitin is used by OBU no other program is going to be as reliable.

I also don’t understand why you say WriteCheck is not available -admittedly as we have pointed out before, WriteCheck charges a few for use, however it should be available worldwide. So unfortunately as there is no free or reliable alternative you will just have to go through your work and check yourself that your haven’t copied and pasted passages from other people’s work and source

[shamshir abbass]

Hi terephena I have a question what obu gives on convocation (any certificate brochure etc) if someone misses convocation will it cause any problem or loss please reply in detail each step like what things are given in convocation(certificates brochures etc) and also specify if a brochure is given what it contains I need to assess that wether or not attending a convocation is worthy enough or not

[trephena]

I am not sure what you mean by ‘convocation’? Are you referring to the graduation ceremony? These take place in various parts of the world for the BSc Applied Accounting (Oxford, Dubair and Kuala Lumpur) and all students who have passed will receive an invitation and can usually take at least 2 guests with them.

Students and staff dress in formal robes (for which there is normally a hire charge as these are provided by an outside body). I believe a brochure is issued on the day but certificates are sent in advance because not all students can, or choose, to attend. I am not sure exactly what is in the brochure as this depends from university to university but usually the order of the ceremony, names of all those who are graduating and something about the University history. There is normally an opportunity to have formal photographs taken also with family – again as this service is provided by an outside professional photographer there is an additional charge.

Afterwards there are some light refreshments (drink and a piece of cake type of thing)

In the UK there are normally some souvenirs for sale – these change from time to time but some examples are on this link https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/graduation/souvenirs-and-gifts/ however I am not sure that these will be available at overseas ceremonies but may be available to order.

[shamshir abbass]

Thanks terephena I was talking about graduation ceremony because I have been invited for it in Dubai but the issue is I have exams in March and I am unable to get enough time for preparing necessary documents to visit Dubai and due to this I had to make a choice between paper or ceremony that’s why I asked wether or not graduation ceremony is worthy to attend or not

[GillianM – OBU Registered Mentor]

Perhaps you could email the University and explain your position and ask if you could possibly attend the ceremony in 2021? That way you wouldn’t have to choose between the two.

Also in respect of the graduation ceremony itself each student is announced and presented to the audience and has their hand shaken (or acknowledgement if they do not want physical touch) in turn during the ceremony.

Basically the ceremony is about celebrating the success of students and encouraging their families if possible to attend and enjoy the memorable moment

[shamshir abbass]

Thanks for advice terephenaI have sent them an email now waiting for their reply

[shamshir abbass]

As the issue is explained earlier see above (I want my convocation to be delayed till next year)I am not mentioning it in detail again I am still waiting for the University to reply my email and approximately one week has passed is their any other way to contact University as the deadline for registration of convocation is fast approaching

[R_Gtm]

Hi, I am preparing OBU for period 40 .is it ok to choose both companies competitor and main company that use GAAP instead of IFRS?

[trephena]

Presumably you are referring to Topic 8 here?

No problem usually if the companies are both using the same set of standards (the issue is usually when they are not!

You may mention as a Brownie point in Part 2 that you have ensured they both report under GAAP. (Do check their policies on things like depreciation are the same though – if you intend to were review asset turnover – and also those for inventory when looking at liquidity ratios and comment accordingly if the policies are different and significantly affect the ratios and comparisons

[R_Gtm]

Thank you for your prompt response and details tips Trephena.

[bunny99]

Hi,

Bernadine here. I have gone through info pack of OBU and I have to take decision on which topic to choose. I have selected three topics (8,6 & 11). Can anyone here guide me which topic to take.

Thank you.

Your suggestions will help me to take decision.

[trephena]

For Topic 11 you will need to have access to company information and be granted permission to interview staff in Internal audit to assess the effectiveness of the IA function. For Topic 6 you will need to design a questionnaire and survey employees in the organisation chosen. In order to collect the data (known as primary data) for both these topics you must get written permission from a senior manager in the organisation. You are advised to sort this out first as you must submit this signed letter with your work. See the information pack about the requirements for primary data.

Topic 8 uses only secondary data and therefore you do not need permission.

Topics requiring primary data are usually not done well because questionnaires and interviews are normally poorly administered and therefore results are not well evaluated. However if you are skilled in interviewing and questionnaire design then this won’t present any problems.

[hashir61]

Can someone recommend me the listed company in UK with the background of Automobile or Media or transportation business? Company information can be easily available.

[hashir61]

Hello,

I am writing on topic 8 which is evaluation of financial performance of an organisation over three years.

I’ve selected Goodyear Tire and rubber company, can anyone tell me that they are writing on the same company so that we can share resources and help each other?

[samirnooryar]

I am trying to find some good mentors – i have already emailed OBU and asked for the list of their registered mentors.

Any other ideas tips ??

best
Sam

[hj]

Hi
I am in distress , please help me
I was planning to submit my OBU thesis in period 40 in May and did finish some of it.
But I am really confused about the requirement and deadline for ethics module?

There are two modules on my acca page:1 Ethics module (which I completed after completing my F9 back in 2016 and got my advance diploma)
2.Ethics in professional skills module which I completed yesterday on 27th March as I thought the deadline was 28th infact it is 25th March.

Please tell me which module is necessary requirement for OBU? And if I did miss the deadline by two days I won’t be able to submit in period 40? 🙁

Please help me

[trephena]

I believe it is the latter. However there is usually a little leeway and if you are lucky they will not impose the strict deadline of 25 March and allow you to have completed this 2 days late.

The same leeway though does NOT apply to when submitting actual work in May. I think this time they may be using the automated submission process which is set to time out at 12.00 GMT 13 May. Also the system clogs up in the last few hours so make sure you submit by 12 May latest in order not to be frustrated and disappointed

[oesj]

Hello everyone

Can someone tell about the deadline for RAP submission,has OBU extended it due to COVID-19 outbreak ?

Thank You

[trephena]

Yes it is now 27 May. There is a possible extension to the 10 year registration limit if the virus prevented you from submitting in Period 40 and those students will be allowed to submit in P41.

Pleas note though you may have to produce evidence of not being able to submit -you cannot assume that if the virus has not affected you or your country you procrastinate to P41 as most students will be expected to have been able to complete their work on time with the new extension to 27 May.

[Champ]

In topic 8 can i use Companies like apple and Samsung in period 40

[Champ]

Hello everyone,

I trust you are well, and keeping safe in this difficult time of Covid19.

I am working on Topic 8 for my OBU May 2020 submission. I have selected auto-motors USA industry with main company being Ford Motors for the business and financial analysis. As Ford’s competitor I have selected one company that is General Motors. I have following questions regarding my project.

Q1 – In terms of ratio analysis, I would like to discuss all particular ratios under one heading. For instance, all ratios regarding profitability would be discussed under one heading “PROFITABILITY” rather that talking through individually under profit margin/gross margin/ROCE.

Would this approach be appropriate according to RAP requirement?

Q2 – In order to maintain word limit, I am trying to discuss the compound trends over three years period in ratios rather than discussing changes between each year on year.

Is this approach reasonable to gain full available marks, or you must talk ratio trends year on year?

Q3 – I am comparing my chosen company Ford with ONLY one competitor General Motor along with industry trends.

Is one competitor SUFFICIENT for this analysis?

Q4 – Ford is USA based firm having operational activities of manufacturing, distribution and selling around the globe. But my analysis is being more geared towards USA automotive industry, with little focus on international industry level.

Do I need to discuss Ford’s positions on international industry level more or focusing more on US industry is reasonable?

I await for your reply. Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated.

Warm Regards
A Jain

[GillianM – OBU Registered Mentor]

Q1 this sounds fine
Q2 show all of this information by graphs where possible -your words should be reserved for highlighting SIGNIFICANT facts and discussion of strategic management decisions relevant to what you have found. It is correct to take your approach as the latter do not start on the first day of each year and end on the last day of the financial year they span time periods.
Q3 only one comparator company is needed
Q4 it should be fine if you take the same approach with both companies however I suspect reported figures are global.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I DO NOT MENTOR FOR TOPIC 8 and therefore can only give general advice on it. Your own mentor should be able to assist further perhaps?

[Champ]

Dear GillianM,

Thank you for you reply. Your reply has cleared many of my doubts, giving me more clear picture. I APPRECIATE from heart for taking your time for this, especially as you are not even Topic 8 mentor.

Please kindly, can you answer one more question if possible, I promise not to bother you after this.

With regards to graphs. RAP guideline says that words containing in graphs will not be counted towards the word limit. So if the graphs are included into the main body of the report, the words will most likely exceeds its limit.
Q – Will be ok to have graphs as part of the main body of the report alongside explanation, or should it be included into the appendix separately?

Warm Regards
A Jain

[Ben]

Hi everyone,

Will like to check what’s the average completion time for you guys?

Is one month (4 weeks) feasible? say starting from scratch.

[Ben]

Hi would like to check is submission for may2020 using topic 8 can I use company with latest march 2019(2018, 2017) FS?

[Author]

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