Objective:

Using the Internet, students will learn from their own research, and from the research of their peers, about a number accounting-related positions. In groups, students will research a specific accounting career and then prepare a ten-minute presentation that outlines the following points of interest regarding the specific accounting position:

• job title,
• description of company (manufacturer? service? corporate goals?),
• duties and responsibilities, 
• educational requirements, and
• the Canadian accounting organization that oversees and supports the accountants occupying such a position.

Examples of suitable positions could be:

• Corporate Controller;
• Audit Operations;
• Corporate Finance;
• Chartered Accountant;
• Certified Management Accountant; and
• Forensic Accountant.

Resources:

• Careers in Accounting (found by Juliane and Becky, 2008)
• The Internet - Research Links
• Chiquita Job Opportunities - North America
• IBM Employment Opportunities - Search Engine
• Chrysler Employment Opportunities - Search Engine
• Microsoft Employment Opportunities - Search Engine
• Accrediting Bodies:
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
  • CMA Canada
  • CMA Ontario
  • CGA Canada
  • CGA Ontario

This assignment is graded out of 30 marks and is counted under the "Projects" mark category. Please refer to the assignment Marking Scheme while completing your research project.

Expectations Addressed:

The "Ethics, Impact of Technology, and Careers" strand of the BAF3M Ministry of Education Curriculum Guidelines outlines all of the following specific expectations. The expectations addressed by this lesson have been highlighted below.

• Ethics and Current Issues:

  • describe the role of ethics in accounting;

  • explain the need for strict standards (e.g., code of conduct) in the practice of professional accounting;
  • identify and describe current issues and developments that have an impact on accounting and the accounting profession (e.g., fraud scandals, the globalization of business transactions).
• Impact of Technology:
  • compare a manual accounting system with a computerized accounting system;
  • describe ways in which technology can affect the accounting function (e.g., the effect on the information itself, the accountant’s work, and the security of information systems);
  • explain the advantages and disadvantages of technology as it affects accounting.
• Careers in Accounting:
  • distinguish among the professional accounting designations in Canada and the corresponding areas of specialization for accountants (e.g., financial accounting, management accounting, auditing);
  • identify the Canadian accounting organizations and describe the services they offer to support accountants;
  • identify and describe various accounting career opportunities that do not require professional accounting designations;
  • summarize, on the basis of research, the educational requirements of various career paths requiring a background in accounting.

The "Internal Control, Financial Analysis, and Decision Making" strand of the BAF3M Ministry of Education Curriculum Guidelines outlines all of the following specific expectations. The expectations addressed by this lesson have been highlighted below.

• Internal Control Procedures:
  • describe the basic elements of an internal control system (e.g., separation of duties, prenumbered documents, rotation of staff);
  • apply appropriate control measures used in accounting for assets (e.g., petty cash procedures, bank reconciliation procedures);
  • describe the role of budgeted financial statements in planning, controlling, and evaluating business results (e.g., difference between budgeted and actual income statements);
  • describe the role and work of an auditor.
• Financial Analysis:
  • explain the importance of current assets and current liabilities when interpreting a balance sheet;
  • analyse a company’s liquidity and solvency by using simple financial ratios (e.g., current ratio, debt ratio) and other financial analysis tools (e.g., comparative statements, trend analysis, common size statements);
  • analyse a company’s profitability by using simple financial ratios (e.g., gross profit percentage, return on equity) and other financial analysis tools (e.g., comparative statements, trend analysis, common size statements).
• Decision Making:
  • describe how accounting information is used by company personnel (e.g., department managers, owners) in making decisions;
  • explain the role of financial analysis in decision making from the standpoint of potential investors (e.g., mutual fund managers, institutional investors, individual investors);
  • describe how accounting information is used by individuals or organizations outside the company (e.g., governments, Ontario Securities Commission, police, forensic accountants) in making decisions.