Term Paper
Objectives
The term paper is an opportunity for you to 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 help you transfer the concepts and research techniques that you learned from the class and from your chosen area of interest in your MSAC degree program. Accordingly, you will be able to choose a topic in a broad area such as:
· Financial accounting and/or reporting
Although the topic areas are fairly open-ended, it is expected that each paper will have 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 frauds occur but also recommendations for a business or other entity to guard against frauds. Hence, a discussion of the internal control procedures and the role of internal and external auditors might be apt. In effect, both the “why” and “how” of establishing the appropriate procedures 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 & A discussion topic. No late papers for Week 7 or oral presentations for Weeks 7 and 8 will be accepted. Papers must be submitted in Word document using a 10 or 12 point font and double-spaced.
Milestones
The ultimate result of your analysis will be a final term paper in APA format. The final term paper is due in Week 7, and an oral presentation will be presented by you in Week 7 or in Week 8 (see the instructor’s requirement for the class). Because the research and writing of the paper is a course-long project, a number of milestones and deliverables will need to be observed. As an overview, those steps are as follows. Get familiar with the Term Paper Template that should be used as a minimum format for your term paper. You can add sections if you want to break down your analysis into subjects. Use the template each week as you complete the sections to build toward your final term paper.
· Week 1 – Select your topic problem statement. Prepare a one-page summary (double-spaced) describing your topic proposal problem statement. You should discuss what your topic is, between three and five areas that you plan to analyze about this topic, 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 – or give you feedback and comments on your topic proposal.
· Week 2 – Submit a list of five-to-eight current references in APA format for your course project. Annotate your references – briefly describe the content of the reference and how it relates to your course project. Submit your Week 2 Term Paper list of references assignment no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 2.
References are very important. At least five-to-eight references are required for the Week 7 paper. Anonymous authors or web pages are not acceptable. At least three of those sources used should be from academic journals and/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 listed on the last page of your term paper in a section titled "References."
· Week 3 – Complete the problem statement for your course project. You should discuss the topic problem for your term paper and a minimum of three to five problems that you intend to research related to your topic. Submit your Week 3 Term Paper problem statement assignment no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 3.
· Week 4 – Research and summarize a review of the literature on your topic – briefly describe 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.
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 that you are scrutinizing.
· Week 5 – This week, you need to submit a draft of your term paper. Submit your Week 5 Term Paper draft no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 5.
· Week 6 – This week, you need to submit a draft of your term paper including your summary and conclusions. Submit your Week 6 Term Paper draft with summary and conclusion no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 6.
· Week 7 – Prepare an executive summary; finalize your term paper including executive summary and the finalized version of the term paper components that you completed in Weeks 1 through 6 – with references in APA format. Submit your Week 7 Final Term Paper no later than midnight Sunday at the end of Week 7.
For the Week 7 paper, you should use the Term Paper Template which includes (in APA format): a cover page, table of contents, an executive summary, introduction, review of the literature, analysis and recommendations, summary and conclusion, appendix (if you want to include items in an appendix) and references. Appropriate headings should be used to designate the various sections of the paper. The paper should be in the range of a minimum of 15 pages, double-spaced, and 10-12 point fonts. The page count is of the content and, thus does not include the cover page, table of contents, appendix or exhibits, or references.
References are very important. At least five-to-eight references are required for the Week 7 paper. Anonymous authors or web pages are not acceptable. At least three of those sources used should be from academic journals and/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 listed on the last page of your term paper in a section titled "References."
· Weeks 7 and 8 – Oral Presentation - prepare a 10–15 minute oral presentation of the summary of your Term Paper. Submit your Weeks 7 and 8 Term Oral Presentation of your term paper no later than midnight Tuesday of Week 8.
Weeks 7 and 8 Oral Presentation will include the use of PowerPoint slides to be used as talking points with a 10–15 minute presentation. No more than 10 slides should be used. The oral presentation is intended as a summary of your research and analysis. As such, it should be a summary of the problem you researched, an overview of the literature review, and a discussion of your conclusions and recommendations.
