Research and Analysis Project (RAP)

Due to ACCA’s flexible entry routes, many students enrolling are non-graduates. I joined ACCA straight from A levels and never went to university. The partnership between ACCA and Oxford Brookes University is a chance for such students to get a Bachelors degree.

I recently completed my Research and Analysis Project (RAP). I chose Topic 8, ‘The business and financial performance of an organisation of your choice.’ An article in Student Accountant referred to this as the most popular choice.

Completing the project is a challenge, as it requires you to demonstrate not only what you have learnt during the ACCA Qualification, but also to exhibit the existence of ‘key graduate skills’ of self-reflection and communication. Fortunately, my project mentor was there to support me throughout, and without his help I don’t think I would have been able to complete my RAP on time. I would like to share some tips with you on completing the RAP, and hope you will find them useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to post a comment on this blog page. If you have tips you would like to share, you can do so by using the comment box below.

Tips on preparing the RAP
Be concise and do not exceed the word limit
The 6,500 word limit can easily be exceeded if you ramble on about a single issue. The university reserves the right to send your project back to you unmarked if you fail to meet the word limit. Note that there are individual word limits for different sections of the RAP and you should restrict yourself to these limits.

Use graphs and other graphical modes of presentation
Graphs and charts help you analyse data and make it easier for the reader to understand trends. Tables are a convenient way of organising your results. Information displayed in graphs and tables does not form part of the word limit. 

Analyse
There needs to be evidence of analysis in your project. In case of topic no. 8, simply calculating ratios won’t cut it. You need to provide evidence that you understand what the ratio means and the possible reasons why a ratio improved/worsened. Remember to link an organisation’s business activities to its financial performance. For example, simply stating that stock turnover days increased because the company is carrying higher levels of inventory at the year end is not enough. Why are their higher inventory levels? Is it because it has introduced new product lines that have proved to be unpopular? Is it because it is pricing its products too high resulting in reduced demand?

Compare
Use competitor information when conducting financial and business analysis. Ratio analysis is of little use in the absence of comparative information. For example, when commenting on the organisation’s performance with reference to working capital ratios you may want to provide corresponding ratios for a close competitor or the industry average. This will allow you to assess, for example, whether it is slow in collecting debts or if it is common practice to allow for delays in debt collection.

Recommendations
During your analysis you may identify weaknesses in the way an organisation is being run. Providing recommendations at the end of your project is a way of demonstrating that you understand the issues affecting the organisation and how they can be dealt with. You can come up with suggestions by studying other companies in the industry. How are they dealing with similar problems?

Plagiarism
Be sure to mention all the sources from where you have derived your information. Your work should be referenced properly using the Harvard system. If you are referencing someone else’s work properly, you are plagiarising it. Plagiarism can result in disciplinary action being taken against you by ACCA.

Appropriate models
Make sure the accounting and business models you are applying are consistent with your project objectives.

Presentation
Avoid using large fonts. Only use italics and bolds when it is appropriate.

Comments

[ken]

Hi Azhar

Can you please send me your project. Very appreciated!

My email is sdm1006@gmail.com

Thanks,
Ken

[Muhammad Kashif Naveed]

Dear Azhar,

I have just started my OBU project and selected a most common topic for my project, i.e. Topic 8, ‘The business and financial performance of an organisation of your choice’. I was wondering if it is possible to get some sample projects for reference.

If you can forward me some or your RAP and SLS, it will be highly appreciated. (kashifnaveed7@gmail.com)

Kind regards,
Kashif

[Emmanuel Mmaduabuchi Ikegwu]

Hi Azhar

I'm ready to start with my RAP but am in deep water as to what is required. Can you please mail me a sample for ref and guidance on on what to do to make it at once.

Whatever assistance you render will be highly appreciated.

My address is: macioe2002@yahoo.com.

Thanks

[Nyasha]

Hi Azhar

May you send me your copy of the project. I have chosen the topic number 7, but I would like to see the layout

Please assist,
NGS

[rahna]

Hi Azhar,

Could you please send me a sample project. I submitted my RAP and could not clear. Could someone please email me a sample RAP at rahna.hamsa@gmail.com

[Tendai Chiramba]

Dear Azhar

Your article is very useful. Can you assist me with what they call business techniques? I have chosen Topic 11 on the financial and operational costs and benefits of internal audit activities. What do you think are business models in this area. Is cost benefit analysis a model?

Regards,
Tendai

[Irshad A Qureshi]

Hi Azhar,

I have just stated OBU project and selected a most common topic for my project, i.e. Topic 8, ‘The business and financial performance of an organisation of your choice’. I was wondering if it is possible to get some sample projects for reference.

If you can forward me some or your project, it will be highly appreciated. (irshad39@yahoo.com)

Thanks,
Irshad

[Amber Peer Mohammad]

Dear Azhar

Your article is beyond being informative. Recently I have had trouble completing the ethics module and I am very worried as I don't see anything after completing units 8 and 9.

I have to submit RAP this session and the ethics module deadline is like a hanging sword.

Please help me!

[Gisela]

Hello Azhar,

Thanks for the article. It's very helpful. Is there anyway where I can view past examples of RAP?

I will like to have an idea of how to do the project.

[Jasmine]

Hi Azhar

I'm currently working on the RAP. Noted there is a need to prepare an outline of a presentation. Appreciate if you could advise what should be included in it. My email is jastham@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much.

Best regards,
Jas

[Sheraz Ahmed]

Assalamualikum,

Congrats for your project. I have also submit my project and pass the research report but am unable to get a pass in the Skills Statment .I believe I have answered the four questions but I do not know why they fail me.

Please email me your Skills Statement just for an idea. I will be very thankful to you. If not, then no worries and good luck for your future.

Sheraz Ahmed
Sheraz62@accamail.com

[Mustafa]

Dear Azhar,

Your article is pretty useful. Can you please tell me how can I measure the business performance and how can I use it to explain or support the financial performance?

Also, What are the accounting and business techniques to be used? I understand it is Analytical ratios, SWOT, PEST...

Thanks

[Ushavanee Pyduthalli]

Hello Azhar

Can you please forward sample projects to me if you don't mind? My address is: ushma1910@yahoo.com

Also, did you use the BPP or Kaplan Oxford Brookes Project Guide to do your project?

Thank you

[ali]

Hi Azhar, I have two questions regarding my RAP.

1. 'You cannot take a workplace research or consultancy report and adapt it for your RAP'...this is from the ACCA website.. Can you explain what it means? Does it mean I cannot take up a RAP regarding a company in which I have worked previously? (didn't carry out any research then).

2.'Your RAP will focus on accounting and / or business issues within an organisation. It is very important to remember that the reported financial performance of an organisation – whether in the private or public sector – is the outcome of the organisation’s business activities.'
This is very very confusing as first it says that your RAP can be either business study related or accounting or both... and then it states that all business issues are linked with accounting issues anyway!

Please clarify.

Thank you

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1566310668]

Assalam alaykum Azhar,

I am currently working on my research project and have chosen topic 8. At the moment my report lacks structure but I will get to that.

I am currently stuck on writing up part 2 information gathering. The information was secondary and collected online. How would I summarise this as it was easy to get and not many issues arose. The structure has given us a 1500 word limit. I don't think i could write more than 100 on this.

Please would you advise. My email address is rabina_ali@hotmail.co.uk

Thank You
Rabina

[ybishun]

Hi there,

I am just about to start my RAP however, I am confused. Can anyone send me a sample project please? My email address is ybishun@hotmail.com.

Many thanks,
Vee

[William]

Hi Azhar

Your article is very enlightening and very educative. Are you able to give me more tips on this topic as I'm carrying out a my project based on this topic or can you email me your successful RAP so that i can just have a look at how you did it.

You can contact on the following email address wsaidi20032003@yahoo.com

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Waseem Bari]

Hi Azhar,

Some very useful tips you have provided. Quite helpful at start, would like to read it, to gain more tips. Would you mind sending me a copy to help me on conducting mine.
My email add: waseemabari@gmail.com

Regards,
Waseem Bari

[Grace]

Hi Azar,

I failed my assignment for last period and right now I am thinking to resubmit again for this coming sitting. Do you mind to give me some advice on preparing my RAP and can I send my RAP to you for review so you can let me know where is my weaknesses?

My email address is gracelai21@gmail.com.

Thanks and looking forward for your reply.

[ofori]

Please can you send into my email, a sample of a complete project?

[Hassan]

I want to start an OBU project. Very impressed by your project and would like to read it, to gain more tips. Would you mind sending me a copy to help me on conducting mine. I need some sample projects for reference. Please forward some projects on the following email: smh17@hotmail.com

[Mohamed]

Dear Azhar,

This article is very informative. I will be submitting my research in the next session.

I was wondering if you could please send me a sample research to me.

Thank you very much.

[Rahiman Mohammad Sabir]

Hi Azhar

I want to start an OBU project. I need some sample projects for reference. Please forward some projects on the following email: rahimansabir@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks

[Rapelang D.Sekatle]

Hi Azhar

I intend to start my RA project soon. Could you please send me your article so as to read over it and learn a few things.

Regards,
Rapelang D Sekatle

[qurat]

Hi,

It was good to see this topic. I would be thankful if you could send this project to me in order to gain an idea for myself. I have given the email address below.

Many thanks!

Regards,

Qurat

qurat08@live.com