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

[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

[wasim]

Azhar, can you please send me your project. I am planning to do it and submit it in next November session. It would be of help to me and my colleagues. We are looking for a mentor but haven't found anyone yet.

[AJAYI SIMPA SUNDAY]

Hi Azhar,

I have found your project topic highly impressive, and would be glad you send a copy to also help me in my project too.

Regards,
Simpa

[Muchayana Katsande]

I want to start my project so can anyone send me a sample project for reference please?

[Durokifa T Olutoba]

I need help on my OBU research project.

[sanjay pradhan]

Hi Azhar,

I want to start an OBU project. I need some sample projects for reference. Please forward some projects on the following email: abdevilliers_23@yahoo.com

[Issahaku Gausu B]

Hi Azhar

I want to start my RAP. I need some sample projects for reference or step by step guidance on how to start and complete the RAP successfully. Please forward some projects on the following email:Gausu1983@yahoo.com

Thank you very much

[Wilfred D A]

Thanks for the article, I am preparing for my own RAP soon. Please, I need a tips of how to start and how can I get the project topic. I have not written project of this kind before. I need a copy of yours - please continue to post your experience as that might help me!

Thanks once again

Wilfred D A
wilmest@yahoo.com.sg

[yee wern]

Hi Azhar,

Thanks for the article, it is very useful for me to starting my RAP. I am currently working on the research, and I will be submitting my research in the next session.

I need some sample projects for reference. Would you mind to send me a copy of your project to my email for reference? This is my email: wern1119@hotmail.com

Thank you

[Denzil]

Hello Azhar,

Thanks for the information posted. I am currently doing the RAP but having some difficulties - is there anyway I could view a previous RAP (sample) and what are some of the websites that I could assist me in completing this?

My email is denzyle@gmail.com

Thanks for your help.

Denzyl

[Chilekwa Mwamba]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I also need a sample report, because I am a bit lost on how to start. Please mail me on chilez3@accamail.com

[Babatunde]

Hello,

Your advice is really an inspiration to me. I have not found it easy getting a mentor from my country. I recently relocated to the UK, so I became more confused because I am yet to fully integrate into the system, not to talk of getting a mentor and an organisation on which one of the research topics could be carried out.

Babatunde

[KISHORE]

Hi Azhar

I want to start an OBU project. I need some sample projects for reference. Please forward some projects on the following email: maheshwari_kishore@hotmail.com

Thanks

[Ovais]

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?

[Rapelang D. Sekatle]

Hi Azhar,

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.

Regards,
Rapelang

[Afzaal Shaukat]

Hello Azhar

I found your article very useful. it has helped me a lot in getting a focus on the RAP.

Keep on posting such articles. I look forward to getting further advice from you regarding the RAP.

[Usman Haider]

Considering the incredibly massive credibility for F4 from your side, it would be greatly appreciated if you would pour some bits from that phase about approach and technique for F4, as I'm about to take an exam for F4 on the coming Tuesday.

Looking forward for positive response.

Regards,
Usman

[Bismil]

Hello Azhar,

I am currently working on the research, but I want to know whether there are any form of discussion groups or forums that I can refer to or websites which may contain students' experiences or useful information.

You can contact me through the following e-mail: bismils786@yahoo.com

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou

[Fathima]

Hi Azar,

Thanks for the article. It was useful to me as I will be submitting my research in the next session.

Pleass continue to post any experience of yours that might help us.

Thank you once again.

Regards,
Fathima