SKILLS AND LEARNING STATEMENT
Learning by presentation and meetings with my project mentor
Session defines the act of assembling with the essence of achievement of a common objective. From the meetings held with my mentor concerning my topic of selection I came out to learn the following ideas;
First meeting:
Before assembling for the first meeting, I had made readings from several accountancy materials and came up with several topics. My mentor helped me in the selection of the most relevant topic regarding my area of specialization and a framework that was in line with the word count that was required for the project. Regarding the writing style and the format to apply in the project, through my mentor’s advice, I adapted the passive style for my report to comply with the formal standards. Through the help of my mentor, I was able to make changes in the methods to collect data basing on the depth of the research topic. Having the basics of the expectations within the project, we set on timetable comprising of report presentation for the second and third meetings where I was expected to present the findings that will be drafted in my report for assessment by my mentor and make recommendations from that point.
Second meeting:
In my report presented to my mentor mainly outlined the descriptions of the topic selected rather than embarking on in-depth research, which brings out the essence of the study, which was business and financial performance of an organization analysis. To achieve the objective of the study, my mentor suggested that I focus more on making more analysis using recent data for the organizations. This would be easier for interpreting graphs, tables, and charts, which were significant in evaluating the organization’s performance. Through the suggestion and skills learned from my mentor, it came to my realization that if I continued focusing on description rather than the analysis, I was probably at the risk of exhausting the recommended word count before even before accomplishing the objectives of the project.
Meeting 3:
During this meeting, I had to present my research findings to my mentor, focusing on the critical research elements, which was a clear explanation of the analysis concepts which were not apparent in the project. From my mentor’s suggestions, it was essential if I dropped the terms which were not easily understood by people who read the findings and were not conversant with the advertising language and terms. My mentor engaged me in an impromptu and unstructured question regarding the organization I was creating an analysis. From the problems I was capable of making improvements in the areas that I felt I had not perfected on, for instance, referencing one of the vital graduate skills as well as the overall analysis.
At the first meeting with my mentor, I was confident. I believed that I was crystal clear in the presentation of my ideas and concepts in the research findings and presentation.in the second meeting. Also, I had the feeling that my work was perfect and required fewer comments from my mentor. Still, after consultation with my mentor, an accountant professional, I learned that the classwork skills and theories were not enough for one to be regarded as a professional accountant. There was a need for the development of extra technical expertise and knowledge that ensured that I was capable of understanding and evaluating critical organization’s data and interpretation, which are crucial to the realization of the firms’ long term and short term goals and objectives. The research exposed me to the point of thinking, and outside the study, I had acquired within the four years course of the ACCA syllabus.
Achievement of the objectives
From the consultations involved in with my mentor, I believe the research project has addressed the main issues expected in the business and finance analysis of an organization. For the realization of the objectives of the firm, I adopted two significant strategies for the business analysis; PESTEL and SWOT analysis. Both of the reviews made observations of all the factors that are involved within a business operation from the internal and external environments. The elements linked me to the financial analysis of the data of the company and description of the functioning of the entities as well as making recommendations on the performance that expected to be restructured or foregone by the firm for the realization of the company’s objectives.
My main focus of the research was based on two aspects; analyzing the performance of a non-governmental organization linking the findings to the skills learned on a textbook on the measurement of performance.to make the analysis efficient. I made a comparison of two major NGO’s operating in the transport and logistics industry. This provided a platform where I could highlight the areas, which are both the strengths and weaknesses of the organizations, as well as configuring the measures that the firms have undertaken for their success in their operations.
Through the research, I have learned it is not straightforward for one to achieve accurate results for the project, as indicated in their expectations. This has been triggered by the insufficiency of information that is deemed a necessity in the interpretations of graphs, charts, and other financial data. The time factor has also been a considerable element that a researcher is obliged to ensure they make the correct time frame to ensure that they are not overridden by the number of activities they are expected to undertake.
In the past, my communication skills were not well sharpened, but through the project research and findings gave me the chance to interact with my mentor, where my presentation expected me to express my ideas for assessment. I applied all the relevant criteria that were essential for me to express my thoughts and concepts more clearly, through the use of graphs, charts, tables for the display of trends, and analysis. On the presentation of the final findings, I was able to clearly express my ideas and concepts to my mentor with ease, and they were well understood by anyone who read the report.
The research has also improved my competency and ability to handle my current advertisement job, where I was capable of addressing the key areas that required to be directed by the management. Through critically analyzing the financial reports of the company analyzing their trends and making conclusions after studying the experience. The essence of strategic meetings within the firm was one of the critical factors that I embraced from the research and was valid towards bringing together the ideas and the rationale of the stakeholders in ensuring that every stakeholder felt the inclusion in the decision making of the company.