CBC1501 Assignment 4 Semester 1 2023 (820546)

CBC1501 Assignment 4 Semester 1 2023 () CBC1501 Assignment 4 Semester % TRUSTED workings, explanations and solutions. for assistance ..................................... ............................. QUESTION 1 ESSAY WRITING [25 marks] SCENARIO Ethics and standards in accounting exist to protect the public from unscrupulous corporations and accountants who hide or misrepresent information. Certainly, not all accountants are unethical, but when proper ethics are breached, the consequences can be disastrous. In 2017, the widely publicised allegations raised concerning auditing firm KPMG South Africa's work on behalf of the Gupta family and work performed from 2014 to 2015 on the 'Report on Allegations of Irregularities and Misconduct', which KPMG South Africa produced for the South African Revenue Service, left the organisation's reputation in tatters. This had widespread implications for the organisation's business prospects, turnover and the job security of its employees. Therefore, it is evident that ethics continue to play an important role in the field of Accounting. Given these developments in the industry, AccounTrust Incorporated (Inc.) wish to embark on an ethics training programme for its accounting department. The training session will be conducted in collaboration with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and will take place on the weekend of 17 to 19 November 2023 at Summer Place in Sandton, Johannesburg. From Friday morning to Sunday afternoon, employees will be trained on a range of ethics-related topics. This training session will be facilitated by a group of 10-12 specially selected industry experts and academics who specialise in the field of ethics within accounting. The training will be divided into different sections: o On Friday, a range of topics from accounting legislation, SAICA ethics charter, company policies and procedures as well as ethical communication will be covered o Saturday will involve practical exercises where delegates will be applying the content covered on Friday, through case studies, scenarios and financial reporting. o Finally, on Sunday morning there will be a recap and evaluation session before delegates leave. The training programme will be interactive and employees will be grouped into teams to encourage teamwork and promote interpersonal communication. It is important for employees to attend so that all members will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to function ethically in the accounting department team. Page | 7 INSTRUCTIONS o Read the scenario provided above before attempting to answer this question. o Plan and write a 500-600 word descriptive essay on the ethical challenges in the workplace, using the scenario as a backdrop for your discussion and build on this with discussions of other current ethical challenges in the field of accounting. o Use the correct format and structure for a descriptive essay, which should include evidence of brainstorming and planning, as well as an appropriate heading/title for your essay o Begin your essay with an appropriate introduction, define ethical workplace behaviour, discuss four elements of ethical workplace behaviour, and discuss ethical workplace messages. Integrate your discussion with examples of ethical or unethical workplace behaviour in one or two organisations. o You must use several sources of information for this task. We have provided a list of additional articles for supplemental reading and examples provided below. You may use different resources, if you wish, to supplement your arguments. o End your essay with an appropriate conclusion o The mark allocations simply give you an indication of what is expected of you within the essay and do NOT indicate section breaks within the essay. o The scenario provides you with a relevant context and a starting point for your discussion, but it should NOT limit your thinking. Nonetheless, remain within the scope of the topic o You must provide theory and provide practical examples o Marks will be deducted should plagiarism be detected. Where large portions of the text have been plagiarised, you will receive 0% for this question and may be subjected to disciplinary action. Read and make sure you understand all the information on plagiarism and academic writing in Tutorial Letter 301 (CMNALLE/301). Therefore, ensure that: • the information utilised in your essay is paraphrased and correctly referenced in-text and in the list of sources consulted, • you should utilise all study material, as well as the additional sources of information in drafting your essay, • you integrate discussions, theory, and application into a coherent, logical flow of arguments, • all sources consulted are cited in the list of sources consulted, including tutorial letters, the study guide, the prescribed book, and additional sources. Sources consulted should be placed at the END of the assignment, • the correct referencing techniques are used in the text of the assignment and the list of sources consulted, Page | 8 • all study material is referenced correctly, as per the departmental requirements outlined in Tutorial Letter 301 (CMNALLE/301), • quotations do not exceed 10% of your work, • you do not copy and paste material from any sources of information at all, • you do NOT rewrite content from the scenario (you will not receive any marks if you do so) List of additional sources Glen, J. 2019. Why are Accounting Ethics Important? [O] Available: Accessed on 2019/06/10 Half, R. 2017. Ethical Issues in Accounting: 4 Pieces of Advice. [O]. Available: Accessed on 2019/06/10 Small, R, Smidt, L & Moola-Yaseen, M. 2017. Ethics and integrity of a professional accountant. Business and Economy, 30: 10-11. Available: Accessed on 2019/06/10 Weed, G. 2019. Why Are Ethics Important in Accounting? [O] Available: Accessed on 2019/06/2010 Page | 9 MARK ALLOCATION FOR QUESTION 1: ESSAY TASK DESCRIPTION MARKS 1. Format and layout Title, planning (brainstorming) 2 2. Grammar and language Spelling, articulation, tense, punctuation, fluency, sentence structure, formal tone, logical flow, paragraph structure 5 3. Content 3.1 Introduction, including thesis statement and overview of content 2 3.2 Theory - definition of ethical behaviour in the workplace, four elements of ethical behaviour, ethical messages in the workplace 8 3.3 Application – use 1 or 2 organisations as examples of ethical or unethical workplace behaviour to substantiate the theory 3 3.4 Conclusion – summary of main points, rounding off arguments 2 3.5 In-text referencing, list of sources consulted 3 Penalisation (if any) Format, layout, structure Referencing, plagiarism, paraphrasing Total 25 Page | 10 QUESTION 2 MEMORANDUM WRITING [15 marks] INSTRUCTIONS You are an accountant at Tshwane Municipality. One of your responsibilities is to process claims for expenses. Senior state officials are allowed to claim for certain expenses such as business travel, accommodation at four-star hotels, meals while on business and gifts given to foreign dignitaries. However, you have noticed several irregularities in the claims submitted to you. Claims for things such as a five-star hotel, expensive hire cars, leisure trips and meals with alcohol have been submitted to you. Claims are frequently not backed up with supporting documentation (receipts). Weeding out invalid claims is time-consuming, plus you are unhappy about your colleagues’ lack of ethics. • Write a memo in which you set out your concerns and establish guidelines for future claims. • You will NOT receive marks for rewriting content from the scenario verbatim. • Your memorandum should be approximately 350 words in length. MARK ALLOCATION FOR QUESTION 2: MEMORANDUM TASK DESCRIPTION MARKS 1. Format and layout Header, heading structures, name of company, date, subject, recipients, alignment 5 2. Grammar and language Spelling, articulation, tense, punctuation, fluency, sentence structure, formal tone, logical flow, paragraph structure 5 3. Content 3.1 Information about the concerns 2.5 3.2 information on the future claims 2.5 Penalisation (if any) Format, layout, structure Rewriting the scenario Total 15 Page | 11 QUESTION 3 BUSINESS LETTER [15 marks] INSTRUCTIONS You recently graduated from the University of South Africa (UNISA). You saw the following job advertised in a widely circulated newspaper: Position: Accountant Salary: R308 579 Requirements • Grade 12 and recognised three-year degree/diploma • valid driver license • Good interpersonal and communication skills • computer literacy. Responsibilities • Manage cash flow and bank reconciliation • manage PMG account • manage ledge account Send your CV, a certified copy of your degree and a letter of motivation stating your reasons for applying for this position to Mr Xola Ntuli, HR Manager, Masai Imports and Exports: PO BOX 336, Menlyn,0053. The following information is very important: • You are only required to write a motivational letter (business letter) for this task. We DO NOT require a CV and copies of your degrees. • The correct use of spelling and grammar in your writing • Your letter should consist of no more than 400 words in length • Writing in a formal tone – (although limited use of personal, first-person writing will be allowed, you need to keep an overall formal tone in your writing) • Use the UK block format for the business letter, and follow all the stylistic and structural requirements of a business letter • Be assertive in your writing and avoid moving to an aggressive or a passive tone • provide an appropriate closing for the letter. • why you are writing and • why you are the suitable candidate for the advertised position. Page | 12 MARK ALLOCATION FOR QUESTION 3: BUSINESS LETTER TASK DESCRIPTION MARKS 1 Format and layout UK block format, addresses, date, alignment, subject, salutation, complimentary close, sign off 5 2 Grammar and language Spelling, articulation, tense, punctuation, fluency, sentence structure, formal tone, logical flow, paragraph structure 5 3 Content 3.1 Opening and context 1 3.2 Descriptions of the purpose of the letter and why you are a suitable candidate 2 3.3 Concluding remarks 1 3.4 Assertive tone 1 Penalisation (if any) Format, layout, structure Rewriting from the scenario Total 15 SELF-ASSESSMENT AND SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS [5 marks] Answer the following questions in full sentences. 1 What have you learnt (what knowledge have you gained) by doing this assignment? 2 What skills, abilities and orientations (attitudes and values) have you acquired? 3 Which strengths could you apply in your future life and work environment? 4 Which shortcomings do you need to address in future? 5 To what extent have you achieved the learning outcomes formulated for this module? (Refer to each learning outcome