Contemporary issues in Accounting and Finance

IMPORTANT: Please carefully read AFM L6 M1 Assignment Brief, and follow all guidelines.

OVERVIEW

In this assignment, students must select a contemporary issue in accounting or finance that has significantly impacted a business. The issue should be analysed using relevant theories, case studies, and academic literature. The report should provide critical insights into the selected issue, its implications, and recommendations for businesses or policymakers. The case study will focus on the UK market.

Students should choose a contemporary issue from areas such as:

Corporate Governance and Ethics (e.g., creative accounting, earnings management)

Sustainability and ESG Reporting (e.g., carbon accounting, circular economy in finance)

Technological Disruptions (e.g., blockchain in accounting, AI in auditing)

Financial Fraud and Regulation (e.g., tax avoidance, financial scandals)

Capital Market Trends (e.g., impact of fintech, cryptocurrency accounting)

Case Study Selection:

Students must select a real-world business or financial case where the chosen issue has had a significant impact in the last 5 years. The case study should be supported by financial data, company reports, and academic sources.

Report Structure

1. Introduction (500 words)

Overview of the contemporary issue.

Justification for its relevance in accounting and finance.

Outline of the case study and objectives of the report.

2. Literature Review (1,000 words)

Theoretical background and key academic debates.

Analysis of relevant accounting or financial principles.

Discussion of previous case studies or industry examples.

3. Case Study Analysis (1,500 words)

Background of the company/industry affected.

Detailed examination of how the issue impacted financial performance, governance, or compliance.

Use of financial statements, market data, or regulatory findings to support arguments.

4. Discussion and Recommendations (800 words)

Critical analysis of business responses and industry trends.

Suggestions for best practices, regulatory improvements, or managerial strategies.

5. Conclusion (200 words)

Summary of key findings.

Future research directions or anticipated industry developments

Important:

All tasks must be supported by relevant industry and academic research.

As this is a case study report, all images and statistical data must be directly linked to the information on each section and supported by reliable sources.

All your work must be based on reliable research and have 20 different pieces of research done in it. Please ensure you use both direct and indirect citations.

All sources used must be referenced using Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) – Harvard Referencing Standards.