44. Internal controls and accounting systems (AAT)
The content of this particular qualification includes the following:
44.01. Introduction to internal control & accounting systems: INTRODUCTION TO THE 'PROJECT' UNIT, What this Unit involves, What you will learn, Your assessment - the Report, WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO - AN OVERVIEW, Initial research & setting the scene, Review of the accounting system, Making recommendations, THE LEARNING PROCESS IN THIS BOOK, 1. Research & read - learning the theory, Chapter 2: Organisations & accounting systems, Chapter 3: Internal control systems & fraud, Chapter 4: Professional ethics & sustainability, 2. Review the system & make recommendations, 3. Report, Chapter 6: Writing the report, THE REPORT, Finding a 'workplace' or using an AAT Case Study, Suggested assessment plan, Choosing a subject, Consulting with people - your mentor & assessor, Learning from this book, Time schedule, MAPPING OF ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, INTERNAL CONTROL & ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, AAT Mapping Document.
44.02. Organisations & accounting systems: THE 'BUSINESS' OF THE ORGANISATION, Public & private sectors, How the 'business' affects the accounting system, Report writing hint, DEALING WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, Report writing hint, ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE, Flat structure - large organisation, Hierarchical structure - large organisation, Organisational structure - small business, Report writing hint, FUNCTIONS OF AN ACCOUNTING SYSTEM, Report writing hint, THE NEED FOR GOOD COMMUNICATION, Lines of communication in an accounting system, Management information systems, Report writing hint, CONTROL OF RESOURCES BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE ORGANISATION, The need for resources, Control of resources by individuals, Errors & fraud within the system, Report writing hint, THE USE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Financial statements for internal use, Financial statements for external use, Report writing hint, CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY EXTERNAL REGULATION.
44.03. Internal control systems & fraud: EXTERNAL REGULATIONS AFFECTING ACCOUNTING PRACTICE, Legislation, UK & international accounting standards, Report writing hint, THE NEED FOR POLICIES & PROCEDURES, What do Policies & Procedures cover?, INTERNAL CONTROL IN AN ACCOUNTING SYSTEM, Report writing hint, Reviewing the accounting system, TYPES OF FRAUD, Some definitions, Practical EXAMPLEs of fraud, Public EXAMPLEs of fraud, Report writing hint, RISK ASSESSMENT & FRAUD, Risk assessment - the role of management, The internal control system, Detecting fraud, Grading likelihood & impact, Using a matrix to grade fraud risk, Report writing hint, FRAUD POLICY, Action taken to deal with fraud, Report writing hint, Some useful webites.
44.04. Professional ethics & sustainability: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, Some revision, The five fundamental ethical principles, INTEGRITY, Breaches of integrity, OBJECTIVITY, PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE & DUE CARE, CONFIDENTIALITY, PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR, SUSTAINABILITY - THE BACKGROUND, Some history, The 'three pillars' of sustainability, Economic growth & sustainability, Environmental protection & sustainability, Social equality & sustainability, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR), AAT & CSR, UK LEGISLATION & INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, ISO 26000 - standards for social responsibility, Report writing hint, Report writing hints - Sustainability.
44.05. Reviewing accounting systems & making recommendations: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO REVIEW?, The method of assessment, The size of the organisation, Review contents & method - an overview, IDENTIFYING THE STRENGTHS OF THE SYSTEM, Operating procedures, reliability & efficiency?, Computer systems?, Staff training?, IDENTIFYING THE WEAKNESSES OF THE SYSTEM, Errors, Fraud, Fraud & professional ethics, Sustainability, Practical EXAMPLES of weaknesses, MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, Report writing hint, The importance of the computer system, Impact on the staff, HOW MUCH WILL IT ALL COST? - COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS, What are the costs?, Cost-benefit analysis - a practical EXAMPLE, Assessing the benefits, Conclusion, Report writing hint.
44.06. Writing the Report: THE REPORT & THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS, Workplace evidence or AAT Case Study?, The need for mapping, STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT - AN OVERVIEW, HINTS ON THE WRITING PROCESS, What is 4,000 to 5,000 words?, Word-processed format, Writing style, Hints on writing plain English in a report, Other practical report writing hints, SECTIONS OF THE REPORT, Title page, List of contents, Terms of reference, Executive summary, Introduction, Accounting system review, Weaknesses identified, Recommendations ,Cost-benefit analysis, Appendices, And do not forget ... Your letter of authenticity, And do not forget ... Mapping, TIME PLANNING, Timetable for Report based on workplace evidence, Timetable for Report based on an AAT Case Study, RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE REPORT, Student responsibilities, Assessor responsibilities, Workplace mentor responsibilities, Report writing hint.
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