CPD WORKSHOP
A large regional interest group is hosting an event to explore the contemporary issues that face professionals in the fields of accounting, economics and finance. This event will take the form of a continuing professional development (CPD) day whereby contributors will provide updates on emerging issues.
You have been asked to participate in this event and to present on a topic dealing with one of the emerging issues. You will do this in a group of four/five. It is imperative that your session provides insight into the issue you choose to build your regional profile. In advance of your presentation session, you will be invited to attend a series of meetings to discuss your presentation/briefing paper with your firm’s Training Partner/Module Team to ensure that it is relevant to your target audience.
The range of emerging issues have been suggested to help you focus on what you might present (these will be distributed for you on BB to choose from by 9th February 2025 – they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis). You will be required to identify topics that you are willing to present upon to your Training Partner (via the Selection of Topics Form – on Blackboard) by Thursday 27th February 2025; following which, these will be allocated, formally. You will then develop the topic in association with your group and the Training Partner/Module Team to ensure that the material is appropriate to the audience. The topics will be grouped into three major areas (namely, Accounting, Finance and Economics). You will be required to produce both a briefing paper and a presentation, for the event. There will be material produced by Dr Ahmed Sarhan to help you in the preparation of both (see material on BB).
The briefing paper
Should be a high quality, visually appealing document, that is produced in brochure format (e.g., Canva, MS Publisher etc) to capture the concepts surrounding your topic. This is something that participants at the event will be given to take away and so should be brief enough to remind them of the key points, but not too in-depth so as to render the presentation superfluous. Your briefing paper should complement the presentation and provide the audience with a brief insight into the topic while leaving room for expansion in the presentation. Your briefing paper should be 2,000 words.
NB: You must submit your briefing paper electronically via Turnitin by 12 noon on Sunday 4th May 2025. You will find a Turnitin link on the module’s eLP site under ‘Assessment’. Please note this will be a group submission and so only ONE member of the group must submit on behalf of all members.
Guidelines for the briefing paper structure outlined below:
Cover Page – (including topic title, module name/code, students names and ID numbers, and word count)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Body of the briefing paper
Conclusion and recommendations
References
Appendices – (including log of group planning meetings, and any other material essential to the report).
The presentation
The presentation CPD event will take place w/c 4th May 2025 – the date will be confirmed in due course. You will be expected to present in your group of four/five for 30 mins on your chosen topic. There will be 20 mins of presentation and 10 mins of questions from the audience and training partners. You will be expected to produce slides in a productivity package such as MS PowerPoint or Prezi. You will be required to submit an electronic copy of your slides BEFORE the event. You will find a link on the module’s eLP site under ‘Assessment’.
Guidelines for the presentation structure outlined below:
Cover Slide/s – (including topic title, module name/code, students names and ID numbers)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Body of the presentation
Conclusion and recommendations
References
It is essential that you provide a reference list using APA style, of all sources and relevant readings, including websites at the end of your submission.
Students should refer to the marking rubric for the group briefing paper and presentation which are located at the end of this assessment brief for the necessary criteria.
A note about ARTA regulations and the assessment criteria associated with both the briefing paper and the presentation are attached to this Assessment Brief.
Further information concerning conduct of the sessions, additional directions regarding the conduct of the CPD day and any other relevant information will be attached to Blackboard as the need arises. So, make sure you consult Blackboard on a regular basis.
