Module Directory

This module seeks to bring together the knowledge and understanding gained during the accounting degree course and enables students to apply and integrate their research skills, with a view to critically investigate a topical issue within the broad area of accounting and/or its cognate subjects (e.g. audit, risk, regulation, governance, financial markets, taxation, financial management).

The accounting project is an independent, self-directed project which will rely on a number of skill- and knowledge-based workshops that will guide students towards the selection of a problem or question to investigate. Students will be required to attend a one-day Accounting Project Conference and methods workshops in the Autumn where students will be given guidance on how to prepare, plan and complete the research-led project..

The aims of this module are:

• To enable students to develop a more focused understanding of an accounting and/or cognate issue that is of interest to companies, organisations, government and/or society more broadly.


• To reflect on the use and impact of accounting information, principles and theories, accounting techniques and/or cognate issues such as auditing, taxation, corporate governance, control and regulation. 

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Identify, plan, organise and pursue a research-based project or study.


2. Demonstrate the capacity to exercise a range of research and transferable skills and methods in order to produce a research-led report.


3. Analyse and reflect critically on theories and/or conceptual/analytical frameworks in addressing real-life accounting and business problems.


4. Demonstrate a series of transferable skills including those related to accessing data, analysing information, and synthesising knowledge.


5. Integrate technical knowledge and professional skills.


6. Communicate effectively findings and analysis, and generate appropriate recommendations. 

>Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

By the end of this module, students should have attained key transferable skills that include being able to:

1. Apply and adapt academic skills to a professional working environment.


2. Develop and apply high level analytical and problem solving skills in the working environment.


3. Understand the need to communicate and explain complex information to a variety of audience and write reports in a clear and concise manner.


4. Be aware of, and understand, contemporary debates and developments in accounting (and/or cognate subjects) within an international and practical context.


5. Appreciate the importance of ‘softer’ skills in the working environment such as planning and organising activities effectively, prioritising and completing tasks to strict deadlines, exhibiting sound communication, and developing a professional attitude and commitment.

This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.

This module will rely on the knowledge and skills imparted in core and compulsory modules and reinforce the research-led and critical mind-set that is expected of all Essex graduates

By the end of this module, students will develop their research skills, competencies and knowledge, which will enable them to engage in situations simulating real-life professional tasks and assignments

This module will be delivered via:

• One-day Accounting Project Conference (Week 2).
• One methods workshop (Week 4).
• Practical sessions (Weeks 5 and 6).
• Five individual supervisory meetings in the spring term.

The conference will be delivered by various academics on the processes of conducting and completing the project, including research areas/topics, planning and organising, and research methodologies that could be used.