A portfolio of evidence weighted at 75% testing learning outcomes 1, 2, and 4 to include presentation and group-work and a personal development plan.

A personal reflection journal on work-related experience weighted at 25% testing learning outcome 3.

The two elements of the assessment ensure the attainment of work-related experience.

The portfolio provides the opportunity for students to critically evaluate their progress in acquiring the Staffordshire Graduate Attributes

This module will use a business start-up case study approach which will involve students preparing for all elements of recruitment and selection procedures, initially focusing on work placement experience and then graduate job opportunities. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of aspects of different types of organisations in which professional work occurs. The module will also focus on the different professional accountancy bodies' ethics and codes of conduct.
Students will be able to choose from university, faculty, school and external events to further their own personal career development.
Content includes:

Career Development:
- Career Planning
- Recruitment processes, skills and issues
- Business start-up knowledge and skills
- Entrepreneurship

Organisational context of professional work:
- Management structure and teams
- Types of organisations
- Financial context
- Human Resource Management Issues
- Quality and Quality Assurance
- Project Management

Professional Issues:
- Professional Bodies, Ethics and Codes of Conduct
- Legal Issues relevant to accounting professionals
- The need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Globalisation Issues and the Accounting Professional

Reflection on personal development - needs and directions (Personal Development Planning).
This module offers the opportunity to build on the knowledge the student has acquired so far in pursuing the Staffordshire Graduate Employability Attributes at Level 4.

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN ORDER TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY WITHIN A CONTEMPORARY ORGANISATION INCLUDING MANAGEMENT, TEAM-WORKING, HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES AND RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESSES.
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Reflection

2. CRITICALLY REFLECT ON AND EVALUATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER NEEDS THROUGH THE USE OF A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
Application
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Reflection

3. DEVELOP A CRITICAL PERSONAL REFLECTION JOURNAL ON WORK-RELATED EXPERIENCE.
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Reflection

4. EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES, CODES OF CONDUCT AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND APPLY SUCH CODES AS A GUIDE TO DECISION MAKING.
Application
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Reflection

The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment) of this there will be 36 hours class support and 114 hours of independent learning and self directed study.

The module features a wide range of learning methods, appropriate to the content. These will include a case study, interactive tutor-centred workshops, role-playing, lectures and tutorials supported by the use of a virtual learning environment (Blackboard). The emphasis continues to be upon 'learning by doing', where learning takes place through personal experience, social interaction and reflection.

The module will facilitate close contact with the world-of-work, drawing on contributions from guest speakers and external practitioners to support the student learning experience as well as the development of appropriate networking opportunities.

Students will be encouraged to continue their work-related experience beyond the level 5 module itself by engaging in work-related experiences which can include any of the following: work placement, volunteering experience, social enterprise project, existing part time work, organising an event or series of events, or setting up a new club/society.

Module study guide
The University Library and Learning Resources - books and academic journals
The module VLE
Electronic data bases
Learning support materials
Internet
Personal Development Portfolio

FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS ONLY

Cottrell, S (2013) The Study Skills Handbook, 3rd edition, Palgrave, ISBN 9780230573055
Sumner, R (2012) How to use your degree to secure a job: Kaplan's Guide to Core Skills and Employability, Kaplan, ISBN 9780857324863
Van Emden, J. and Becker, L. (2010) Presentation Skills for Students, Palgrave, Basingstoke, ISBN 0230243045
BPP CIMA E1 Enterprise Management Study Text (2011 syllabus)