Assignment: Write a 2 page technical business memorandum addressed to your academic advisor that discusses one career path available after completing your Accounting Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) Degree. The memo should be addressed from yourself and written to your academic advisor. Be sure to include specific information about the career path you choose, such as, skills and experience required, further education, licenses or certificates, timeline on reaching the ultimate goal, etc.

Extra Credit: Verify that you proof-read the document by attaching a marked up version of the file as a pdf or picture file in ecampus with your submission to earn 10 extra points.

Sources: You can research career paths that interest you from any source available. Some online resources include: Texas Society of CPAs, Accountemps Career Center, DCCCD Accounting Program, local universities Professional Program of Accounting, former students, etc. I recommend completing the assignment in Microsoft Word. Business Memo Guidance:

A business memo is a very common task at work for an accountant. It is similar in structure to an email but is a little more formal. Also you do not have to sign a memo like you do an email. The contact information instead is listed in the heading of the memo.

Most business memos are single spaced and left aligned (paragraphs are not indented). There typically is a blank row left between each paragraph or section of the memo. Be sure to use formatting to make the memo easier for the reader. This may include using a title for each paragraph, bold, underline or italic as necessary. You can also include a bulleted or numbered list, as appropriate.

Business memos must be concise and summarize the information in your own words. Do not just copy and paste from a website. Instead paraphrase the information. Be clear in addressing topics and include an introduction, body and conclusion. I highly recommend printing out the memo and proof reading it yourself before submitting. This is good practice for class and also in your career.

Standard Format of a Business Memorandum

Heading Date: Write the full name of the month (January 3, 2016) or its standard abbreviation (Jan. 3, 2016).

To: Address people of higher rank by title unless instructed otherwise. For more formal situations, use the addressee's full name. If the addressee's name alone won't ensure that the memo will reach its destination, put an identifying tag directly after the name (Bob Thompson, Payroll Office).

From: Place your name on this line. If your reader(s) may not know you, identify yourself with your job title or department name (Anne Carter, Hiring Department).

Subject: Make the subject line concise and accurate, since that often determines where or how the memo will be filed and even if it will be read.

CC: List names of other people who will receive copies of your memo. The "cc" line can be placed in the heading, next to the heading, or at the bottom of the document. The term "cc" is short for "carbon copy."

Body Body Paragraphs.

The body states your purpose for writing so that readers can quickly grasp the memo's content and significance to them. Use the first paragraph to provide background. Focus your reader's attention on main ideas, not details and digressions. Be plain, direct, and brief.

Body Headings. If your memo is more than two or three paragraphs, you may want to add headings for your body paragraphs. Use headings that capture the section's key topic and set them in bold.

Conclusion End the discussion with a clear and concise summary of the conclusion reached as discussed in the body paragraphs of the memo. You don't need a closing salutation, as you do with a letter. If you've attached documents, identify the attachments at the bottom of the memo, in case they get separated from it.