ONE YEAR MASTER PROGRAMMES CONSULTANCY PROJECT GUIDELINES The consultancy project is mandatory for all students of master programmes in Accounting and Finance, and it is produced after the taught sessions. The purpose of the project is to helps students to fully integrate what they have learned during the program and to apply a variety of concepts and skills to address real-life managerial problems.

The kind of business entities that the project can be about include the following entities; companies like Hospital, Bank, etc. government organization not-for-profit organization industry entrepreneur The typical aspects of management that the project will focus on is to a start-up or ongoing business. It will usually involve one of the following: Business Plan Marketing Plan Customer Service Audit Case Study involving an assessment or other focus on an organization. EVALUATION CRITERIA CORPORATE/BUSINESS/MARKETING PLANS

1. Introduction Problem Statement This section should: introduce the managerial problem and its background/justification clearly define aims and project objectives outline the method to be used to achieve objectives, and explain the significance of the project project structure

2. Literature Review/Conceptual Framework This section should provide an integrative review of past and current studies on the subject matter of the project. For example, if you are writing on a feasibility study, your literature review must cover what it entails, approaches, limitations, etc. This is where the student demonstrates a familiarity with the management literature about the subject matter of the project. The student should demonstrate familiarity with the topic and the general conceptual framework guiding the project.

3. Environmental and Situation Analysis 3.1 Internal Analysis 3.2 External Analysis 3.3 Identification of Key Managerial Issues 4. Corporate Objectives and Strategies 4.1 Objectives 4.2 Strategies 5. Emergent Business/Marketing Plan Strategies 6. Implementation 7. Summary and Conclusions 8. References and Appendices 9. Overall Organization of Report (clarity of expression, grammar, spelling, flow, etc) In general, all projects will be graded on content and style concerning project objectives. Good writing and organization are essential.

CASE STUDIES Executive summary 1. Introduction Background Problem Statement/objectives This section should: introduce the managerial problem and its background/justification clearly define project objectives outline the method to the used to achieve objectives the scope of the project explain the significance of the project to practice project structure

2. Literature Review/Conceptual Framework 5 points This section should provide an integrative review of past and current studies on the subject matter of the project. For example, if you are writing on a feasibility study, your literature review must cover what it entails, approaches, limitations, etc. This is where the student demonstrates a familiarity with the management literature about the subject matter of the project. The student should demonstrate familiarity with the topic and the general conceptual framework guiding the project.

3. Profile of Case study company Company profile Company profile should entail the following: Company background Mission Vision Core values Strategic objectives and Any other relevant information that is required to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the company in the light of the identified problem and the solution being sought.

4. Methodology Present and systematically explain the approach(es) intended to be used to identify and analyze the problem of this project. The specific methods to be used to obtain data (such as keeping research journals, document collection, participant observation recordings, questionnaire surveys, structured and unstructured interviews, focus group discussions, etc.) should be indicated and justified. For qualitative or quantitative analysis, describe and justify the choice of specific analysis. 5. Findings and managerial focus 5.1 Presentation of the findings/issues based on objectives of the work 5.2 Identification of Key Managerial Issues 5 5.3.1 Key Managerial Issue A 5.3.2 Key Managerial Issue B 5.3.3 Key Managerial Issue C

6. Alternative Courses of Actions and Recommendations

Alternatives and recommendations 6.1 Key Managerial Issue A 6.1.1 Alternative 1 6.1.2 Alternative 2 6.1.3 Alternative 3 6.1.4 Recommendations and Justification

6.2 Key Managerial Issue B 6.2.1 Alternative 1 6.2.2 Alternative 2 6.2.3 Alternative 3 6.2.4 Recommendations and Justification

6.3 Key Managerial Issue C 6.3.1 Alternative 1 6.3.2 Alternative 2 6.3.3 Alternative 3 6.3.4 Recommendations and Justification

7. Implementation Plan 8. Summary and Conclusions 9. References and Appendices 8. Overall Organization of Report (Clarity of expression, grammar, spelling, flow, etc)