2024 – Research Paper The major written assignment for the course is a Research Paper

Research Paper

The major written assignment for the course is a Research Paper.  This paper should demonstrate understanding of the reading as well as the implications of new knowledge.  The 15- to 20-page paper should integrate readings and class discussions into work and life experiences.  It may include explanation and examples from previous experiences as well as implications for future applications.

The purpose of the Research Paper is for you to culminate the learning achieved in the course by describing your understanding and application of knowledge in the field of accounting.  The Research Paper will contribute 25% to the course grade.

Focus of the Research Paper
Complete and submit to your instructor your choice of one of the listed assignments.  Select one of the following choices:

• Choice one – Your role is as a public official elected at the local city level, 50,000 to 250,000 population.  After reviewing the course concepts you will identify several issues that directly connect to the written assignment.  In addition to reading the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts, a thorough master’s level education requires the development of effective research skills.  In this assignment you will work to develop a rich resource of academic sources to support your paper.

Prepare a 15- to 20-page double spaced paper (excluding the title and reference page) on the following topic:

You have a $10 million dollar budget allocated to you by the city manager and can get up to 100% matching federal funds if you meet the federal standards.  You have been asked by the mayor to determine how to allocate the budget to best support the needs of the city.  These  include but are not be limited to supporting capital requirements, operational requirements, and subsidizing non-profit organizations or used as economic incentives to bring new private concerns into the city. 

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan assessing the key course objectives including fund accounting and financial controls, control and management of public expenditures, government financial reporting requirements, analyzing financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and applying budgets as disciplinary process.

• Choice two – your role is as a consultant with ten years experience in the public financial management industry.  After reviewing the course concepts you will identify several issues that directly connect to the written assignment.  In addition to reading the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts, a thorough master’s level education requires the development of effective research skills.  In this assignment you will work to develop a rich resource of academic sources to support your paper.

Prepare a 15- to 20-page double-spaced paper (excluding the title and reference page) on the following topic:

You are in the role of a consultant with ten years experience in the public financial management industry.  A group of 20 civic leaders are considering forming a new task force and have asked you to prepare a proposal on whether they should build a facility in an area within 30 miles of the downtown center of your 500,000 population city for $100 million dollars.

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan assessing the key course objectives including fund accounting and financial controls, control and management of public expenditures, government financial reporting requirements, analyzing financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and applying budgets as disciplinary process.

• Choice three – your role is as the chief operating officer of a large non-profit hospital or agency with ten years experience in the public financial management industry.  After reviewing the course concepts you will identify several issues that directly connect to the written assignment.  In addition to reading the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts, a thorough master’s level education requires the development of effective research skills.  In this assignment you will work to develop a rich resource of academic sources to support your paper.

Prepare a 15- to 20-page double-spaced paper (excluding the title and reference page) on the following topic.

You are in the role of a chief operating officer.  A board of directors has requested that you prepare a summary of the issues involved in a $50 million expansion.  Because of local political and uncertain national financial policy of the to-be-elected national officials they may have to scale the expansion back to $25 million.

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan assessing the key course objectives including fund accounting and financial controls, control and management of public expenditures, government financial reporting requirements, analyzing financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and applying budgets as disciplinary process.

• Choice four – your role is as the chief operating officer of a large government agency with ten years experience in the public financial management industry.  After reviewing the course concepts you will identify several issues that directly connect to the written assignment.  In addition to reading the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts, a through master’s level education requires the development of effective research skills.  In this assignment you will work to develop a rich resource of academic sources to support your paper.

Prepare a 15- to 20-page double-spaced paper (excluding the title and reference page) on the following topic.

You are in the role of a chief operating officer of a large government agency.  Your supervisors have requested that you prepare a summary of the issues involved in a potential reduction in U. S. Federal budget that will affect your agency by 40%. 

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan assessing the key course objectives including fund accounting and financial controls, control and management of public expenditures, government financial reporting requirements, analyzing financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and applying budgets as disciplinary process.

• Choice five – your role is as the chief administrative officer of a large non-profit health relief organization.  After reviewing the course concepts you will identify several issues that directly connect to the written assignment.  In addition to reading the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts, a thorough master’s level education requires the development of effective research skills.  In this assignment you will work to develop a rich resource of academic sources to support your paper.

Prepare a 15- to 20-page double-spaced paper (excluding the title and reference page) on the following topic.

You are in the role of a chief administrative officer for a large non-profit health relief organization.  A board of directors has requested that you prepare a summary of the issues about how to solve the health needs of an African country.  Your organization has limited funding and will need to obtain subsidized medicine from major pharmaceutical companies.  They also have the opportunity to get non-generic, non USDA approved, alternative stem cell derived medication from foreign sources. 

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan assessing the key course objectives including fund accounting and financial controls, control and management of public expenditures, government financial reporting requirements, analyzing financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and applying budgets as disciplinary process.

Writing the Research Paper
The Paper:

• Must be 15- to 20- double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outline in the approved style guide.
• Must have a cover page the includes:
• Student’s name
• Course name and number
• Title of paper
• Instructor’s name
• Date submitted
• Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
• Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of one from the Ashford Online Library. 
• Must use APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate Reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.