You are working for a large BIG 4 accounting and consultancy firm (PWC, KPMG, Deloittes, EY). You have been asked to contribute to a report on the emerging trends in the provision of accounting services that are going to impact your business over the next five years. You may choose ONE of the following topics.
TOPIC 1 Game Changing Technologies
Research at least three technologies that are going to enable the changes. Explain the capability of the technologies; which are the companies involved in the development; how will these technologies enable change.
These may include:
- Expansion of cloud computing
- Software as a Service for Accountants
- Optical Character recognition
- Artificial intelligence/Job Automation
- Big Data
- Security
- Mobilising knowledge
- Eliminate data-paper-data-paper cycles
You should consider these points:
- Will technologies eliminate the need for accountants?
- Will companies increasingly outsource their accounting services just as has happened with IT services.
- How will these technologies reduce costs/improve productivity/better service customers/win additional business.
TOPIC 2 Accounting Business trends
Research at least three business trends that are changing the accounting model for many businesses. Discuss how these are enabling businesses to reduce costs by making accounting processes more efficient; improving compliance and reporting; and/or enabling better business decision making.
These may include:
- Collaborative accounting
- D-I-Y Accounting
- Accounting services to small/medium businesses
- Use of the Cloud
- Outsourcing
- Offshoring
- Job Automation
- Shifting professional focus from compliance checker to trusted advisor.
You should consider these points:
- Will technologies eliminate the need for accountants?
- How will the role of accountants change in Australia if more services go offshore?
- How will these technologies reduce costs/improve productivity/better service customers/win additional business.
Choose one, research it and write a short business research report about it (minimum 700 words, maximum 2 pages).
You need to research and present your findings from at least THREE different sources and ensure that you include details of these sources in your reference bibliography.
Remember to include references to where you found the information, but formal referencing is not required – a footnote or endnote will suffice like this[1] (see below). Remember to keep your English simple (Business English – avoid jargon, short words, short sentences, short paragraphs).
Note this both an assessment of Business Research and Business Writing!! Ensure you proof read it carefully and spell check it. Grammarly.com may help in this. Plus, I advise you to get someone else to check it (proofread it) for you before submitting it!
[1] Word 2013 Tutorials – Footnotes http://www.word-2013-tutorials.com/footnotes-in-word-2013/
