Graduation Ready Articulation

Graduation Ready Portfolio Presentation

Information Learning

Reflecting on my educational career with Bryant & Stratton College, my information literacy skills has transitioned from what I believe to be my own strong and thorough knowledge, on a particular subject matter, backed by my experience whether it derives from life’s lesson or on the job training, I thought that others would respect it enough to ‘take my word for it’. Now that I am at the end of my educational journey, I have acquired the knowledge and skills of incorporating scholarly and credible referenced resources using academic journals, periodicals, and/or peer reviews located in the library or via the internet. When the element of referenced resources is added to my experience on the subject matter, it attests to my knowledge and understanding of the learned information, while quietly highlighting my research skills.

The portfolio project from ACCT120 (Accounting Principles II), the Cogg Hill Camping Equipment Company Project challenged my knowledge on a previous accounting course and build upon that knowledge with taking it a step forward. This project required me to transfer textbook and experience knowledge of recording debit and credit transactions into general ledgers and general journals. However, this project expanded upon that knowledge and I have obtained the skills of incorporating the use of special journals (sales journal, purchase journal, cash receipt journal, and cash disbursement journal) from the course materials, discussion forum, and secondary resources to fully complete the accounting cycle of a manufacturing firm. The project elicits accounting recording transactions that a manufacturing company would experience during the regular course of business in any given calendar month. This included but not limited to: recording transactions into subsidiary journals and completing general journal transactions and posting to general ledger accounts, completing a scheduled of accounts receivable/accounts payable (making sure it is in agreement with the general ledger balances), complete bank reconciliation, create trial balance and adjusted trial balance worksheet, preparing the financial statements to include a statement of retain earnings and post-closing trial balance.

The ACCT120 portfolio project demonstrated the use of technology through creating spreadsheet using Excel program. Furthermore, the ACCT210 (Accounting System), portfolio project through its integrated accounting program showcase my knowledge of accounting software systems. Through the use of comprehensive audit questions, test my understanding of the use of accounting system programs as well as my ability to extract data using this system.

The research papers from ENGL101 course on Juvenile Offenders and PHIL250 on Same Sex Marriages really showcases my research skills and the ability to use these referenced resources to fully argue my viewpoint which adds credibility to my writing.

Rational Learning

Before entering into my degree program of accounting and obtaining formal training, I have always completed my own personal income tax returns as well as a few family members and friends’ individual income tax returns using the program software of ‘TurboTax’. Using the taxing program allows for any inexperienced accountant to complete federal and state income tax return (accurately) because the program is completing all calculations, researching tax laws to obtain full credits and deductions, and completing the proper government tax forms.

The portfolio project from ACCT130 (Tax Accounting), with its Comprehensive Case Study allowed me to complete personal complex income tax returns for an individual and couple filing jointly as well as a business income tax returns using the forms taken directly from the government website. Completing the forms using the website reinforced my learning from the course materials as it related to the taxing laws.

Completing the tax forms and its calculations required the use of basic mathematical skills and use of a calculator. Furthermore, I was able to complete the forms and calculations requirements, including all schedules without the use of the taxing program. Completing the portfolio project allowed me to build on my own tax preparation knowledge as well as challenging my research ability in acquiring information directly from the taxing agency. Completing this course and the project has built up my confidence and skill level in completing business tax returns and this taxing season was my first time completing my partnership business tax returns.

Community and Career

The discipline of an accounting degree not only demands the individual to be competent in carry out the duties of an accountant; however, it also requires me to be a corporate citizen and steward in completing all accounting transactions and record the same in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

My future career and educational goals of becoming a Forensic Accountant with the specialize certification of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), requires continual lifelong learning through course studies as well as holding and maintaining organization memberships such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

The portfolio project completed in my ACCT110 course (Accounting Principles I) introduced me to my corporate and ethical responsibility in reporting and preparing the financial statements of a firm. The Brawn Demolition Company Project acclimated me to the standards of my responsibility as an accountant to prepare, analyze, and report the financial health and statements of a firm. I prepared the financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and statement of owner’s equity) in accordance with the accounting standards and equation of Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity.

In addition, the ACCT220 (Analyzing Financial Statements) expanded on that knowledge and responsibility. In analyzing the data, it demonstrates my ability to accurately report my findings that can assist the decision makers in making the best decision for the firm; in this case, to introduce and produce a new clothing line. The information was reported unbiased and ethically in accordance with GAAP standards of reporting.

Metacognition

Throughout my degree program I have been consistently challenged to use my metacognitive skills and rise to the next level in learning. Each time I obtain new knowledge, regarding a particular subject matter, I begin to transfer this information to previously learned knowledge or experiences that lends to my ability to relate and retain the information. Each week, when completing the week’s readings, assignments, and discussions, I am given the opportunity to reflect on my learning as well as how the learning relates to my life and/or career.

The portfolio project in SOSC101 course (Principles of Sociology) allowed me to demonstrate my metacognitive skills through my research paper on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. I have chosen this assignment because Maslow’s theory acts as a measurement of my learning in that it suggests that the way that I begin does not necessarily means this is the way that I will end up especially when my ultimate motivating factor is self-actualization. Using the acquired skills of metacognition, as it is refined, displays the constant improvement of my written communication skills.

In addition, using metacognitive skills allowed me the opportunity of displaying my ability to think abstractly in problem-solving. I had also come to the conclusion that although I reported on Maslow’s theory of Hierarchy of Needs I realized that Maslow’s theory can be successfully challenged. The theory does not take into consideration the human factor and the need not only to satisfy my own needs but the needs of others.

Communication Skills

Before enrolling into my current degree program, my work experience afforded me the opportunity to continue to improve upon both my oral and written communication skills. As an Assistant Vice President/Fraud investigation Manager this occupation placed me in situation where I had to disseminate information to groups of individuals whether they were internal or external customer regarding matters of fraud and fraud prevention. When investigating a case and communicating my findings, of which could be used as testimony in a court of law, I will have to organize my investigation report that read chronologically, logically, and persuasive in order to be effective.

The portfolio project from COMM201 course (Public Speaking) delivering a Persuasive Speech demonstrated learned skills and techniques of engaging my audience from the onset with a strong introduction, remembering the non-verbal communication skills of body language with the use of eye-contact and voice inflection, credibility with the use of cited referenced resources incorporated into my speech, knowing my audience and delivering the material appropriate to my audience, the effect use of visual aid and properly informing my audience that my communication is coming to its conclusion. The portfolio project from PHIL250 (Practices Reasoning and Thinking) research paper on Same-Sex Marriages helped me to demonstrate my ability to take a controversial subject and effectively use the skills of inductive and deductive reasoning to competently argue my position; making sure to avoid fallacies in my writing to further enhance the credibility of my argument and writing skills.

The skills of oral and written communication are valued and needed in my career goal of a Forensic Accountant. The use of oral communication skills will be needed when testifying in a court of law as to my investigation findings on a financial fraud case. The same holds true for written communication as I must be able to write my investigation report that chronologically outline the fraud investigation case that is logical and well organized.

Quantitative Skills

The quantitative skills of math proficiency are prevalent throughout my degree program of accounting. I say this because all mathematical computations located on the Excel spreadsheets are completed using learned math skills of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with some use of a calculator. The portfolio project of ACCT110, ACCT120, ACCT130 (income tax return preparation), demonstrates this ability.

As I have progressed into my accounting career, I have learned to use more complex algebraic equations to complete budget forecasting as learned in Financial Analysis (ACCT220) and my portfolio project on Financial Statements Analysis and Pro Forma Income Statement. The mathematical computations required the knowledge of ratios and the use of present and future value calculations to determine business profitability.

The math skills that I have learned, completing these courses have allowed me to transfer them into my personal and professional environment. For instance, utilizing the time value of money allows me to choose the options of installment payments as opposed to lump sum payment when playing the mega million lotteries. This same learned skill can be used in a workforce setting when completing the numbers to determine the cost effectiveness and feasibility to take on a new investment or project.

Reflection

When I reflect back on my degree program, I am especially proud of my ACCT110, ACCT120 and ACCT220 portfolio projects. Completing these projects afforded me the opportunity to record, analyze, and interpret the data in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Upon preparing the financial statements, it allowed me to interpret the data and report the financial health of the firm. After interpreting the data and creating the report it can then be used to make the best financial decision for the firm.

The ACCT120 portfolio project allowed me to really showcase my knowledge and basic accounting skills of which was taken to another level. It shows my ability to work with subsidiary accounts, schedules, general ledgers and such. It demonstrates my ability to handle a more complex accounting system of a manufacturing firm. On the other hand, my ACCT230 portfolio project gave me a different perspective on a manufacturing accounting system with it use of T-Accounts. The T-Accounts helped with a better understanding of the process flow. Furthermore, its use allowed for the ease of preparing and analyzing the data needed to prepare job costing sheets, the material ledger, and the material summary report. The data information was then used to prepare the financial statements of Cost of Goods Manufactured which helped prepared the Income Statement and Balance Sheet.

Portfolio Project Evidence

The accounting courses and portfolio projects of ACCT110 (Accounting Principle I), ACCT220 (Financial Analysis) and ACCT230 (Cost Accounting), all are evidence of my knowledge and understanding of preparing accounting reports for internal and external users.

The ACCT110 project accounting report shows my ability to interpret the data to report on the firm’s overall strengths and weaknesses with recommendations for short-term and long-term goals. The ACCT220 project accounting report shows my ability to interpret the data that is used by the company’s decision makers to decision the implementation of a new clothing line using sales projections. Although the ACCT230 project does not have a formal accounting report; however, the workbooks can be used to give an accurate reporting of the materials used to complete a job, what job is still in process, materials on hand, etc.

Evidence of Analyzing and Interpreting Financial Statements

I am able to evidence that I have gained the ability to analyze and interpret financial reports to assists users in the management decision-making process through the portfolio projects of ACCT110 and ACCT220.

The ACCT110 evidence this ability with reporting on the firm’s overall financial position. Through this report I was able to point out the firms strengths that showed their ability to meet any short-term obligations with its cash assets. The report also pointed out the company’s future growth potential. To the contrary it also recognized the company’s weaknesses and provided recommendations on where the company can do better go forward.

The ACCT220 project evidences this ability through the report of project sales figures to decision the implementation of a new clothing line. The preparation of the analysis report pointed out the company’s poor sales performance that resulted in a decline in the inventory and accounts receivable turnover. The report also pointed out the potential risk of taking on a new product line that will increase overall expenses and the profits that it can potentially yield may not be adequate to finance the asset growth. This may result in creating a credit obligation to suppliers, credit lender (bank), or the stockholders (through retained earnings).

Information Technology to complete Accounting functions