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  • Accounting Essays

Accounting Essays (Examples)

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Accounting in australia accounting basically incorporates the.

Accounting in Australia: Accounting basically incorporates the recording of events as well as the organization and detailing results, which is the main medium in discharging accountability. Accounting has developed to become an important element of the business fabric and economic development of a country and its organizations and institutions. This element has developed as a profession and business practice that is closely linked with the considerable economic development in Australia for more than two centuries. Currently, the regulatory framework in Australia is characterized by various regulatory agencies since there is no single organization that is responsible for setting standards for the accounting profession in Australia. There are claims that the current system of setting standards for accounting in the country is over-regulated. egulation of Accounting: Similar to other professions, the accounting profession is described by the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and ethics of the professionals in the field. Therefore, the regulation of this profession….

References:

Australian Government -- The Treasury (n.d.), Self-regulation of the Accounting Profession,

Australian Government -- The Treasury, viewed 21 March 2012,

Gaffikin, M.J.R. (2009), Regulation as Accounting Theory, University of Wollongong, viewed

21 March 2012,

Accounting and the Public Interest The Accounting

Accounting and the Public Interest: The accounting profession is not only an integral aspect of the society but it also plays a critical role in the nation and the corporate sector. As a result, this profession is expected to serve or contribute towards the public interest. The ability of the accounting profession to contribute towards the public interest is determined in the context of its standard setting process and legislation. In this case, the public interest is described as the net benefits developed for, and practically used on behalf of, every society with regards to any decision, action, or policy ("A Definition of Public Interest," 2012). The term public is basically inclusive of each society through identification of broad groups and how they are affected by the accountancy profession. On the other hand, interests are considered as benefits that should be accomplished from the responsibilities of this profession and the identification….

"A Definition of the Public Interest." (2012, June). IFAC Policy Position 5. Retrieved April 14,

2013, from  http://www.ifac.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/PPP%205%20 (2).pdf

Kaidonis, M. (2008). The Accounting Profession: Serving the Public Interest or Capital Interest?

Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal, 2(4)1-5. Retrieved from  http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=aabfj

Accounting in Just About Any Part of

Accounting In just about any part of the world, accrual accounting is preferred by government over cash accounting, for several good reasons. To understand these reasons, the first step is to understand what the difference is between accrual accounting and cash accounting. Cash accounting is a standard form of accounting for very small businesses and for households, where the entire basis of accounting is the cash flows in and out. Under the cash method, income is not counted until the cash is received, and expenses are not recorded until the cash goes out (Fishman, 2013). This principle treats cash flow as the only thing that matters. It is often used by very small businesses because it mirrors their daily reality -- cash is the only thing that really matters. Accrual accounting is based on a different principle altogether. Accrual accounting is based on the idea that transactions are recorded when they occur,….

Works Cited:

Fishman, S. (2013). Cash vs. accrual accounting. Nolo.com. Retrieved November 4, 2013 fromhttp://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/cash-vs.-accrual-accounting-29513.html

No author. (2013). Cash vs. accrual accounting. Inc. Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2013 from  http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/04/19194.html 

SBA.gov (2013). Cash vs. accrual accounting for taxable income and expenses. U.S. Small Business Administration. Retrieved November 4, 2013 from  http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/community-blogs/small-business-cents/cash-vs.-accrual-accounting-taxable-income-and-e 

Shanker, S. (2013). Accounting methods: Cash vs. accrual. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 4, 2013 from  http://smallbusiness.chron.com/accounting-methods-cash-vs.-accrual-3732.html

Accounting Approaches Deductive vs Inductive Approaches Two

Accounting Approaches: Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches Two major divisions exist regarding the classification of accounting approaches: the inductive and deductive method. "In the deductive or judgmental approach, relevant environmental factors are identified, and, by linking these to national accounting practices, international groupings or development patterns are proposed. In the inductive or empirical approach, individual accounting practices are analyzed, development patterns or groupings are then identified, and finally explanations keyed to a variety of economic, social, political, and cultural factors are proposed" (International accounting patterns, culture, and development, 2012, Wiley: 35-36). In other words, much as in philosophy, in the deductive approach, the analysis proceeds from the general to the specific, while in the inductive approach, the classification system proceeds from the specific to the general. The first and still one of the most popular deductive methodologies was first developed in 1967 by Gerhard Mueller. Mueller identified four classifications of accounting approaches. In….

International accounting patterns, culture, and development. (2012). Wiley. Retrieved:

 http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/95/04716526/0471652695-2.pdf 

Johnson, Sarah & Marie Leone. (2008). The end of GAAP could begin next year.

CFO Magazine. Retrieved:

Accounting What Is Accounting Is a Term

Accounting What is Accounting Accounting is a term which is usually referred to when there is a formalized manner to hold an individual, firm or other organization to account. The process of accounting will usually involves the collection of data that measures or quantifies actions or transactions, to allow for an evaluation or assessment of performance. The most common type of accounting will be used to measure and quantify financial data. A comprehensive definition of accounting is provided by the American Accounting Association, where accounting is defined as "the process of identifying, measuring and communicating economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by the users of that information" (p.1). The definition by the American Accounting Association provides for three main activities to be undertaken when accounting takes place; the identification of the relevant information, the measurement of the data and then the communication to those may wish to use the information (Porter….

American Accounting Association, (1965), A Statement of Basic Theory, Evanston, American Accounting Association

Collins, B; McKeith J, (2009), Financial Accounting and Reporting, McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Elliott B, Elliott J, (2012), Financial Accounting and Reporting, London, Prentice Hall.

Porter GA; Norton, CL, (2010), Financial Accounting: The Impact on Decision Makers, South Western Educational Publishing

Accounting Systems There Are Many Ways in

Accounting Systems There are many ways in accounting to get the job done right but two basic approaches give accountants a foundation to work upon. The purpose of this essay is to examine the differences between manual and computerized accounting systems. This essay will explain the history and development of both types of systems and will break down the advantages and disadvantages of them as well. Explanation and History of the Manual ACC System Before computer technology, everything was manual. Things were done by the methods that were available at the time. Manual accounting systems are the same way and have developed in similar fashion. Manual accounting systems are methods in which each step within the accounting process is done and cycled by hand (p.302). Since computer systems are based on manual systems, these systems are the base line information that is necessary to understand the fundamentals of accounting procedures. Manual accounting is….

Weygandt, J. Kimmerl, P. Keiso, D. (2008). Accounting Principles, 9th Edition.

Accounting Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements There

Accounting Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements There are four principal qualitative characteristics that make the information provided in financial statements useful to users. These are understandability, relevance, reliability and comparability. The first section of this paper will be dedicated to explaining each of these concepts and how they relate to making financial statements more valuable for the audience. The first principal qualitative characteristic is understandability. This relates not only to the information but to the way it is presented. There are three factors in understandability -- the users' abilities, aggregation and classification of information. There are a number of different stakeholders for financial accounting data, including shareholders, potential shareholders, creditors, regulators and internal stakeholders. hile some of these groups, such as regulators and creditors, are expert in deciphering financial information, shareholders might not be (and often aren't). The information contained in financial statements is valuable to shareholders only if they can make sense….

No author. Chapter 6: The qualitative characteristics of financial information. McGraw Hill. Retrieved April 9, 2013 from  http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0077132688/936874/ch06.pdf

Accounting Earnings and Profits Earnings

This is mainly because some funds are earned over time across different transactions making them to be recorded as adjustments. In some cases, earnings are not accounted or recorded since the revenue was earned even though the cash was not received (Frenz, n.d.). During the period of accounting, accountants usually account earnings and profits in informal ledgers. This data is later transferred to informal worksheets or formal accounting statements at the end of this period when accountants close the accounts through adjusting ending balances in the informal ledgers. Some of the common earnings and profits adjustments include addition to taxable income, subtraction from taxable income, and timing adjustments. Importance of Accounting E&P: As previously mentioned, accounting earnings and profits is a challenging process despite of its importance to a company. First, it helps the company to know how much profit it has realized on every financial year hence showing the growth or….

Frenz, R. (n.d.). Adjustments to Earnings & Profits. Retrieved July 10, 2012, from  http://smallbusiness.chron.com/adjustments-earnings-profits-25202.html 

"What Are Accounting Earnings?" WiseGeek -- Clear Answers for Common Questions.

Retrieved July 10, 2012, from  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-accounting-earnings.htm

Accounting Profession in 2014 in

However, they have also changed the face of the accounting profession in a way that will affect the education and conduct of accountants in the future. In the future, the accountant will have to do more than to balance the books. In order to understand the potential educational requirements for accountants in the future, we will examine how they have changed historically and then apply the changes that have occurred due to new regulations in order to paint a picture of what the future of accountancy looks like. The profession of accounting has been around almost as long as economic trade. An intimate relationship exists between accounting, finance, and the economy. Accounting differs from bookkeeping. When one thinks of bookkeeping, it generally refers to the recording of transactions. This is where bookkeeping stops. Bookkeeping is a part of accounting, but accounting goes farther and tries to paint a picture of….

Giroux, G. (n.d.). American Big Business and Cost Accounting. In a Short History of Accounting and Business. Retrieved March 30, 2009 from http://acct.tamu.edu/giroux/history.html

The American Assembly. (2003). The Future of the Accounting Profession. 103rd American

Assembly. November 13-15, 2003. Leesburg, Virginia. Retrieved April 1, 2009 from http://www.americanassembly.org/programs.dir/report_file.dir/accounting_report_report_

file_future%20of%20the%20accounting%20profession%20report%20final.pdf

Accounting for Income Taxes the

This process has been ongoing since then. One of the major differences between the two standards is going to be that whereas GAAP emphasizes rules, the IFRS is a principle-based approach. Implementing a principles-based approach has significant implications for American tax practice. Many of the specific differences between the two systems will have a direct impact on tax practice. In IFRS, LIFO is prohibited and inventory write-downs may be reversed in certain circumstances (Gill, 2007). The impact on tax practice will be a shift in emphasis on the profession towards finding ways to leverage the looseness of the principles in IFRS to lower the entity's tax burden. The SEC announced in 2008 that IFRS could come to the U.S. As early as 2014. This move would impact on all publicly-traded U.S. firms (PriceaterhouseCoopers, 2010). Accounting firms are already preparing for this shift. The most significant implication for the industry will be….

AICPA. (2009). Summary of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. AICPA. Retrieved April 19, 2010 from http://thecaq.aicpa.org/Resources/Sarbanes+Oxley/Summary+of+the+Provisions+of+the+Sarbanes-Oxley+Act+of+2002.htm

Ciesielski, J. & Weirich, T. (2006). Ups and downs of audit fees since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The CPA Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2010 from  http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2006/1006/essentials/p28.htm 

Durst, M. (2003). "Audit" versus "non-audit" tax services under Sarbanes-Oxley. Tax Executive. Retrieved April 19, 2010 from  http://www.allbusiness.com/accounting-reporting/auditing/749044-1.html 

Gill, L. (2007). IFRS: Coming to America. Journal of Accountancy. Retrieved April 19, 2010 from  http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2007/Jun/IfrsComingToAmerica.htm

Accounting Information System Role of Relevance and

Accounting Information System: Role of Relevance and Reliability in the Conceptual Framework The development any system, whether manual or automated, requires a conceptual framework that serves as the foundation for the establishment of requirements, policies, standards and procedures. From the conceptual framework, the various applications can be developed and when these proved to be effective and efficient, best practices are established and become the model for other systems to follow. Developing an accounting information system is no different and the conceptual framework thereto requires an even more thorough understanding of what is needed and what the end state should be especially with regards to the information. The different information needs of the various decision makers results in two related, but different accounting information systems; managerial accounting and financial accounting (McMenimen 2003). ut whatever information -- or even data, gathered for the development of the conceptual framework or the whole accounting information system….

Bibliography:

Barrett, P 2004, Developments in Government Accounting and Auditing in Australia. Available from: [22 August 2011].

Bullen, H 2005, 'A new conceptual framework project'. Revisiting the Concepts. Available from:

Accounting in Crisis Between December

(Ibid.). Major Changes in the Accounting Profession The financial scandals proved to be a turning point in many ways for the accounting profession. The public outcry forced the legislatures to reexamine the regulatory environment for businesses, resulting in the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in July, 2002, which is the most significant accounting legislation since 1933. It also forced the accounting professionals and their organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to make a concerted effort at restoring their fallen reputation. One of the key lessons of the scandals was the realization that accountants and auditors could play an important role in creating an ethical business environment and promoting ethical business practices. The importance of ethics in accounting education, examinations and the licensing process is, thus, now widely recognized. For example, changes have been made in the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) exams by increasing the emphasis on….

Colson, R.H. (2002). "CPA Journal Education Forum Anticipates Future." The CPA Journal, 72 (8). 20+.

Gabbin, a.L. (2002). "The Crisis in Accounting Education; the CPA's Role in Attracting the Best and the Brightest to the Profession." Journal of Accountancy, 193(4), 81+.

The profession's reputation reached a nadir in June 2002, when a federal jury convicted Andersen, Enron's independent auditor, of obstruction of justice, and prohibited the firm from practicing before the SEC, effectively ending its audit practice

Accounting Gapp or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Accounting GAPP, or "generally accepted accounting principles," has very specific meanings for the accounting profession. Like many other fields, these are best practice principles, and they both govern the standards of accountants and guide in licensing. They were designed so that there was a more even playing field, level of transparency, and trust in the accounting industry (see, for example, www.fasab.gov/accepted.html). While not always absolutes, these types of guidelines are a template for the way in which CPAs and accounting processionals work through documents, report figures, and are responsible for the manner in which information is disclosed (for more, review the site AICPA, at www.aicpa.org). There are two different ways to look at accounting data, according to GAPP: accrual or cash. Cash Method- Cash accounting (receipts and disbursements) is a way of recording revenue when cash is received and recording expenses when they are paid. There are some advantages in using this….

Accrual Accounting. (2012). Investopedia. Retrieved from:

 http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accrualaccounting.asp#axzz1vegj0tXy 

Stickney, C.P., et.al. (2010). Financial Accounting: An Introduction. Mason, OH: South Western

Accounting Information

Accounting Information The revolution in information technology is touching every aspect of one's life. Whether one is making an airline reservation, tracking a shipment of merchandise, or accessing our account at an Automatic Teller Machine, one is relying on computerized information systems. Based on changes in which business is being conducted, the marketplace is demanding more complex, real-time financial advice and accounting services, thus presenting unlimited opportunities for accountants who specialize in information systems. All businesses, irrespective of their size, are conducting business in a world of commerce that is global, technological, and instantaneous. The leadership that businesses demand requires new insights and new skills that accountants of the new millennium are expected to provide. The accounting profession has been changing; revenues from core businesses such as auditing and accounting services have been declining, whereas revenues from consulting services have been increasing. The forces of information technology continue to produce dramatic changes. In….

Accounting Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

The balance sheet presents the three elements of financial position namely, assets, liabilities and equity. The balance sheet highlights the accounting equation which provides: Assets = Liabilities + Equity. In a balance sheet presentation, assets and liabilities are further classified into current and non-current to distinguish those used directly for operations as to those for long-term usage. An income statement is a formal statement prepared for a given period of time showing the performance of the enterprise. Performance is primarily measured in terms of the level of income earned by through the effective and efficient use of its resources. An income statement generally follows the equation: Net Sales/Revenue - Direct and Operating Expenses = Income. The Statement of Cash flow provide information about the historical changes in cash and cash equivalents which classifies cash flows during the period from operating, investing, and financing activities. For the companies Ford Motor Company,….

Bibliography

Meigs and Meigs, Accounting, the basis for Business Decisions. (McGraw-Hill International Book Company) 1982

Skousen, Stice and Stice, Intermediate Accounting (Southwestern College Publishing) 2000.

Possible Research Topics in pure Management Accounting new developments. For instance on Target costing, Activity Based Costing and Throughput Accounting.

Management accounting combines traditional accounting responsibilities with management responsibilities, which allows a company to align budgetary considerations with the people handling the money.  There are a variety of different topics in management accounting that could serve as a good springboard for research, because how it is applied can vary tremendously depending on the size, purpose, and structure of an organization.  Regardless of the approach, it is clear that management accounting has become an important component of the decision-making process in business of all sizes and that the continued evolution of this practice should results in....

Need help with essay outline on Accounting ethics

When people think of accounting , they rarely think of ethics.  While ethical guidelines are of obvious importance in other professions, they seem removed from the black and white nature of number crunching.  However, accounting ethics are of incredible importance, not only to accountants but also to their clients.  That is because when handling money there is tremendous pressure to fudge numbers, look the other way when other people are doing wrong, or even to dip your hand in the cookie jar.  This can result in a range of disastrous results, from tax problems for....

I need a thesis statement for my topic accounting ethics.

Accounting ethics are incredibly important because accountants are entrusted with handling money for individuals, businesses, and other organizations.  Unethical accountants can expose a business to financial risks and liabilities, even if their breaches of ethics do not amount to criminal behavior or involve intentional wrongdoing on the part of the accountant.  Huge financial scandals, such as Enron , could not occur without ethical breaches on the part of the accountants because the financial structure of large organizations requires at least passive participation in wrongdoing by people at the accountant level.  Accountant ethics are....

For my essay I have to discuss the President’s role in the budgetary process and policy making.

The President plays an important role in both the budgetary process and policymaking , even if the roles are less formal and direct than many people realize.  The President and his Administration help establish the priorities for the nation, which is how a President impacts policymaking.  Likewise, the President submits budget recommendations to Congress, but is not actually responsible for the budget.   The two process are similar, but different, so they will be addressed sequentially. 

The President’s role in developing the nation’s budget is dictated by statute and by precedent.  The Budget and Accounting....

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Accounting in Australia: Accounting basically incorporates the recording of events as well as the organization and detailing results, which is the main medium in discharging accountability. Accounting has developed to…

Accounting and the Public Interest: The accounting profession is not only an integral aspect of the society but it also plays a critical role in the nation and the corporate…

Accounting In just about any part of the world, accrual accounting is preferred by government over cash accounting, for several good reasons. To understand these reasons, the first step is…

Accounting Approaches: Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches Two major divisions exist regarding the classification of accounting approaches: the inductive and deductive method. "In the deductive or judgmental approach, relevant environmental factors…

Accounting What is Accounting Accounting is a term which is usually referred to when there is a formalized manner to hold an individual, firm or other organization to account. The process…

Accounting Systems There are many ways in accounting to get the job done right but two basic approaches give accountants a foundation to work upon. The purpose of this essay…

Accounting Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements There are four principal qualitative characteristics that make the information provided in financial statements useful to users. These are understandability, relevance, reliability and comparability. The…

This is mainly because some funds are earned over time across different transactions making them to be recorded as adjustments. In some cases, earnings are not accounted or…

However, they have also changed the face of the accounting profession in a way that will affect the education and conduct of accountants in the future. In the…

This process has been ongoing since then. One of the major differences between the two standards is going to be that whereas GAAP emphasizes rules, the IFRS is a…

Accounting Information System: Role of Relevance and Reliability in the Conceptual Framework The development any system, whether manual or automated, requires a conceptual framework that serves as the foundation for the…

(Ibid.). Major Changes in the Accounting Profession The financial scandals proved to be a turning point in many ways for the accounting profession. The public outcry forced the legislatures to…

Accounting GAPP, or "generally accepted accounting principles," has very specific meanings for the accounting profession. Like many other fields, these are best practice principles, and they both govern the standards…

Accounting Information The revolution in information technology is touching every aspect of one's life. Whether one is making an airline reservation, tracking a shipment of merchandise, or accessing our account…

The balance sheet presents the three elements of financial position namely, assets, liabilities and equity. The balance sheet highlights the accounting equation which provides: Assets = Liabilities +…

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7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)

In this ultimate guide, I will explain to you exactly how to write an evaluation essay.

1. What is an Evaluation Essay?

An evaluation essay should provide a critical analysis of something.

You’re literally ‘evaluating’ the thing you’re looking up.

Here’s a couple of quick definitions of what we mean by ‘evaluate’:

  • Merriam-Webster defines evaluation as: “to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study”
  • Collins Dictionary says: “If you evaluate something or someone, you consider them in order to make a judgment about them, for example about how good or bad they are.”

Here’s some synonyms for ‘evaluate’:

So, we could say that an evaluation essay should carefully examine the ‘thing’ and provide an overall judgement of it.

Here’s some common things you may be asked to write an evaluation essay on:

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Really, you can evaluate just about anything!

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2. How to write an Evaluation Essay

There are two secrets to writing a strong evaluation essay. The first is to aim for objective analysis before forming an opinion. The second is to use an evaluation criteria.

Aim to Appear Objective before giving an Evaluation Argument

Your evaluation will eventually need an argument.

The evaluation argument will show your reader what you have decided is the final value of the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating.

But in order to convince your reader that your evaluative argument is sound, you need to do some leg work.

The aim will be to show that you have provided a balanced and fair assessment before coming to your conclusion.

In order to appear balanced you should:

  • Discuss both the pros and cons of the thing
  • Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of the thing
  • Look at the thing from multiple different perspectives
  • Be both positive and critical. Don’t make it look like you’re biased towards one perspective.

In other words, give every perspective a fair hearing.

You don’t want to sound like a propagandist. You want to be seen as a fair and balanced adjudicator.

Use an Evaluation Criteria

One way to appear balanced is to use an evaluation criteria.

An evaluation criteria helps to show that you have assessed the ‘thing’ based on an objective measure.

Here’s some examples of evaluation criteria:

  • Strength under pressure
  • Longevity (ability to survive for a long time)
  • Ease of use
  • Ability to get the job done
  • Friendliness
  • Punctuality
  • Ability to predict my needs
  • Calmness under pressure
  • Attentiveness

A Bed and Breakfast

  • Breakfast options
  • Taste of food
  • Comfort of bed
  • Local attractions
  • Service from owner
  • Cleanliness

We can use evaluation criteria to frame out ability to conduct the analysis fairly.

This is especially true for if you have to evaluate multiple different ‘things’. For example, if you’re evaluating three novels, you want to be able to show that you applied the same ‘test’ on all three books!

This will show that you gave each ‘thing’ a fair chance and looked at the same elements for each.

3. How to come up with an Evaluation Argument

After you have:

  • Looked at both good and bad elements of the ‘thing’, and
  • Used an evaluation criteria

You’ll then need to develop an evaluative argument. This argument shows your own overall perspective on the ‘thing’.

Remember, you will need to show your final evaluative argument is backed by objective analysis. You need to do it in order!

Analyze first. Evaluate second.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say you’re evaluating the quality of a meal.

You might say:

  • A strength of the meal was its presentation. It was well presented and looked enticing to eat.
  • A weakness of the meal was that it was overcooked. This decreased its flavor.
  • The meal was given a low rating on ‘cost’ because it was more expensive than the other comparative meals on the menu.
  • The meal was given a high rating on ‘creativity’. It was a meal that involved a thoughtful and inventive mix of ingredients.

Now that you’ve looked at some pros and cons and measured the meal based on a few criteria points (like cost and creativity), you’ll be able to come up with a final argument:

  • Overall, the meal was good enough for a middle-tier restaurant but would not be considered a high-class meal. There is a lot of room for improvement if the chef wants to win any local cooking awards.

Evaluative terms that you might want to use for this final evaluation argument might include:

  • All things considered
  • With all key points in mind

4. Evaluation Essay Outline (with Examples)

Okay, so now you know what to do, let’s have a go at creating an outline for your evaluation essay!

Here’s what I recommend:

4.1 How to Write your Introduction

In the introduction, feel free to use my 5-Step INTRO method . It’ll be an introduction just like any other essay introduction .

And yes, feel free to explain what the final evaluation will be.

So, here it is laid out nice and simple.

Write one sentence for each point to make a 5-sentence introduction:

  • Interest: Make a statement about the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating that you think will be of interest to the reader. Make it a catchy, engaging point that draws the reader in!
  • Notify: Notify the reader of any background info on the thing you’re evaluating. This is your chance to show your depth of knowledge. What is a historical fact about the ‘thing’?
  • Translate: Re-state the essay question. For an evaluative essay, you can re-state it something like: “This essay evaluates the book/ product/ article/ etc. by looking at its strengths and weaknesses and compares it against a marking criteria”.
  • Report: Say what your final evaluation will be. For example you can say “While there are some weaknesses in this book, overall this evaluative essay will show that it helps progress knowledge about Dinosaurs.”
  • Outline: Simply give a clear overview of what will be discussed. For example, you can say: “Firstly, the essay will evaluate the product based on an objective criteria. This criteria will include its value for money, fit for purpose and ease of use. Next, the essay will show the main strengths and weaknesses of the product. Lastly, the essay will provide a final evaluative statement about the product’s overall value and worth.”

If you want more depth on how to use the INTRO method, you’ll need to go and check out our blog post on writing quality introductions.

4.2 Example Introduction

This example introduction is for the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society.

“Facebook is the third most visited website in the world. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg in his college dorm. This essay evaluates the impact of Facebook on society and makes an objective judgement on its value. The essay will argue that Facebook has changed the world both for the better and worse. Firstly, it will give an overview of what Facebook is and its history. Then, it will examine Facebook on the criteria of: impact on social interactions, impact on the media landscape, and impact on politics.”

You’ll notice that each sentence in this introduction follows my 5-Step INTRO formula to create a clear, coherent 5-Step introduction.

4.3 How to Write your Body Paragraphs

The first body paragraph should give an overview of the ‘thing’ being evaluated.

Then, you should evaluate the pros and cons of the ‘thing’ being evaluated based upon the criteria you have developed for evaluating it.

Let’s take a look below.

4.4 First Body Paragraph: Overview of your Subject

This first paragraph should provide objective overview of your subject’s properties and history. You should not be doing any evaluating just yet.

The goal for this first paragraph is to ensure your reader knows what it is you’re evaluating. Secondarily, it should show your marker that you have developed some good knowledge about it.

If you need to use more than one paragraph to give an overview of the subject, that’s fine.

Similarly, if your essay word length needs to be quite long, feel free to spend several paragraphs exploring the subject’s background and objective details to show off your depth of knowledge for the marker.

4.5 First Body Paragraph Example

Sticking with the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society , this might be your paragraph:

“Facebook has been one of the most successful websites of all time. It is the website that dominated the ‘Web 2.0’ revolution, which was characterized by user two-way interaction with the web. Facebook allowed users to create their own personal profiles and invite their friends to follow along. Since 2004, Facebook has attracted more than one billion people to create profiles in order to share their opinions and keep in touch with their friends.”

Notice here that I haven’t yet made any evaluations of Facebook’s merits?

This first paragraph (or, if need be, several of them) should be all about showing the reader exactly what your subject is – no more, no less.

4.6 Evaluation Paragraphs: Second, Third, Forth and Fifth Body Paragraphs

Once you’re confident your reader will know what the subject that you’re evaluating is, you’ll need to move on to the actual evaluation.

For this step, you’ll need to dig up that evaluation criteria we talked about in Point 2.

For example, let’s say you’re evaluating a President of the United States.

Your evaluation criteria might be:

  • Impact on world history
  • Ability to pass legislation
  • Popularity with voters
  • Morals and ethics
  • Ability to change lives for the better

Really, you could make up any evaluation criteria you want!

Once you’ve made up the evaluation criteria, you’ve got your evaluation paragraph ideas!

Simply turn each point in your evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

How do you do this?

Well, start with a topic sentence.

For the criteria point ‘Impact on world history’ you can say something like: “Barack Obama’s impact on world history is mixed.”

This topic sentence will show that you’ll evaluate both pros and cons of Obama’s impact on world history in the paragraph.

Then, follow it up with explanations.

“While Obama campaigned to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, he was unable to completely achieve this objective. This is an obvious negative for his impact on the world. However, as the first black man to lead the most powerful nation on earth, he will forever be remembered as a living milestone for civil rights and progress.”

Keep going, turning each evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

4.7 Evaluation Paragraph Example

Let’s go back to our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

I’ve decided to use the evaluation criteria below:

  • impact on social interactions;
  • impact on the media landscape;
  • impact on politics

Naturally, I’m going to write one paragraph for each point.

If you’re expected to write a longer piece, you could write two paragraphs on each point (one for pros and one for cons).

Here’s what my first evaluation paragraph might look like:

“Facebook has had a profound impact on social interactions. It has helped people to stay in touch with one another from long distances and after they have left school and college. This is obviously a great positive. However, it can also be seen as having a negative impact. For example, people may be less likely to interact face-to-face because they are ‘hanging out’ online instead. This can have negative impact on genuine one-to-one relationships.”

You might notice that this paragraph has a topic sentence, explanations and examples. It follows my perfect paragraph formula which you’re more than welcome to check out!

4.8 How to write your Conclusion

To conclude, you’ll need to come up with one final evaluative argument.

This evaluation argument provides an overall assessment. You can start with “Overall, Facebook has been…” and continue by saying that (all things considered) he was a good or bad president!

Remember, you can only come up with an overall evaluation after you’ve looked at the subject’s pros and cons based upon your evaluation criteria.

In the example below, I’m going to use my 5 C’s conclusion paragraph method . This will make sure my conclusion covers all the things a good conclusion should cover!

Like the INTRO method, the 5 C’s conclusion method should have one sentence for each point to create a 5 sentence conclusion paragraph.

The 5 C’s conclusion method is:

  • Close the loop: Return to a statement you made in the introduction.
  • Conclude: Show what your final position is.
  • Clarify: Clarify how your final position is relevant to the Essay Question.
  • Concern: Explain who should be concerned by your findings.
  • Consequences: End by noting in one final, engaging sentence why this topic is of such importance. The ‘concern’ and ‘consequences’ sentences can be combined

4.9 Concluding Argument Example Paragraph

Here’s a possible concluding argument for our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

“The introduction of this essay highlighted that Facebook has had a profound impact on society. This evaluation essay has shown that this impact has been both positive and negative. Thus, it is too soon to say whether Facebook has been an overall positive or negative for society. However, people should pay close attention to this issue because it is possible that Facebook is contributing to the undermining of truth in media and positive interpersonal relationships.”

Note here that I’ve followed the 5 C’s conclusion method for my concluding evaluative argument paragraph.

5. Evaluation Essay Example Template

Below is a template you can use for your evaluation essay , based upon the advice I gave in Section 4:

6. 23+ Good Evaluation Essay Topics

Okay now that you know how to write an evaluation essay, let’s look at a few examples.

For each example I’m going to give you an evaluation essay title idea, plus a list of criteria you might want to use in your evaluation essay.

6.1 Evaluation of Impact

  • Evaluate the impact of global warming on the great barrier reef. Recommended evaluation criteria: Level of bleaching; Impact on tourism; Economic impact; Impact on lifestyles; Impact on sealife
  • Evaluate the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on poverty. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on jobs; Impact on childhood poverty; Impact on mental health rates; Impact on economic growth; Impact on the wealthy; Global impact
  • Evaluate the impact of having children on your lifestyle. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on spare time; Impact on finances; Impact on happiness; Impact on sense of wellbeing
  • Evaluate the impact of the internet on the world. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on connectedness; Impact on dating; Impact on business integration; Impact on globalization; Impact on media
  • Evaluate the impact of public transportation on cities. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on cost of living; Impact on congestion; Impact on quality of life; Impact on health; Impact on economy
  • Evaluate the impact of universal healthcare on quality of life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on reducing disease rates; Impact on the poorest in society; Impact on life expectancy; Impact on happiness
  • Evaluate the impact of getting a college degree on a person’s life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on debt levels; Impact on career prospects; Impact on life perspectives; Impact on relationships

6.2 Evaluation of a Scholarly Text or Theory

  • Evaluate a Textbook. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of explanations; relevance to a course; value for money; practical advice; depth and detail; breadth of information
  • Evaluate a Lecture Series, Podcast or Guest Lecture. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of speaker; engagement of attendees; appropriateness of content; value for monet
  • Evaluate a journal article. Recommended evaluation criteria: length; clarity; quality of methodology; quality of literature review ; relevance of findings for real life
  • Evaluate a Famous Scientists. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to scientific knowledge; impact on health and prosperity of humankind; controversies and disagreements with other scientists.
  • Evaluate a Theory. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to knowledge; reliability or accuracy; impact on the lives of ordinary people; controversies and contradictions with other theories.

6.3 Evaluation of Art and Literature

  • Evaluate a Novel. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
  • Evaluate a Play. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
  • Evaluate a Film. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
  • Evaluate an Artwork. Recommended evaluation criteria: impact on art theory; moral or social message; complexity or quality of composition

6.4 Evaluation of a Product or Service

  • Evaluate a Hotel or Bed and Breakfast. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; flexibility of check-in and check-out times; cleanliness; location; value for money; wi-fi strength; noise levels at night; quality of meals; value for money
  • Evaluate a Restaurant. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; menu choices; cleanliness; atmosphere; taste; value for money.
  • Evaluate a Car. Recommended evaluation criteria: fuel efficiency; value for money; build quality; likelihood to break down; comfort.
  • Evaluate a House. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; build quality; roominess; location; access to public transport; quality of neighbourhood
  • Evaluate a Doctor. Recommended evaluation criteria: Quality of service; knowledge; quality of equipment; reputation; value for money.
  • Evaluate a Course. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; practical advice; quality of teaching; quality of resources provided.

7. Concluding Advice

how to write an evaluation essay

Evaluation essays are common in high school, college and university.

The trick for getting good marks in an evaluation essay is to show you have looked at both the pros and cons before making a final evaluation analysis statement.

You don’t want to look biased.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use an objective evaluation criteria, and to be generous in looking at both positives and negatives of your subject.

Read Also: 39 Better Ways to Write ‘In Conclusion’ in an Essay

I recommend you use the evaluation template provided in this post to write your evaluation essay. However, if your teacher has given you a template, of course use theirs instead! You always want to follow your teacher’s advice because they’re the person who will be marking your work.

Good luck with your evaluation essay!

Chris

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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2 thoughts on “7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)”

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What an amazing article. I am returning to studying after several years and was struggling with how to present an evaluative essay. This article has simplified the process and provided me with the confidence to tackle my subject (theoretical approaches to development and management of teams).

I just wanted to ask whether the evaluation criteria has to be supported by evidence or can it just be a list of criteria that you think of yourself to objectively measure?

Many many thanks for writing this!

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Usually we would want to see evidence, but ask your teacher for what they’re looking for as they may allow you, depending on the situation.

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An evaluation of "essays on disclosure" and the disclosure literature in accounting

  • Accounting Information and Management

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

This is a critique of "Essays on Disclosure" and the literature reviewed in "Essays". The critique evaluates "Essays" in terms of its coverage of the relevant literature, its insightfulness, and its boldness in identifying future research areas. It also provides commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of several popular models in the literature. It concludes with a discussion of recent trends in the disclosure literature.

  • Analytical models in accounting
  • Disclosures
  • Models of financial markets

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Economics and Econometrics

Access to Document

  • 10.1016/S0165-4101(01)00024-6

Other files and links

  • Link to publication in Scopus
  • Link to the citations in Scopus

Fingerprint

  • evaluation INIS 100%
  • accounting INIS 100%
  • Accounting Economics, Econometrics and Finance 100%

T1 - An evaluation of "essays on disclosure" and the disclosure literature in accounting

AU - Dye, Ronald A.

N1 - Funding Information: This evaluation was prepared at the invitation of the editors of the Journal of Accounting and Economics for their Spring 2000 Conference. I wish to thank the editors for this opportunity and the Accounting Research Center at Northwestern University for financial support. I also want to thank Stephen Brown, Joel Demski, Mark Finn, Michael Fishman, Chandra Kanodia, Thomas Lys, Robert Magee, Sri Sridhar, Robert Verrecchia, Ross Watts, and Gregory Waymire for their comments on previous drafts of manuscript. Of course, all statements in this critique constitute my personal opinions. I visited the Goizueta Business School at Emory University while preparing the second draft of this critique. I wish to thank the Goizueta faculty and administration for their hospitality during my visit.

PY - 2001/12

Y1 - 2001/12

N2 - This is a critique of "Essays on Disclosure" and the literature reviewed in "Essays". The critique evaluates "Essays" in terms of its coverage of the relevant literature, its insightfulness, and its boldness in identifying future research areas. It also provides commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of several popular models in the literature. It concludes with a discussion of recent trends in the disclosure literature.

AB - This is a critique of "Essays on Disclosure" and the literature reviewed in "Essays". The critique evaluates "Essays" in terms of its coverage of the relevant literature, its insightfulness, and its boldness in identifying future research areas. It also provides commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of several popular models in the literature. It concludes with a discussion of recent trends in the disclosure literature.

KW - Analytical models in accounting

KW - Disclosures

KW - Models of financial markets

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0042868548&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0042868548&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/S0165-4101(01)00024-6

DO - 10.1016/S0165-4101(01)00024-6

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:0042868548

SN - 0165-4101

JO - Journal of Accounting and Economics

JF - Journal of Accounting and Economics

How to write an Accounting Essay

The complete guide to writing a 2:1 standard university essay.

The most important aspect of writing an accounting essay or report is that the content must be informative and factually accurate; to ensure that opinions are supported by facts and figures in accordance with latest financial reporting standards and the piece considers all points of views. The layout and presentation is also critical in writing a good accountancy essay. The inclusion of an introduction to launch the essay is important for two reasons, firstly to address the topic and secondly to identify the audience before embarking on any written exercise, the writer must have it clear in his or her own mind who they are writing for, hence, consideration for your audiences level of accountancy knowledge. Also the essay needs to offer an objective conclusion in ensuring that the essay has addressed the accountancy question posed.

Useful info: You can always order accounting coursework help !

Step One: Introduction

Before commencing to answer the specific accounting question set for any given essay, the writer must establish a clear understanding of the question being addressed, he or she must outline for the audience the question being addressed in the essay and also underline the objectives of the essay, what is it that you are trying to reach a conclusion for? This is a vital part of any academic essay writing, as this will outline the end goal of your essay.

Step Two: Structure and Resource Planning

Once the writer has established a clear understanding of the question to be addressed within the essay, the next step is to ensure that a structured approach is undertaken in writing the accounting essay. A clear and concise essay plan will ensure that all relevant subject areas, including appropriate Financial Reporting Standards (FRS’s), Accounting concepts and current developments in International Accounting Standards (IAS’s) relevant to the essay topic are all referred and referenced to in answering the question posed at the introduction stage.

At this stage, the writer must also decide what resources will be required in terms of academic journals, technical accountancy publications, library databases, primary and secondary research and the internet (e-books and accountancy research websites). The aim of the research is to compile a list of referencing material from accountancy scholars and researchers in order to back up views and opinions expressed within the essay. The number of references to use will depend on the length and the nature of the essay. In writing an accountancy essay one will often have to use research conducted by others, as it is often not feasible to conduct primary research. Therefore, references to work carried out by others is appropriate within an accounting essay, but the writer must ensure that he or she uses the material so that it adds value to the essay, hence, supports or challenges a particular accounting concept or FRS.

Brainstorming at this stage can also provide the writer with valuable information and ideas for the write my essay .

Step Three: Inclusion of Calculations/Analysis

This section can be particularly important for writing an accountancy essay, as the nature of the subject area will more than likely require the use of example calculations, in order to analyse different accounting treatments being discussed, hence, treatment of intangible none purchased goodwill. The inclusion of calculations, figures, chats and graphs should only be considered if the writer feels it’s appropriate for the subject area and its inclusion will add value to the essay. However, it is important to be mindful of that fact that not all accounting subject areas will require the use of numbers, as on occasions the essay may need the writer to simply discuss and understand fundamental accounting concepts.

Useful info: Order papers for sale and enjoy your free time!

Step Four: Conclusion and Recommendations

This final section of the essay is important in answering the overall question posed at the start. This section must ensure that it summaries the discussions undertaken in the main body of the essay, and also highlight the results of any analysis or calculations that was undertaken. This section should not only be used to outline the findings or the conclusion but also should be used to express the writers own opinions and recommendations, both in terms of the question being addressed and suggestions for further research and investigations into the subject area. Accounting essays can often be an evaluation, which means that there is no correct answer or conclusion. Therefore, differing school of thoughts will exist, so when having to conclude an evaluation essay the writer needs to be mindful of this fact, and consider all points of views.

Useful info: You can always pay for essay and get the perfect result!

Other Considerations

When undertaking an accounting essay it is vital to ensure that appropriate level of language is being used, this is key to not only accounting essays but also appropriate for business writing. As the use of inappropriate level of language will result in lack of appeal to the reader, for example, an accountancy essay which is explaining the benefits of understanding accounts for none finance managers will require the use of simple, clear and concise language. The essay should be written in basic language without the use of complex accountancy terminology. Whereas, when discussing the appropriate methods of valuation for financial derivatives, the writer must assume a high level of accountancy knowledge and use appropriate terminology and acronyms.

Once the draft essay has been completed the writer must carry out proofreading, this will serve both as an editing exercise, in terms of content and context, to ensure all work has been appropriately referenced (Harvard referencing is commonly used in business writing) and also ensure correct use of spelling and grammar. Proofreading will also serve as an instrument of checking that the essay has successfully answered the objective of the essay as outlined in the introduction. This is also guard against none value added paragraphs included within the essay, this can transpire in essays with lengthy word limits, where the writer is likely to be writing to fulfill the word limit requirement without adding any value to the content. This is important to avoid in accountancy essays to ensure that a clear and concise piece of work is produced.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Accounting — Evaluation of the Impact of the Accounting Cycle in a Company

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Evaluation of The Impact of The Accounting Cycle in a Company

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accounting evaluation essays

Accounts Receivable and Credit Evaluation Essay

Introduction, notes receivable and their differences, how creditors extend credits to their customers, process of credit evaluation, allowance for doubtful accounts.

Accounts receivable is defined as a record or asset on the balance sheet that represents the existing amounts due to the chosen business (Viney & Phillips, 2015). This term is usually shortened to “receivables” (Kennon, 2017). It represents all money that may be owned by customers to a company regarding products or services. Still, the payment on these products or services is not received at the moment.

In addition to receivables, companies and customers have to recognize notes receivable. This note is a kind of a promise given in a written form according to which certain cash should be sent from one party to another in the future. In some cases, overdue accounts receivable may be converted into such notes so that a debtor can have more time to pay for products or services offered (“Notes receivable accounting,” 2017). However, it is impossible to convert notes into accounts. In addition, notes receivable require a formal instrument that may be used as proof of the debt. Accounts are mentioned on a balance sheet, and notes are separate legal documents.

The extension of credit to customers is a crucial step in any business relationships and operations. It is not enough to ask for an extension or have enough reasons for it. It is necessary to understand when creditors may give this extension and when the situation does not allow taking this step. Certain considerations should be identified before extending credit to a customer, including the evaluation of the worthiness of credit to the customer and the business, the identification of such factors as liquidity and the presence/absence of collateral, and the ability to repay (“Considerations before extending credit to a customer or client,” n.d.).

Credit extension also depends on such factors as possible risks, the existing policies, and review of credit history with the help of which it is possible to identify credit limits and consider customers’ requests (Carbajo, n.d.). Each customer is free to introduce personal reasons, explanations, and promises to prove the appropriateness of an extension.

Credit evaluation is an important business process in terms of which a customer is proved to be eligible for a loan and payment for goods or services in a certain, extended period of time. As a rule, credit managers have to take several steps to evaluate new customers and understanding their credit abilities. The main steps include the identification of creditworthiness when a moral character of a creditor should be evaluated (“Credit evaluation and approval,” n.d.).

Then, loan size and frequency of credit requests should be identified. Finally, social considerations should be gathered to understand if customers are connected with some risks or social projects. Finally, it is necessary to learn that every approval and evaluation procedure may have some new characteristics in new organizations. Therefore, it is wrong to follow and use one certain plan. Certain corrections and adjustments are possible.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is defined as a balance sheet account with the help of which it is possible to reduce the amount of the already reported accounts receivable. It is a possibility to introduce a clear picture of how accounts can be turned into cash with time. It is usually introduced as a contra asset account because of a reduction of the total amount of accounts that the company has on its balance sheet.

For example, the company cooperates with more than 10,000 customers and states sales in more than $1,000,000. It is hard to make sure how many customers may default. Therefore, 1% is defined as bad debt. So that $100,000 is used as a credit to the allowance for doubtful accounts and reserved. Another example may be observed while developing a weekly financial statement when the company indicates that 0.1% of its sales can hardly be collected during this period and doubtful accounts are allowed.

Carbajo, M. (n.d.). Factors to consider before extending credit to customers . AllBusiness. Web.

Considerations before extending credit to a customer or client. (n.d.). Web.

Credit evaluation and approval . (n.d.). Web.

Kennon, J. (2017). Accounts receivable on the balance sheet . The Balance. Web.

Notes receivable accounting . (2017). Web.

Viney, C., & Phillips, P. (2015). Financial institutions, instruments and markets (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

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Accounting as a Tool for Management Performance Evaluation

Introduction, how accounting information can help in decision making, accounting information and internal performance evaluation.

There is a need to have some accounting knowledge as long as one is a manager of a given organization since the knowledge helps in management and performance evaluation. Knowledge in accounting is important for managers, regardless of whether one is an accountant or not. Accounting deals with the preparation and presentation of organizational financial records. These are records that give an indication of the way an organization is performing. In turn, the performance of the organization influences the decisions that managers make. For instance, managers should make decisions that counter the trend of below-par performance. On the other hand, managers should make decisions that maintain good performance and ensure performance better (Barnett 39).

Accounting knowledge is very useful for managers in the course of executing their mandate. Managers have to read and understand financial statements prior to making investment decisions. Managers need to have some accounting knowledge for them to better understand accounting language and the implications of financial statements for the organization. Such managers are most likely to make good decisions that have a positive impact on organizational performance. It is worth noting that every organization, whether profit-making or non-profit making, strives to become the best among its competitors. Therefore, making good decisions is an important factor in this course. Accounting has various sections, and the most important section that helps managers in decision-making is management accounting. Management accounting uses tools that help in providing necessary information to managers, thereby helping them perform managerial duties. Among the tools that are used in management accounting include analysis of financial statements, cash flow analysis, budgetary control, costing techniques, management reporting, and statistical research techniques among others (Bhattacharyya 7). This is a research paper that will focus on the ways accounting is used as a tool for management performance evaluation.

Decision-making is the most important activity for any organization. Making decisions is the duty of various members of the organization. However, managers are mainly given the responsibility of making decisions in most organizations. The decisions they make, in one way or the other, have an impact on organizational performance. Therefore, the decisions being made must be informed. Managers need to assess various sources of information for them to be able to make the right decisions that will impact the organization positively (Barnett 39). One of the most important sources of information that can influence some of the most significant decisions in an organization is accounting. Accounting information is very important when it comes to business decision-making. It represents the financial transactions that have been made by an organization over a given period of time, which is usually at least one financial year. Almost all organizations present financial statements as the standard form of financial information. These statements have information that relates to sales made during a certain period, operating costs and expenses incurred, assets and liabilities of the organization, as well as sources of finance and equity information. This is the information that managers need mostly to make decisions regarding the performance of the organization.

People need sufficient information for them to make decisions in an organization. It, therefore, follows that accounting provides competent information that can be used and be relied upon in decision making. As mentioned earlier in this article, accounting plays an important role in measuring activities that take place within an organization and then communicates the same to appropriate parties. It is important to note that not all accounting information can be used in decision-making. Therefore, it is important to understand the business activities measured in accounting that can be used in decision-making. First, financing activities should be measured since they give information on the amount of money that the organization has and can invest. Financing activities are external sources of funding that the organization can access. When getting finances for an organization, managers have to find the cheapest source and a source that has the least risks (Bhattacharyya 7).

Basically, there are two major sources of finance for any organization. The first source is the owners’ investment funds. This is an internal source of finance. The owners are also shareholders who contribute their money towards the investment activities of the business. Other internal sources are retained earnings. These are arguably the cheapest sources of finance. However, a start-up company does not have any retained earnings. On the other hand, the amount of retained earnings available highly depends on the performance of the organization. If the organization has been performing poorly, then the amount of retained earnings will be little and insufficient to finance the operations of the firm. Another factor that is likely to affect the amount of money available as retained earnings is dividend policy. Fewer amounts will be available for financing the business when more dividends are paid to shareholders. This is likely to affect decisions made by the organization regarding the dividend policy. Management accountants will need to have all this information while making decisions on activities that the organization will engage in, as well as the type of investment projects to be spent on (Bhattacharyya 7). In addition, this information might be important in preparing organizational budgets and performance projections.

The second source of finance is through creditors and banks. These are external sources of finance. Creditors lend money to organizations. Creditors may include debenture holders, among others. Organizations get loans from banks in most cases. Loans are either long-term or short-term, and they have different costs depending on the bank from which the loans are sourced. External sources of finance are relatively costly compared to internal sources. This means that managers need to get the detailed information regarding external sources of finance. If the source of finance is too costly, it reduces the number of profits since the level of expenses becomes high. Managers should also consider the risks involved in various sources of finance. The organization can make an investment once it gets the money (Bhattacharyya 7).

The second activity that is measured entails investment activities. This measure calls for a very informed decision since it is what determines the success or failure of an organization. Managers have to make decisions on investment activities that present the best opportunities for the organization. Investment activities include buying and selling of resources. They could be long-term resources or short-term resources. Assets such as land and machinery are regarded as long-term resources for the firm. Buildings also fall in the category of long-term resources. Resources that are involved in the daily operations of the company are known as short-term resources. Stock is one of the many short-term resources. The organization ends up performing dismally if the wrong decisions are made regarding investment activities. The choice of investment, therefore, becomes the most critical decision for managers (Bhattacharyya 8). Once the investment decision has been made, the management decides on the operating activities that now involve the day-to-day activities that are carried out in the organization. These include transactions that go on to generate income. It is at this point that managers make decisions regarding strategies that can be used to maximize competitive advantage for the organization. The business environment today is highly competitive; therefore, the best decisions have to be made regarding operating activities. Providing quality products and services to customers is one major decision that should be made. Others decisions include determining costs, such as advertising costs, utilities, wages, rent, utilities, and other operating expenses. All this information can be sourced from financial statements. This makes accounting very important when it comes to decision-making and measuring performance evaluation for organizations.

Most business organizations, especially companies, are required by the law to prepare financial statements after every financial year. The information in these financial statements can be used in conducting an empirical examination and comparison between the accounting-based performance and the decisions made by lower level, as well as top managers (Drury 399). For instance, manager turnover is usually high when performance is low. On the other hand, manager turnover is low and promotions are more when the performance of the company is good. Companies are owned by shareholders. Shareholders contribute capital for investment. Shareholders also hire managers to manage the capital and make relevant decisions in order to maximize the level of profits made by the company. It is important to note that the main objective of shareholders is to maximize their wealth. Therefore, the role of managers is to ensure that the company engages in activities that maximize shareholders’ wealth. It follows that shareholders might reach a decision of firing managers if managers make decisions that result in poor performance of the company. Thus, poor decisions can be associated with high managers’ turnover. On the other hand, managers are likely to get promotions, especially if they are lower-level managers if they make decisions that result in good organizational performance.

Various challenges face the process of determining the performance of managers. It is, especially, more challenging to measure the performance of lower-level managers. It is important to observe and understand the subunits of the firm through observing market values for a more reliable measure to be conducted. Generating information regarding the way subunits are performing is a major role that should be done by internal accountants. Therefore, the internal accounting system should be designed in a manner that generates relevant information on this performance. Unfortunately, most organizations tend to overlook the role of internal accounting systems in generating this information. Instead, most firms focus more on the performance of top managers. The performance of top managers is usually judged by the general performance of the organization as a whole. However, the general performance of the organization is highly dependent on the subunits’ performance. Management accounting information from various departments, which are also the subunits of the organization, is what provides the most relevant information that is used to make decisions and in turn influence performance. It is the same information that should be used to evaluate the performance of lower-level managers (Drury 399).

Organizational managers need to use management accounting principles to be well equipped in making the right decisions and exercising their management functions. Management accounting information is different from financial accounting information. However, both can be used in decision-making. The information given by management accounting is not reported to the general public, as opposed to the data given by financial statements. Management accounting data is confidential and only used by the management staff. It is also important to note that this information focuses on the future, rather than historic events. Decisions are about what the organization should do in the future; therefore, management accounting is important in this determination process. However, accounting information is supposed to inform where the organization is coming from, where it is currently, and where it expects to be in the future. Therefore, while management accounting is important in making future decisions, financial accounting is also relevant since it gives information about where the organization is coming from. Managers should, therefore, use financial accounting information to know the history of the organization and management accounting information to aid in making future decisions (Kimmel, Jerry, and Donald 1074).

Management accounting can simply be defined as the process in which organizational managers identify, analyze, interpret, and communicate information that is used in planning and evaluating, as well as ensuring proper utilization of a firm’s resources. A management accountant uses his or her knowledge in preparing the financial information and any other information that can be used by the organization managers to make policies and prepare plans. The accountant also prepares information that can be used to take control of organizational operations (Kimmel, Jerry, and Donald 1074). It is for this reason that management accountants are, at times, viewed as value creators since they are responsible for very sensitive and significant information compared to the rest of the accountants. Management accounting gets its information from various organs of the organization, such as marketing, pricing, valuation, information management, and logistics among others. The decisions made through the use of management accounting information influence the performance of the organization. The information is also helpful in evaluating the performance of managers since bad decisions lead to poor organizational performance, while good decisions lead to organizational success and indicate good performance by managers.

Accounting is very important for any organization since accounting information summarizes most information related to an organization’s performance. Accounting information can be used by stakeholders to make decisions. Accounting information helps users, who are mainly organization managers, understand where the organization is coming from, where it is at the moment, and where it will be in the future. Data from management accounting finds wide usage in the decision-making process. Financial accounting, on the other hand, is historical and can be used to evaluate the performance of an organization and that of managers. It is, therefore, important for organizations to emphasize the importance of accounting information since this information helps managers in decision-making. It can, therefore, be concluded that accounting is a pertinent tool for management performance evaluation.

Barnett, Ian. Management Accounting Performance Evaluation . Oxford: Elsevier, 2007. Print.

Bhattacharyya, Debarshi. Management Accounting . Delhi: Pearson, 2011. Print.

Drury, Colin. Management and Cost Accounting . London: Thomson Learning, 2007. Print.

Kimmel, Paul D, Jerry J. Weygandt, and Donald E. Kieso. Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making . Chichester: John Wiley, 2008. Print.

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accounting evaluation essays

How to Write an Accountant Performance Review - Templates & Tips

Accountants work in a more technical environment compared to other professions. That’s why the accountant performance review must align with the role.

Accountants have to crunch numbers when preparing tax returns. They have to measure financial operations to help organizations run with efficiency. Their unique skill set is tied to analytical and computing knowledge.

For these reasons, you must create a unique accounting performance appraisal form .

This article contains notes on how to write accountant performance reviews. You’ll find template ideas and tips that will make the process easier.

  • Creating an Accountant Performance Review With Template

Examples of Accounting Goals

Examples of feedback and phrases, how top accounting firms conduct performance reviews, faq and resources.

Streamline your accountant performance review process with easy-to-use software. Learn More

Creating an Accountant Performance Review With Templates

There are a lot of performance reviews to choose from when creating an accountant performance appraisal.

360-degree evaluations are gaining in popularity. This type of review is very effective, but it isn’t always the best choice for an accountant performance review.

An accountant's job description usually has more to do with competencies, proficiency, and accuracy. Their jobs are not always focused on leadership and team-based cooperation.

Although they interact in the office, peers may not have a lot to say about an accountant’s professional performance. Co-workers' experiences with the accountant isn’t relevant to the accountant's job duties.

‍ External appraisals are often a better option for accountants who work with clients. These appraisals will provide a more holistic view of the accountant’s performance.

Competency assessments are another great choice . They are designed for jobs that are dependent on certain skills. A competency assessment determines which skills employees are good at. It can also highlight areas in which they need more training.

Assessments and rating scales should be paired with open-ended questions. That way you can recognize all employees for their successes—not just employees who work a certain way.

Looking for a quick way to get started on your accountant performance review? Check out our free performance appraisal templates:

Annual Review Template

Mid-Year Review Template

These template can work as-is, or as a starting point to create a custom review template.

Goals are an important aspect of any performance review. After all, those who have goals are 10 times more likely to be successful than those who don't.

Measurable goals are especially effective because they enable you to precisely measure whether or not the goal was met. They are also appreciated by employees.

With a clear finish line, they know exactly when they have met their goal, or what steps they need to accomplish to meet it.

Employees with written goals are three times more successful than those with unwritten goals. Make sure you or your employees write down those goals so they can be referenced easily. 

A tool like PerformYard can help you track and set goals for your employees, as seen below:

accounting performance review goals

PerformYard's goal-setting feature makes it easy to track accountant performance. Learn More

A few examples of goals that can be added to an accounting performance appraisal include:

  • Reduce paperwork by a certain percentage by increasing the use of digital formats.
  • Reduce a certain amount of reconciliation discrepancies by using a platform like QuickBooks more efficiently.
  • Reduce past-due accounts by a certain percentage by utilizing a better billing reminder system.
  • Reduce average invoice processing times by a certain percentage by creating new accounts receivable policies and procedures.

Goals that focus on reducing errors are a great way to measure success, but they don’t all have to focus on minimizing mistakes.

Goals can also focus on things like increasing the number of invoices processed or creating new revenue by securing additional financing. The goals do depend on each individual and their unique position.

Make sure each goal includes a target goal (like reducing paperwork), a KPI (by a certain percentage), and the means to achieve the goal (by increasing the use of digital formats). That way the goal is clear , measurable , and obtainable .

Good goals also enable the employee to provide input in the goal-setting process . Check out this free employee goal-setting template that is designed to walk employees through the process of setting goals step-by-step.

You might know what you want to say during your accounting employee performance review, but that doesn’t mean you know how to say it.

It’s important to include concise phrases in the review, but they should also be impartial. If you are delivering constructive feedback, observations should also be as accurate and measurable as possible.

A few positive performance review statements you can use as inspiration include:

  • Accuracy and Precision: "Your meticulous attention to detail in financial reporting and analysis has greatly contributed to our firm's accuracy and reliability. This precision is essential in maintaining our clients' trust and satisfaction."
  • Client Communication: "Your ability to communicate complex accounting information understandably and clearly to clients is commendable. This skill enhances client relationships and aids in their decision-making processes."
  • Regulatory Compliance Knowledge: "Your up-to-date knowledge of accounting standards and regulations has been invaluable. This expertise ensures our firm consistently adheres to compliance requirements, mitigating risks for both our clients and our firm."
  • Efficiency in Task Management: "Your efficient handling of tasks, even under tight deadlines, has been impressive. Your ability to manage time effectively ensures that client work is completed accurately and punctually."
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: "You have consistently demonstrated proactive problem-solving abilities, especially in complex tax and audit assignments. Your foresight in addressing potential issues has been beneficial in streamlining processes and improving outcomes.

A few examples of constructive feedback include:

  • Adaptability to Technological Changes: "In our rapidly evolving field, staying abreast of new accounting software and technologies is crucial. Embracing these tools can enhance your efficiency and accuracy in your work."
  • Team Collaboration: "While your individual contributions are strong, increased collaboration with team members could lead to more comprehensive solutions for our clients. Sharing expertise and insights can enhance our team's overall effectiveness."
  • Business Development Skills: "Expanding your involvement in business development activities could contribute significantly to our firm’s growth. Engaging in networking and client outreach can also provide opportunities for your professional growth."
  • Continuous Professional Development: "The accounting field is constantly changing. Engaging more in continuous professional development will keep your skills sharp and up-to-date, which is essential for advancing in your career."
  • Balancing Multiple Projects: "Managing your workload to efficiently balance multiple client projects can be improved. Enhancing your project management skills will help in delivering consistent quality across all assignments."

When delivered impartially, statements are about performance and not about the character of the person being reviewed. This means employees are less likely to be frustrated with the information.

You should also take a professional development approach to constructive feedback. If Dave struggles with presentations, you could offer the idea of sending him to a workshop or two that will help him develop his skills.

Reviews are also more effective if you come prepared with specific examples to back up your statements.

  • ‍ What is an example of a time Mary eliminated unnecessary expenses?
  • What mistakes were made while Mary was working on multiple accounts at the same time?

Your employees are more likely to improve when the review isn’t a personal judgment of character .

Looking for more inspiration? You can find sample phrases to share with your accounting workforce here .

You can also facilitate the feedback using a tool like PerformYard . PerformYard allows companies to create a feedback culture and refer to past feedback during reviews.

accounting evaluation essays

Create a culture of feedback for your accountants with PerformYard software. Learn More

Sometimes it’s helpful to see how top companies and others in your industry are tackling performance reviews. The big four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC) have a precise process that is designed to rate and categorize employees within each practice.

There are usually two review points, with one at the end of the fiscal year and another at the middle of the fiscal year.

Managers give ratings for personal performance and the top and bottom performers within a group or team. 

Some accounting firms also use generic feedback . This kind of feedback is typically related to things like the:

  • Ability to complete technical work
  • Ability to communicate
  • Ability to delegate
  • Ability to understand responsibilities
  • Ability to perform work with little guidance
  • Relationships with clients

Deloitte takes a more personalized approach to the review process. They ask employees about motivation and development opportunities.

Deloitte also asks employees to mention ways to make the review process better. The company shows how employee input was used when making changes within the review process, and even the operation of the company.

You may want to do the same. A highly engaged workforce can increase profitability by over 20% . One of the best ways to engage team members is to make them feel like they are part of the decision-making process.

What is a performance evaluation in accounting?

An accounting performance evaluation is designed to measure professional performance. The review usually includes a rating system that measures individual performance. It may also measure employee performance against other employees. Generic feedback can also be included, and many performance evaluations also include goal setting for the future.

The type of review that is used depends on the needs of the business. If you want to learn more about the big four accounting firms and how they do performance reviews, click here .

Do accountants fill out a self-evaluation ahead of a review?

Most performance reviews include a self-evaluation ahead of the review meeting. These forms usually include a summary of the work the employee completed during the review period.

The style and content of the self-evaluation will vary depending on the team that is creating the form. If you’re in the process of creating a self-evaluation form for your accounting team, check out the seven traits of effective self-review questions .

What are good goals for an accountant?

Here are a few examples:

Where can I find accountant performance review samples?

Check out PerformYard’s 14 different types of performance appraisals here . If you’re wondering how best to phrase individual statements within each performance review, you can find more ideas here .

accounting evaluation essays

The tools to streamline your performance management process.

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Journey / Being an Accountancy Student: Reflections on the Journey Thus Far

Being an Accountancy Student: Reflections on the Journey Thus Far

  • Category: Business , Life , Sociology
  • Topic: Accounting , Journey , Personal Life

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Pre-engagement, audit planning, study and evaluation of internal control, substantive testing (evidence- gathering), completing the audit, issuance of audit report, post-audit responsibilities.

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