University of Lethbridge
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Not-for-Profit and Public Sector Accounting and Performance Management

ACCOUNTING 3190
Closed
University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
SV
Sonya von Heyking
Instructor
(1)
1
Timeline
  • September 17, 2021
    Experience start
  • September 18, 2021
    Project Scope Meeting
  • December 4, 2021
    Experience end
General
  • Undergraduate; 3rd year
  • 30 learners; teams of 4
  • 10 hours per learner
  • Dates set by experience
  • Learners self-assign
Preferred companies
  • 1/2 project matches
  • Anywhere
  • Academic experience
  • Any, Social enterprise, Non profit
  • Any
Categories
General Accounting Leadership Organizational structure Product or service launch
Skills
business strategy business consulting data analysis research
Project timeline
  • September 17, 2021
    Experience start
  • September 18, 2021
    Project Scope Meeting
  • December 4, 2021
    Experience end
Overview
What is the main goal for this project?

Are you a not-for-profit or public sector organization? Do you have an accounting or organizational performance challenge you want to tackle? In this project, student-consultants, working in teams, will apply their understanding of performance measurement and reporting, internal controls, and decision-making to a challenge of your choosing. Upon completion of the project, you will receive a detailed report and presentation.

Learner skills
Business strategy, Business consulting, Data analysis, Research
What tasks will learners need to complete to achieve the project goal?

The non-profit agrees to the following deadlines and schedule:

1. The non-profit will provide a clear question or project scope by August 31, 2021

2. The non-profit will provide all required data and information by August 31, 2021

3. The non-profit will designate an internal contact to respond to student questions in a timely manner

The final project deliverables might include:

  1. 10-15 minute presentation of key findings and recommendations
  2. A detailed report including their research, analysis, insights, and recommendations
  3. Cash budget or internal performance reporting framework

Due date is flexible, but will be no earlier than November 5th, 2021 and no later than December 3rd, 2021

Project Examples

Beginning in September, students in groups of 3-5 will work with your company to identify your needs and provide actionable recommendations, based on their in-depth research and analysis.

Project activities might include but are not limited to:

1. Board or employee development – preparing and presenting a training session for your stakeholders on one of the following topics:

    • Describing the overall nature of financial management in not-for-profit or public sector organizations, and how it differs from the for-profit environment
    • Explaining the critical role of stakeholders and their expectations for efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, and how that influences accounting practices
    • Explaining a specific section of the public sector and not-for-profit accounting standards and how they apply to your organization
    • Explaining the role of budgeting and the budget process in government and not-for-profit organizations, including the differences between operations and capital funding

2. Organizational performance measurement - analyzing and reporting on key performance measures in your organization, using available comparator information, and highlighting areas of strength and opportunity.

PLEASE NOTE: We are not offering bookkeeping, year-end reporting, or tax filing assistance. Projects should be internal and strategic in nature. Thank you.

Additional company criteria

Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Provide an opportunity for students to present their work and receive feedback.

Provide a dedicated contact who is available to answer periodic emails or phone calls over the duration of the project to address students' questions.

Be available for a quick phone call with the instructor to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the course.