IAAR Approach

Useful for:

• accounting
• financing
• taxation

I - Issue
- identify problem (don't just list case facts)

A - Analysis
- why is there a problem? 
- what are the resulting consequences? Violation of laws/ regulations/ standards?
- use technical support (handbook, income tax act)

A - Alternatives
- needs to be ethical and in compliance to handbook

R - Recommendations
- explain impact to user and user needs
- resolve the underlying problem

WIR Approach

Useful for:

• IT weakness
• Corporate governance issues
• Control Env
• Ethical Issues

W- Weakness
- why is it a weakness? don't restate case facts
- what is the problem?

I- Implication
- impact to various users
- what could or has happened? 
--> revenues, income, community, contribution from donors
- quantify any financial impact

R- Recommendation
- how to resolve the weakness? --> ensure weakness and implications will be resolved
- link recommendations to users and their needs

Formats

Memorandum

To: [Name], [Position]

From: Me, CGA

Date: [Date]

Re: Current Issues

This memo will address ….

Header 1

Header 2

Header 3

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss these issues in more detail and develop an action plan.

======================================================================

Report

Report to: [Name], [Position]

Title

Prepared by: Me, CGA

Submitted: [Date]

Introduction

The following report is designed to help you present your ideas to the management team next week.

Conclusion

I advise that additional work be done on this subject.

We can discuss any further work that you may require on these subjects.

======================================================================

Letter

Me, CGA

XXX Street

Kingston, Ontario K0H 1G0

Nov 26,2012

Mr. XXX

123 XXX Street

Kingston, Ontario

K0H 1G0

Dear Mr. XXX

Subject:

I am please to provide you with an evaluation of your plan to …

…

Please contact me for any further questions in this matter.

Sincerely

XXX, CGA

Note Taking Methods

1) Cornell method

- leave a 2 inch method on the left
- take notes on the right side
- after class, put significant info on the left

2) Outlining method

- begin with most general
- keep indenting to expand on relationship and depth of point

3) Mapping method

- easily track the relationships in a visual manner

4) Charting method

- draw a table with different columns and appropriate headings

5) Sentence method

- every new thought, fact or topic on a separate line

PA1 Core Compentencies

Role: External (auditor, consultant)

Blueprint

Competency area checklist

This checklist is designed to help you sort through PA1 case issues and data. As you work on each demonstration, self-test, and assignment case, you may find it helpful to identify which competency areas are relevant to the case. The blank section at the end of this sheet can be used for general notes on the case.

Case problem:                                        

Competency area	List each area that is relevant to the case problem.
Financial accounting and reporting (Core competency)
Assurance and other related services (Core competency)
Taxation (Core competency)
Ethics and trust (Core competency)
Management accounting (Core-related competency)
Finance and financial planning (Core-related competency)
Business environment (Core-related competency)
Information technology (Core-related competency)
Stakeholder focus (Professional qualities & skills)
Communication (Professional qualities & skills)
Integrative approach (Professional qualities & skills)
Problem solving (Professional qualities & skills)
Professional self-evaluation (Professional qualities & skills)
Leadership: strategic and organizational leadership (Professional qualities & skills)
Leadership: organizational effectiveness (Professional qualities & skills)
Leadership: individual and team leadership and development (Professional qualities & skills)

PA2 Core Competencies

Role: Internal (controller, accountant)

Blueprint

Competency area checklist

This checklist is designed to help you sort through the PA2 case issues and data. As you work on each demonstration, self-test, and assignment case, you may find it helpful to identify which competency areas are relevant to the case.

Competency area	List each area that is relevant to the case
Financial Accounting and Reporting Core competencies
Finance and Financial Planning Core competencies
Management Accounting Core competencies
Ethics and Trust Core competencies
Taxation Core-related competencies
Assurance and Other Related Services Core-related competencies
Business Environment Core-related competencies
Information Technology Core-related competencies
Stakeholder focus; Communication; Integrative approach; Problem solving; Professional self-evaluation; Leadership; Professional qualities and skills