Lecturer: Mr Lisimba

2020
Year: First year second semester

Professional Accountants
reflective report

CHIEDZA ANTONATTE MARIME

BOTSWANA ACCOUNTANCY COLLEGE
4/3/2020
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... ii
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1
BODY ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................ 6
RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 6
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................. 8
APPENDECIS .................................................................................................................................................. 9

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose on this current study was to reflect on fundamentals elements one has to
embrace through the accounting journey so as to gain particular learning experience, as
well as self-introspection which enhances personal development. In addition to that, it
contributes in professional development while perfecting accounting skills. These
elements include technical and functional expertise, business awareness, professional
development, personal effective and lastly on ethics and professionalism. However,
while embarking on professional and self-development, self-driven and motivation is the
key. In addition to that it is very imperative to have a clear knowledge and
understanding on the intended business or industry in order to keep abreast with
changing environment. It is worth noting that one has to develop interpersonal skill so
as to accommodate different personalities. And always aim higher, dream big and avoid
limiting yourself. Lastly be yourself and live according to your means.

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INTRODUCTION

Accounting is a skill that everyone should acquire as it equips individual with budgeting
knowledge so as to take control of cashflows for ease of planning. Krishna, (2019)
defined accounting as a systematic, process of identifying, recording, summarizing,
interpreting, and communicating financial information. In view of that, it is vital to
account for the key elements required in embracing accounting professionals which
includes technical and functional expertise, business awareness, professional
development, personal effectiveness and professional ethics. This report serves to
reflect how the author had managed to embrace the above elements using Gibb‟s
reflective model and lastly summing up with conclusion and recommendations.
According to Ichii & Ono (2018) reflection will, occur, through, consideration,
deliberation and evaluation, of learning experience, in the conscious mind. Reflection is
„learning, through, and from experience towards gaining, new insights, of self and
practice‟ (Finlay, 2008). By doing so, it helps the writer to learn from a particular
practical experience and it makes the individuals to be more active learners (Hammond,
Flook, Harvey, Barron, & Osher, 2019).

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BODY

Technical and functional expertise is the “underlying knowledge and skill, described in
observable, and measurable, terms that are necessary, in order to perform, a particular
type or level of work activity,” (Viginia Jobs, 2018). As the author was pursuing her
degree, she had challenge in ICT because it was her first time to do computers. She
used to struggle when it was time for ICT. But one thing that motivated her was the fear
of losing her scholarship and also the passion to be the best student in all the modules.
She was told that if she wanted to continue getting the scholarship she should get a
distinction in all the modules. She used to ask other lectures for more help on her extra
time. When the exams came, it was no longer tough for her. As it was said by Lombandi
(n.d) “price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination
that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand”.
At the end she managed to excel in that module. She felt overwhelmed and also
realized that nothing is difficult until you try and put more effort. And I learned that hard
work pays. If in future she is to meet difficult tasks she will work extra hard. As said by
Salleh (2015) on competence model that you must set a concrete direction for
workforce performance that aligns with organizational goals and strategies.

With respect to Business Awareness, this refers to individual‟s understanding

concerning business and having knowledge concerning the market as well as identifying
opportunities (wilkinson & Aspinall, 2007). However Stephensn & Cook (2005) assert
that it is not only about the understanding but the ability to impliment the knowledge in-
order to benefit the organisation or the business. A certain girl decided to start her
business for bookkeeping since she had just finished her studies in accounting. She did
not bother to find information concerning the industry for bookkeeping. Her parents gave
her money that was around 10 000us to start the business. The first few months the
business was running well. However the problem started when she decided to join with
other ventures since she was now facing threats from her competitors and she could not
stand to compete with them. That time she lost everything since the people that she
joined with have loans from banks and there were looking for the way to pay their debts.

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By the time she realised that those people were using her, she tried to sue them but it
was too late because there had already escaped. She felt disappointed, dishearted and
she lost all the trust in people. However it was her fault because according to AIDA
model by Hanlon (2017) it state that you become aware first, gain interest, have a
desire, describe the business and act. But she did the opposite, she started by acting
without having knowledge on what does the industry demand and how to meet those
demands. She was supposed to do SWOT analysis before starting the business, thus
identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are there in the
business industry. She learned a lot from this incident that if she is to start another
business again , she will consult others and ask for the advice or finding someone who
can mentor her in terms of running the business. In addition to that, she learned that
she had to do complete research before starting the business and be aware of the
business environment.

As for Professional Development, this is a process of learning and continuous training of

individuals in regards to their carrier (Business dictionary, 2020). During the first
placement at work, the author experienced an incident that she struggled to deal with
because she did not understand the condition that the customer had. As the writer was
waiting for the results to be out in 2019 at Zimbabwe, she decided to work for Brinier
Company that sells clothes. It was her first time to be in industry and she did not know
how to communicate with customers properly. One of the days as she was serving a
certain customer, the customer did not know her change and thought that she was
cheated. Because she had poor communication skills, they end up quarrel badly. As the
customer was accusing her of stealing, she felt so badly, frustrated and she started to
cry since she could no longer control her emotions. The bad part of this entire incident
was that, everyone could perceive her as a thief that was so bad for her. However the
problem got worse because she did not communicate properly with the customer. In-
order to avoid this, she was supposed to explain properly to the customer without
raising her tone. As well said by Kolb (1984) that learning is the process whereby
knowledge is created through changes of experiences. After this incident she learnt that
as she is pursuing in developing her professional, she is also supposed to develop her
level of communication since communication is part of professional development. This

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will help her to be an excellent accountant. If the same issue is to rise again, she is
going to communicate well with customers.

Moving on to Personal effectiveness, it is a way of improving yourself and a universal

need. According to Osborn (2019) personal effectiveness means to utilize all of your
skills, talent, and energy to reach certain goals in life. Hammond, Flook, Harvey, Barron,
& Osher (2019) conveyed that, developing personal effectiveness is an opportunity for
self-reflection and assessment of individual ways of operating. One of the days as the
author was growing up, she used to have attitude towards theory subjects. This was
because she was talented in mathematics. Only to realize it later that she was
developing laziness spirit. However, it was too late since she was already in the exam
for economics. At the end she failed that subject with D and managed to attain eleven
points out of fifteen. She was so disappointed and upset for herself. If only she could
focus on economics since her strength were in mathematics and accounting, she could
have got fifteen points. She was supposed to utilize her gift efficiently in-order to
produce excellent results. According to Gibbs‟ model by Rumson (2018) he said
reflective makes people to be aware of their own actions and be able to adjust and
change their behaviors towards certain elements. This helps the author to develop
growth mindset, mindset that is flexible and allows change in accounting journey. In the
future if she is to come across with the same problem again, she will put more effort in
theory assignments since her strength are in mathematics and not to have attitude in it.

Last but not least, ethics and professionalism. According to Leonard (2018) many
companies are closed and lots of people are losing their jobs due to lack of ethics and
professionalism. Brown (2016) describes ethics as the process of determining what is
right and wrong, thus, maintaining integrity especially when no one is looking. He went
further conveys professionalism as the conduct, aims that characterize a professional
person. Few years back, the writer volunteered to work for a certain shop as a cashier
since she was waiting for her advanced level results. One of the days she did not have
money for transport and she decided to steal from the shop and there was no record
concerning that money. Days later as the owner was going through the books, he
discovered that there was money that was missing. He asked everyone but they were

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all pointing at the cashier that was the writer. The owner of the shop decided to give her
a second chance since it was the first bad record about her. She was so embarrassed
and she felt guilt. In the long run if she is to face the same problem she will ask, not
stealing. Furthermore, she learned that you must have the ability to predict the
consequences of your actions as stated in utilitarianism ethical theories by Chonko
(n.d).

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this report had reflected the following elements thus technical and
functional expertise, business awareness, personal development, personal
effectiveness, lastly on ethics and professionalism. In addition to that it had reflected
how the author had managed to embrace these elements. By doing so it had helped the
author to identify the areas that she needs improvements. Moreover, by reflecting on
technical and functional expertise it had helped her to improve her knowledge and
understanding towards computers. He also realized that it is not only about your
intelligence to pass but your level of seriousness and dedication towards your work. On
business awareness she learnt that before entering into industry for any business either
working or as a business person, you first do a SWOT analysis first, thus, identifying the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the industry. This is done in order to
avoid making loses or losing your capital as well. Moving on, to professional
development she learnt that it is not only about developing your level of education but
also developing that what will boost your professional that is communication. Lastly,
from the last two elements that are personal effectiveness and ethics and
professionalism she learnt that in life you must have the ability to predict the
consequences of your actions before acting as conveyed by Chonko (n.d).

RECOMMENDATIONS

o In order to improve from the above elements and be a competence professional

accountant below are the recommendations to it:
 In order to be a competence accountant with technical and functional skills
you must be willing to learn and be determined (Yate, 2018).
 Before entering into the industry make sure you are aware with the
industry conditions (Broadbent & Kitzis, 2017).

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  In order to develop your profession well with excellence results, you must
learn to accommodate and understand everyone based on their
weaknesses (Roberts, Spreitzer, Dutton, Quinn, & Barker, 2012).
 In order to be effective in everything that you do make sure you aim
higher, dream big and avoid limiting yourself.
 Lastly on ethics and professionalism, be yourself and live according to
your means.


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REFERENCES
Broadbent, M., & Kitzis, E. (2017). The New CIO Leader: Setting the Agenda and Delivering Results.
Chiremnje: Matriger.

Brown. (2016, July 20). Ethics is the most valuable element. Forbes, pp. 3-9.

Finlay, L. (2008, January). Reflecting on Reflective practice. Semantic schola.

Hammond, L. D., Flook, L., Harvey, C. C., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2019, February 17). Implications for
educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental
Science.

krishna. (2019, January 18). Definition of Accounting. Accounting: An overview.

Leonard. (2018, June 3). Ethics and proffessioonalism. Forbes, pp. 3-9.

Roberts, L. M., Spreitzer, G., Dutton, J., Quinn, R., & Barker, B. (2012, January 12). How to Play to Your
Strengths. Harvard Business Review Home, pp. 4-18.

Viginia Jobs. (2018, june 3). Career Development. Competencies.

wilkinson, & Aspinall. (2007, January 3). Definition of Effective. Forbes.

Yate, M. (2018, February 9). the transferable skills to help you change your carrier. Forbes, pp. 2-10.

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APPENDECIS

KOLB Reflective Model

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AIDA Model

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