Critical Reflective Practice Report: ACCA, Professionalism, and Values

This report presents a critical reflective practice analysis, focusing on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and its influence on professional behavior and values. The introduction defines reflexive practice and introduces ACCA. Part A outlines the research aims, which is to investigate the potential role of ACCA in enhancing professional behavior and values, and includes a literature review discussing critical understanding of ACCA, its role in developing professional values, and its potential in developing a reflexive practitioner. Part B reflects on the research methods, primarily qualitative research, and data analysis techniques, including content analysis and the Gibbs model. The report uses the Gibbs model to reflect on the researcher's experience. Part C presents a reflexive practitioner storyboard, summarizing the student's exploration of the topic. The conclusion summarizes the findings, and the references section lists the sources used. The report demonstrates an understanding of reflective practice within the context of professional development in accounting and finance.

Applying critical reflective
practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Part A: Research Aim(s) and Literature Review ........................................................................1
Part B: Reflections on Research Methods and Data Analysis....................................................3
Part C: The Reflexive Practitioner Storyboard...........................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Reflexive practice is way of the life under which a person able to be monitor their actions
by monitoring process where reflexive practitioner is able to develop themselves. It is ability to
reflect actions of an individual as to engage in continuous learning process (Alleyne, Hudaib and
Haniffa, 2018). ACCA is an Association of the Charted Certified Accountants in global
professional accounting body. It was founded in year 1904 in London, United Kingdom. ACCA
mainly work in public interest assuring that members are regulated.
Part A: Research Aim(s) and Literature Review
Aim
This the the most important area of the research as it defined as the predetermined
statement which provides a suitable assistance over the investigation topic to aid the project in
right manner. The suitable aim of this study is “To investigate the potential role of ACCA in
enhancing professional behaviour and values of an individual”.
Objectives
 To explore critical understanding regarding ACCA.
 To articulate the potential role of ACCA in exploring developing the Reflexive
Practitioner.
 To analyse impact of ACCA in developing of professional values and behaviour of an
individual.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is defined as the most imperative aspect of the project as it aid the
entire project in right manner to develop theoretical perspective over a specified investigation. In
addition to this, literature review is effective in enhancing in-depth analysis over a specified
subject at assist the entire work in right manner and also enhance the recognition of the
researcher and learner over a specified subject. This section of investigation is relay over
gathering information from the most suitable sources like books, journals, articles and so on. In
the context to this present investigation work, literature review is imperative in providing
theoretical perspective over the aspect of evaluating the potential role of ACCA in enhancing
professional behaviour and values of an individual.
Critical understanding regarding ACCA.

According to Barišić, Novak and Mališ, (2020) The Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants (ACCA) formed in year 1904 is global professional accounting body that providing
“Chartered Certified Accountant” qualification. It is fast developing accountancy company with
large number of students in different countries. It is globally recognised education and also
update relevant content. Qualification of ACCA is better way to develop career in finance and
Accounts. Students can be pursue it along with the graduation. This is flexible examination
scheme that makes this qualification attractive. 'Chartered Certified Accountant' is protected
team. People who explain themselves as the 'Chartered Certified Accountant' should be members
of the ACCA and if they able to be carried out the engagements related to public practices,
should be comply with extra regulations for an instance holdings practising certificate,
submitting to the inspections and carrying the liability insurance. ACCA mainly works in public
interest and assuring that members are regulated in an appropriate manner. This mainly promoted
the principle based regulations. It seeks to increase accounting value in the society by
international investigation. This takes the progressive stances on the global problems to assure
accountancy as profession that continues to develop in reputation as well as influence. It assures
that employer which have skills required to the progress to senior management positions.
Role of ACCA in developing of professional values and behaviour of an individual
According to Gould (2017), ACCA basically stands for ‘Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants’, therefore, it is a global body of flourishing professionals in the finance
and accounting field. ACCA is recognised an effective academic practice which is widely
implement by the individual or the students who are seeking for career development within the
finance and business field. Therefore, ACCA mainly has positive impact over the professional
values and the behaviour of an individual. Professionals with an ACCA qualification certificate
or degree are highly sought-after by employers because the certificate represents the integrity,
business acumen, and financial knowledge of individual which are imperative for the businesses
in managing financial operations, thus all of that are valuable traits for any business. It is also
constituted through the European Union and the United Nations, so this certificate can aid an
individual to travel all over the globe. However, the professional knowledge regarding the
professional development course of ACCA provides a wider knowledge base to individual for
attaining growth in their career and also aid the individual to be the part of large multinational
corporations for handling the financial operations effectively. Businesses in the competitive era

are concern over attaining higher growth and success and for this, they are concern over hiring
the well educated and knowledge full individual for handling the financial operations to attain
higher growth and success.
Potential role of ACCA in exploring developing the Reflexive Practitioner
As per opinion of Fleming (2018). ACCA believes that the good accountants are
professional always. It is global professional body that issuing the more valued as well as
respected international qualifications in the business. It works in public interest assuring that
members are regulated in an appropriated manner. It mainly seeks to increase accounting value
by international investigation. The professionalism is mainly incorporated by ACCA
qualification but an individual ca not be learn it solely through reading textbook or going to
lecture. ACCA main role is in providing the member value. The members of ACCA are trained
to think strategically as well as critically. They are the main leaders in company and work in all
over world, helping to grow in ethical manner. They have more professional ethics and values
that develops on brand reputation. This invest in the development programs in order to keep
members at top of game. Those people who carry FCCA and ACCA designations share
commitment to be having in ethical manner and maintain professional competence. ACCA
works ethically, accountable and honestly from the others. They cat in public interest and also
focus on the long term value. Other than this, acting like professional means behaving and
working in such a manner that the others think them as the competent, respectful and reliable.
The professionals are credit not to be themselves but also to the others. They are mainly
incorporated by ACCA qualification but can not be learn professionalism through reading
textbook to lecture.
Part B: Reflections on Research Methods and Data Analysis
Research methodology is defined as the imperative process and tool which is widely
implement to identify, select, process and evaluate data over a specified subject. Therefore, the
suitable selection of methodology is imperative for the researcher to aid the project in right
manner to generate appropriate outcome (Hannon, 2015).
Research Method: The suitable selection of methods are the primary obligation of the
researcher, thus the selection of method is based on two aspects, i.e. qualitative and quantitative
research. In the context to this present investigation, qualitative research is being applied as it is

effective in enhancing theoretical understanding in relation to the aspect of ACCA and how it
improves the professional values and behaviour (Harvey, Mason and Ward, 2015).
Research Strategy: An investigation strategy is defined as an overall plan for executing a
research strategy. In the context to this existing research reflectivity research is being considered
to aid the project in right manner. It is the process of reflecting over individual experience to
render more efficient and imperative evaluation. It includes evaluating and consciously
acknowledging the assumption or preconceptions individual bring into the investigation and that
therefore shape the outcome.
Data Collection: This is the imperative area of an investigation, thus the collection of
information is based on primary and secondary sources of data collection. For execution of the
present study based on personal development, secondary research is being considered, thus, it is
effective in executing the descriptive evaluation. Primary study will be developing my the
support of Learning styles questionnaires (Lyons, 2014).
Data Analysis: Data analysis is defined as the procedure of inspecting, cleansing,
transforming and modelling the information within the goals of determining the appropriate
information. In the context to this existing investigation work, content analysis is being applied
to assist the qualitative analysis in right manner (Mansor, Ariff and Hashim, 2020).
Persona Reflection Model:
The present study is based on individual personal and professional development and in
this for conducting reflection, Gibbs model is widely implementing, thus it is effective in
assisting an individual through six stages enhancing an individual experience description,
feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. This, model is based over 6 stages and
these are effectively associated as below:
Description: I have been feeling pleasant to got an opportunity to execute an
investigation over such a big investigation area over the aspect of the potential role of ACCA in
developing professional values and behaviour of an individual. Therefore, I have seen that, this
project is effective in enhancing personal as well as professional development and in this
qualitative research is being considered because it is valuable in enhancing theoretical
understanding about the subject matter and in this supportive knowledge is gained via the
support of books, journals, articles and so on. In addition to this, I have been seen that,
reflectivity research is applied as it helps in widely evaluating the individual experience in

relation to the personal development study. In addition to this, I have been seen that, content
analysis tool is being implemented as it provides suitable understanding in relation to the specific
subject.
Feeling: For particular execution of project, literature review is mainly executed and
imperative in order to conducting the prescriptive evolvement regarding the potential role of
ACCA in enhancing professional behaviour and values of an individual. During execution, I
found sources which are effective for defining aspect regarding ACCA and facing issue in
finding sources to identifying effective ways for business to be overcome. In this situation, I felt
that I am not find suitable and effective ways to gather data.
Evaluation: In execution of current project, my experience is better as I have
understanding about the research and the academic skills. In regards to this, academic knowledge
and skills in implementing current methodology, effective sources of data collection and better
sampling tool will be used through me in doing the project in future in liable manner. Other than
this, I faced some issues related to time management and finding the effective sources to collect
data. I overcome from the time issue is through implementing the time management plan in an
effective manner.
Analysis: I attained the better experience with proper execution of project as the learning
ability helpful for me to get the proper idea regarding necessary aspect of project such as
collection of information, methodology execution and find the appropriate sources. My ability
about conducting methodology was helpful for me in execution of project in an effective manner.
Conclusion: In this, it has been determined that my academic skills about conducting an
investigation are helpful in attempting future projects in reliable manner. Other than this, I
recognise my skill related to time management and finding the idea about managing cost is
enhancing.
Action plan: In conducting the particular project, I faced the time management issues,
selection of appropriate sources and cost assessment. To resolve the barriers, I taking the suitable
and effective actions to resolve issues such as developing better cost management plan and time
management. For enhancing sources reliability, I focuses on choosing authentic sources for
conduct the analysis.

Part C: The Reflexive Practitioner Storyboard
I am feeling great and highly pleasant to got an opportunity to execute an evaluation over
the aspect of analysing the role of ACCA in developing professional values and behaviour of
an individual. Therefore, I am a business and financial management student, the following story
board is my own exploration of the topic of applying critical reflective practice. I have been
selecting the area of ACCA in enhancing the professional values and the behaviour, thus it is a
professional study which aid an individual a direction to explore idea within the financial field
and create a professional path to gain progression. My major purpose of conducting this
evaluation is to develop my own ability as the Reflexive Practitioner, for that, the analysis aid me
the opportunity to develop my own ability to analysing my self and finding out the weaknesses
which affect my ability. Therefore, the study over the aspect of ACCA helps me to enhance the
ability of conducting systemic operations of the financial department and the important codes
and ethics which are imperative to be considering for the execution of financial operations.
From my own reflection I would love to become more self aware and more in tune with my
personal abilities and not become influenced by self doubts. My own discovery of my
professional and personality traits have aided me invaluably and I now feel equipped to help
cater my actions and replies through the alignment found in the personality to help in developing
my learning. The idea about ACCA will help me to explore the financial knowledge which aid
me to become the important part of a business and my knowledge will be beneficial for the
business to attain advancement and development. The enhance personality and professional
ability helps and supports me to attain effective future growth and with the help of personal
reflection I am now more confident to attempt my own personal and professional act8ivities to
attain growth and success. Therefore, the enhanced idea about the personal characteristics are
effective for me in selecting the future grounds in effective manner to attain growth and success.
Although, my personal and most important discover is was that it is natural to enhance
idea about own self when looking introspectively and it is often valuable to ask colleagues and
the fellow participants or the students for feedbacks on own actions to help as improve and more
towards. Therefore, the personal refection helps me to finding out my own traits and personality
which would be beneficial for me to considering future goals in more liable manner. The
personal analysis helps me to finding more opportunity as per my own personal as well as
professional characteristics and the opportunity as per the personal traits helps an individual to

gain progression and growth. For becoming an effective reflective practitioner I have been
concentrating over the aspect of Gibbs Model as this helps me to explore my own ability as the
reflective practitioner and now I am more able to evaluate my ability to enhance idea and
recognition about the personal and professional plan. However, due to using Gibbs tool I can
analyse an action plan to not get faltered through the illusory negative ideas. This is testament to
many moments in life when self consciousness has seeped into my own ability and through
before events that make me think of failure.
For effective and efficient tool help me in examining past events, Gibbs model is
valuable. In this, I applied the Gibbs Model in the present report. With the help of applying this
model, I have been able to explain about my experience. This model is helpful for me in view
actions about the evaluation, my feelings and other things. This provides me the structure about
learning from my experiences, thoughts and feelings. There is evaluation about the bad and good
experience. Gibbs Cycle can allow me to see my personalty type in order to reinforce my belief
of the success and also not influenced through self consciousness which is not seen through the
others. It will helpful for me in future to handle all kind of situations or deal with them in an
effective manner. Through using GIBBS model, I shared my feeling and the experience about
conducting study. I applied this model because it is easier to be understand as well as use. It
permit to learn over the time based on experience. This provided me the accurate and also
balanced judgement. The Gibbs model consists different stages such as description, Feeling,
Evaluation, Analysis and Action plan. In the description stage, I stated that there has been
qualitative research method used because it is effective in providing me the detailed and
conceptual information regarding the potential role of ACCA in enhancing professional
behaviour and values of an individual. It is helpful in conducting the reflection of self. There has
been reflective method used it helps in provide the reflection about myself and I can able to share
my experience. Conducting the present study is helpful in enhance my abilities as well as
knowledge about the role of ACCA in enhancing professional behaviour and values of an
individual. In the feeling stage, I shared my feelings while conducting the research methodology
part and whole report. There has been stated that I found the sources about collection of data and
information for doing an investigation in an effective manner. I felt nervous but now after
conducting the research I felt confident as I can able to conduct the research in the future.
Evaluation stage is helpful me in examine the skills and core competencies about doing the

project. My academic and research abilities to conduct the similar type of investigation in future
is enhanced. Analysis stage is helpful for me in examining the effectiveness of chosen data
collection methods. The conclusion is all about provide the overall examination about the area
and the chosen methodology. The overall Gibbs model helpful for me in the personal evaluation
in an effective manner. This helps me in examine my strengths as well as weaknesses. Through
this, I can able to convert my weaknesses in to my strengths. This will be helpful for me in the
future development in my professional career.
CONCLUSION
After the evaluation executed over the aspect of reflective practices it has been concluded
that, personal reflection is imperative in evaluating personal characteristics and traits, thus these
are imperative for an individual to get idea about the own strength and weakness that aid them to
select the right path for the future development. As per the evaluation of the study, it has also
been analysed that, the ACCA helps an individual in representing the financial knowledge which
can be impediment by them to attain growth and personal as well as professional career.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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support in breaking the silence of public accountants.Journal of Business Ethics.147.(3),
pp.509-527.
Barišić, I., Novak, A. and Mališ, S. S., 2020, June. PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT OF
TODAY-ANALYSIS OF ESSENTIAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS.
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Fleming, A. I., 2018. Ethics and accounting education in the UK—a professional
approach?.Accounting Education.5(3). pp.207-217.
Hannon, P. D., 2015. Philosophies of enterprise and entrepreneurship education and challenges
for higher education in the UK.The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and
Innovation.6(2). pp.105-114.
Harvey, L., Mason, S. and Ward, R., 2015.The role of professional bodies in higher education
quality monitoring. Birmingham: QHE.
Lyons, S., 2014. Creating Value Through Governance-Towards a New Accountability: Response
to ACCA Consultation.Available at SSRN 2491749.
Mansor, T. M. T., Ariff, A. M. and Hashim, H. A., 2020. Whistleblowing by auditors: the role of
professional commitment and independence commitment. Managerial Auditing Journal.
Mohammadyari, S. and Singh, H., 2015. Understanding the effect of e-learning on individual
performance: The role of digital literacy.Computers & Education.82. pp.11-25.
Online
Gould, H., 2017. What is ACCA?. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.torontosom.ca/blog/what-is-acca>.
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