Signature Assignment

This signature assignment will be unique to you.  The assignment will consist of an analytical paper utilizing what you learned in this course but applying the information to a foreign country.  You should become familiar with the PESTLE analytical framework and begin choosing a country for your Signature Assignment paper.  You are not required to perform the PESTLE analysis, but to use it as the framework/guide for your paper. 

The signature assessment serves as an integral part of this course by developing your research skills, sharpening your academic writing skills, and preparing you for your dissertation research and writing.  The assignment is due in Week 8.  The entire assignment is worth 30 points of your grade in this class. 

As to the requirements, here are the required guidelines.

1. Use the Student Paper Template (The writing resources link is in your resources for this week).
2. Use Times New Roman 12 pt. font for your assignment.
3. Be sure your document has 1 margins all around.
4. Use the APA Manual (7th ed.) to correctly prepare the title page, write the document, correctly cite sources, and prepare the works cited page. Please become familiar with these requirements, specifically the APA manual.
5. Proofread your work before you submit it. At this level in your academic career, proper grammar is essential. Spelling, punctuation, agreement of subject and verb, complete sentences, and a host of other items are of paramount importance. An excellent resource is Grammarly, which is a free resource provided by NCU. You will find this in the ASC tab for NCU. If you follow the download directions carefully, it will not cost you anything. Please use it to proof your paper before submitting it, as grammatical issues will cause point deductions.
6. Avoid using passive voice because it leaves the reader asking by whom (e.g., all documents are required to be presented). Instead, use the active voice (e.g., present all required documents). Using active voice makes it very clear who is doing what.
7. Avoid using this, it, and other pronouns without a clear antecedent.
8. Formatting Requirements:
   1. When you begin your document, please go to the paragraph tab in Word and click, look about of the way down, and you will see a small box you need to check. This step prevents an extra line from being inserted after sentences and paragraphs.
   2. When you begin your document, click on File, then go to the bottom of the left and click on options, then click proofing. When you click proofing, you will notice options related to grammar and refinements; please click that box, then go through all the items and click each critical item, particularly the ones about passive voice. The items mentioned in #7 and #8 will assist you in proofing.
9. Remember, the title page and works cited page do not count toward the required number of pages.

As to the document itself, you must choose a country other than the United States to apply the managerial accounting concepts learned in this course. You must use the framework of a PESTLE analysis to guide you in researching and preparing your paper. You will need to choose peer-reviewed academic articles related to managerial accounting/cost accounting for the country you choose.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your professor immediately. Do not wait, as procrastination always appears in the final document. 

Length:  8 to 12 pages

References: Include a minimum of 4 scholarly resources. Be sure to use sources from the last 5 years.

The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources, reflect academic expectations and current APA standards, and adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.