The City of Providence, RI: A Case Examining the Financial Condition of a U.S. Municipality II.

I. Project Title: The City of Providence, RI: A Case Examining the Financial Condition of a U.S. Municipality II. Introduction

After working at Baker, Lombard, & Sweeting Accounting, LLC for the past five years, you decide to apply for a position at a much larger firm that specializes in government and not-for-profit entities, Levin & Shapiro, LLC. An outside talent acquisition firm handles hiring for Levin & Shapiro, LLC.

Knowing the interview process at Levin & Shapiro, LLC is notoriously challenging, you are thrilled to be offered a fifth interview by Chad from the talent acquisition firm. To prepare for this interview, Chad informs you that “the position requires not only 5 years of experience in government and not-for-profit accounting but also research, writing, and presentation skills. In this fifth interview, you will make a presentation to the talent acquisition team and submit a research report in APA Style for review by Levin & Shapiro, LLC. I’ll be emailing a case study for you to prepare for the interview. Only complete Parts I and II of the case study for the interview. This is the last interview and you made it to the final three candidates. Good luck!”

III. Steps to completion

Step 1: Read through the case

Read the case study and take copious notes for later reference. Focus on Parts I and II of the case study.

Step 2: Research and write a Report

Write a 10-15 page research report in APA Style. Include tables, charts, and graphs as needed to support your report. Sometimes a picture says a thousand words (Frederick R. Barnard, 1921). Be judicious in deciding which data you’ll present in graphic form.

Submit your draft document to the Students Coursework Tutors two weeks before it is due. Use their feedback to improve your final submission.

You must have a minimum of three reliable reference sources to support your research. Include in-text citations and a reference page in APA Style at the end of the paper.

Step 3: Prepare your Presentation

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation with audio enhancement to thoroughly answer all of the questions in Part II of the case study. Each slide must have notes written below the slide, which you will use to record your presentation. There are no specific number of PowerPoint slides required as long as you thoroughly answer all of the questions in your presentation.

Remember to cite all sources per APA. Use in-text citations and include a reference list.

IV. Deliverables

· A 10-15 page research report in APA style

· An audio-enhanced presentation using PowerPoint with notes below each slide.

V. Helpful hints

· Start this project early in the semester.

· Search the UMUC library for scholarly sources on your chosen topic

· Review and refresh your memory of APA style formatting.

· Prepare a draft version at least 3 weeks before it is due.

· Ask a classmate, friend, or family member to read your report before submitting it to the Students Coursework Center.

· Submit your draft to the Students Coursework Tutors at least 2 weeks before it is due. FREE Students Coursework Tutors can be accessed in your LEO classroom.

· Make edits to your report after reviewing feedback from the writing center tutors.

· Ask the manager (your professor) questions as needed.

· Submit the report and presentation on or before its due date.

VI.  Rubric

See Content / Course Resources / Projects & Rubrics / Project 3