SA1: Interview an Accountant/Accounting Firm or a Banker

In Week 2 your first Short Assignment (SA1) will be an interview assignment which is due by Day 7 Sunday of this week. Choose one of the two interview options and complete the assignment by taking into account of the following questions. Interview feedback can be gathered from face-to-face meeting, phone call, email or online chat.

a) Review rubric for grading criteria before you start to work on this assignment.

b) Briefly introduce your interviewee at the beginning to start your interview report.

c) The formats of your interview conducted by face to face meeting, phone, online chat system or back-and-forth email/letter are all acceptable.

d) Incorporating the following questions of your chosen option in your interview as basic guideline to engage in your interview dialogue.

Be reminded also – this is not a short-answer assignment. Please document your takeaway in commentary style.

e) The intended interview outcome of SA1 is for our students to learn from a hands-on individual who possesses knowledge and experiences in their fields. If you are unable to successfully set up an interview, your report can then be 100% research-based when you also briefly document your experience of scheduling difficulty in your work.

f) APA standard is required.

Option 1 Interview an Accountant or Accounting Firm

Contact an accountant and conduct an interview on forms of businesses, taxes, licenses needed, and so forth.

1) Which legal structure do you recommend? Why?

2) Can this legal structure be changed once it has been established?

3) Should the business be formed in or out of state? Why?

4) What are the tax implications of the legal structure recommended?

5) Will I need an employer identification number (EIN)?

6) Should I open a business bank account, or will my personal account be sufficient? Why?

7) Do you recommend using accounting software? Why?

8) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this business form?

OR,

Option 2 Interview a Banker

Contact a bank manager and conduct an interview on loan procedures and qualifications.

1) What is the current environment like for bank loans for small businesses?

2) What are the current rates the bank charges for business loans?

3) What criteria are considered in the determination of the rate of the loan and the amount that can be borrowed?

4) Are you lending money to new/small businesses?

5) What is the difference between a line of credit and a loan?

6) Do you sell your loans?

7) What financial information is required by the lender?

8) How do I obtain a loan application?

9) What types of questions might be asked in addition to those in the loan application?

10) What types of security might be requested to secure the loan?

11) What types of businesses normally get loans?

12) What are the characteristics of successful borrowers?