Another one bites the dust!

Happy Sunday. Let’s start with some Queen to celebrate.

Hope everyone is having a good day. Mine started with 12K run up Bundy’s highest point, The Sloping Hummock, and I didn’t die. I haven’t run for two weeks, so was a bit concerned on how I’d go. It went well and I really enjoyed it.

Got home to have a final read of my Step 2 of ASS#2. I’m quite pleased with this one, came out very differently from the first draft. The feedback I’ve received so far has been very positive, so I think I hit the mark with it. Note to new players, Martin is not averse to the left field approach. It’s now been submitted and if you want to have a read it can be found here Paul Feasey ASS#2 Step 2 Version 4

So that’s another assignment out of the road and that feels pretty good.

In the process of knocking off some feedback on various Step 3 spreadsheets. Another note to new players, if someone takes the time out to take a look at your efforts, it’s polite to say thank you and offer to reciprocate. That’s all I’m saying on the matter.

Next phase in this still very odd way of learning the basics of accounting is ratio’s. So far these appear fairly straightforward, so no concerns. Then onto Chapter 7 and budgets. My usual approach to budgets has always been

ask for lots and settle for less
always add at least 10% contingency on a project
when you have a budget make sure it’s all spent by the end of the year.

I suspect Martin has a more detailed approach than that.

dilbert budget

Happy studies

It’s lunchtime, I’m at work and can’t think of a snappy title

dilber numbers

How we all doing? It’s Wednesday lunchtime I’m at work and have about 10 minutes to get this written and posted. Hence the crappy title. I want to get my Law assignment done so I want this out of the way today.

I finally figured out what was wrong with my spreadsheet, thank you to everyone who had a look at it. Credit for your help is in the attached word document.

I have now learnt the perils of double dipping. This exercise has also reinforced the fact that all firms report in different ways and footnotes are gold.

My restated spreadsheet is attached and my document what I have gained from this exercise. Any questions, comments etc please let me know.

ASS#2 Reflections on Step 3

GALLIFORDTRY Company Spreadsheet FEASEY

Happy studies

(now back to the spreadsheets that pay my wages!)

Talking it through

I’ve had three attempts at KCQ’s for chapter 6 and I wasn’t happy with any of them. Yesterday I thought I’d try a more radical approach and talk through the issues with Chapter 6 himself.

The conversation went down on here. Paul Feasey ASS#2 Step 2 Version 4

As it’s a rather different approach to KCQ’s I’d appreciate some comments. If it’s pants I’ve still got time to go back and do it again

dilbert

Who doesn’t like a long weekend?

Long weekend’s, I love them. But that’s easy for me to say as I don’t have to work them at the moment. In the UK they’re called Bank Holidays which has an interesting history and Britpop legends Blur wrote a song about it.

In NSW I was essentially always on call so couldn’t really relax just in case something went pear shaped. In the UK at Carlsberg I was on a 24/7 roster. In my 18 months there I think I worked all the public holidays. In my double life as a project leader and student, all I have to worry about is me, and if I want or need to work over the long weekend in either of my roles I can.

I do appreciate how sucky it is when you see an update from family and friends mates and there’s nothing you can do about it. So if you have worked this weekend I hope it wasn’t too hard, you had some benefits and fun from it.

Vac week. What an interesting concept. No lecture videos to catch up on, no PASS sessions and no tutorials. The chance to catch up and hopefully get ahead of the curve. To be honest I tried, but not very successfully when I consider what I wanted to get done.

With the swimming season over the whole family has been around and doing things with them is far more amusing than restating financial details and reading Chapters 5 and 6. Though I have managed to complete the first draft of my LAWS11030 assignment and finish off my ASS#2 step 1, if you want to read it it’s here. Paul Feasey ASS#2 Step 1

We did go up to Rockhampton see child #1 on campus. Students in Rocky, you are very privileged. What a great campus! The halls are great, the food for the res students is amazing, the sports facilities are great and the gardens are lovely. When I went to Uni the only facility we had was a common room with a TV.

We used the BBQ’s in the gardens for our sausage sizzle. Absolutely fabulous. Public BBQ’s rank in my estimation as one of the greatest societal benefits of all time.

Alice is in a great spot to study. I’m happy she’s there, though she’s got a lot on, with balancing an RA role, adjusting to being an adult, having a social life and intense study. Dentistry is not for the fainthearted or lazy. Very proud of my eldest (takes after her mother in awesomeness)

Family BBQ Easter Friday

As there’s no work today I’ve caught up on some blogs. Amazing how we all interpret the chapters in different ways. Maitland’s blog made me laugh, Lisa has managed to break herself, Kyle is working on centrifuges and sugar, and Caitlin has new cows. This all links into Chapter 5 when Martin starts talking about relationships. As a distance student I doubt we’ll physically meet many of our fellows, but reading blogs does give an insight into how we all tick.

It looks like I’ll be getting some more study time in. I had a great run before parkrun on Saturday morning. Just shy of 8k in the dark and the pouring rain. I haven’t run in the rain or in the dark for ages. The Zombies, Run mission was great and I was soaked to the skin. It was awesome. Though it was a bit painful.

morning run saturday 20 april

About three months ago there were indications that something had come adrift internally. After much abuse by Mrs Feasey and my work colleagues I finally went to the doctors and I have an ultrasound next week. This means unfortunately I’m going to have to stop running for a week. Hopefully it’s nothing too drastic and I can get back out soon. I do get a bit rangry (grumpy due to lack of running) if I have too much of a gap.

This gives me some increased study time. Speaking of which, while everyone else is slowly rising in the Feasey household I’m going to have another cup of tea and read Chapters 5 & 6.

Happy Studies folks.

It all adds up, except when it doesn’t

I have spent an entire evening on my spreadsheet. I’ve watched the videos, more than once. I’ve read the chapter, many times. I’ve looked over Martins examples.

I’ve identified my O’s and F’s. I’ve put all the numbers into all the spreadsheets. I’ve done the checks to ensure that the component parts correspond correctly to the source data. Shouldn’t be a problem. But it is a problem!

The NFA + Equity calculation doesn’t match the NOA! and The total comprehensive income for the year is out as well.

I don’t know why! It all adds up, until it doesn’t and I can’t work it out. I think it’s a calculation error as I’ve a lot of negative numbers in the sheet. I can get it to work, though I’m not entirely sure if I’m going about it the right way. It’s quite possibly a silly error that I’ve overlooked from staring at it for too long. I would like to find it though.

If anyone would care to take a look and guide me in amending the error I’d really appreciate it.

GALLIFORDTRY Company Spreadsheet FEASEY

From desperation comes motivation

In chapter 1 of the study guide Martin makes it really clear that in order to succeed in this course you need to be spending 12.5 hours a week on the subject. I think I have spent more than that just trying to untangle Chapter 4 and that’s before I start on the restated financial statements.

In the study guides I don’t mind a bit of trivia now and again. I do have a passing knowledge of Machiavelli and GK Chesterton, but I’m not going to search out Euclid. To be honest in this chapter these nuggets I didn’t find at all helpful.

A lot of the concepts in Chapter 4 I’m familiar with through experience, having them interwoven with kinder eggs and Ryman Healthcare didn’t help me much. Especially when trying to work out how to play with my spreadsheet.

What I wanted was details of the mechanical process for the spreadsheet, what I got was somewhat different. As I may have mentioned before, if it was easy everyone would do it. So I’ll read the chapter again and watch the video and see how we go.

I’ve got a Law assignment on the go as well and wanted to get at least something on ASS#2 out so I can concentrate on that. So as the title says from desperation comes motivation. What I have attached is probably version 5 of a first draft.

I’m not happy with it. I’m sure it’s rambling, simplistic and misses a hundred points. Take a look, rip it up and tell me where you think I’ve gone wrong. It’ll be a feedback gift I’ll appreciate. I’ll what Studiosity has to say about it as well.

The output of my desperation can be found here. Paul Feasey ASS#2 Step 1

On a more positive note and speaking of motivation. It was a great parkrun this morning with two colleagues from work joining me. Dan worked for me when I was in operations and Kasey is our project accountant. I run with Kasey twice a week and have been encouraging her to get faster, usually by not telling her the pace we’re running at and she’s come a long way since starting regular running in January.

I am really pleased to say that this method of motivation and support has paid off and she ran her fastest 5k at 26:25. Something to celebrate (unlike my draft 😦 )

Happy studies folks.

Chapter 4, what is it good for?

Every time I see KCQ in my head I read this as Keep Calm and Carry On!

Don’t ask me why, I have no idea, but it makes me laugh every time. So keeping calm and carrying on is exactly what I am trying to do.

The feedback on my ASS#1 was to work harder on my KCQ’s which is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Chapter 4! You are really testing me!

I had four attempts last night to assemble my KCQ’s on chapter 4. The only thing I was certain of is Euclid will likely win me a point in a trivia contest and nothing more.

There is so much information in that chapter and all of it makes sense. The challenge is to make sense of it in the form of KCQ’s. In the end I gave up and restated my SOCIE instead.

Fortunately Step 1 is not due until the 23rd and we have a PASS session this evening. I’m hoping the assembled brains trust will provide sufficient inspiration to get this done.

In the meantime.

acct11059-keep-calm-and-write-kcq-s

Happy Studies!

Keep moving forward*

Come Monday morning all of us should be breathing a sigh of relief at the successful completion of the first assignment. We might even have considered reading ahead and seeing what’s next, or we might not.

I was quite surprised when Gayle popped up on messenger informing the group her ASS#1 had been marked. I hadn’t considered looking as I only put it in yesterday. I went and looked, lo and behold it to was marked and commented upon.

I’m happy with the mark as it stands, though do wonder what else I need to do with KCQ’s to make the marker happy. Fortunately we’ve got a number of opportunities coming up to do just that. With ASS#1 completed, I asked myself the question “what do we do next?” The answer is quite a lot actually.

If you haven’t had a look at ASS#2, brace yourself! ASS#1 was simplicity itself compared to what’s coming over the next 9 weeks. The first challenge being to decipher exactly what is required and when. We’ve all got a lot on and having some clear milestones is a benefit.

What I’ve done for me and I’ll share it with you is tabulate the expectations. I’ve laid it out week by week with study requirements and due dates (if I’ve missed something please let me know). For the full details you’ll still need to look at the full Assignment guide but it may help keep you on track. ASS#2 The Simple Guide

What I’ve also done is quickly knock up the feedback sheets for Step 4 and Step 10.

ASS#2 Step 4 Feedback Sheets

ASS# 2 Step 10 Feedback Form

I consider the best way to succeed in this unit is by planning well, getting ahead of the requirements, really thinking about those KCQ’s and positive interaction with others. If by using my very simple guide helps take away the wonder and worry about what to do next then we all win.

Happy Studies!

walt disney keep moving forward

Satisfaction guaranteed

Apart from three small assignments as part of a BRC Professional qualification course I’ve just finished, I haven’t had a substantial assignment to complete for a very long time.

The difference between then and now, is that back in the 20th century my assignments were handwritten and physically handed in. Type written and submitted over the interwebs! How easy is that!

Technology doesn’t change the fact that a whole lot of effort goes into these things and the relief that comes from pressing the submit button (or putting in the lecturers office pigeon hole) is quite satisfying.

If you have trouble sleeping or have absolutely nothing better in your lives you can read the final version here Paul Feasey ASS# 1 Steps 2 – 6

To be honest though I wouldn’t recommend it, as it’s time to move on. Up next Chapter 4 and restating our financial statements. On the horizon there are more KCQ’s, more spreadsheets and more feedback.

The first four weeks have flown by and I expect the rest of this unit to do the same. What I am looking forward to is the final submission of ASS#2 on June 10th where my satisfaction in completing this unit will be definitely guaranteed.

Happy Studies!

Week 5 already?

How’s everyone doing?

Week 4 is drawing to a close and I’m quite astounded in how it’s going. I was not totally sure how studying, life, the universe and everything was going to work out. We’re a 1/3 of the way in and it’s going all right.

Couple of things I’ve experienced, learned and been reminded of this week.

PASS sessions continue to be extremely valuable. If you’re not in it, why not? I’m enjoying the interaction and by talking with the group I’m able to better understand the concepts and help out as well. I am trying to say less, honest, but it is a challenge as I’m so used to leading and talking at work.

Warning this is the only negative I have so far in this unit.

PeerWise, to be honest at this stage is losing it’s value. I’m well up on the scoring system and could stop now and still get a pass. I appreciate that we will be at different stages in the reading and I’m deliberately looking for the challenging questions. What I’m finding is that some of these challenging questions are only that way due to being badly written and with no explanation.

If I get genuinely hard question wrong, no problem, I’ll go back and learn from it. But it is frustrating to get a question wrong when it’s badly worded and there’s no explanation.

I have lost count of the times I’ve written provide an explanation in the comments. I’ve now taken to grading questions as fair or poor if there’s no explanation.

Back to being positive! 🙂

Good feedback is really important and to do it properly takes time. I’ve provided feedback and I hope it’s been helpful. I still have a couple outstanding, which I will try and get to. Though it is the weekend, where you’d think there would be more time, however as everyone is home it’s not the case.

Thank you for those lovely folk who have provided feedback on my work and my blog. With the blog it’s always nice to be appreciated and the fact that it’s been helpful is a real bonus.

The feedback on my ASS#1 has been great, but reminds me of an important point. Feedback is not necessarily proof reading. In the words of the immortal Public Enemy (quite frankly one of the best hip hop groups of all time) don’t believe the hype!

In getting the feedback which was really positive in terms of content and style, which I really appreciated, I almost sat back and thought “perfect I’m done” and went to submit it early. A little voice inside said, “are you sure?” So I went back and proof read it again, found spelling errors, grammatical errors and formatting that needed correcting.

If I’d put in “as was”, I would’ve only had myself to blame for not checking and would’ve thrown away easy marks. Rookie error and not good at all.

Which segues nicely to the next lesson. Attention to detail. In my career I should be super focused on the details. If you get times, temperatures and the analysis wrong, you will make bad beer. Quite clearly I wasn’t focused enough on the details and my draft was lacking. But that’s why we do a draft.

The other area of where I wasn’t focused enough on the details was at today’s parkrun. I had an aversion to the numbers 51 to 100 and decided to skip straight to #101. I only noticed when I handed over #151 to the 51st runner. A quick swap and we continued from 101. Not a train wreck, but a bit of a nuisance to sort out at the end.

In my defense I had just run a 56 minute 10 K (my 3rd fastest in three years, go me!) and hadn’t had breakfast, so my brain may have been a little low on sugar.

My faux pas was source of much amusement; that an experienced Race Director who’s doing a degree that involves numbers can just miss a whole set of finish tokens. I will never be allowed to forget this, which is a perfectly reasonable response by my fellow Race Directors, who are here in this pic sorting out my mess.

Park run RD's

Week 5 starts, well now, with Chapter 4. I’ve read it once and there is a lot covered. I can see many KCQ’s on the horizon. We have the additional challenge of restating our financial reports. This will take some patience and keen attention to detail. As it’s another new area for me I’m looking forward to it.

The last words:

positive feedback is great, but don’t forget to remain critical of your own work and take that last look before submitting
don’t forget the details. Attention to detail is an essential part of managing numbers and business (and parkrun) and a skill to master early on.

Happy Studies