Grammar review

Sentence types

Analyze the following sentences. Identify which are simple, compound and complex sentences.

1. The writer of the book thinks that people on welfare are sometimes stigmatized in society.

2. Many citizens are dissatisfied with the government as they are experiencing unprecedented economic difficulties.

3. University chiefs these days spend much of their time on fund-raising and publicity activities.

4. Students need good time management at university since they have numerous classes to attend and extra-curricular activities to take part in.

5. I queued for over an hour at the counter but still could not get a ticket.

6. The findings clearly indicate that more (not less) money should be allocated to training if the firm is to remain a truly international company.

8. The student representatives will meet the university management next week.

9. I finished the assignment early and took time to visit my grandparents in Manchester.

Complete these sentences. Use coordinating or subordinating words: and, if, as a result, or, so, but.

1. Peter was having problems with the report, ... he went to see the manager to ask for advice.

2. The bank should make good use of money ... invest them only in profitable business.

3. The employees can have holidays in summer ... they can have them in winter.

4. The lecture was boring and irrelevant, ... the audience began to fall asleep.

5. John would have found a new job ... he had stayed in London.

6. You can use the list below as guidelines ... you decided to find a good job.

7. It doesn't mean that everything is like this, ... you have quite a good chance to improve your knowledge.

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Words and expressions to remember

8.2

1. Language check

Complete the sentences choosing the correct options from the box.

1. We are under  ... so we need to recruit more workers.

2. Last in, first out' means that the ... who was employed most recently is the first to be made redundant if staff numbers are cut.

3. Two-thirds of the ... in the Administration Building have suffered from illness in the last six months.

4. The Human Resources Department are responsible for ... issues.

5. They are ... by cheap part-time workers, so their quality of service is not very satisfactory.

6. We must ... the company with creative and enthusiastic go-getters.

2. Read the text. Check you know the words in bold type which may be helpful for understanding in the dictionary supplemented.

Core skills: what is an accounting major expected to be good at?

Y our employer, clients, and professional colleagues are going to expect you to be able to do certain things well because you are an accountant. These core skills should help you focus your course work and learning as you progress toward your degree. Take the time to not just learn these skills but to excel at them. Practice, practice, practice! Show the world that Accounting majors are the best!

Technical Competency

Accountants are expected to know most, if not all, of the technical areas of the profession. This does not mean that you should know every little detail immediately, but that you should possess an understanding of the area and where to look for further guidance. Employers assume that you have a basic fundamental foundation of accounting when you graduate from college. However, this is only the starting point. Throughout your career in accounting, you will continue to learn and expand your accounting and business knowledge base in a life-long learning experience.

Oral/Written Communication

Accountants must not only know correct grammar and punctuation, but also how to express themselves in all manners of circumstances. You must be able to clearly explain financial requirements and procedures to managers, clients, and others who are interested in such information. You need to know how to evaluate and respond to many different circumstances, both individually and in group settings. Accountants are expected to be able to think on their feet and express those thoughts in a clear and easily understandable manner. Critical business decisions involving millions of dollars frequently hinge on the accountant's ability to think and respond quickly with accurate answers.

Critical Thinking Skills

In accounting, critical thinking refers to your ability to relate items, knowledge, and insight together so that you may provide valuable and quality advice to strategic decision makers. Critical thinking requires strong problem-solving skills with the ability to look beyond the mere surface and to evaluate a variety of strategies. It often involves taking a murky negative and turning it into a sharp clear, crisp picture.

Leadership Skills

Accountants must be able to motivate others to achieve results. This requires the accountant to combine excellent people skills with technical ability to inspire and influence the decision making process.

Technology Skills

In today's computer-oriented world, the accountant must understand computers including knowledge of accounting systems and accounting software packages. Accountants work with computers of all shapes and sizes from the stand-alone PC to networks of hundreds of computers located across the country. Much of the work that accountants do uses the computer from entering financial data into an accounting system or a computer spreadsheet to preparing tax returns and other financial reports using an accounting or tax software package.