UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

REPORT BY
PFIDZE MARYLINE

R183930J

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree in

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES HOUNORS DEGREE (FINANCE AND

BANKING) – (2017) (HBBSFINBC)

(FEBRUARY 2020 – FEBRUARY 2021)

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FOREWORD
The main aim of the industrial attachment is to ensure that the student gain experience and
knowledge of the program that one pursues to complete. The theory learnt at the University
of Zimbabwe is blended with practice , and illuminate on departmental challenges and
problems that are discovered in the organisation by the student .The student is required to
give an analytical and practical overview of the whole period. This year is of prime
importance as the student is exposed to the industry and has a first-hand feel of the industrial
aura for a period of eight to twelve months.

It is during this period that the students are expected to interlink the theoretical skills
acquired during the first two years and the college to the real corporate world. The student
was attached at Kashep Enterprises in Harare. The duties, responsibilities and roles
undertaken during the industrial attachment period are detailed in this report. The attachment
is educating and challenging but the author has managed to turn the challenges into
carrier building experience as well as use them as a way of measuring one’s
responsiveness to business situations. The student recommends Kashep Enterprises a good
place for industrial attachment since it has all Accounting and Finance functions hence there
is much exposure.

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this report wholeheartedly to the Almighty God, my creator, my strong pillar, my
source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He has guided me all my life and has led
me to where I am today.

To my family, my friends and relatives who supported me in many ways, some with great
advice and some with encouragement.

Special mention to my colleagues, classmates and study team. They have been there from the
beginning of this episode and we have helped each other through fits and turns, thick and
thin.

And most importantly I dedicate this report to my beloved parents who gave birth to me and
to my husband. They have been my source of inspiration and gave me the strength when I
thought of giving up, who continually provide their moral, spiritual, emotional and financial
support.

Thank you and God bless you.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My acknowledgement goes to the Almighty God for being a source of strength to me and for
preserving me alive to be able to be where I am today.

Special gratitude goes to all those who helped to make this industrial attachment a triumph.
My family members deserve a heartfelt thankfulness for their moral, financial and social
support during my industrial attachment.

I am also grateful to lecturers for their support since my enrolment at University of

Zimbabwe.

Many thanks go to the management and the whole staff at Kashep Enterprises for their
willingness to support and give me a precious opportunity to be part of Team Kashep. Worth
mentioning is the golden support and guidance l received from my immediate supervisor Mr
Jacob Timburwa and his team, their high level of tolerance , the knowledge they imparted to
me and accommodating me in the department for this period. This has been a great
opportunity to gain necessary professional experience, make the necessary relationships for
future business endeavours and I look forward to exploiting all l have learnt.

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This report firstly gives an account of Kashep Enterprises PVT LTD background, its mission,
vision, location and core values and objectives. The second chapter that is chapter two gives
an account of the organization’s business that is the range of products the company has , its
target market , organisational structure, communication and information systems and
management approaches to procurement . Chapter three considers the tasks and
responsibilities performed by the student during the work related learning program. The
fourth part (chapter four) reveals the applicability of theory to practice that is the theory
learnt helped the student in doing her duties. Chapter five gives a personal evaluation of the
student that is the targets she set for industrial attachment, the benefits of the period and
challenges faced at KE. Last but not least the student gives recommendations to KE to
improve its operations and also to UZ as to how they can enhance the work related learning
program.

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ACRONYMS

(PVT) : PRIVATE
LTD : LIMITED
UZ : UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE
ZIMRA : ZIMBABWE REVENUE AUTHORITY
VAT : VALUE ADDED TAX
GAAP : GENERAL ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
IAS : INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
KE : KASHEP ENTERPRISES

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Table of Contents
Foreword… … … … … … …….. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ii
Dedication … … … … … … … … … .. … … … … …. … … … … … … … … … .iii
Acknowledgement … … … … … … … … … …. … … … … … … … … … … … ..iv
Executive summary … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … v
Acronyms … … … … … … … … .. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … vi

Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 1
1.2 Background of the Company … … … … … … … … .. … … … … … … … … … .2
1.3 Location … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .. …3
1.3 Vision … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 4
1.4 Mission Statement … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .4
1.5 Objectives of the Company … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 5
1.6 Company values and commitment … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..5

Chapter 2
2.1 Organisation’s business… … … … … .. … … … … … … … … … … … … … …6
2.2 Organisation’s target market… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 8
2.3 Organisation’s perfomance analysis… … … … … … … .. … … … … … … … … 8
2.4 Organisational structure… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .. 9
2.5 Communication and information systems……………………………………………. 12
2.6 Management approaches to procurement…………………………………………….. 12

Chapter 3: …………………………..……………………………………………………
Industrial attachment duties perfomed
3.1 VAT calculation.……………………………………………………………………...14
3.2 Bank reconciliation……………………………………………………………………15
3.3 Data capturing……………………………………………………………………….. 15
3.4 Filing………………………………………………………………………………….15
3.5 Preparation of monthly financial reports……………………………………………..15
3.6 Preparation of debtor’s weekly report……………………………………………… 16
3.7 Balancing Quickbooks with Cashbook……………………………………………. 16
3.8 Preparation of customers detailed ledgers…………………………………………. 17
3.9 Physical inventory count………………………………………………………….. 17

Chapter 4
4.1 Applicability of theory into practise……………………………………………..... ..18
4.2 Is theory agreeing or disagreeing with practice?...................................................... …20
4.3 Is theory up to date, applicable, adaptable and acceptable……………………………. .21

Chapter 5: … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
5.1Targets set for industrial attachment… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 22

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5.2 Expectations against industry reality… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …23
5.3 Personal evaluations.. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …24
5.4 Challenges faced and how they were overcomed… … … … … … … … … … … … 27

Chapter 6: Recommendations… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 30
Conclusion… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... .... … … … … … … … 33
References … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 34
Appendices… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 35

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CHAPTER 1:

1.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter introduces Kashep Enterprises and its background, the company’s vision,
mission and goals are explored. “Our values and principles guide actions and ways of life”.
This remains true for growing organizations like Kashep Enterprises. At the end of this
chapter, one should be able to match the company’s business operations with its vision, goal,
values, and its sense of social responsibilities and what it hopes to achieve.

1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANISATION

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Kashep Enterprises is a Private Limited company operating as manufacturer and distributor
of packaging and bakery ingredients in Zimbabwe which was founded by Kumbirai Katiyo in
1998.

Having commenced its operation in 1998 the company performed very well during the period
to 2008 as it enjoyed favourable trading conditions. However, between 2008 and 2009, the
company experienced operational difficulties which coincided with a harsh macroeconomic
environment which affected the Zimbabwean economy.

However, it experienced an upturn in trade from 2010 to date. This can be accredited partly to
the favourable economic environment ushered in by the Dollarization Regime and the
experience and tenacity garnered during the harsh trading environment that engulfed
Zimbabwe during the past decade.

The Company’s business model is premised on a built-in self-regulatory mechanism whereby

the company monitors and ensures adherence to law, ethical standards and international
norms. While the principal goal is to maximise returns to its shareholders, the company wants
to embrace the responsibility for the impact of its activities on customers, communities,
stakeholders and all other members of the sphere. The Company therefore deliberately
includes public interest into corporate decision making.

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1.3 LOCATION

Kashep Enterprises Pvt Ltd is located at number 34 Edison Crescent, Graniteside, Harare.

1.4VISION

Kashep Enterprises desires to be a well-established Manufacturer and Distributor of

Packaging and Bakery Ingredients to the Nation of Zimbabwe and beyond.

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1.5 MISSION

To be recognized as leader in the provisional of superior quality products and services

throughout Zimbabwe. We will achieve this doing business with you in an ethical and
professional manner.

1.5 Objectives of Kashep Enterprises Pvt Ltd:

 Manufacturing of Plastic.
 Manufacturing of Bakery and Take-away Ingredients.
 Supplying and Distribution of Wrapping and Packaging
 Supplying Bakery and Take-away Requirements

1.6 Company values and commitment:

These are the guiding principles that describe how the organisation strives to operate and
these are;

 team work,
 motivation,
 quality products,
 professionalism,
 efficiency and effectiveness,
 Growth and future development.

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CHAPTER 2

INTRODUCTION

This chapter looks directly at the organization’s business, organization’s target market,
organization performance analysis, organization’s structure, communication and information
systems and management approaches to procurement.

2.1 Organization’s business

The company is in the business of manufacturing and supplying of bakery ingredients, spices,
plastics and commodity broking. Diagram below shows a range of products the company has.

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The core business activities of the company are:
 Manufacturing of Plastic.
 Manufacturing of Bakery and Take-away Ingredients.
 Supplying and Distribution of Wrapping and Packaging
 Supplying Bakery and Take-away Requirements

2.2 Organization’s target market

The organization’s target market consits of supermarkets and retail grocery outlets. Below is
list the company’s top clients.

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2.3 Organization’s performance analysis

Kashep Enterprises financial performance can be measured using its profits. According to
Horsley (2011) Profit is the excess of returns over Expenditure in transaction or series of
transactions. Profitability is measured by profit generated. Last year the company managed to
reach a profit of 125% despite the economic challenges faced. Inflation affected many
companies in Zimbabwe but Kashep sailed through the difficult times and made a huge
profit.

The company also managed to increase its scale of production by introducing new products
in the market which led to increase in market share. Market share refers to a company’s
portion of sales within the entire market. Increasing market share indicates that the marketing
mix of the business is proving to be successful than that of its competitors resulting in more
retailers keen to stock and promote the bestselling brand and this leaves more profit to the
organisation . The company also managed to satisfy its existing customers and also managed
to attract new customers because of being the brand leader in the bakery and packaging
solutions.This therefore shows that the organization is performing fairly well.

2.4 KASHEP ENTERPRISES ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

An organizational structure defines the flow of authority, responsibility and accountability in

an organization. E. F. L. Breach (2000) defines an organizational structure as "a system of
structural interpersonal relationships. In it, individuals are differentiated in terms of authority,
status and roles with the result that personal interaction is prescribed, and anticipated
reactions between individuals tend to occur while ambiguity and spontaneity are decreased".

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Kashep Enterprises (PVT) Ltd has a wide organizational structure. This is so because the
organization has a flat base on its hierarchy. In simpler terms there is a small gap between the
highest position and the lowest position in the organization. The idea behind this is that the
management wants to simplify and clarify authority, responsibility and accountability
relationships and also to promote fast decision making.

The organogram below shows the hierarchy of authority which flows from the Director down
to other departments. The Director is at the pinnacle of the organogram and he is in charge
for the decision making process. He sets outs company priorities and shapes the course it
should be stirred in.

Beneath him comes the General Manager who plays a dominant role in determining the
direction and investments which the company should take.

Other departments fall right below and these are responsible for carrying out the activities of
their departments as well as its performance. They then give a report to the directors as well
as the General Manager.

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Kashep Enterprises (Pvt) LTD Company

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2.5 COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Kashep Enterprises owns computers, laptops, printers, scanners and photocopiers, most of
which are five years and older. The Agency also has a Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local
Area Network (LAN).

The company also uses Quick Books as its accounting package, it generate reports and
provide tools that help use financial data.

Technologies (ICT) which includes hardware, software support, networking, internet/email

support, website management, recommendation on IT equipment and usage, data backup and
data archiving as well as database development and maintenance are used at the company.

There is also effective communication throughout all the departments at Kashep Enterprises
through the use of landlines. Also, communication is done through emails, Google website
and social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook, YouTube and twitter throughout the
organisation.

2.6 MANAGEMENT APPROACHES TO PROCUREMENT

The company has different departments that contribute to procurement if they carry out their
duties correctly and if there is effective communication.

 Accounts Section
The section is responsible for Finance and Management Accounting. It compiles financial
reports, keeps accounting records and makes payments. Management Accounts are prepared
monthly, quarterly, annually and on demand.

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  Human Resources
The section is responsible for human resources planning. It spearheads recruitment
and selection, compensation, training and development needs identification, job
evaluation coordination, salaries and wages administration, records and HR statistics
and handling grievances and disciplinary issues. Bond Pat and Jill Martin (1998)
said the objective of the HR can be described as the process of matching what the
company owners want from their employees with what employees want from their
work. It also conducts the board of inquiries for personnel.

 Sales Section
This section is the cornerstone of the company because Kashep solely relied on intensive
customer service to allure big names that carry with them financial muscles into the clientele
base. The department is vibrant in looking for new horizons with new big customers every
day.

 Production Section
The production section makes all the strategic decisions in the department with the help of its
immediate subordinate. Production department mainly focuses on the manufacturing and
control of materials flow through the organization. The department is involved in cost
effective procurement and distribution of the product. This department is also involved in
logistics planning and distribution.

 Stores Section
The stores department makes sure that customer receives their products as prescribed on the
invoices or receipts. And to inform the sales department about the goods which are out of
stock to avoid making the customers unsatisfied by not getting what they have ordered.

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CHAPTER 3

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Introduction

This chapter set out in detail the attachment duties that were performed by the author;

3.1 V.A.T calculation and submission

The company is a registered tax operator under category C (for large businesses with sales of
more than $240 000 per year), hence it submit V.A.T returns by the 25 th of the following
month after the end of the month during which the VAT was collected. Because of that,
towards the end of every month the author calculated V.A.T and submits V.A.T returns to
ZIMRA.

3.2 Bank reconciliation statements

Bank reconciliation statements are done as the author will be comparing bank statements and
the company’s statement captured in QuickBooks. She would do the bank reconciliations
regularly checking the expenditures of the company as well as noticing points to minimize
cash outflows if possible so as to retain working capital. Also, to reconcile customer reports
and balances in the company system.

3.3 Data capturing

The author was responsible for capturing customer tax invoices in excel for reconciliation
and VAT remittance purposes .The author was also responsible for capturing swift
consignments in excel for reconciliation purposes when the supplier send the invoice.

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3.4 File Maintenance
This included ensuring that documents are properly filed in an orderly and sequential
arrangement for safe keeping and future reference. It helps during audits and for reference
sake since the pulling out of the documents will be easy and done timeously.

3.5 Preparation of monthly financial reports

Later on she took part in preparing monthly financial reports for management purposes.
The company has five departments which are Spices, greaseproof, polypropylene, plastics
and commodity broking department some of which requires a separate manufacturing
account and income statement. After preparing manufacturing accounts and income
statements for each department the Finance Manager would then prepare a consolidated
income statement and present it to the General Manager and the Managing Director.

3.6 Preparation of debtors’ and creditors’ weekly reports

The author prepares debtors’ and creditors reports every Monday and submits to the
management (MD, GM and Finance manager). Debtors report lists the customers that owe
payment to the business. It then helps keep track of the money owed to our company.
Whereas, creditors report is a totalled list of all the bills that you haven't yet paid as a
company due in various periods.

3.7 Balancing Quickbooks with manual cash book

It was the authors’s responsibility to capture the daily transcations that is in the manual cash
book into Quickbooks .The daily transcations include cash sales made with different payment
methods that is ecocash,usd dollars and rtgs dollars, therefore it was the authors responsibility

13
to deposit cash sale in respect of the payment method made . Also the author made journal
entries of expenses incurred on that day in the quickbooks so as to balance with the manual
cash book .

3.8 Capturing suppliers invoices

The author captured suppliers invoices in the Quickbooks as she received them from the
suppliers and paid the bills in the system as soon as the payment was made .It was also the
authors responsibility to do follow up of some suppliers’ invoices by requesting them via
email.

3.9Preparation of customer statements

It was the authors’ responsibility to prepare customers statements that shows the amount they
are owing the organisation.The author reconciled the invoices in the system with those in the
excel after effecting payment made by the customer which is shown on the remmitance
advice(remittance advice shows the invoices paid by the customer) to ensure that all unpaid
invoices are on the statement.

3.10 Physical Inventory Count

It was the responsibility of the author to participate in stocktake which is done at the end of
company’s financial year . The author was fortunate to do the physical inventory count at the
plastic production department where she had the chance to apply the knowledge of IAS 2 that
is to determine which items to value because at the production there were spoiled plastics
manufactured. The process allows to determine the positive or negative variances between
the verified physical counts and system stock on hand and hence adjust accordingly.

14
CHAPTER 4

4.1 APPLICABILITY OF THEORY TO PRACTICE

Introduction

This chapter is written to explain how the theory learnt in different courses where applied by
the author in her day to day tasks

Business Administration

Every company has its organisational culture and structure. As taught in this module about
values, organisational culture, organisational structure and chain of command it was easy for
her to fit into the company and had knowledge that certain protocols should be followed. It also
made it easy for the student to know whom to report to following the chain of command of the
company. The organisation supported Espirit de corps that is team spirit which is one of Fayols
14 points for instance team spirit was shown during month-ends whereby there was many
orders from the customers, everyone despite the fact that it was the stores department
responsibility participate in the pulling and packing of these orders to ensure that the customers
receive their orders in time.

Financial Accounting

Through the knowledge acquired in Financial Accounting the author had a strong theoretical
background of the practice of financial accounting and it made it easier for the author to
understand work related procedures such as making journal entries and reconciling of ledger
accounts. The knowledge of reconciliation made it easier in the preparation of customer
statements and also in bank reconciliation .Additionally the authors’ knowledge in GAAP

15
and IAS made it easier for the author to tackle some of her duties for example during the
physical inventory count due to the knowledge of IAS 2 she was able to know which items to
be valued as stock. Accounting concepts learnt in financial accounting were evident in the
accounts department. For example;
 Maintaining all records in an orderly manner that is filing for future reference like
during audits

Corporate Finance

One of the important functions of the accounting department at Kashep is carrying out cost
benefit analysis. This concept is used to find out total input at new project plus the results of
undertaking the project. The student matched this concept to the investment analysis concept
taught in corporate finance module.

Fundamental Mathematics

The company relies on accuracy, speed and logic in most of its transactions. The student’s
everyday work is based upon calculations. Her calculations and reports have a direct impact
on the management’s decisions.

Accounting Information Systems

In this module the author was introduced to information processing system, computer
hardware and software. The author was also equipped with the knowledge on how to use soft
wares such as Microsoft Office like excel, outlook and word. The theory and technical skills
learnt from this course was of great importance in the efficient accomplishment of the
author’s duties in the accounting field since the author was using excel in capturing
customer’s tax invoices and preparation of monthly reports. The author managed to use
Outlook in sending emails to debtors and suppliers.

16
Communication Skills

This course helped the author in her day to day duties for instance most of the time the
author interacted with suppliers and customers of the company so with the help of the
knowledge acquired in this module it made her work easy. This course helped the author in
solving conflicts at the organisation by using some of the conflict resolution skills learnt for
instance using the problem solving method ,that is find the root cause of the conflict and
solve it . The knowledge of written communication skills developed by the author from this
course such as writing reports, memos and business emails, plus the use of modern
communication modes such as internet, emails and telephone were useful throughout the
author’s attachment period.

4.2 Is theory agreeing or disagreeing with practice?

Some of the theory which the student learned from the University is agreeing with practice or
with what the student have been doing during her attachment at Kashep Enterprises. The
communication techniques are the same, financial reporting is the same, bank statements are
prepared the same. There is a difference that the company use Computerised Accounting
while at university we are taught manual accounting.

4.3 Is theory up to date, applicable, adaptable and acceptable?

The University equips students with theory and knowledge that is up to date, applicable and
acceptable in the industry. However, there is need for the University to liaise with industry
gurus when formulating course outlines so that they know what skill set is expected of their
students, for example, the University needs to know various Accounting packages that is
being used in the industry so that it can equip its students with skills and knowledge of
various Accounting packages.

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CHAPTER 5

5.1 TARGETS SET FOR INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

To be able to apply the theory learnt at school at work

The author managed to apply the knowledge learnt at school on the duties assigned to her.
When she was given a task to prepare financial reports and review them she applied the
information she learned while taking financial accounting courses. There is a lot that the
student did on her attachment period using the theory learnt at school which helped her to do
her work efficiently.

To Boost self-confidence

Through interaction with different people at work the student managed to boost her
confidence. Sometimes the student was given tasks to communicate with suppliers and
customers, it was tough at first because she didn’t think she could represent a company own
her own which boosted her confidence more especially when she discovered that she could
do it. The company as a whole was very supportive as they valued the students’ opinions
which made her more confident in expressing her views when there is an issue at hand.

To increase knowledge in Accounting

The student aimed to gain more knowledge on accounting concepts principles and
terminology. She wanted to understand more about financial accounting as a whole and also
gain some knowledge on management accounting. The student got all the knowledge she

18
wanted as she prepared weekly reports that help management in decision making. She also
got to know how to obtain information needed when preparing financial statements in the
system (Quick Books).Additionally she managed to have an understanding in submission of
VAT returns.

To gain Knowledge of Accounting Packages

The student got the opportunity to use an accounting package. She got to know more about
Quick Books which is used at her work place. It was tough at first because it was her first
time to use it doing real business transactions but with practise she got used to the way things
were done at the company.

To develop business communication skills

The student set a target to develop good communication skills. She managed to communicate
with suppliers and customers of the company well. It was difficult at first but with time she
gained confidence and more ways of interacting with them in a good way which yields
positive results. Handling different situations every day and meeting people with different
personalities improved the student’s communication skills.

5.2 Expectations against Industry reality

The student expected to find the working environment to be characterised with more pressure
and less friendly interaction between her and the supervisor. Her insight on the work related

19
learning program was not correct in that the student thought it was only a matter of applying
theory background but she discovered that more have to be added for instant fixing the
system when it crushes.

Moreover the student thought that making mistakes at work will result in a severe
correctional measure but later realizes that mistakes are common and its part of learning
where one has to be accountable for the mistakes.

5.3 PERSONAL EVALUATIONS

Introduction

This part section covers the author’s personal evaluations. It is there to show how the student
was transformed both professionally and academically. It also highlights the challenges that
the student faced during the industrial attachment and how she resolved the challenges.

Benefits of the industrial attachment

The student actually awarded the industrial attachment program a five star due to its
usefulness in developing professional experience for future managers. The student gained a
lot of skills which include managerial skills, the need for accuracy, communication skills,
technical skills, time management skills, pressure handling skills and many others to be
discussed below:

 Communication skills
Communication skills are the key factor to a good business person. The author acquired
communication skills emanating mostly from communicating with workmates, customers and
suppliers. She also gained confidence through communication with all workmates and this
improved her relationship with all the management. The author learnt email etiquette during
her period.

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  Time management
This is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of
time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or
productivity .This has helped the student to understand how crucial it is to manage time. The
student also learnt to be time cautious and know how to rank assigned tasks in order of
priority.

 Professional grooming
The student has developed professionalism because she gained a lot of exposure in the
finance field and now knows how to conduct her duties professionally.

The student gained the following professional characters during the industrial attachment;

-The need for team-work

-Using the correct communication channels in the conduct of duties

-The decision making protocol

-The need for sustainability, professionalism, transparency and integrity as finance personnel.

 Team Working
Team working was a major contributor to the student’s success in everything she did on her
attachment. It is very important for an organisation as it offers the company and the staff the
ability to become more familiar with each other and learn how to work together. Therefore,
team working helped to feel part and parcel of the organisation and learnt that it is important
to the success of the company and to the development of each employee.

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  Analytical Skills
This is the ability to use good reasoning in analysing a situation and also the ability to solve
problems. This was very crucial as an accountant especially when analysing customers’
accounts. The student was able to visualise, gather information, articulate, analyse and make
decisions. She was able to apply analytical skills in different tasks given during her
attachment period.

 Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality in the workplace is important for building and maintaining
trust, and for ensuring an open and honest communication between customers, clients and
employees. The student learnt that financial information at Kashep Enterprises should not
be disclosed to any unauthorized third party and she managed to follow all the
requirements of the company.

 Computer skills
The student also managed to further improve the quality of her skills on the use of MS
Excel and QuickBooks and also learnt that if a system is out dated it will result in
crushing causing deletion of some important information for the organisation.

 Accountability

The student also gained the knowledge of accepting crucial responsibility for instance being
in charge of banking daily sales and paying the suppliers when the supervisor is not around .
She learnt to write report for her own work and also to answer for her own mistakes made
and strives for better.

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  Dressing
The student also gained knowledge on how to dress professionally from the Sales
Manager who she interacted with most

5.3 Challenges faced during the attachment and how the student resolved them.

Though the student gained a lot from the industrial attachment she faced the following
challenges during her placement at Kashep Enterprises:

 System challenge
The author faced a challenge with the system as it was out dated. Some of the challenges
include deleting invoices, quotations and journal entries which resulting in accounts not
balancing, therefore the author had to redo the transactions resulting in the delay of other
tasks to be done. Thank God the system was updated to solve the challenge

 Backlog after annual shutdown

The author faced a backlog challenge after the organization was on its annual shutdown as
there was no one from the accounts department .Since there was no personnel from the
accounts department during the annual organization’s shutdown the author faced a huge
backlog because the organization did not stop to trade during the shutdown, therefore there
was no one to record and balance the transactions made during those days. The author
suggested that they should be someone from the department to record the transactions to
avoid backlog and also so that the accounts balance as people will still remember the
transactions.

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  Problem in mixing customers who pays cash and those that buys on credit
The student overcome this problem by suggesting that those that buys on credit
should have an account and invoices are created for them to avoid confusion with
their payment
 The financial Statements were not prepared by the student
The financial Statement of Kashep Enterprises was not prepared by the student but
only by the Finance Manager of the organization. This became a problem because
she could not be exposed to the preparation of financial statements of the company
but was only tasked to do some other tasks without the preparation of financial
statements. This was a problem because even if the student had a new idea on how
to improve the profitability of the company it was difficult because she lacked
knowledge and any decision making powers.

 Fear
The student experienced fear of being tagged a failure as well as damaging the
University’s reputation during the initial stage of the attachment period due to the
pressure to impress and prove that she was capable to execute the assigned tasks.
However, as the time lapsed, the intern became confident with her work.

 Adjusting to the working environment

The intern faced a major challenge in adjusting to the working environment during the early
stages of the attachment period. This was mainly driven by the fact that all work mates
were of older ages and thus, found it difficult calling them with first names as the student
found it disrespectful .As time went by the writer became used to the environment.

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Chapter 6
RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 TO THE UNIVERSITY

 Report presentation
The writer recommends that the University should undertake Seminar Presentation
of attachment reports so that the student would have adequate time to give feedback
as well as measuring confidence gained. This seems to be important in that marks
on confidence gained can be rewarded to the deserving students since one’s
confidence cannot be seen in written reports like this one.

 Seminars
The University should also intensify industrial attachment seminars with the
organizations so that they fully appreciate and understand the whole concept behind
industrial attachment rather than growing the misconception by companies of
viewing the program as a way of acquiring cheap labour . This notion is evident in
many organizations where the ratio of permanent staff to students on industrial
attachment period will be more or less equal.

 The University should engage in acquiring employment contracts with different

companies in order to avoid situations whereby students may go for months without
being attached. There are a lot of organizations in the industry which do not take
students from University of Zimbabwe because they have contracts with other
universities. So there is need for the university to go out there and market itself and
its students and prove that it is producing up to task students for the industry. In line
with engaging with different companies, the university should also liaise with the
organisations and understand the latest knowledge needed for students to be

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 equipped with. These modules should be taught done by students in their course of
learning. This will help the students in quickly adapting to the required techniques
needed in the accounting industry and eliminate the challenge faced by students in
acquiring attachment placements as the accounting industry required certain
modules and knowledge from the student.
 The student recommends the university to provide more practical lessons with
students on different accounting package as the most students will be not familiar to
the accounting packages. This is now essential in the accounting profession if one
has to gain employment advantage.
 The student would like to comment for two assessments so as to follow upon the
student’s performance .This helps to inform the university if the student is doing
what she really needs to do and change where ever necessary.

6.2 RECOMMENDTIONS TO THEACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

 Courses/modules that are done at school must be constantly reviewed to catch up with
the dynamism of the real business world. Reports by students may be used on this
exercise so as to know the extent of the gap between working environment and
academic theories.

 The Department should organize field trips and seminars with the companies in the
business world so that when the students go for work related learning to any
organization not everything will be new to them. During these field trips students can
get a chance to experience what the real business world is like rather than only
illustrations in text books and journals which in most cases will be out-dated and this
gives the student a broader picture of what they are learning.

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6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMPANY

 Every office should have a clear chart showing the lines of authority and channels of
communication to be followed. This will avoid dual authority on employees and
ensure fair delegation of duties. This will also leave room for accountability and
responsibility.

 As future managers the students should once in a while be part of decision making
that is they should be present in meetings in order for them to learn how it is done.
This will equip a student as an employee to make good decision during emergencies
and the management is not around.

 The student recommends increase finance staffs as there is more pressure on the
existing employees sometimes they work abnormal long hours.

 They should be segregation of duties between the one in custody of money and the
one who authorises issuing of money so that fraud will not take place

 There is need to decentralise finance activities to lessen the burden to the Finance
Manager.

 The student recommends that the student should be given fully responsibility and
accountability in their work so that they know the after effects of their actions and that
they strive for personal reward.

 The organisation needs to train staff on efficiency and time management so as to

reduce the pressure to the Finance department in making urgent payments.

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6.4CONCLUSION

In a nutshell the industrial attachment period has enabled the student to acquire a practical
and in depth working experience of the Finance Career in particular.The period at K E Private
Limited Company has been an immeasurably valuable experience which indeed natured the
student into a more capable professional. Her biggest takeaway would not only be the skills
gained but also the new long-term relationships and connections which she had forged with
the top management of K E Pvt Ltd.

A lot of skills were gained technically, professionally and socially. These skills will be used
for post-graduation when she moves into the industry full time. Exposure to different aspects
of Accounting has helped her in choosing an area of specific interest.

Attachment at Kashep was an eye opener and a platform to improve areas of incompetence.
This developed her confidence as a student to become a professional Finance analyst as a lot
of theory concepts were all turned into practice.

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REFERENCES

Merald T B (2008), Human Resources Management, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall

Bond P and Martin J (1998), Business Studies, 1st edition, Heinemann, Chicago

Kashep enterprises company profile 2016 – 2020

Kashep enterprises web page. www.kashepenterprises.co.zw

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APPENDICE

ORGANIZATIONAL PHOTO

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