Accounting and Finance
Submission Deadline
Marks and Feedback
Before 10am on:
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20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)
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Unit title & code
Accounting and Finance AAF044-6
Assignment number and title
Assignment Two – Main
Assignment type
Business Report
Weighting of assignment
60%
Size or length of assessment
3000 words
Unit learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding and broad knowledge of financial statements and the concepts of corporate finance and investment appraisal in order to evaluate management decisions against strategic corporate objectives.
2. Demonstrate the following skills and abilities: Analyze financial statements and evaluate management decisions through the application of relevant financial tools and techniques to assess their validity in achieving strategic corporate objectives.
What am I required to do in this assignment?
Select a listed company from the Industrial Metals sector. Using your chosen company, write a 3000 words report covering the following:
1. Introduction -You should provide a short introduction to your organisation (its key features), and its corporate objectives. Then identify the key resources in your organisation, before providing a brief comment on its management issues and the challenges it faces in meeting its objectives in its markets (20%).
2. Assume your chosen company had not previously used continuous budgeting but was considering implementing a continuous budgeting system. Discuss some of the challenges the company would face in implementing this system (30%)
3. Critically discuss why managers might prefer to use IRR rather than NPV when carrying out discounted cashflow Assessments (20%)
4. Looking at the disclosures about the Remuneration committee in your chosen company’s annual report, identify the main functions of the audit committees, the membership of the committee and the issues that the committee has focused on during the reporting year, and suggest any improvements where possible. (20%)
5. Conclusion -You should finish your assignment with a reflective conclusion in which you record how the work you have undertaken in your assignment has helped in your appreciation of the financial position and performance of your organisation, and in your current role (10%)
What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
In order to pass Assessment 2 you will need to:
Form a judgment on the appropriateness and effectiveness of an organizations financial strategy and its alignment with strategic corporate objectives through a thorough understanding of an organization’s financial information and by reference to relevant literature.
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
The work demonstrates excellent in-depth knowledge of key corporate objectives, capital structure, dividend policy and corporate governance and evidence of extensive independent study and thinking.
The work shows evidence of synthesis, independent critical analysis of current research/knowledge, clearly argued alternative approaches, and the ability to reason in a clear and effective manner and the ability to independently assess own and others’ work with very clear justifications and sound judgment is demonstrated.
The work demonstrates an ability to independently synthesize information and ideas, to create a range of new insights/original responses to problems that may expand or redefine existing knowledge and/or develop new approaches to unpredictable situations.
The work demonstrates an ability to present confident, tightly structured, stimulating, and rigorous arguments that show a high level of academic ability.
Clear evidence of analysis and interpretation of data and in reaching conclusions.
How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?
Teaching plan
Core text: Atrill, P, McLaney, E, (2014) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialist. 9 th ed. Harlow: Pearson
Session Topic Reading guide
1 What is accounting and finance? Chapter 1
2 Measuring and reporting financial position Chapter 2
3 Measuring and reporting financial performance Chapter 3
4,5 Analysing and interpreting financial statements Chapter 7
6 Analysing and interpreting financial statements Chapter 7
7,8 Library session on using databases such as FAME
9 Assignment on review
10 Cost behaviour and relevant cost Chapter 9
11,12 Budgeting Chapter 12
13,14 Capital and investment appraisal Chapter 14
15 Sources of finance and capital structure Chapter 15
16 Managing working capital Chapter 16
17 Agency theory and corporate governance Chapter 5
18 Assignment two review
How will my assignment be marked?
Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.
You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.
Pass – 40-49%
Pass – 50-59%
Commendation – 60-69%
Distinction– 70%+
Introduction
(20%) The case is presented with a basic description of the organization. No key issues or decision areas identified. An overview of the company is presented identifying at least one key issue
An overview of the company is presented with key issues identified A clear overview of the case with key issues identified and linking them with the decision areas.
Capital structure
(30%)
Basic analyses of capital structure and limited understanding of the dividend policy of the company Fair analysis of capital structure and dividend policy and implications for the company
Very good analysis of capital structure and dividend policy and implications for the company and able to link with some non-financial information Excellent analysis of capital structure and dividend policy and implications for the company and able to link with non-financial information
Investment Appraisal tools
(25%)
Basic analysis of analysis of investment appraisal tools and demonstrating some understanding of how they can be used. Fair analysis of investment appraisal tools and demonstrates basic understanding of how they can help the company in achieving their corporate objectives
Very good analysis of investment appraisal tools and demonstrates some understanding of how they can help the company in achieving their corporate objectives Excellent analysis of investment appraisal tools and how they can help the company in achieving their corporate objectives
Corporate governance
(15%)
Minimal understanding of the effectiveness of Corporate Governance as implemented by the company Fair understanding of the effectiveness of Corporate Governance as implemented by the company Very good understanding of the effectiveness of Corporate Governance as implemented by the company Excellent understanding of the effectiveness of Corporate Governance as implemented by the company
Conclusion
(10%)
Minimal understanding of the relationship between corporate governance, dividend policy & investment strategy as adopted by the company Good but satisfactory Overview of the relationship between corporate governance, dividend policy, investment strategy as adopted by the company Very good understanding between the relationship between corporate governance, dividend policy, investment strategy as adopted by the company Excellent understanding between the relationship between corporate governance, dividend policy, investment strategy as adopted by the company
Select a listed company from the Industrial Metals sector. Using your chosen company, write a 3000 words report covering the following:
1. Introduction -You should provide a short introduction to your organisation (its key features), and its corporate objectives. Then identify the key resources in your organisation, before providing a brief comment on its management issues and the challenges it faces in meeting its objectives in its markets (20%).
2. Assume your chosen company had not previously used continuous budgeting but was considering implementing a continuous budgeting system. Discuss some of the challenges the company would face in implementing this system (30%)
3. Critically discuss why managers might prefer to use IRR rather than NPV when carrying out discounted cashflow Assessments (20%)
4. Looking at the disclosures about the Remuneration committee in your chosen company’s annual report, identify the main functions of the audit committees, the membership of the committee and the issues that the committee has focused on during the reporting year, and suggest any improvements where possible. (20%)
5. Conclusion -You should finish your assignment with a reflective conclusion in which you record how the work you have undertaken in your assignment has helped in your appreciation of the financial position and performance of your organisation, and in your current role (10%
