Module 1 Finance

Assignment 3: Understanding the Numbers for Better Decisions
 
It is the management’s responsibility to maximize shareholder wealth as  it is based on the organization’s future cash flows. To accomplish this,  managers have to understand how to use financial statements for  analysis.
 
In this assignment, you will explain the importance of the statements to  the financial reporting process and management decisions.
Tasks:
 
    Locate the financial statements of a U.S. publicly-traded company of  your choice (the company must have inventory and accounts receivable)  by visiting the organization’s Web site to locate the investor section.  Or you may use one of the following Websites:
        U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
        Yahoo Finance
        Google Finance
    Review the information presented in the financial statements of the company you selected.
    Using the company you selected, calculate one ratio from each ratio  category located at this Financial Ratios resource.  Complete a trend  analysis of each ratio for a three-year period.
        Describe what the trends you see for your company based on your ratio analysis. What does this mean for the company?
        Compare your company’s ratios with those of the industry it is in.
    Analyze the financial reporting information and the financial health of the company with the help of the calculated ratios.
 
Submission Details:
 
    Write a 2–3-page research paper explaining each selected ratio, the  ratio category, and your individual analysis of the company as compared  to the industry and the time sensitive analysis.
    Include a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet with your relevant calculations.
    Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
    By the due date assigned, save your report as M1_A3_lastname_firstinitial.doc  and upload it to the Submissions Area. For example, if your name is  John Smith, your document will be named SmithJ_M1_A3.doc.
 
Assignment 3 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Submitted the 2–3-page paper and included a Microsoft Excel worksheet with appropriate calculations.
10
Effectively analyzed and then reported the findings relative to the  financial statements and the financial health of the organization.
34
Appropriate financial ratios have been selected within each category and  computed for three years. Also included the industry comparison and  analysis.
24
Articulated key points in a clear, logical, and professional manner, with supporting evidence wherever required.
12
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical  scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources;  displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
20
Total:
100