LO1:Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the fundamental financial theories relevant to financial decision making and governance.
2024-06-21 14:59:51
MN6068- Financial Decision Making for Managers Assessment 2 Autumn 2023
002 Coursework
1General Assessment Guidance
1.1 Summary
This summative assessment for MN6068 is an individual coursework project of 1,500 words.The project should illustrate your understanding of the accounting and finance principles covered in the module to apply financial analysis tools to evaluate a company’s financial position and suggest possible improvement options.
This assignment accounts for 60% of your marks for this module.
1.2Learning objects
This assessment assesses Learning Outcome 1 & 2
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
LO1:Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the fundamental financial theories relevant to financial decision making and governance.
LO2:Understand,critically analyse and evaluate using various analytical tools to facilitate strategic decision making.
1.3Conduct
The University takes academic misconduct very seriously and always seeks to rigorously protect its academic standards.Plagiarism, collusion,and other forms of cheating constitute academic misconduct, for which there is an explicit range of graduated penalties depending on the particular type of academic misconduct.The penalties that can be applied if academic misconduct is substantiated range from a reprimand to expulsion in very serious cases and for repeated instances of misconduct. Guidance on preventing plagiarism is available here: https://learning.londonmet.ac.uk/TLTC/learnhigher/Plagiarism/
2Assessment details
2.1 Background
The impact of the global pandemic has shown that it is vital for a company to have a strong financial base in order to survive.Internal management teams and external analysts and interested parties will use a range of financial tools and ratio analysis to examine and evaluate the financial health of a company.Management teams need this information in order to plan for the future of the company and make appropriate strategic and business decisions.
2.2 Your task
You are required to prepare a report analysing and evaluating the financial performance of a company listed on the London Stock Exchange.Your chosen company should be taken from the following:
●J Sainsbury Plc 52 weeks ended 5 March 2023
●Tesco Plc 52 weeks ended 28 February 2023
● Marks & Spencer Plc 52 weeks ended 2 April 2023
If you wish to choose a different company contextually in line with your specific course,please discuss this with you seminar tutor who will approve this.If you do not get approval your submission will not be accepted
You should review the two most recent Annual Reports of the company and critically assess the information provided to the world at large by this company. You should wear the hat of an external user of this company’s financial statements and identify which relevant information will be useful in evaluating performance.
You are also expected to search the literature to find out what scholars have said and are saying about companies in the sector and consider other relevant news sources about the company.
The annual reports selected should be for the year ends stated above,the latest on FAME database.
2.3Report structure
Using an appropriate structure, you should include:
●Introduction to your report
●Introduction to the company you have chosen and their market, products, strategy, geography etc.
●Analysis, comparison and interpretation of your company’s performance using appropriate financial tools.This should consider the financial health of the businesses and your interpretation should be specific to the business.You should also consider non financial metrics.
●Recommendations to improve financial performance.
●Conclusion.
●Bibliography.
●Appendices to show more detailed calculations.
The report should be structured as a professional report that you would present in a work environment.You can illustrate your findings using graphs and charts.
3Assessment Marking Scheme
The assessment is marked out of 100.
3.3General criteria
General criteria for Level 6 Assessment is shown in Appendix 1.
3.4Specific Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used in assessing your work:
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Tasks
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Suggested Approach
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%
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Introduction
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●A clear summary of the aims and objectives of your report.
●Critically assess any advantages and limitations in this type of financial ratio analysis.
●Provide a brief profile of the company, its markets and products and a brief commentary on its key operations and recent trading background.
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15
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Analysis
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●Calculate all applicable range of accounting ratios for the current accounts and the prior year, including:
(a)Profitability ratios
(b)Efficiency ratios
(c)Liquidity ratios
(d)Gearing ratios
(e)Investment ratios
●Demonstrate your calculation of the ratios or show where you have drawn these from the FAME database.
●Compare the current year ratios to the prior year.
●Evidence your understanding of the results of the ratios and interpretation of the data.
●Evaluate the relative financial performance of the company using the financial ratios and any other relevant information from the financial statements or other reports.
●In making the comparisons you should take into consideration the viewpoints of the companies’ key stakeholders (management, investors and lenders).
Note: You may use ratios from FAME database, those published within the annual reports plus ratios calculated yourself (the workings for which should be shown in an appendix).
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35
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Performance Factors
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●Research and discuss any factors (financial and non-financial) relevant to the company that may have affected their performance during the periods under review, with reasons.
●You may wish to consider performance of the different segments of the businesses as shown in the annual reports as well as all other relevant factors, specific to your chosen companies.
●Use a wide range of reference material e.g. commentaries, annual reports, corporate websites, trade journals, financial press websites and FAME database. You must show the source of the information that you use in this section.
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25
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Recommendations
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●Based on your research and use of financial tools what recommendations would you give to the company and investors in respect of the company’s financial health and key issues that should be addressed.
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15
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Overall Presentation
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●Present your findings in a logical and coherent structure, including Bibliography and referencing, professional language and correct grammar and spelling
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10
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Total
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100
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LO1:Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the fundamental financial theories relevant to financial decision making and governance.
Appendix 1: University Grade Descriptors
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General
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Level 3/4
o Acquisition of broad knowledge
o Evaluate information
o Use information to plan, develop and problem solve
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Level 5
o Generate ideas through analysing concepts
o Demonstrate a command of specialised skills
o Formulate responses to well defined and abstract
o Analyse and evaluate information
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Level 6
o Critically review, consolidate and extend a body of knowledge using specialised skills
o Critically evaluate concepts and evidence from a range of sources
o Transfer and apply skills and exercise significant judgement in a range of situations
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70-100 (A)
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Very good
Demonstration of very good comprehension of the task with evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
Use of a wide variety of appropriate sources
Transformation of knowledge
Independent thinking and development of ideas
Ability to communication very clearly and effectively
Very good evidence of preparation
Very good organisation, structure and presentation of work – minimal errors
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). No errors in reference list or citations.
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Excellent
Advanced scholarship
Goes beyond the material provided
Excellent link to research
Excellent analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
Excellent evidence of preparation
Comprehensive and critical understanding of the topic
Excellent ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Excellent organisation, structure and presentation of work
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). No errors in reference list or citations.
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Excellent – Outstanding (for use at far end of range)
Outstanding understanding, exploration and insight
Strong evidence of originality and development of own ideas
Develop a highly complex argument
Outstanding ability to communicate topics clearly and concisely
Advanced organisation, structure and presentation of work
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). No errors in reference list or citations.
References well utilised and critiqued
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60-69 (B)
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Very good
Demonstration of very good comprehension of the task with evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation
Use of a wide variety of appropriate sources
Transformation of knowledge
Independent thinking and development of ideas
Ability to communication clearly and effectively
Very good evidence of preparation
Very good organisation, structure and presentation of work – minimal errors
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). Minimal or no errors in reference list or citations.
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Very good
Demonstration of very good comprehension of the task with evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation
Use of a wide variety of appropriate sources
Transformation of knowledge
Independent thinking and development of ideas
Ability to communication clearly and effectively
Very good evidence of preparation
Very good organisation, structure and presentation of work – minimal errors
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). Minimal or no errors in reference list or citations.
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Very Good
Advanced scholarship
Goes beyond the material provided
Very good link to research
Very good analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal
Very good evidence of preparation
Comprehensive and critical understanding of the topic
Very good ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Very good organisation, structure and presentation of work
Good references, appropriate sources (quality and quantity). No errors in reference list or citations.
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50-59 (C)
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Adequate - Satisfactory
Some analysis but limited
Some insight and exploration of ideas
Sound conclusions
No significant inaccuracies or omissions
Some analysis, evaluation or synthesis of information
Lacking clarity at times
Some evidence of preparation
Referencing is sound. Mostly appropriate sources. Numerous errors or inconsistencies
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Adequate - Satisfactory
Some evidence of thinking independently to develop own ideas
Evaluation of relevant theories or literature
Reasonable ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Report information in a structured way
Use of an appropriate format
Quite comprehensive knowledge
Satisfactory evidence of preparation
Satisfactory referencing, appropriate sources.
Numerous but minor errors in references
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Adequate- Satisfactory
Evidence of thinking independently to develop own ideas
Evaluation of relevant theories or literature
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Report information in a structured way
Use of an appropriate format
Reasonably Accurate, quite comprehensive knowledge
Satisfactory evidence of preparation
Coherent and well presented – minor errors
Satisfactory referencing, appropriate sources.
Minor errors in references
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40-49 (D)
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All learning outcomes met
Competent (practical)
May be incomplete in knowledge (some errors or omissions)
Insufficient analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Limited application of theories/knowledge
An awareness of appropriate principles/theories/techniques
Irrelevance to the task at times
Disorganised work with weak standard of presentation
Numerous aberrations from the requirements of the task
Referencing is attempted although may be inconsistent, many errors, weak sources
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All learning outcomes met
Competent (practical)
May be incomplete in knowledge (some errors or omissions)
Weak or no analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Some application of theories/knowledge
An awareness of appropriate principles/theories/techniques
Irrelevance to the task at times
Disorganised work with weak standard of presentation
Aberrations from the requirements of the task
Referencing is attempted although may be inconsistent, many errors, weak sources
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All learning outcomes met
Competent (practical)
May be incomplete in knowledge (some errors or omissions)
Weak or no analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Some application of theories/knowledge
An awareness of appropriate principles/theories/techniques
Irrelevance to the task at times
Disorganised work with weak standard of presentation
Aberrations from the requirements of the task
Referencing is attempted although may be inconsistent, many errors, weak sources
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Condoned Pass 30-39 (F1)
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Learning outcomes not met
Little relevant knowledge
Lacking structure
Numerous errors in structure and form
Limited understanding of concepts/theories
No appropriate analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Significant inaccuracies/omissions
Not competent
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with errors
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Learning outcomes not met
Little relevant knowledge
Lacking structure
Numerous errors in structure and form
Limited understanding of concepts/theories
No appropriate analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Significant inaccuracies/omissions
Not competent
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with errors
|
Learning outcomes not met
Little relevant knowledge
Lacking structure
Numerous errors in structure and form
Limited understanding of concepts/theories
No appropriate analysis, evaluation or synthesis
Significant inaccuracies/omissions
Not competent
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with errors
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|
Under 30 (F2)
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Little engagement with the task
No basic understanding of the subject matter
Poor communication (written or verbal)
Lacking or no structure
Significant errors in structure and form
Many significant inaccuracies/omissions – very little correct
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with many significant errors
|
Little engagement with the task
No basic understanding of the subject matter
Poor communication (written or verbal)
Lacking or no structure
Significant errors in structure and form
Many significant inaccuracies/omissions – very little correct
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with many significant errors
|
Little engagement with the task
No basic understanding of the subject matter
Poor communication (written or verbal)
Lacking or no structure
Significant errors in structure and form
Many significant inaccuracies/omissions – very little correct
Little or no attempt to use references and if so very weak with many significant errors
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|
(0%)
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No submission
Nothing of relevance in the work submitted
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No submission
Nothing of relevance in the work submitted
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No submission
Nothing of relevance in the work submitted
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LO2:Understand,critically analyse and evaluate using various analytical tools to facilitate strategic decision making.
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