week 1Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Contents of a Annual Report

Discuss the following scenario: Staff members from the marketing
department of your firm are doing a splendid job selling products to
customers. Many of the customers are so pleased that they are also
buying shares in the companys stock, which means that they receive a
copy of the firms annual report. Unfortunately, questions sometimes
arise that the marketing staff members are woefully inadequate at
answering. Technical questions about the firms financial condition and
performance are referred to the chief financial officer, but the
director of marketing has asked you to write a memo in which you explain
the key elements in an annual report so that marketing representatives
are better prepared to respond to questions of a more general nature.

For your initial post, write a clear concise memo (no more than 250
words) that describes the contents of an annual report so marketing
personnel can understand the basic requirements of an annual report.
Reference this weeks readings and lecture to help organize and explain
your thoughts. In addition, answer the following questions:

Do you think all marketing staff members should be equipped to speak with the public about the firms financial matters?What are some of the benefits of improving employee financial literacy?

Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.

Financial Statement Analysis

The financial statement analysis is due in Week Six. This week, you
will select a company that you will do the analysis of. Write at least
a 200-word summary in which you identify the firm you have selected,
summarize why you selected it, and explain the items a financial analyst
might find useful within its annual report.

Additionally, read the Forbes article,.forbes.com/sites/rosscrooks/2014/01/30/12-lessons-from-warby-parkers-annual-report/”>12 Lessons from Warby Parker’s Annual Report, and explain which of these 12 lessons may apply to your company selection.

Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.week 2Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
The Balance Sheet

Referencing this weeks readings and lecture, what information is
provided in the balance sheet? What is a common-sized balance sheet and
how do you create one? For your final project company, does anything
stand out on the balance sheet?
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.

Understanding the Notes to the Balance Sheet

Your friend, Liz, loves to shop at Target and is now interested in
investing in the company. Tom, another friend, has told her that
Targets debt structure is risky with obligations of nearly 74% of total
assets. Liz sees that debt on the balance sheet is 65% of total assets
and is confused by Toms comment. Write an explanation to Liz
discussing the debt structure of Target and why Tom thinks Target is
risky. Be sure to explain clearly what information appears on financial
statements, as well as what information does not appear directly on the
financial statements. Use the information below in your discussion.

At fiscal year-end February 2, 2008, Target Corporation had the
following assets and liabilities on its balance sheet (in millions):

Current liabilities
$11,782

Long-term debt
15,126

Other liabilities
2,345

Total assets
44,560

Target reported the following information on leases in the notes to the financial statements:
Total rent expense was $165 million in 2007, $158 million in 2006,
and $154 million in 2005, including percentage rent expense of $5
million in 2007, 2006, and 2005. Most long-term leases include one or
more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term
to more than 50 years. Certain leases also include options to purchase
the leased property.

Future minimum lease payments required under non-cancellable lease agreements existing at February 2, 2008, were:

Future Minimum Lease Payments (in Millions)
Operating Leases
Capital Leases

2008
$ 239
$ 12

2009
187
16

2010
173
16

2011
129
16

2010
123
17

After 2010
2, 843
155

Total future minimum lease payments
$3694 (a)
$232

Less: Interest (b)

(105)

Present value of minimum capital lease payments

$127 (c)

a) Total contractual lease payments include $1,721 million related
to options to extend lease terms that are reasonably assured of being
exercised, and also include $98 million of legally binding minimum lease
payments for stores that will open in 2008 or later.
(b) Calculated using the interest rate at inception of each lease.
(c) Includes current portion of $4 million.

Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.week 3
Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Income Statement

Referencing this weeks readings and lecture, address the following:

What are the two causes of an increasing or decreasing sales number?Discuss all the reasons that might explain an increase or decrease in gross profit.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.
Analyzing an Income Statement

Income statements are presented in the table below for the Elf
Corporation for the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
Write a one-paragraph analysis of Elf Corporations profit performance
for the period. Create a common-sized income statement for the three
years. What conclusions can you draw from the different parts of the
statement? What are the causes and effects of Elf’s performance for
those three years?

Elf Corporation Income Statements for the Years Ending December 31

(in millions)
2010
2009
2008

Sales
$700
$650
$550

Cost of goods sold
350
325
275

Gross profit
350
325
275

Operating Expenses:

Administrative
100
100
100

Advertising and marketing
50
75
75

Operating profit
$200
$150
$100

Interest expense
70
50
30

Earnings before tax
$130
$100
$ 70

Tax expense (50%)
65
50
35

Net income
$ 65
$ 50
$ 35

Respond to at least two of your classmates postsweek 4Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
The Statement of Cash Flows

Referencing this weeks readings and lecture, describe the following
terms as they relate to the statement of cash flows: cash, operating
activities, investing activities, and financing activities. What can
creditors, investors, and other users glean from an analysis of the
statement of cash flows?
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.

Analyzing the Statement of Cash Flows

Using the table below, explain the difference between net income and
cash flow from operating activities for Techno in 2009 and analyze
their cash flows for 2008 and 2009.

(in thousands)
2009
2008

Net income
$ 316,354
$ 242,329

Noncash charges (credits) to income

Depreciation and amortization
68,156
62,591

Deferred taxes
15,394
22,814

$ 399,904
$ 327,734

Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Assets and Liabilities:

Receivables
(288,174)
(49,704)

Inventories
(159,419)
(145,554)

Other current assets
(1,470)
3,832

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities
73,684
41,079

Total Cash Provided by Operations
$ 24,525
$ 177,387

Investment activities

Additions to plant and equipment
(94,1760)
(93,136)

Other investment activities
14,408
(34,771)

Net investment activities
($ 79,768)
($ 127,907)

Financing activities

Purchases of treasury stock
(45,854)
(39,267)

Dividends paid
(49,290)
(22,523)

Net changes in short-term borrowing
125,248
45,067

Additions to long-term borrowings
135,249
4,610

Repayments of long-term borrowings

(250,564)

Net financing activities
$ 165,353
($ 262,677)

Increase (decrease) in cash
$ 110,110
($ 213,197)

Beginning cash balance
78,114
291,311

Ending cash balance
$ 188,224
$ 78,114

Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.
week 5Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
The Quality of Financial Information

Referencing this weeks readings and lecture, describe the quality
issues related to reporting revenue. What is the importance of
understanding various inventory valuation methods in determining the
quality of reported profits?
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.
Conflicts with GAAP

Even though firms follow the accounting rules (GAAP) when presenting
their financial statements, it is still possible for conflicts of
interest to exist between what management wants investors and creditors
to see and the economic reality of transactions. Explain how this can
occur.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Financial Ratios

Referencing this weeks readings and lecture, what are the
limitations of financial ratios? Classify your answer into at least the
following categories: liquidity ratios, activity ratios, leverage
ratios, and profitability ratios.
Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.
Financial Analysis

R.E.C. Inc.s staff of accountants finished preparing the financial
statements for 2010 and will meet next week with the companys CEO as
well as the Director of Investor Relations and representatives from the
marketing and art departments to design the current years annual
report. Write a paragraph in which you present the main idea(s) you
think the company should present to shareholders in the annual report.
Why do you think those ideas should be included?
week 1Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
10-K Ford Motor Company

Review .ford.com/doc/sr12-form-10-k.pdf”>Ford Motor Company’s Form 10-K for
2012. Explain the purpose of a companys 10-K and how it interprets the
firms financial strength. Write a description of three important
items, including their significance to stakeholders, that you learned
from reading Ford Motors Companys 10-K for 2012.

Your paper must be two to three pages in length (not including the title
and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined
in the Ashford Writing Center. It must include citations and references
for the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford
University Library.

Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5758/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.week 2Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
Balance Sheet – Ford Motor Company

In a two- to three-page paper (not including the title and reference
pages), explain the purpose of a balance sheet and how it reflects the
firms financial status. Analyze Ford Motor Companys balance sheet from
its .ford.com/doc/ar2012-2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf”>2012 Annual Report.
Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in
the Ashford Writing Center, and it must include citations and references
for the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford
University Library.
Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/7722/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
Income Statement – Ford Motor Company

In a two- to three-page paper (excluding the title and reference pages),
explain the purpose of an income statement and how it reflects the
firms financial status. Include important points that an analyst would
use in assessing the financial condition of the company. Also, analyze
Ford Motor Companys income statement from its .ford.com/doc/ar2012-2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf”>2012 Annual Report.

Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center, and it must include citations and references for
the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford University
Library.

Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5760/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.week 4Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
Cash Flow Statement – Ford Motor Company

In a two- to three-page paper (not including the title and reference
pages), explain the purpose of a cash flow statement and how it reflects
the firms financial status. Include important points that an analyst
would use in assessing the financial condition of the company. Also,
analyze Ford Motor Companys cash flow from its .ford.com/content/dam/corporate/en/investors/reports-and-filings/Annual%20Reports/2012-annual-report.pdf”>2012 Annual Report.

Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center, and it must include citations and references for
the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford University
Library.

Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5761/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.week 5Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
Auditing

Auditors have come into a department as part of a company-wide audit
prior to issuing an audit opinion for the companys financial reports.
In a one- to two- page paper (not including the title and reference
pages), explain what the staff should expect the auditors to do. Be sure
to include the requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act in your
explanation.

Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center, and it must include citations and references for
the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford University
Library.

Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5762/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.week 6 fina
Prepare an 8- to 10-page fundamental financial analysis
(excluding appendices, title page, abstract, and references page) that
will cover each of the following broad areas based on your chosen
company’s financial statements:
Provide a background of the firm, industry, economy, and outlook for the future Analyze the short term liquidity of the firm Analyze the operating efficiency of the firm Analyze the capital structure of the firm Analyze the profitability of the firm Conclude with recommendations for the future analysis of the company (trend analysis)
Writing the Final Paper
The paper:
Must be 8 to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including
the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a title page that includes:
Title of paper Students name Course name and number Instructors name Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis. Must use at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5763/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.week 2Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.week 3
Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.
Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.Respond to at least two of your classmates posts.Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.
Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.week 1Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.
Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in
the Ashford Writing Center, and it must include citations and references
for the text and at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford
University Library.Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/7722/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.Writing the Final Paper
The paper:Carefully review the .waypointoutcomes.com/assessment/5763/preview”>Grading Rubricfor the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.