02 Jan Papers should meet professional

Part 2 Financial Ratio Analysis (Week 4):

Assuming the role of an entering corporate officer, complete a financial ratio analysis for the company that was selected for the Company Analysis Project based on the Week 3 and Week 4 assigned readings and other materials that can be located.

This analysis should reflect a review of at least a three-year period of fiscal years ending with the most recently published Form 10K report.

Writing Instructions:

The discussion portion of the analysis should be three to five pages in length, double spaced, and should employ APA style and format for reference citations. Supporting data (e.g., figures, tables, etc.) and references should be limited to four separate items preferably presented in the written analysis.

Required Organization of Paper:

The following subheadings are to be used and the following topics must be addressed in the paper:

Introduction – The introduction needs to review the assignment or purpose of the paper. It also needs to include an overview of the contents that follow.

Presentation of the Ratio Analysis – Develop and present the ratio analysis for the company. It must include data for at least the most recent 3 years. Additional years should be included if available. The ratio data must include appropriate Solvency, Profitability, Activity, Capitalization, and Market Ratios.

It is necessary to prepare and incorporate a table(s) (tables are always numbered, titled, and show the source of the information) of the relevant criteria being examined in the ratio analysis and their present status. There must be comparisons to competitors or industry standards. Additional information can be included in the table. These data are to be presented in a table (numbered and titled and that shows the sources). The data are then to be discussed and explained in an accompanying written analysis.

Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis – This section needs to present a careful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated by the ratio analysis. This section needs to conclude with a paragraph or two that explain and interpret what the analysis means on an overall basis and as the observations and conclusions are considered collectively.

Summary – Prepare a brief summary of the analysis and key findings.

References – Must clearly demonstrate use of a variety of the assigned readings and supplemental material.

Evaluation:

15% of final course grade.

Completeness of analysis:

The analysis must demonstrate understanding of financial ratio analysis. Use of academic and professional databases, business periodicals, analyst reports, and news articles, such as those in the UMUC library, must be included in this company accounting analysis.

Organization:

The paper should be well-organized and follow a logical pattern of analysis and discussion.

Presentation:

Papers should meet professional business standards and meet APA formatting requirements.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar:

There should not be errors in grammar and punctuation. All sentences must be complete and well-structured.

Submission and Format:

The completed paper is to be submitted to the “Gradebook” location designated for the assignment. The paper must be in Word format otherwise no credit is earned for the assignment.

The paper is also to be submitted to the Online Classroom. This will allow students to examine and discuss the various projects.