Financial Decision Making Report
Assessment Task
This assessment requires students to produce an individual report analysing the performance and operations of a publicly listed company within a selected sector. A list of companies will be provided for students to select from. This assessment represents 50% of the total marks.
Module Assignment Information
Due date: To be determined – UK semester 1 / overseas assignment due from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023
FINM036 Written Assignment
The aim of this assignment is to test students’ knowledge and understanding of key accounting and corporate finance concepts, theories and tools that can be used to critically analyse organisations. It will also test the ability to present non-financial informationRequired:
You have been asked to write a report to the board of directors of one of the selected companies below as part of the interview process for your first appointment as a Finance Director of a company listed on AIM (which is the Alternative Investment Market for small companies) within the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The board of directors have asked you to write a report about your vision and strategic financial goals for the company.
The companies are within a selected sector of the AIM. Assume that your selected company has ambitions and plans to become a FTSE 100 (the largest UK listed companies) company in the near future.
Guide:
You need to introduce the company, discuss the product or services, location, turnover, number of employees, etc. The report should be maximum 2,500 words (+/- 10%). Remember you need to make an impression on the board of directors for you to be considered for the critical post of Finance Director.
The essence of this assignment is to test your knowledge and understanding of key accounting and corporate governance concepts, theories and tools and ability to present data in a concise manner.
Required:
You have been asked to write a report to the board of directors of one of the selected companies below as part of the interview process for your first appointment as a Finance Director of a AIM company. The board of directors have asked you to write a report about your vision and strategic financial goals for the company.
The companies are within the AIM index. Assume that your selected company wants to become a FTSE 100 (the largest UK listed companies) company in the near future.
Additional Guidance
You need to introduce the company, discuss the product or services, location, turnover, number of employees, the contribution of the sector to the UK economy. To analyse, you need to compare the financial data / ratios of your selected company with either a competitor within the sector or the average of the sector. The report should be maximum 2,500 words. Remember you need to make an impression on the board of directors for you to be considered for the critical post of Finance Director.
Please note that you must select a company from the list below for 2019/20
List of companies to select from for 2019/2020
Company Name
ICB Super-Sector
Country of Incorporation
Market
Company Market Cap (£m)
ACCSYS TECHNOLOGIES PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£87.65
BILLINGTON HOLDINGS PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£37.25
EPWIN GROUP PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£114.34
JAMES HALSTEAD PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£848.53
MICHELMERSH BRICK HOLDINGS PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£82.33
NEXUS INFRASTRUCTURE PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£78.90
SIGMAROC PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£56.46
VAN ELLE HOLDINGS PLC
Construction & Materials
United Kingdom
AIM
£72.80
Section A- 2000 words.
1. Analyse the performance of your chosen company using relevant financial and non-financial ratios (5 years). Your analysis should include profit ratios, efficiency, liquidity and other ratios that you consider relevant
Section B-500 words
2. Critically evaluate the company’s corporate governance compliance and its impact on the brand and reputation as reported in the press (print, online and social media)
3. Discuss the proposed medium term financial strategies for your selected company to become a FTSE100 company or for your company to become dominant in the industry / sector.
Please note:
If you select a company outside of the list above, you will automatically fail this part of the assignment, unless you get a prior written approval from your tutor.You can use www.northcote.co.uk, pro-share and the FT to identify companies within their sectoral classifications. It is essential that all sources of information are correctly referenced using the Harvard system.
Word Limits
The word limit for this assignment is 2500 words (+/- 10%)
Where the submission exceeds the stipulated word limit by more than 10%, the submission will only be marked up to and including the additional 10%. Anything over this will not be included in the final grade for the assessment item. Abstracts, bibliographies, reference lists, appendices and footnotes are excluded from any word limit requirements.
Where a submission is notably under the word limit, the full submission will be marked on the extent to which the requirements of the assessment brief have been met.
Assessment Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes to be addressed through this assignment are:
(a) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and role of the finance professional and how financial control processes impact on the organisation and its stakeholders.
(b) Critically evaluate the impact of the external context on the financial domain, both domestically and internationally.
(c) Identify, critically appraise and analyse the content, relevance and use of key financial accounting information and techniques, both within organisations and by reference to relevant research.
(d) Demonstrate the ability to evaluate critically and communicate effectively the financial performance of an organisation by reference to internal or published financial information.