Week 4 Project Accounting

ACCT445-1202B-01 Government/Institutional Accounting

Assignment Name:

Unit 4 Group Project

Deliverable Length:

400–600 words plus charts; 500–600 words plus charts

Details:

Library Research Assignment

Individual Portion:
Use .msn.com/”>www.msn.com to find financial statements for any “for profit” company in the computer hardware industry.
enter the company symbol
go to menu on left side of screen
go to financial results
go to financial ratios
Complete a ratio analysis for that company’s last year’s financial data. At a minimum, list and discuss the company performance vs. its industry average for these 4 ratios:
Profit as percent of sales
Current ratio
Debt to equity ratio
ROE
Comment on
How these ratios depict the financial health of this company as compared to the industry average.
What the company might do to get better in each area.

Group Portion:

Given the metrics your accountant told you are evaluated in nonprofits, you asked her to educate you on how to assess the health of a nonprofit. You asked her the following:
Find and review the financial statements of any nonprofit symphony
In a report of 500–600 words, comment specifically on the following:
What is the major source of the change in net assets that occurred in 2007 from the change that occurred in 2008? In your opinion, is this trend likely to continue? Why/why not?
If we assume that program expenses of the symphony should generally vary with ticket revenues, do they vary between 2007 and 2008? What could your answer indicate may be happening?
Is investment income a significant part of total sources of revenue in 2007 or 2008? Does this indicate a major concern about the reduction in the fair market value of investments between 2007 and 2009?
Based on your analysis above and any other analyses, comment on the future economic viability of this organization.

The following grading criteria will apply to this assignment:

Grading Criteria

Individual Portion

10%

Complete a ratio analysis for that company’s last year’s financial data. At a minimum, list and discuss the company performance vs. its industry average for these 4 ratios:
Profit as percent of sales
Current ratio
Debt to equity ratio
ROE

15%

Comment on how these ratios depict the financial health of this company as compared to the industry average.

15%

Comment on what the company might do to get better in each area.

Group Portion

15%

What is the major source of the change in net assets that occurred in 2007 from the change that occurred in 2008? In your opinion, is this trend likely to continue? Why/why not?

15%

If we assume that program expenses of the symphony should generally vary with ticket revenues, do they vary between 2007 and 2008? What could your answer indicate may be happening?

15%

Is investment income a significant part of total sources of revenue in 2007 or 2008? Does this indicate a major concern about the reduction in the fair market value of investments between 2007 and 2009?

15%

Based on your analysis above and any other analyses, comment on the future economic viability of this organization.

Objective:

? Analyze accounting and reporting requirements for not-for-profit organizations

? Improve research, oral and written communication skills and reinforce ethical and professional business conduct