FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING

Task 1 of 3 – Article (AC1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 & 3.2)

Task 2 of 3 – (AC2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 & 4.3)

Task 3 of 3 – (AC4.1, 4.2 & 4.4)

After graduating, you worked as an investment banker before resigning due to stress. Although you enjoyed it, it was a stressful job with long days and hours. You recently had a child and your partner asked you to take a new job that would allow more time with your family.

Thanks to your background you obtained a job as a business columnist in a newspaper and you’ve been asked to write several feature articles.

Task 1 of 3 – Article (AC1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 & 3.2)

Instructions

Write an article in which you should

1. Examine the factors (both financial and non-financial) that drive decisions making in business,
2. Weigh up the business risks impacting on financial and business decisions
3. Explain the differences between the accrual and cash flow approaches in financial reporting, and how it might impact business decision making
4. Investigate techniques to manage cash flow

Submission and delivery:

• 1x article (circa 450 words)

Task 2 of 3 – (AC2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 & 4.3)

Instructions

Write an illustrated example using Poundland (the data is attached). You should:

1. Using the data provided concerning Poundland as an example, describe the sections of the income statement and the balance sheet.
2. Interpret the financial statements of Poundland
3. Assess the value of EPS, ROCE and other overall indicators for the sustainability of Poundland
4. Describe methods for Poundland to decide whether to invest or make capital expenditures
5. Provide examples of the types of capital expenditure and revenue expenditures that could be incurred by Poundland
6. Based on the data for Poundland, estimate its source of long-term financing and working capital financing
7. Looking at the balance sheet, weigh the pros and cons of off-balance sheet financing.

Submission and delivery:

• 1x article (600 words + annotated mind map data