School of Management and BusinessYsgol Rheolaeth a Busnes

Module Handbook

MMM7120Financial Analysis and Decision Making

Semester 12014/2015ContentsModule Handbook Details3Aims of the Module3Brief description3Learning Outcomes4Transferable and Employability Skills4Lecture Programme5Teaching information6Attendance7Semester Assessment7Supplementary Assessment7Unacceptable Academic Practice Regulations8Assignment Submission8Penalties for Late Submission of Assessments9Submission through the Medium of Welsh9Special circumstances9Reading List10Detailed Topic Content List11Appendix 1: Coursework Test Brief17Appendix 2: Group Project Assignment Brief18Appendix 3: Examination Brief21

Ysgol Rheolaeth a BusnesSchool of Management and Business

Module Handbook Details

Module IdentifierMMM7120

Module TitleFinancial Analysis and Decision Making

Academic Year2014-2015

Module CoordinatorMegan Williams

OfficeRoom 2.32 Rheidol Building

Email addressrww@aber.ac.uk

Other staff involvedDr Yizhe Dong (yid1@aber.ac.uk), Sera Gondwe (srg4@aber.ac.uk)

Checked byPlease insert initials and date when this handbook has been internally moderated

Aims of the Module

This module aims to give students a wellinformed, practical grasp of accounting, finance, financial analysis and financial decisionmaking as pertinent to the aspiring general manager. It brings together key topics from financial accounting, management accounting, finance, and data analysis.

Brief description

From financial accounting, the form of accounting aimed at parties external to the business, we cover key topics in the preparation of financial accounts; and analysis and interpretation of the principal financial accounting statements which are the income statement (or profit and loss account), statement of financial position (or balance sheet) and cash flow statement. From management accounting, we deal with the requirements for and practices of accounting for the benefit of parties internal to the business, as they seek to plan, monitor and control the business in a wellinformed and effective manner. From finance, we consider how businesses may be funded and how that funding should be managed; decisions as to where the business should invest its resources; and analysis of business performance in stock market terms. As regards generally applicable quantitative techniques, the module covers the calculation and use of descriptive statistics, and the graphical presentation of data.

The overriding concern is that students should be able to speak the accounting and financial language of business; be able to take an active and constructive part in discussions of or based on accounting and financial information; and understand and appropriately employ accounting and financial information and techniques in making business decisions.

Underlying themes for the module are the need for interpretation as well as raw analysis; relating accounting and finance to other aspects of business to allow for integrated insight; appreciation of uncertainty and risk; and creation of value.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. List, describe, explain, compare and contrast different elements in:

Accounting context, usage, approaches, regulation, practices and analysis Business funding

Financial decision making

Business planning and monitoring

2. Account for simple transactions and produce simple financial and management accounting statements

3. Interpret financial accounting statements

4. Cite, explain, appropriately select and apply formulae/techniques to:Analyze accounting and market-based informationMake short and long-run financial decisionsDescribe and present data

5. Integrate different forms of analysis in order to generate a wellreasoned and holistic assessment of an organizations financial performance and position

Transferable and Employability Skills

1. Problem Solving:

Identify the precise problem to be solved

Assess which data are pertinent to the problem

Recognize that alternative solution methods might be available Select and apply appropriate methods for solving the problem

Assess the reasonableness of problem solutions and interpret those solutions

2. Research Skills:

Identify which information sources are available to:

i. facilitate module study (understanding, wider reading)

ii. provide information to facilitate the analysis of business performance and prospects

iii. provide raw input to the production of the group project Select the most pertinent information for retrieval

Retrieve information

Reassess the pertinence and assess the credibility of retrieved information Properly reference/attribute information sources

3. Communication:

Develop confidence in and clarity of oral communication via:

i. tutorial participation

ii. project team group discussions

Develop clarity and focus of written communication via:

i. group project production

ii. development of answers to self study questions

Develop and use appropriate subjectspecific vocabulary in oral and written communication

4. Improving own learning and performance:

Identify and distil the key issues covered by lectures, tutorials and self study Identify and use a range of learning resources

Investigate benefits of small group working on self study Structure study to accommodate intensive learning

5. Team work:

Develop experience of team work and develop team working skills via group project

6. Information technology:

Use a variety of electronic web and librarybased resources to review available information and retrieve pertinent information

Use various software packages for the production of the group project report (text, numerical tables and analysis, graphics)

Use software to complete elements of the self study (e.g., spreadsheets for ease of tabulated numerical calculations, production of summary statistics, production of graphs, etc.)

7. Application of number:

Develop an easy familiarity with numerical data sources and numerical data Apply numerical data to problem solving with care and accuracy

Assess the reasonableness of and interpret numerical solutions

Support assertions/arguments with appropriately developed and presented numerical data Calculate and use descriptive statistics

8. Personal development and career planning:

Develop skills in financial analysis and decision making which are essential to the aspiring general manager

Identify a variety of potential career routes within the financial and professional services sector

9. Subject Specific Skills

Identify and use sources of financial information

Understand, analyze, interpret and synthesize between financial accounting, management accounting and marketbased financial information

Make wellbased financial recommendations and decisions

Bring financial analysis and decision making skills to the service of the business in strategizing, marketing, operating, etc

Lecture Programme

Please see Detailed topic content list below for an indication of the lecture programme.

Formal feedback will be given on your class test during the Wednesday lecture on 3rd December.

Teaching information

This module is delivered by means of:

Lectures: Four hours of lectures per week Wednesday 9.00 10.50 Friday 13.10 15.00

Help classes: One one-hour help class per week Tuesday 15.10 16.00

Tutorials: Ten one-hour tutorial/seminar classes

Self-study: Self-study reading and assignments

Attendance to all sessions except help classes is compulsory.

Help Classes

Weekly help classes are being held to support your studies on this module, in addition to lectures and seminars/tutorials.

Help classes provide a time and space in which you may ask any questions you wish about the module in an informal, riskfree environment in order for you to clarify and improve your understanding of module topics, and of what is required of you, and to avoid getting behind or lost. No question will be regarded as laughable or too easy.

It is not compulsory for you to attend the help classes, but the vast majority of you will benefit from help class attendance perhaps not every week (although that is fine), but certainly from time to time. As regards the operation of help classes, here are the key points:

We will cover questions from students attending in person

We will end the class when the questions run out, or end of the hour, whichever is earlier; or if no one turns up or nonone asks a question ... so do, please, arrive on time and be prepared to ask your questions

We will not introduce any new topics, materials, work, etc. that have not been covered in lectures or tutorials

We will not cover material ahead of its being covered in lectures and tutorials ... so help classes are not the place to ask questions on your advance reading of later topics; nor the place to ask for help with tutorial questions not yet covered in tutorial sessions

SelfStudy

Set out under Detailed Topic Content List below is the essential reading for each topic, plus suggestions for further/wider reading. In addition to the reading, a selfstudy assignment sheet will be provided for each topic. In the selfstudy assignment sheets, those questions and problems to be prepared for tutorials are clearly identified.

Over the course of the module, approximately 150 hours of selfstudy is required from each student with approximately 110 hours being spent on the selfstudy reading, assignment sheets and tutorial/seminar preparation, and approximately 40 hours spent on group work.

Online Learning Environment

There is a Blackboard online learning environment site for this module. The sections most commonly used for this module are Content and Assignments. Lecture slides, addenda and ancillary materials will build up in the Content section week by week. Selfstudy assignment sheets will be posted in the Assignments section (with solutions to certain exercises posted in arrears). The Assignments section will also be used to convey information (beyond that given in this Handbook) on module assessment elements and advice on preparation for those assessments; and will include the portal by which an electronic version of students group assignments must be submitted. Blackboard should be accessed and reviewed regularly and often.

Attendance

All sessions in this module are compulsory. A register will be taken in every session. Those who fail to attend sessions will have to respond to their absences via the online attendance management system (SAMS). There may be UK Border Agency issues for those whom it applies if attendance expectations are not met.

Semester Assessment

Type of assessment% weightinglearning outcomes

SemesterInclass test (unseen)20%1, 2, 3, 4

assessment:Group project20%3, 4, 5

Endofsemester examination (3 hours)60%1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SupplementaryRepeat failed element(s) or equivalentas aboveas above

assessment:

See Appendices for full details of the assessments for headings, weightings, word limits etc

Appendix 1: Coursework Test Brief (9.00 Wednesday 26th November 2014)Appendix 2: Group Project Assignment Brief (15.00 Thursday 4th December 2014)Appendix 3: Examination Brief (notified by University at a later date)

Supplementary Assessment

Repeat failed elements or equivalent

Unacceptable Academic Practice Regulations

It is unacceptable academic practice to commit any act whereby a person may obtain, for himself/herself or for another, an unpermitted advantage. The Regulation shall apply, and a candidate may be found to have committed unacceptable academic practice, regardless of a candidates intention and the outcome of the act, and whether the candidate acts alone or in conjunction with another/others. Any action or actions shall be deemed to fall within this definition, whether occurring during, or in relation to, a formal examination, a piece of coursework, the presentation of medical or other evidence to Examination Boards, or any form of assessment undertaken in pursuit of a University qualification or award.

Please make yourself aware of the academic guidelines (available in the Schools general office) on unacceptable academic practice. Acts, amongst others, that will be punished include: plagiarism, collusion, fabrication of evidence or data, unacceptable academic practice in formal examinations and recycling of data or text.

Assignment Submission

From September 2014, Aberystwyth University is moving to e-submission for text-based word-processed assignments. You'll be asked to submit your work through AberLearn Blackboard using one of the e-submission tools built into Blackboard. Your lecturer will tell you when and where to submit your work, but here are some helpful tips to get you started with e-submission: If you have a chance to practice using e-submission, take it. Some staff set up a practice submission so that you become familiar with using it. Have a go before your first real assessment, so you know what to do when you submit your work. If you are planning to use your own computer to submit work: Check you have a supported web browser on your computer (http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/advisory/faq/636/ ) - if you don't, please contact is@aber.ac.uk for advice; Use this computer when doing your practice submission; If you encounter any problems on your own computer, you should use the university computers available in a number of locations across the University. Watch a video on how to submit: (http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/advisory/faq/524/). Don't leave it until the last minute before submitting your work - if you are stressed and working right up to the clock, mistakes are easier to make. Give yourself some extra time and submit your assignment early. That way, you won't risk missing the deadline. You can find the university policy on late submission on the AU website here (http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student/ug-issues/) Follow all the instructions on screen whilst you are submitting, including details of file size, file format etc. Please use a short file name (15 characters is a good length). If you are using the Turnitin tool, keep the receipt that will come to your AU email account. Please note that for all of the e-submission tools, you can also check your receipt of submission by clicking the link where you originally submitted the assignment. If your tutors are using e-marking, you may be able to receive your feedback through the same link. Please check with your tutors to find out how you will receive feedback. If you have any problems, contact your department straightaway with details of what happened. Technical problems can be reported to bb-team@aber.ac.uk. Please take screenshots of any error messages. If you believe that your submission has not gone through correctly, have a look at the Failed Submission Policy at http://nexus.aber.ac.uk/xwiki/bin/download/Main/guides+%2D+Blackboard/failed%2Dsubmission%2Dpolicy.pdf

Please note that computer problems are not considered by the University to be special circumstances for late submission (http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student/ug-issues/ ).

Penalties for Late Submission of Assessments

Deadlines for written work are taken seriously. Students need to manage their time responsibly so that they can submit work on time.

Assessments must be submitted to the Department according to individual departmental requirements and published deadlines. Work submitted after the deadline will be awarded a zero. A resit will be allowed in Part One if the module is failed overall, but will not be allowed in Part Two.A resit will not be allowed at Postgraduate level if the module is failed overall

Submission through the Medium of Welsh

Whilst all students can submit through the medium of Welsh please be aware that if the class tutor/lecturer is not fluent in Welsh then the work will be translated into English before marking.

Special circumstances

Students must consult their departments published procedures for assessments that are unavoidably submitted late. Special Circumstances will normally only be considered on the following grounds, with appropriate supporting documentation:

Illness Severe personal/family problems (e.g. family bereavement)

The following will not be considered as Special Circumstances:

Computer failure (you should ensure adequate backups) Printer queues (you should manage your time better) Lack of access to resources (better planning will ensure this does not happen) Illness for which a medical certificate is not available Poor time management More than one deadline on the same day Inability to answer question or struggling with the material Crisis Games, Performance Productions, or Departmental study trips Non-academic activities

Approved by Senate 13 June 2012

Reading List

The core text for the module (a recommended purchase) is:

Atrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2013). Accounting and Finance for NonSpecialists, 8th Edition. Pearson.

The sixth edition (2008) and the seventh edition (2011) are widely available. Either edition is fine. References in the module to the core text relate to the eighth edition. If you have the seventh (or an earlier) edition, you must cross check the contents/index with the eighth edition to establish the correct references.

A number of texts provide good coverage a significant proportion of module topics, and a number of these have been (or are sure to be!) published in various editions. Examples include:

Atrill, P., Financial Management for Decision Makers [NB. this is not the same book as the core text / recommended purchase (above)]

Brealey, R., Myers, S. and Allen, F., Principles of Corporate Finance

Jones, M., Accounting

Collier, P., Accounting for Managers

Parker, R., Understanding Company Financial statementsDyson, J., Accounting for NonAccounting Students

Davies, T. and Boczko, T., Business Accounting and Finance

Fraser, L. and Ormiston, A., Understanding Financial Statements Marney, J.P. and Tarbert, H., Corporate Finance for Business

Further resources will be notified in lecture slides; and/or referenced in self study assignments; and/or made available via Blackboard.

Detailed Topic Content List

Set out below are the intended learning outcomes and motivation(s) for each topic, essential reading, and suggestions for further/wider reading. In addition to the reading out below, there is a selfstudy assignment document for each topic. In the selfstudy assignment sheets, those questions and problems to be prepared for tutorials are clearly identified.

1. Introduction and context

Outcome/motivation

Describe what accounting is and explain its nature and purposes Describe the various forms of business organisations

Explain the identity of accounting information users and their information needs Describe what governs the preparation and reporting of financial information Explain the meaning and importance of corporate governance

Accounting and governance play an important role in business and management

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 1: Introduction to accounting and finance

Chapter 4: Accounting for limited companies (this chapter includes some information on sources of finance, which is useful also for topic 3a)

Further reading

Walker (2010) [available via Blackboard]Sunder (2010) [available via Blackboard]Dye and Sunder (2001) [available via Blackboard]

The UK Corporate Governance Code [available via Blackboard]

Wider reading

Weetman, P. (2006) Financial and Management Accounting: An Introduction, 4th edition, Harlow, England: Pearson Education Ltd. [Chapters 1 and 4]

Elliott, B. and J. Elliott. (2013) Financial Accounting and Reporting, 16th edition, Harlow, England: Pearson Education Ltd. [Chapters 10, 11and 31]

1

2a. Accounting basics

Outcome/motivation

Identify and describe the key concepts and conventions that underlie financial accounting Understand the accounting equation and its link with financial statements

Appreciate how business events/transactions are recognised, measured and disclosed/presented in financial statements

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 2: Measuring and reporting financial position

Chapter 3: Measuring and reporting financial performance

Chapter 5: Measuring and reporting cash flows

Further reading

Chapter 2 Transaction Analysis of Harrison, Jr. W.T. and C.T. Horngren, 2008, Financial Accounting, 7th ed., Pearson Education Inc.: NJ [available via Blackboard; large file]

2b. Principal financial statements

Outcome/motivation

Understand the major components of (published) financial statements Be aware of the official presentation format of each key statement

Be aware of some of the complex items in published financial statements Appreciate the different informational roles played by different statements

Financial statements are a rich source of information for analysing companies financial affairs

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 2: Measuring and reporting financial position

Chapter 3: Measuring and reporting financial performance

Chapter 5: Measuring and reporting cash flows

Essential further reading

Metalrax plc annual report [required for tutorial; available via Blackboard; large file]

2c. Approaches to financial statement analysis

Outcome/motivation

Understand how to conduct financial statement analysis and interpret financial statements Appreciate the roles and limitations of financial statement analysis

It is important to be able to understand/interpret financial statements as FS are an important source of information

FSA reveals information about a companys financial strengths and weaknesses useful in managerial and wider decision making

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 6: Analysing and interpreting financial statements

3a. Sources of business finance and working capital management

Outcome/motivation

Describe the various sources of finance and the main elements of working capital Explain the advantages and disadvantages associated with the various sources of finance Discuss the purpose of working capital and the nature of the working capital cycle Describe the various control techniques/measures that can be used to manage different elements of working capital

Finance (including working capital) is the lifeblood of every organisation and hence it is important to know how to source and manage it

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 11: Financing the business

Chapter 12: Managing working capital

3b. Cost of capital

Outcome/motivation

Reiterate the finance is not free; but that it is costly to the businessUnderstand the different types of financing/funding have different costs

since they present the lender/investor with different levels of risk Learn how to calculate the cost of different types of funding .and the overall cost of the businesss funding (WACC)

An appropriate choice of funding is an important contributor to firm value and shareholder wealth

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 11: Financing the business

4. Summarizing and representing data

Outcome/motivation

Understand and calculate measures to summarise/describe sets of data Understand and employ methods to present sets of data

The ability to summarise, describe and represent sets of data is an essential skill across a range of subject areas, including business, accounting and finance

Key amongst the benefits are facilitating analysis and improving communications

5. Understanding and interpreting stock market information

Outcome/motivation

Ability to assess company performance in stock market terms Understand and apply the riskreturn paradigm of investment assessment Appropriately distinguish between total risk and systematic risk

A huge proportion of individuals wealth is invested, directly or indirectly, in the listed shares of large firms. Assessment of attractiveness and performance of firms in stock market terms is, therefore, essential.

6a. Management accounting: cost analysis, classification and determination

Outcome/motivation

Define the common terminologies used in cost and management accounting Describe how costs can be differently classified and analysed

Explain how total cost of production/services can be determined using traditional as well as contemporary methodsManagement accounting plays an essential informational and managerial role in every organisation

Costs and costing concepts are fundamental in various aspects of managerial decision making

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 8: Full costing

Further reading

Cooper and Kaplan (1988) [available via Blackboard]

Various management accounting textbooks by C Drury, C T Horngren, etc.

6b. Management accounting: shortterm decision making

Outcome/motivation

Understand the application of marginal costing/ contribution approachto shortterm operational decision making

Apply the relevant costing approach to make management decisions

The relevant/marginal costing approach is highly useful in dealing with short term decision making

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 7: The relevance and behaviour of costs

7. Longterm investment appraisal techniques and decisions

Outcome/motivation

Understand various investment appraisal techniques and use them in long run strategic decision making

Understand investment appraisals/capital budgeting in an international context Longterm decision making is a common and vitally important managerial task

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 10: Making capital investment decision

8a. Planning and monitoring business activities: planning and control systems

Outcome/motivation

Understand what a Budgetary Control System (BCS) is and its role in the management processUnderstand the key features and functions of a budget

Appreciate the behavioural implications and limitations of budgeting

Understand the roles of standard costing and variance analysis in the control process Appreciate the principles behind variance analysis and why variances might arise Budgetary control systems are central to the effective management of any organisations

Essential reading from the core text (Atrill and McLaney)

Chapter 9: Budgeting

Essential further reading (articles on Blackboard)

Hope, J. and Fraser, R. (2003) Who needs budgets? Harvard Business Review, February, pp.108115Neely, A., Bourne, M. and Adams, C. (2003), Better budgeting or beyond budgeting?,

Measuring Business Excellence, 7 (3), pp.2228

Beyond Budgeting Round Table (2006) White Paper

Further/wider reading

Relevant chapters from Drury, C., Management and Cost Accounting, Colin Drury (various editions/years)

Critiques of budgeting:Wallander, J. (1999), Budgeting an unnecessary evil, Scandinavian Journal of Management, 15 (4), pp.405421

Jensen, M.C. (2003), Paying people to lie: the truth about the budgeting process,European Financial Management, 9 (3), pp.379406

Empirical surveys of budgeting process:Dugdale, D. and Lyne, S. (2006), Budgeting: are budgets still needed?, Financial Management, November, pp.3235Ekholm, BG. and Wallin, J. (2000), Is the annual budget really dead?, The European Accounting Review, 9 (4), pp.519539

Libby, T. and Lindsay, R.M. (2010), Beyond budgeting or budgeting reconsidered? A survey of NorthAmerican budgeting practice, Management Accounting Research, 21 (1), pp.5675

Overview of budgeting:

Neely, A. Sutcliff, M.R. and Heyns, H.R., (2001), Driving Value through Strategic Planning and Budgeting, New York, NY: Accenture

Hansen, S.C., Otley, D.T. and Van der Stede, W.A. (2003), Practice developments in budgeting: An overview and research perspective, Journal of Management Accounting Research, 15, pp.95116

8b. Planning and monitoring business activities: divisional performance measurement

Outcome/motivation

Understand the purposes of divisional performance measurement

Understand the various financial and nonfinancial measures used in performance evaluation

Essential reading

Measuring Performance, chapter 10 in Atrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2010) Management Accounting for Decision Makers, 6th ed., Harrow: Pearson Education Limited [available on Blackboard]

[Note: although by the same authors, this is not the module core text book]

Further recommended reading

Kaplan, R.S. and Norton, D.P. (1992), "The balanced scorecard: measures that drive performance," Harvard Business Review, 70 (1), 7179 [available on Blackboard]

Ysgol Rheolaeth a Busnes

School of Management and Business

Appendix 1: Coursework Test Brief

Module identifierMMM7120

Module titleFinancial Analysis and Decision Making

Module coordinatorMegan Williams

Weighting in module20%%%%

Test date9.00am Wednesday 26th November

Duration1 hour

Learning Outcomes addressed1, 2, 3, 4

in this assignment

Coursework test information and directions

The coursework test is a multiple choice test.

Well ahead of the test, you will be provided with: (i) a copy of the cover sheet of the test question booklet, which includes instructions for answering the test and information on the scoring system; and (ii) a specimen of the multiple choice test answer sheet, which includes instructions for recording your answers. You are strongly advised to familiarise yourself thoroughly with these documents.

The coursework test venue will be advised at a later date, however please ensure you arrive promptly .

Having entered the test room:

o Remain silent, and refrain from communication with anyone other than an invigilator.

o Leave your notes, mobile phones / pagers / similar items (switched off), bags, coats, etc. at the back of the room.

o Take a place where a test paper has been placed, but do not touch the test paper until told to do so.

o You should have with you your student number, your student id card, pencils, erasers and an approved calculator.

o You may not have any other materials with you (no rough paper, notes, books, etc.)

o You may not leave until you are dismissed at the end of the test

At the end of the test you must remain silent, and refrain from communication with anyone other than an invigilator, until you are well clear of the test room.

Test booklets must remain intact and handed in whole at the end of the test; you should not detach any pages.

Appendix 2: Group Project Assignment Brief

Module identifierMMM7120

Module titleFinancial Analysis and Decision Making

Module coordinatorMegan Williams

Assignment titleGroup Project

Weighting in module20%

Submission deadline3pm on Thursday 4th December 2014

Note: this is the final submission deadline; but see also interim deadlines below

Required length/word limit4,000 words, plus judicious appendices

Note: see below for more detailed rules

Learning Outcomes addressed3, 4, 5

in this assignment

Assignment

Working in teams, you are required to produce a report upon the recent performance, position and prospects of two companies which compete in the same in industry sector.

There are three deadlines explained below, in respect of:

Team membership

Team choice of industry and competitors with in that industry Submission of the team report

Team membership

You are required to organise yourselves into teams of five or six members. Once you have a complete team, ONE (and only one) of the members must email a list of team members to Dr Yizhe Dong (yid1@aber.ac.uk) for approval. If you are not in a team apprised to and agreed by Dr Yizhe Dong 3pm on Thursday 23rd October 2014, you will be assigned to a team. If your team has only five members at that point, it may have another person assigned to it.

We will publish final team lists on Blackboard, in confirmation of the membership of each.

Choice of industry and two industry competitors

No more than three teams will be allowed to choose the same industry. No team may choose the financial services industry. No team will be allowed to choose an industry competitor company which has been chosen by another team. No team will be allowed to choose an industry competitor company which appears in the list directly below (Companies which may not be chosen for the group project coursework assessment).

ONE (and only one) member of your team is required to submit the teams choice of industry and two competitor companies within that industry by email to Dr Yizhe Dong (yid1@aber.ac.uk) for approval by 3pm on Thursday 6th November 2014. Submissions will be dealt with on a first come first served basis by email. You may wish to include a second choice of industry and/or competitor companies in case your first choices have already been taken. If your team does not make an approved choice before the deadline, a choice will be made for you.

Hint: Before settling on choice of industry and, particularly, two industry competitors, think about:

i. what kind of information you will need in order to be to complete this assignment, and make sure you will be able to get it such information is bound to include, for example, financial statement and share performance information (but, further, see also below Hints concerning the report)

ii. the need for comparability of the information you will collect on the two industry competitors

iii. the need for you to be able readily to understand, analyse and interpret that information.

In sum, this means you should be looking for industry competitors which are both listed companies; which are both based in the same jurisdiction; and, further, which are based in the UK or a jurisdiction with a similar financial accounting and reporting framework (e.g., USA, Australia, etc., etc.).

Companies which may not be chosen for the group project:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(AMD)GKN plc

Amazon.com, Inc.HewlettPackard Company (HP)

Associated British Foods plcJ Sainsbury plc

AUDI AGMarks and Spencer plc

BASF SEPfizer Inc

BP plcSina Corp

British Sky Broadcasting Group plcStagecoach Group plc

Canon Inc.The Procter & Gamble Company

Cobham plcVodafone Group plc

DS Smith plcVolkswagen AG

BP plc

Submission of team report

Maximum length 4,000 words, plus judicious appendices. Any material in the main body of your report (i.e., excluding appendices) beyond 4,000 words may be ignored. Material submitted in appendices which should be in the main body of your report will be counted as part of the main body.

Your submission must be fronted by a standard handin cover sheet, duly completed.

You must include a final appendix (in addition to any others you may wish to include) which sets out the sources which you consult, quote, etc. as part of this coursework assessment. References to sources should be in standard form.

Your submission should be word processed and be produced principally in black on white. Judicious use of colour is acceptable.

You are reminded of the need to provide a clear, wellstructured submission, with appropriate, accurate and concise use of language.

Report to be submitted by 3pm on Thursday 4th December. The submission to be made by ONE (and only one) using Tunitin as specified in Assignment Submission

Please ensure you are aware of unacceptable academic practise and submit your group report in a timely manner

Hints concerning the report

You are advised that your report is unlikely to be considered complete or compelling without the following (although this list is not intended to be exhaustive, nor highlight the relative importance of its elements):

Analysis of industry business environment and strategy Analysis of financial accounting information

Analysis of stock marketbased information

Discussion upon corporate governance and regulatory compliance Discussion upon management capability

Coverage of other pertinent matters, e.g. social issues, risk management, etc. A balanced approach

Wellreasoned conclusions; and a recommendation regarding each of the two companies you have considered, as to whether you would suggest investors buy, hold or sell the shares in that company

Clear format and structure (clear and useful headings and subheadings; page numbering; contents page; executive summary; judicious use of footnotes, appendices, graphics and diagrams; readable fonts; and appropriate and accurate language, etc.)

Accurate, complete and clear referencing of all information sources

Ysgol Rheolaeth a Busnes

School of Management and Business

Appendix 3: Examination Brief

Module identifierMMM7120

Module titleFinancial Analysis and Decision Making

Module coordinatorMegan Williams

Weighting in module60%

Examination dateUniversity examinations period

Duration3 hours

Learning Outcomes addressed1, 2, 3, 4, 5

in this assignment

Examination information

The examination is a closed book examination. Each student will be given the same examination paper.

Examination questions may have multiple parts; and examination questions may include both numerical/problem solving and discursive elements.

All topics taught in the module are potentially examinable.

Well ahead of the examination date, you will be provided with a copy of the examination question paper cover sheet. You are strongly advised to familiarise yourself thoroughly with this document.

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