Evaluate the different competing financial objectives of the firm and the agency problem between shareholders and managers in publicly listed companies

 3 questions from the subject managerial accounting. about 2400-2500 word assignment.
POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
COURSEWORK FRONT SHEET
MODULE TITLE: Managerial Finance 
Learning outcomes and pass attainment level:
• Evaluate the different competing financial objectives of the firm and the agency problem between shareholders and managers in publicly listed companies.
• Analyse financial data, conduct cost-benefit analysis and financial planning for effective business decisions using spreadsheet software package.
• Critically evaluate investment projects using appropriate investment appraisal techniques to assess suitability and viability of the projects consistent with the overall strategy and business model(s) of the firm.
• Critically appraise the major issues of capital management, relative advantages and disadvantages from the various perspectives of the stakeholders of the firm.
General guidance
The assessment for this unit is one coursework assignment. The required mark has been set at 50%. If you are attempting a first or second re-sit attempt your pass mark will be capped at 50%.
This is an individual assessment. Whilst there is no objection to you discussing the content of this assignment with your peers, your final submission must be completely your own work. Plagiarism and copying will not be tolerated and may lead to subsequent penalties being imposed. This is an individual assignment and all calculations, analysis and narrative submitted must be your own work.
The assignment will require a considerable personal investment of time and effort.
Structure of the assignment
There are three separate questions included within the assignment and you should attempt all three questions. There is no word limit to questions. If any part of the assignment is ignored this reduces the maximum marks which could potentially be awarded. The assignment answer should be carefully checked before submission for the use of appropriate and acceptable grammar. The correct use of English spelling is to be employed throughout.
All the numbers should be reported in 2 decimal points.
Submission of the assignment
All three questions must be attempted and submitted in one document. You are advised to prepare your assignment in Word format and copy and paste contents from Excel where spreadsheets have been used to support your work. Only Microsoft Word file will be allowed for submission.
Your student ID number should be shown on each page of your assignment.
Your assignment should be submitted electronically via Moodle and you are advised to do this well in advance of the submission deadline to avoid any system related issues. Feedback on your assignment will also be provided via Moodle once the marking has been completed.
Marking of the assignment
The matrix on the following page has been provided to assist you in completing your assignment and is an indicative guide only, not a formal marking scheme.

Indicative marking guide
Fail
(0%-49%) Pass
(50%-59%) Commendation
(60%-69%) Distinction
(70%-100%)
Question 1: LO1 (40%)
A lack of breadth and depth of financial analysis techniques accompanied by incorrect formulae or calculation without appropriate explanation.
Poor layout or presentation in anything other than business report style. Inadequate grammar and lacking in overall knowledgeable synthesis. Evidence of some financial analysis techniques but with errors of formulae and calculation with insufficient explanation and adequate presentation.
Attempt at a business report format with some supportive appendices. Mainly descriptive with some attempt at synthesis. Grammar and structure being adequate. Wide range of financial analysis techniques evident and supported by full disclosure of formulae and accurate calculation in a clear format.
Presented in business report format and coherently structured. Supported by referenced appendices. Effective and well-reasoned narrative discussion. An excellent range of financial analysis techniques which are supported by full disclosure of formulae and accurate calculation in a clear format.
Excellent business report format and well structured. Supported by fully referenced appendices. Excellent analytical and justified explanations showing synthesis and application.
Question 2 and 3 LO2, LO3 and LO4 (60%)
A lack of understanding of management accounting and decision making. Unable to produce the correct format and calculations. Limited or no narrative discussion or recommendations and conclusions. Poor academic writing and referencing.
Ability to apply some management accounting decision making techniques. Demonstrates an adequate understanding of the principles and techniques involved. Reasonable attempt at analysis and discussion of findings, though of limited depth. A good application of management accounting for decision making. Demonstrates a good understanding of the principles and techniques involved. Good analysis and discussion of findings, with good use of academic references which support clear and well explained conclusions. Excellent application and understanding of management accounting for decision making. Thorough and detailed critical discussion with excellent use of a range of academic references which support clear, practical, and well explained recommendations and conclusions.
Question 1
The scenario
Mars Holdings Plc has a portfolio of investments in subsidiary companies and is seeking another acquisition that complements the others.
The subsidiary companies already in the group include: machinery and commercial vehicle dealership; finance company; equipment leasing company; haulage company with a fleet of 200 heavy goods vehicles (HGV), and a chain of value hotels across the UK, one of which is making a loss.
Two possible acquisition targets have been identified:
Wyre Child Ltd is based in leased converted hotels and provides care services for young people unable to be cared for in the foster system. Mars Holdings Plc are looking into the possibility of converting their failing hotel into a provider of care services and Wyre Child Ltd is looking for another property to continue expanding around the UK;
Border Commercials Ltd has a large unit and caters for the storage and repair of up to 60 commercial vehicles at one time, and has the potential for more space as it is based in a large empty industrial area. Border Commercials is looking for a contract with a fleet operator to stabilise their income and growth.
Extracts from the financial statements of both target companies are shown below:
Statements of Profit or Loss (SoPL)
WYRE CHILD SERVICES Ltd BORDER COMMERCIALS Ltd

vertical analysis £ vertical analysis
Turnover 1,542,280 100% 1,258,950 100%

Cost of sales (783,796) 50.82% (375,852) 29.85%
__________ __________
Gross profit 758,484 49.18% 883,098 70.15%

Administrative expenses (367,548) 23.83% (419,765) 33.34%
Other operating income 9,015 0.58% 0 0.00%
__________ __________
Operating profit 399,951 25.93% 463,333 36.80%

Other interest receivable and similar income 1,204 0.08% 1,508 0.12%
Interest payable and similar charges 0 0.00% (38,505) 3.06%
__________ __________
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 401,155 26.01% 426,336 33.86%

Tax on profit on ordinary activities (39,405) 2.55% (63,223) 5.02%
__________ __________
Profit for the year 361,750 23.46% 363,114 28.84%
__________ __________

Statements of Financial Position (SoFP)
WYRE CHILD SERVICES Ltd BORDER COMMERCIALS Ltd
£ vertical analysis £ vertical analysis
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 4,656 1.1% 291,546 30.9%

Total Non Current Assets 4,656 1.1% 291,546 30.9%
Current assets
Trade receivables 78,175 18.5% 285,275 30.3%
Cash at bank and in hand 338,855 80.4% 366,160 38.8%

Total Current Assets 417,030 98.9% 651,435 69.1%

Total Assets 421,686 100.0% 942,981 100.0%

Liabilities
Current liability: Trade payables 207,224 49.1% 122,944 13.0%
Non current liability: Bank borrowing 0 0.0% 371,335 39.4%

Total Liabilities 207,224 49.1% 494,279 52.4%

Equity and reserves
Called up share capital 2 0.0% 2 0.0%
Profit and loss account 214,460 50.9% 448,700 47.6%

Total Equity 214,462 50.9% 448,702 47.6%

Total Equity and Liabilities 421,686 100.0% 942,981 100.0%

The ratio analysis below is in 4 categories (Profitability, Management Efficiency, Liquidity and Gearing), and needs completing:
Ratios Formulae WYRE CHILD SERVICES Ltd BORDER COMMERCIALS Ltd
Profitability Ratios
ROCE PBIT % 95%
Cap Employed
Return on Assets PBIT % 95%
Total Assets
Asset Turnover Revenue x 3.7
Total Assets
Gross Profit Margin Gross profit % 49.2%
Revenue
Net Profit Margin PBIT % 26%
Revenue
Efficiency Ratios
Receivables Collection period (R) Trade receivables x 365 days 19
Sales
Payables payment period (P) Trade payables x 365 days 97
Cost of sales
Cash Cycle R - P days -78
Liquidity Ratios
Current Ratio Current Assets x:1 2.0
Current liabilities
Financial Risk or GEARING Ratios
Gearing Fixed int capital % 0.0%
Total capital employed
Interest cover ratio PBIT x 0.0
Interest charges

Requirements
1.1 Prepare a business report, maximum 2 pages long (approximately 800 words) with an appendix for your ratio analysis.
It is to be addressed to the board of directors of Mars Holdings Plc.
You must evaluate the financial statements, interpret the ratio analysis and make a convincing argument for investment in one of the two target companies.
Your report should be supported with academic references throughout, and your ratio analysis should be put in an appendix to the report.
(800 words, 30 marks)
1.2 Critically evaluate the working capital management (WCM) of both companies using academic references and draw conclusions on which is stronger. (200 words, 5 marks)
1.3 Create a table that lists the advantages and disadvantages of all the finance options available to Mars Holdings Plc. Explain, with references, the source of finance you recommend as most suitable way to finance the investment in either Wyre Chid services Ltd or Border Commercial Ltd.
(200 words, 5 marks)
Question 1 total 1200 words, 40 marks
Marking guide
Carefully examine the marking guide below to ensure that you structure your answer to include every element:
Mark allocation RATIO CALCs INTERPRETATION OTHER TOTAL
Q1.1
Profitability 4 3 7
Management efficiency 4 3 7
Liquidity 2 3 5
Gearing 2 3 5
Conclusion & recommendation 2 2
Credible academic citations 2 2
Layout, structure and grammar 2 2
Q1.2 Working Capital Management 5 5
Q1.3 Sources of finance 5 5
Total 12 12 16 40

Question 2
Question 2
You work for a consulting firm that has been approached by a client who is concerned about the future of their business. The board of directors of AJ Supplies Ltd are considering halting the production of 2 of their products that appear to be making no profit.
As you can see from the table below the directors are considering closing products Bass and Clarinet in an effort to improve overall profitability.
You spot that management accounting would show the results differently and may affect the directors’ decision.
Acoustic Bass Clarinet Total
(£m) (£m) (£m) (£m)
Sales 360 240 180 780
Cost of sales
Materials (120) (80) (80) (280)
Labour (120) (120) (120) (360)
Overheads (60) (60) (60) (180)
Profit/(loss) 60 (20) (80) (40)
Requirements for Question 2 part (a)
i. Use your knowledge of management accounting to calculate the contribution of each product 5 marks
ii. Use your findings from part (a) and appropriate academic references to explain whether the company should stop making product Bass. 1 mark
iii. Use your findings from part (a) and appropriate academic references to explain whether the company should stop making product Clarinet. 1 mark
iv. Discuss how and why marginal costing calculates contribution to pay overheads and why this is useful in evaluating product value to a firm? 1 mark
v. Do you agree that profitability will improve by ceasing to make Products Bass and Clarinet? What do you suggest the company does to increase profitability? 2 marks
Question 2 (a) total 10 marks

Question 2 (continued)
The board have approached you to get your opinion of their expansion plan, which includes a chain of factory outlet stores. Below are the figures for the first one that is planned for a central Birmingham location next year.
Company policy dictates that any decision should be based on the results of calculating Net Present Value (NPV) of 3 years cash flows using a cost of capital of 12%, Payback Period (PBP) must be less than 3 years, and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of the project should provide a 5% cushion in case of increases in inflation or interest rates.
The investment consists of £4,000 for the land, building costs of £7,900, and £1,830 for fittings and equipment.
The cash flows in year 1 are expected to be: total sales revenue £28,600; the cost of Acoustic products sold £7,900; Bass stock sold £5,660; staff costs £1,180; light & heat £1,676; other overheads £6,424. The cash flows for the following years are the same, but are expected to increase by 2% inflation each year.
Requirements for Question 2 part (b)
Using the information above and in accord with the above stated company policy you are required to calculate:
i. Net Present Value (NPV) 5 marks
ii. Payback period (PBP) and Discounted Payback Period (DPBP) 5 marks
iii. Internal Rate of Return 1 marks
iv. Based on your calculations do you recommend the investment is made and the new outlet store is built? 4 marks
v. Critically discuss the limitations of the above project appraisal techniques used and any other recommendations to the board. 5 marks
Question 2 (b) total 20 marks
Question 2 Total 30 marks
Question 2 total 600 words/equivalent, 30 marks

Question 3
The budgeted statement of Comprehensive Income and Net Assets for GFX Industries are given below:
Budgeted Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31st December 2021
£ £
Sales
(25,000 boxes containing standard packets) 900,000

Direct Materials (350,000)
Direct Labour (160,000)
Variable Overhead (120,000)
Fixed Overhead (140,000)
(777,000)
Profit 130,000

Budgeted Net Assets as at 31st December 2021
£ £
Non-Current Assets at net book value 375,000

Working Capital
Receivables 80,000
Inventory 110,000
Payables (50,000)
140,000
Net Assets Employed 515,000

The current manufacturing facility is under-utilised and there is a proposal to extend sales to a supermarket chain with nationwide stores. However, the supermarket will sell the product under its own brand name.

Estimated effects of the proposal are;
i. Additional annual supermarket sales of 10,000 boxes at £30 per box.
ii. Cost of direct materials would be reduced as a result of 8% quantity discount on all purchases and variable costs are expected to increase by 2%.
iii. Extra supervisory and administrative staff will be required at a cost of £20,000 per annum
iv. Market research has indicated that sales to existing retail outlets would fall by 10%. There will be no change in selling price to these customers.
v. Inventory and payables would increase by £40,000 and £25,000 respectively and the credit period extended to supermarket will be twice that allowed to existing customers.

Required:
Prepare the revised budgets to evaluate this proposal. Specifically you should:

a) Prepare a revised budgeted statement of comprehensive income and a statement of net assets employed incorporating the results of the proposal i.e. Revised Sales Budget, Raw Material, Direct Labour, Variable Costs and workings. 16 Marks
b) Calculate the effect on profit of the changes resulting from the proposal. Specifically calculate the Per Unit and Total Contribution for the old budget and the new budget. 6 Marks
c) Advise management on the suitability of the proposal making any further calculations you consider necessary and adding any comments or reservations you think relevant. 8 Marks
Total Question 3 (30 marks)
Question 3 total 600 words/equivalent, 30 marks
COURSEWORK TOTAL MARKS: 100

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