AF4S31 Assessment 1 (V2) Brief

This assignment will be marked out of 100%
This assignment contributes to 50% of the total module marks.
The assessments are bonded which means you need 40%+ over both assessments
combined to pass the module.
Learning Outcomes to be assessed
As specified in the validated module descriptor available at:
https://icis.southwales.ac.uk/studentmodules/10122/studentmodulespecifications
Learning outcome 1
The ability of students to critically assess, apply and evaluate the issues and techniques
of strategic financial management.
Grading Criteria
Please see School’s marking criteria for undergraduate/post graduate assessments on
the module VLE. Any additional grading/marking guidance will be posted with
assessment task below.
Assignment
You have recently attended a workshop aimed at improving your understanding of
company Annual Reports using Tesco’s report as an example.
During the workshop you looked at the following sections of Tesco’s annual report:
 The Strategic Report including the Environmental and Social Review,
 The Corporate Governance Report and,
 The Group Statements of: ‘Income’ (also sometimes referred to as the Statement
of Profit and Loss) ‘Balance Sheet’ and ‘Cash-Flows’.
You learned about how different ‘stakeholders’ may use the information contained in
these reports and financial statements. You also learned about financial ratios and how
these can be used to interpret and assess the performance of a business in terms of its
profitability, liquidity, efficiency and return to investors.
The timing of the workshop was very fortuitous. You are the Purchasing Manager for the
business you work for. You are in the process of letting a contract for the supply of an
important component used in your business’s production. You have been provided with
the financial statements of Benedict Co. who are one of a few companies tendering for
the contract. The income statement and statement of financial position have been
reproduced below.
As well as reviewing the financial statements of Benedict Co. from a potential customer
perspective, you are interested in how the company may be viewed by potential
investors, lenders and suppliers.
You have also collected the following information about other companies operating in the
same sector as Benedict Co.:
Current ratio 1.6 Quick ratio 1.0
Trade receivable days 55 days Inventory days 60 days
Trade payable days 90 days
Statement of income for Benedict Co. for the year to 31 January
20X1 20X0
$’000 $’000
Sales 30,800 24,900
Cost of sales 16,000 14,500
Gross profit 14,800 10,400
Admin expenses 1,700 400
Distribution costs 3,500 800
Finance costs 1,300 500
Profit before taxation 8,300 8,700
TAXATION 1,700 1,700
Profit after taxation 6,600 7,000
Statement of financial position for Benedict Co. as at 31 January 20X1
20X1 20X0
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Non-current assets 38,000 32,600
Current assets
Inventory 5,200 2,600
Trade receivables 7,600 3,800
12,800 6,400
Total assets 50,800 39,000
Capital and reserves
Share capital 18,000 18,000
Reserves 10,000 7,900
28,000 25,900
Non-current liabilities
6% bonds 12,000 8,000
Current liabilities
Trade payables 6,800 4,300
Overdraft 4,000 800
10,800 5,100
50,800 39,000
Dividends of $4.5 million were paid in 20X1 and $3.6 million in 20X0. Shares in Benedict
Co. had a market value of $5.60 at 31 January 20X1 compared to $3.60 in 20X0.
Benedict Co. has issued 18 million $1 shares.
Required:
Prepare a report for your manager which:
1) Using the Annual Report of Tesco available at the following link:
https://www.tescoplc.com/media/264194/annual-report-2016.pdf
a) Explains the term ‘stakeholder’ and identifies three types of stakeholder of
Tesco. 15%
b) Analyses how the Environmental and Social Review and the Corporate
Governance Report help Tesco demonstrate its performance in terms of its
corporate and social responsibilities to two of the stakeholders identified in a)
above.
35%
2) Analyses and evaluates the financial position of Benedict Co. using a range of
financial ratios to meet the requirements of potential customers, investors, lenders
and suppliers. Your analysis should:
a) Explain the purpose and relevance of the chosen ratios.
b) Include the results for each chosen ratio and reasons for the movement
between the two years.
c) Highlight any aspects of the performance of Benedict Co. which would give
cause for concern.
d) Critically evaluate the application of financial ratios in interpreting and measuring
the performance of a company.
All calculations should be shown in full as an appendix to the report. 40%
Marks are available for the presentation of your report including structure, style and the
presentation of referencing. 10%
Total 100%
Grading Criteria
Section Weighting Criteria
(1) Using the AR of
Tesco:
a) explain ‘Stakeholder’
and identify three of
Tesco’s stakeholders
b) analyse the
‘Environmental and
Social Review and
Corporate Governance
Report how this
demonstrates CSR to 2
stakeholders
15%
35%
Demonstrate:
 Relevant practical, academic and subject
specific skills
 Knowledge understanding and
appreciation of issues involved.
 Ability to research and provide practical
and relevant points
 Clear communication, explanation
evaluation and discussion of aspects
being covered
(2) Financial analysis
and interpretation 40%
Report
Structure and
presentation
10%
 Clarity of layout, grammar, presentation
and inclusion of all relevant matters
 Tone and use of professional language i.e.
suitable for addressee of report
 Accuracy of referencing, and appropriate
use of appendices
Assessment guidance
Your report should be word processed, clearly laid out and concise and should be
supported by appropriate workings for the numerical elements. The word limit for the
report is 3,000 words.
The text of this assignment must be in your own words (not even a sentence or phrase
should be taken from another source unless this source is referenced and the phrase
placed in quotes). It is dishonest not to acknowledge the work of other people and you
open yourself up to the accusation of plagiarism. Referencing should in accordance with
the Harvard System. A guide published by the Library lists the most common types of
references with examples. The guide can be found on the module VLE
Hand-in requirements and dates:
Please see the VLE
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE EVEN ONE MINUTE LATE UPLOADING YOUR
FILE THIS WILL COUNT AS A

 
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AF4S31 Assessment 2 (V2) Brief

This assignment will be marked out of 100%
This assignment contributes to 50% of the total module marks.
The assessments are bonded which means you need 40%+ over both assessments
combined to pass the module.
Learning Outcomes to be assessed
As specified in the validated module descriptor available at:
https://icis.southwales.ac.uk/studentmodules/10122/studentmodulespecifications
Learning outcome 1
The ability of students to critically assess, apply and evaluate the issues and techniques
of strategic financial management.
Grading Criteria
Please see School’s marking criteria for undergraduate/post graduate assessments on
the module VLE. Any additional grading/marking guidance will be posted with
assessment task below.
Assignment
AYR Co. is considering two separate projects known as ‘Aspire’ and ‘Wolf’ which
are quite different but each of which has the potential to increase AYR Co.’s
market share. To date $120,000 has been spent on market research into the
increase in demand that can be expected for each project. The next stage is to
conduct a financial appraisal to determine which project should be taken forward
as AYR Co. can only afford to fund one project at this time.
Project Aspire:
This project will require the acquisition of plant and machinery costing $2,250,000
which is payable immediately. This machinery will have a scrap value of $375,000
at the end of the 5 years. There is also $140,000 working capital to be used
immediately. This amount has been taken from the company’s retained profits
and will be repaid at the end of the project. Cash inflows are expected to be
$650,000 in year 1 rising at a rate of 7.5% per annum for years 2 to 5 inclusive.
Variable costs in year 1 are expected to be $27,000 per annum and are expected
to rise at 6.75% per annum. Capital allowances are available on the plant and
machinery as follows:
$
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
600,000
390,000
345,000
300,000
240,000
This project will expand the current product range and will appeal to existing and
potential customers.
Project Wolf:
This project will require an immediate outlay of $2,250,000. This expenditure will
not attract capital allowances. Annual cash inflows of $955,000 are expected to
be constant for the life of the project. Material costs are expected to be $14,400 in
the first year, rising at an annual inflation rate of 7.5% per annum. Other
expenses are expected to be $18,000 in year 1 and these are expected to fall by
7.5% per annum over the life of the project.
To undertake Project Wolf, factory space which is currently generating rental
income will need to be used for the project. The rental income, which would not
have been expected to change over the five-year period, is $75,000 per annum.
This project will take the company in a new direction appealing to a different type
of customer.
Additional financial information:
 Corporation tax is paid at a rate of 20% and tax is payable one year in
arrears.
 The weighted average cost of capital is 10% and, unless otherwise stated,
cash flows occur at the end of the year to which they relate.
 A straight line method of depreciation at a rate of 20% is applied to all non-
current assets.
The initial investment of $2.250m, for whichever project is chosen, is significant in
terms of value for AYR Co. The board of directors is considering ways to finance
the investment, and will choose between, increasing equity by issuing new
ordinary shares, or taking on new debt in the form of a bank loan at a fixed rate of
interest.
AYR Co. is currently financed as follows:
Capital Employed $million
Equity holder funds 20
Long term debt 18
Total 38
Required:
Prepare a report to the Directors of AYR Co. which includes the following.
1. A calculation of the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
and Payback Period for projects Aspire and Wolf. Detailed calculations should
be included as an appendix to the report. All cash flows should be rounded to
the nearest $. 30%
2. Analysis and evaluation of the investment project options as follows:
i. A recommendation regarding which project (if any) to undertake;
ii. Justifications for your recommendation including an evaluation of the
investment appraisal techniques used in task 1 above.
iii. A summary of other factors that should be considered and information
that may be needed prior to making a final decision. 30%
3. A discussion of the two sources of finance being considered by the board of
AYR Co. Your report should include:
i. A description of Equity and Debt.
ii. An explanation of the costs of each source of finance.
iii. An analysis of the effect the selection of the source of finance may have
on AYR Co.’s weighted average cost of capital.
iv. An assessment of the impact of the selection of finance on current and
potential shareholders and lenders.
30%
Marks are available for presentation of the report, which must not exceed 3,000
words. 10%
Total 100%
Marking guidance
Section Weighting Criteria
1) Calculation of NPV, IRR
and Payback.
2) Analysis evaluation and
recommendation. Additional
factors and information.
3) Discussion of two sources
of finance. Impact on WACC
and investors/lenders.
30%
30%
30%
Demonstrate:
 Relevant practical, academic and
subject specific skills
 Knowledge understanding and
appreciation of issues involved.
 Ability to research and provide
practical and relevant points
 Clear communication, explanation
evaluation and discussion of aspects
being covered.
Report
Structure and presentation 10%
 Clarity of layout, grammar, presentation
and inclusion of all relevant matters
 Tone and use of professional language
i.e. suitable for addressee of report
 Accuracy of referencing, and
appropriate use of appendices
Assessment guidance
Your report should be word processed, clearly laid out and concise and should be
supported by appropriate workings for the numerical elements. The word limit for the
report is 3,000 words.
The text of this assignment must be in your own words (not even a sentence or phrase
should be taken from another source unless this source is referenced and the phrase
placed in quotes). It is dishonest not to acknowledge the work of other people and you
open yourself up to the accusation of plagiarism. Referencing should in accordance with
the Harvard System. A guide published by the Library lists the most common types of
references with examples. The guide can be found on the module VLE
Hand-in requirements and dates:
Please see the VLE
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE EVEN ONE MINUTE LATE UPLOADING YOUR
FILE THIS WILL COUNT AS A LATE SUBMISSION AND THE APPROPRIATE
PENALTY WILL APPLY.

 
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strategic marketing activity or case study

Dear Students,
During the 4th week, you are required to submit your first written summative
assessment of 4800 words, which counts for the 80% of your overall grade. Please
pay attention on the below Task Requirements:
Task:
“The best marketing strategies aren’t top down, they’re outside in, starting with
the customers’ needs and wants.”
Critically analyse this statement using Amazon as your case study
organisation. You should aim to show whether customer voice drives
strategic marketing decisions in this organisation making reference to relevant
academic literature in the process.
For completing this Task successfully, you must read carefully the 4th week’s content,
the recommended reading materials that are uploaded in this week’s section, as well
attain Amazon’s information in relation to their marketing strategies.
For reaching information about Amazon, you may either have a direct search to
Amazon’s website or look for industry related information such as Amazon’s press
releases.
A strong assignment submission must include the following:
 Relevance
 Good Portion of Knowledge
 Consistent Analysis
 Argument Structure
 Critical Evaluation
 Good Presentation
 Reference to Literature
In order to complete this activity you need to consider the following:
(1) Utilise academic research using literature from journals, books, etc.
(2) Undertake a critical evaluation making effective use of evidence and sources
(3) Present findings in an appropriate format (ensure that Harvard referencing is
used)
Guidelines for completion:
1. The word limit is 4,800 words, +/- 10% inclusive of appendices. Bear in mind that
the appendices count towards the word limit so avoid including organisational
material such as annual reports in any appendices.
2. Where you quote directly or take ideas from something you have read you must
reference these correctly using the Harvard referencing system, not numbered
footnotes.
3. Assignments should be word-processed in Times New Roman 12 point type.
4. Write clearly and professionally, avoid use of the first person such as ‘I’ or ‘we’ and
take pride in the presentation and spelling.
5. It may sound obvious, but make sure you answer the question. A good conclusion
is crucial for good marks.
Plagiarism
You are free to quote directly or indirectly from any publication, provided that you
give a reference for the author or originator. In other words, if the research or the
views you cite are not your own, then you MUST acknowledge your source(s), in
accordance with the Harvard style whereby citations are made in the text by author
and date, with a full alphabetical listing at the end of the paper. If you fail to
acknowledge your sources, you run the risk of being accused of plagiarism, which is
an academic offence. The University’s guidelines on academic offences are available
online. http://asaqs.southwales.ac.uk/documents/download/5/
Please note that tutors cannot read large amounts of material prior to handing in, so
please do not ask them to do so. We can advise on style and overall structure but will
not proof read. Draft assignments cannot be evaluated by module staff. Please
submit your work through the Turnitin link set up in the Assessment folder on the
module’s Blackboard site. Please use your University identification number, not your
name, and ensure that the document is clearly marked in terms of your Scheme, the
module and the module leader. Number each page of the document submitted. It is
recommended that you place your identification number on each separate page of
the document.
Length: A word processed essay with referencing to literature. The essay will be
4,800 (+/- 10%) words (inclusive of appendices, NOT inclusive of references).
Submission deadline: End of week 4

 
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PS4S26 Assessment Brief

This assignment will be marked out of 100%
This assignment contributes to 100% of the total module marks.
Learning Outcomes to be assessed
As specified in the validated module descriptor available at:
https://icis.southwales.ac.uk/studentmodules/11659/studentmodulespecifications
Learning outcome 1
Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the range of activities that comprise contemporary strategic
operations management within a variety of contexts and situations
Learning outcome 2
Develop personal skills to be able to critically evaluate and improve the performance of processes within
both the operations field and also the wider organisational environment
Grading Criteria
Please see School’s marking criteria for undergraduate/post graduate assessments on the module VLE.
Any additional grading/marking guidance will be posted with assessment task below.
Assignment
This assessment comprises TWO parts.
PART A – Reflective Analysis (50% of marks)
– The Reflective Analysis shall be 2500-3000 words in length.
– At the beginning of the module you will identify ONE personal skill that you aim to develop
and improve.
– Your Reflective Analysis will detail WHAT YOU DID to improve that skill and HOW
EFFECTIVE your efforts have been.
PART B – Report (50% of marks)
– The Report shall be 2500-3000 words in length.
– It will require you to examine the Job Description for an Operation Manager’s position.
You are required to select an advert for an Operation Manager’s role: you may select an
advert from any online recruitment agency.
– You MUST include the job advert as an Appendix to your Report.
– Using appropriate theory, literature, techniques and approaches that you have
encountered in the module, discuss the following:
• What are likely to be the operational challenges that the successful candidate
would face? (20%)
• How would you address the main issues?
(80%)
Specifications:
BOTH parts of the assessment are INDIVIDUAL pieces of work.
BOTH parts will be submitted as a SINGLE document.
(You will submit ONE piece of work to Turnitin containing Part A and Part B)
Do not include the reference lists in the word count.
Font, Arial size 12.
Harvard referencing used throughout.
Refer to the University guidelines on academic conduct – https://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3168-
referencing-plagiarism-and-good-academic-practice
The report must draw upon a range of contemporary literature from credible academic journals and
textbooks.
Diagrams may be used and should be numbered and labelled.
Hand-in requirements and dates:
Please see the VLE
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE EVEN ONE MINUTE LATE UPLOADING YOUR FILE THIS WILL
COUNT AS A LATE SUBMISSION AND THE APPROPRIATE PENALTY WILL APPLY.

 
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