Question

Ashford 7: - Week 6 - Final Paper


Final Paper: Financial Statement Analysis

Focus of the Final Paper

You will select a company of their choosing and prepare a fundamental financial analysis of the firm from its published financial statements.  After selecting the firm and analyzing its most recently published annual report (financial statements), submit an 8- to 10-page paper (excluding appendices, cover page, abstract, and references).  The report will cover each of the following broad areas that make up a fundamental analysis of the financial statements of a publicly held firm:  (a) background on the firm, industry, economy, and outlook; (b) short term liquidity; (c) operating efficiency; (d) capital structure; and (e) profitability.

Writing the Final Paper
The paper:

Must be 8 to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. 
Must include a title page that includes:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
Must use at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Assignment: Financial Statement Analysis
Focus of the Final Paper
 
You will select a company of their choosing and prepare a fundamental financial analysis of the firm from its published
financial statements. After selecting the firm and analyzing its most recently published annual report (financial
statements), submit an 8- to 10-page paper (excluding appendices, cover page, abstract, and references). The report will
cover each of the following broad areas that make up a fundamental analysis of the financial statements of a publicly held
firm: (a) background on the firm, industry, economy, and outlook; (b) short term liquidity; (c) operating efficiency; (d)
capital structure; and (e) profitability.
 
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
 
1. Must be 8 to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference pages) and formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page that includes:
 Title of paper
 Student’s name
 Course name and number
 Instructor’s name
 Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text.
7. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford
Writing Center.

Course Home - Course Materials


Required Text
Epstein, L. (2014). Financial decision making: An introduction to financial reports. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.

Required Resources

Articles
Crooks, R. (2014, January). 12 lessons from Warby Parker's annual report. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/rosscrooks/2014/01/30/12-lessons-from-warby-parkers-annual-report/
Ford Motor Company. (2014). Ford Motor Company Form 10-K. Retrieved from http://corporate.ford.com/doc/sr12-form-10-k.pdf 

Ford Motor Company. (2014). Ford Motor Company 2012 annual report. Retrieved from http://corporate.ford.com/doc/ar2012-2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf

Harper, D. (n.d.). Financial statements: The system. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/financialstatements/financialstatements2.asp


Recommended Resources

Articles
Carleton, T. (2008, December). Financial statement basics. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/15/margins-earnings-roi-pf-education-in_tc_1215investopedia_inl.html

Harper, D. (n.d.). Financial statements: Cash flow. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/financialstatements/financialstatements3.asp

Harper, D. (n.d). Financial statements: Earnings. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/financialstatements/financialstatements4.asp

Harper, D.  (2009, February). Financial statements: Introduction. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/financialstatements/

Harper, D. (n.d.).  Financial statements: Who's in charge? Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/financialstatements/financialstatements1.asp

Heakal, R. (2010, May). What is a cash flow statement? Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/27/cash-flow-statement-personal-finance-securities-analysis.html

Investopedia Staff. (n.d.). Ratio analysis: Using financial ratios. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/university/ratios/ratios1.asp

Loth, R. (2011, October).  Understanding the income statement. Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/022504.asp

Miller, P. B. W. (2002, April). Quality financial reporting: Finding customer focus through the power of competition. Journal of Accountancy. Retrieved from http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2002/Apr/QualityFinancialReporting.htm

Turner, L. E. (2000, March 23). Speech by SEC staff: Charting a course for high quality financial reporting. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved from http://www.sec.gov/news/speech/spch356.htm


Websites
AccountingCoach. (2014). Cash flow statement (explanation). Retrieved from http://www.accountingcoach.com/online-accounting-course/06Xpg01.html

NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center. (2010). Financial ratios. Retrieved from http://www.netmba.com/finance/financial/ratios/

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (n.d.). Beginners' guide to financial statements.  Retrieved from http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/begfinstmtguide.htm