Identify a company which has its shares quoted on the FTSE 100 Index of the London Stock Exchange and assess its capital structure and sources of finance.

Financial Accounting

Description

REQUIRED

Identify a company which has its shares quoted on the FTSE 100 Index of the London Stock Exchange and assess its capital structure and sources of finance.

Your report should contain the following elements:

• An analysis of the capital structure of the company, including the number and types of shares, size and types of reserves held and non-current (long term) liabilities (the “capital employed” by the company), including a calculation of the gearing ratio (approximate figures depending on the type of information available are acceptable).

• An assessment of all the sources of finance utilised by the company, including short term finance (working capital) and cash balances held.

• A discussion of the main methods of capital investment appraisal which are used by businesses, including the main advantages and disadvantages of each and an example of a major capital investment that the selected company has made or is likely to make.

Your report should not exceed 1,500 words but you may add to that additional information in tables and appendices.

Learning outcomes of the assignment

• Improved ability to understand concepts of business finance and identify and compare the various sources of finance used by business enterprises.

• Ability to critically analyse and evaluate financial management tools and techniques that are used by organisations.

• Improved literature review skills.

• Improved written communication skills.

General Level 5 Assessment Criteria

Less than 40% – Inadequate in length, content, structure, organisation, expression, discussion, explanation, accuracy and relevance, lacking analysis, showing weak academic skills, attempts to address the coursework instructions but is substantially incomplete and deficient, limited use of learning resources.

40%-49% – Adequate work that attempts to address the topic and demonstrates some understanding of basic aspects of the subject matter, largely descriptive with some lack of accuracy in expression, researched using mainly books and internet, attempts to use and/or present references/bibliography according to conventions.

50%-59% – Work that demonstrates understanding of the topic area, some attempt to discuss material, acceptable level of academic/intellectual skills going beyond description at times, satisfactory presentation and/or use of references/bibliography according to convention with satisfactory use of learning resources.

60%-69% – Good piece of work covering much of the subject matter and which is clearly and lucidly written, good attempt to consider and evaluate the material presented, evidence of research on the topic area extending beyond key texts, satisfactory presentation and/or use of references/bibliography according to conventions. 70%-79% – Very good work which is clearly written, well-argued and covers the subject matter in a thorough, thoughtful and competent manner, contains some originality of approach, insight or synthesis, explores and analyses the subject matter, its theory and ethical issues, good evidence of research and good use of source material, good use and presentation of references.

80%+ – Excellent work containing relevant material showing full understanding of subject matter, includes analysis, originality of approach and creativity, clear and articulated well, wide research incorporating up to date, relevant, original material, accurately cited with references.

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