Submission Guidelines for Assignment and Learning Outcomes

1.This assignment must be submitted electronically by 2pm on the submission date

2.To submit electronically you must upload your work to the e-submission area within the Blackboard module concerned. Click Submit> Browse (find the correct file to upload) Upload> Submit

3.You can resubmit your work as many times as you like until the deadline. If you choose to resubmit, your earlier submission will be replaced, and you will NOT receive an Originality Report until 24 hours from when the submission was made.

4.You will receive a digital receipt as proof of submission. This will be sent to your Bucks e-mail address; please keep this for reference.

5.You are reminded of the University’s regulations on cheating and plagiarism. In submitting your assignment, you are acknowledging that you have read and understood these regulations.

6.You are reminded that it is your responsibility to keep an electronic copy of your assignment for future reference.

This assignment tests the following Learning Outcomes for the module:

 1. Explain the structure of and terms used within the financial statements

 2. Apply management accounting techniques for planning, control and decision making within the organisation

 3. Calculate the main accounting ratios and explain their significance to users of financial statement

 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the role of finance and accounting within the organisation with respect to both reporting and decision making aspects

ALPHA Limited is a manufacturing company based in UK. ALPHA Limited started back in 1954. The company is planning to expand its operations to other parts of UK in the next ten (10) years. The financial statements are attached for your consideration. You are advised to incorporate the suggested amendments/feedback you received from the module leader during assignment briefing.

Required

Task 1

Accounting and Finance functions are paramount to any organisation. Critically evaluate the role of accounting and finance within any organisation of your choice (i.e. related to your academic discipline/program). Your evaluation must include some examples within the organisation where appropriate.                                                                                                    

Task 2

Using the financial statements for ALPHA Limited calculate the ratios required and comment on the company’s performance from a potential investors perspective.                                                                                                                                     

Marks will be awarded for Structure. Structure includes the orderly presentation of relevant material and the extent of research evidenced by the appropriateness and adequacy of in-text referencing and bibliography. There must be a Cover Page and Contents Page, paragraphs of Introduction, Conclusion and pages must be numbered.

Task 2

a.Calculate the following five ratios for each of the two years:

(i)Return on capital employed

(ii)Net profit margin

(iii)Current ratio

(iv)Average Receivable days/ Debtors collection period

(v)Average Payable days/ Creditors collection period                                                                                                                             

b.Comment on the performance of ALPHA LTD. results and position between the two years, mentioning possible causes and effects for the changes.