Unit 5: Accounting Principle: Assignment Brief 1
Unit 5: Accounting Principle: Assignment Brief 1
Assignment Brief 1
Student Name/ID
Number
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of a portfolio of two assignments that include:
1. A blog that should make use of headings, sub-sections, columns, and appropriate
business-related images and illustrations.
2. A memorandum with an accompanying Excel spreadsheet (raw data will be supplied). You
will insert sections of your spreadsheet into the memorandum.
All work must be supported with research and referenced correctly using the Harvard referencing
system (or alternative referencing system). You will need to provide a bibliography using the
Harvard referencing system (or an alternative referencing system). Inaccurate use of referencing
may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly. The recommended word limit for either
the case study or the memorandum is 1,000–1,500 words, although you will not be penalized for
going under or exceeding the total word limit.
Having completed the first activity, you have been asked to work with a hospitality and catering
start-up business that your firm has just taken on as a client. The business particularly needs
support and guidance with budgeting and how it can be used to inform efficient resource
allocation and support effective control and decision-making. The founder of the business is
investing £100,000 of their own capital and has also secured a business loan of £50,000.
You have been asked to prepare a memorandum that includes the following.
• Production of a 12-month cash budget that makes use of variance analysis to show the impact
of the different individual scenarios below:
1. discounting prices by 20 percent, which in turn increases sales volume per month by 10
percent
2. increasing the marketing budget by 10 percent per month, which in turn generates an
additional 20 percent in sales revenue
3. offering suppliers a one-month trade credit
4. reducing rental/property-related costs by 15 percent per month.
• An evaluation of the role that budgets play in the effective planning and control of resources in
an organization such as your client’s. This will include both benefits and any limitations of using
budgets and the extent to which they can help identify problems and corrective actions.
• An outline of a range of budgetary control solutions, with justification, to support organization
decision-making and ensure efficient and effective deployment of resources.
Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a
starting point in your research – the list is not definitive.
Weblinks
KPMG website. Available at: https://kpmg.com/vn/en/home.html
Accounting Coach courses. Available at:
https://www.accountingcoach.com/accounting-basics/explanation
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA). Available at: https://www.
accaglobal.com/gb/en.html
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Available at: https://www.cimaglobal.
com/
Indeed Career Guide to Memo Writing. Available at:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/memo-writing-guide
HubSpot. How to write a memo: Templates & examples. Available at: https://blog.hubspot.
com/marketing/how-write-memo
HN Global
HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learningzone/
reading-lists
HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.
com/subjects/resource-libraries
HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/textbooks
Textbooks
Dyson, J R - Accounting for non-accounting students, 8th Edition (Pearson Education, 2010),
Chapter 1: The accounting world, pages 2-21.
Atrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2018) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists. 11th Ed. Harlow:
Pearson
Weetman, P. (2019). Financial and Management Accounting: An Introduction. Harlow: Pearson
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
An overview of KPMG
2.1.5 Auditing
The establishment of the audit function arose as a result of society's demand for
individuals or organizations to obtain information or assurance about the actions or
performance of others, in which they have a valid and acknowledged interest (Flint,
1988). Auditors specialize in evaluating and examining the credibility and reliability
of financial accounts. Their primary focus is to assess the trustworthiness of these
accounts.
accoun
Auditors can be categorized into two types: internal and external. Both types of
auditors are expected to possess qualities such as integrity, excellent customer service
skills, proficiency in numerical analysis, and problem-solving abilities.
Computers, servers, the Internet, Wi-Fi, and personal digital devices have brought
about permanent changes in the way businesses operate. Software packages have
enhanced traditional operations and manufacturing procedures. The evolution of
information technology has played a crucial role in the progress of accounting.
Accounting software has replaced traditional paper ledgers and accounting books,
offering specialist features and adaptable programs that cater to current corporate
activities (Ghasemi et al., 2011).
The main impact of technology on accounting is the ability of enterprises to track and
record financial transactions, reducing the fundamental time required for accounting
tasks such as preparing and presenting financial statements. It also enables enterprises
to generate reports quickly and facilitates managerial decision-making (Pham, 2022).
KPMG can incorporate various techniques in their accounting and auditing work, such
as:
4. The organization's accounting role in the context of regulatory and ethical constraints
4.1 The regulatory system in KPMG
The regulatory framework plays a crucial role in ensuring the fair and truthful
presentation of financial information, meeting the needs of financial statement users.
Two important international standards that KPMG and other companies should adhere
to are International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP). These standards serve as guiding principles to help
businesses standardize and present accurate financial statements. Many countries
worldwide adopt and implement professional accounting practices based on these
standards. These practices ensure that financial statements are relevant, transparent,
reliable, and easily understandable.
There are distinct differences between the two standards:
While both IFRS and GAAP aim to achieve reliable and transparent financial reporting,
the specific rules and principles they employ differ. Companies operating in multiple
jurisdictions often face the challenge of reconciling financial statements prepared
under different accounting standards to ensure compliance with local regulations and
meet the needs of various stakeholders.
Table 1. GAAP and IFRS comparison
Because its features, KPMG should consider carefully the accounting legal framework
which is suitable for each process such as legistration in each country, accounting
concepts, etc
In detail, accountants play a crucial role in the success of a firm, which is why various
requirements are placed upon them. Foremost among these requirements is prudence,
which ensures accuracy in accounting tasks and provides a solid foundation for business
transactions. Additionally, accountants' skills in cost control are vital, and their true
value is demonstrated when they are embedded within the core of the organization.
Given their position, accountants are responsible not only for communicating financial
information to shareholders and complying with legal obligations but also for
safeguarding and enhancing the reputation of the enterprise.
5. A critical evaluation of the role of accounting in informing decision-making to meet
organizational.
Accounting serves a critical role in meeting the needs and objectives of a company by
providing essential economic, fiscal, and other data crucial for decision-making. The
decisions made by managers have immediate and long-term consequences for the
business. Therefore, managers rely on accurate and reliable data from the accounting
division to develop plans that support business growth. Communication of information
can take various forms, such as text, graphs, charts, emails, or printed reports
addressed to management. Inaccurate and careless information from accountants can
render management decisions ineffective and potentially lead to the failure of the
corporation.
Accounting has wide-ranging impacts, not only on companies but also on society and
the government. Society holds certain expectations for the accounting field and its
professionals. It is crucial to comprehend both macroeconomic factors influencing the
roles of management accountants and micro-level changes within organizations.
Establishing the connection between these macro- and micro-level elements is
essential for a comprehensive understanding (Rajeevan, 2019). Accounting makes
significant contributions to social development through the characteristics and features
of financial information it provides, such as relevance, faithful representation,
comparability, timeliness, verifiability, and understandability (Atril & McLaney,
1995). Managerial
accounting and financial accounting play a crucial role in ensuring accurate financial
statements and facilitating informed decision-making for individuals, businesses, the
government, and its agencies. The performance of accounting, therefore, influences
the formulation of company policies that contribute to economic and social
development on a broader scale.
Budgeting also eliminates the need for setting separate sales objectives when the
budget adequately covers the costs associated with maintaining a sales force or
implementing sales procedures. This allows businesses to focus on executing their
operations and strategies without the additional burden of setting specific sales targets.
Furthermore, budgeting can be rigid, leaving little room for adjustments once the
process is complete. The budget becomes the sole focus of top management,
informing every strategy, and changes in market conditions may not prompt
significant adjustments due to budgetary restrictions. This lack of flexibility can limit
responsiveness to changing circumstances.
Moreover, budgeting can have limitations and potential drawbacks. Mistakes in the
scope of manipulation, ineffective allocation of expenses, and conflicts within
organizations can arise. The strict adherence to budgeted amounts may hinder
adaptability and hinder the ability to optimize resource allocation.
2. Create a cash budget for a company using the information provided
RAW DATA
a) As of December 31 (the end of the prior year the company’s general ledger
showed the following account balances):
Table 2. the company’s general ledger showed the following account balances
b) Actual sales for December and budgeted sales for the following months are as
follows:
Table 3. Actual sales for December and budgeted sales for the following months
c) Sales are x% for cash and y% on credit. All payments on credit sales are collected in the month
following sale. The accounts receivable at December 31 are a result of December credit sales.
d) The company’s gross margin is 60% of sales. (In other words, cost of goods sold is 40% of sale
e) Monthly expenses are budgeted: £35,000 per month including: rental cost: £8,000; marketing
expenses: £4,000; salary: £12,000; depreciation (non-cash expenses) £10,000 and other
expense: £1000.
f) Each month’s ending inventory should equal 20% of the following month’s cost of goods sold.
g) One-half of a month’s inventory purchases is paid for in the month of purchase; the other half
is paid in the following month.
h) During February, the company purchases a new computer for £3,700 cash.
i) During March, the company outsources an advertisement project for £1,580 cash.
j) During {you can choose the month}, the company purchases a TV for £2,000 cash
k) During July, the company purchases an A/C for £1,000 cash
l) During August {you can choose the month}, the company outsouces a company for the
maintenance service for £2,100 cash
m) During {you can choose the month}, the company outsources a company for an
advertisement project for £4,500 cash.
n) Management wants to maintain a minimum cash balance of £16,000. The company has
an agreement with a local bank that allows the company to borrow in increments of £1,000 at
the beginning of each month, you need to assume for the rate and payment of the interest.
Expected Cash Collections
Table 4. Expected Cash Collections from Jan to Jun
Table 11. Cash disbursement for selling and administrative expenses from Jul to Dec
Total cash disbursement for S&A expenses = (Salaries and wages + Marketing expense
+ Rental cost + Machine + Other expenses) – Depreciation (Non-cash
expense)
Rental cost: £8,000
Marketing expenses: £4,000
Salary: £12,000
Depreciation (non-cash expenses) £10,000
In February, the business spends £3,700 cash on a new copy machine.
Considering that:
In May, the business spends £2,000 in cash for a computer.
In October, the business pays a company £4,500 in cash to handle a marketing project.
In September, the business solicits bids from companies to provide maintenance
services for
£2,100 in cash.
Depreciation is a non-cash expenditure that needs to be subtracted each month
Effects of Scenarios
Scenario 1
Requirement: Discounting prices by 20 per cent, which in turn increases sales volume
per month by 10 per cent.
Table 14. Expected Cash Collections from Jan to Jun (Scenario 1)
Scenerio 2
Requirement: Increasing the marketing budget by 10 per cent per month, which in turn
generates an additional 20 per cent in sales revenue.
The company increasing the marketing budget by 10 per cent per month, hence, cash
disbursement for selling and administrative expenses increase.
New marketing expense = Old marketing expense * 110%
However, this technique results in a 20% increase in sales revenue for the company,
which
is the threshold at which operations may begin.
New sales = Sales * 120%
Table 18. Expected Cash Collections from Jan to Jun (Scenario 2)
Table 20. Cash disbursement for selling and administrative expenses from Jan to Jun
(Scenario 2)
Cost of products sold and required purchases rise together with an increase in sales
revenue.
The increase in required purchases in January is the scenario's high point. The
corporation doesn't need to buy more goods since, according to the prediction, the
inventory on December 31 (the end of the previous year) was more than the overall
required.
Scenario 3
Requirement: Offering suppliers one-month’s trade credit
Table 24. Cash disbursement for merchandise purchases from Jan to Jun (Scenario 3)
Table 25. Cash disbursement for merchandise purchases from Jul to Dec (Scenario 3)
When a firm utilizes one month trade credit, it means they pay for the previous
month's purchases in the current month, rather than splitting the payment between
the current
and previous month. As a result, the firm experiences a significant reduction in cash
outlays for purchases at the end of each month compared to their initial expectations.
Having more cash on hand due to this trade credit arrangement allows the company to
engage in increased operational activities. This suggests that the company has a slower
rate of capital turnover. Consequently, the final balance at the end of the month increases
as a result of the additional cash on hand. It's important to note that this variation in
cash flow does not impact sales or product volume.
Scenerio 4
Requirement: Reducing rental/property related costs by 15 per cent per month
Table 28. . Cash disbursement for selling and administrative expenses from Jan to Jun
(Scenario 4)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Salaries and wages £12,000 £12,000 £12,000 £12,000 £12,000 £12,000
Marketing expense £4,000 £4,000 £4,000 £4,000 £4,000 £4,000
Rental cost £6,800 £6,800 £6,800 £6,800 £6,800 £6,800
Machine - £3,700 - - £2,000 -
Outsources - - £1,580 - - -
Other expenses £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000
Depreciation £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000
Total expenses £33,800 £37,500 £35,380 £33,800 £35,800 £33,800
Non-cash expenses £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £10,000
Total cash disbursements for selling
and administrative expenses £23,800 £27,500 £25,380 £23,800 £25,800 £23,800
Table 29. Cash disbursement for selling and administrative expenses from Jul to Dec
(Scenario 4)
When the outflow of cash declines, the corporation gains greater flexibility to allocate
large sums of money towards other operational activities. This advantageous situation
provides the company's management with more options to consider and implement.
They can strategically utilize the surplus cash for various purposes that align with the
organization's goals and objectives. This scenario highlights the potential benefits that
can arise from effectively managing and optimizing cash flow within the company
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