MSA 690 - FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Ethics Case - Individual Assignment
- This is an individual assignment that is due on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. A hard copy of your report must be submitted.
Assignment Overview:
- The written report/ paper should be between six to eight pages in length, doubled space with 12 point font; plus an additional/ separate page with at least three references.
- The paper/ report must have normal margins (1 inch left, right, top and bottom) with 12 point font, e.g.: Times Roman 12 pt.
- Give a minimum of 3 references that you have read in preparing the paper (NOT WIKIPEDIA!) The references could include trade publications, newspapers (e.g., WSJ) and/or scholarly journals.
- You will do VOLKSWAGEN, A.G.
- Examine and discuss a current or ongoing issue(s) affecting this company that is a result of ethical and regulatory issues/failures.
- Discuss the specific impacts these issues are having, or will have, on the company's reputation, share price, shareholders' valuation and its financial statements.
- The issue(s)/ scandal do NOT have to be resolved; it can be ongoing.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
Use the following outline as a guide in structuring your report.
I. Introduction (15%) -
- Brief summary of the company; what they do.
- Brief description of the industry the company is in. What products or service they sell.
- List the names of the top three executives; include the CFO. Just list their names; you don't have to go into details about them here.
- Define and explain your understanding of ethics and ethical behavior.
- Outline your understanding of acceptable ethical behavior in business and in particular the Accounting profession.
- Clearly and specifically identify the ethical issues and or regulatory issues involved in the case/ company you selected.
- Also explain why you see these as ethical or regulatory issues
- If the issue is ongoing and a conclusion is not yet reached, you should clearly state what you believe the ethical or regulatory issues are/ or will be and why.
II. Analysis (65%) -
- This is the bulk of your Paper -
- Expand and explain why you think the issue(s) identified has relevance to ethics. Why do you think the issue is ethical or regulatory?
- Why and how do you think this issue will affect the company's reputation, stock price, market share, revenues, market share/ valuation and EPS?
- Should revenue/ operating income and or cost be the main driving forces of how to address this ethical issue identify?
- Discuss the implications of these ethical and or regulatory issues on the Accounting Profession.
- Will these issues, although they may be specific to this case/ company, affect Accountants going forward in carrying out their professional responsibilities?
III. Conclusions (20%) -
- Present a summary of your conclusions
- From your analysis give two specific recommendations.