Choose Whole Food Market and Starbucks Coffee

Overview:

For this first milestone, which is due in Module Three, you will describe each of the two firms you have selected for your final project, including their management and strategic objectives. Your evaluation of the firms will include an analysis of the cash flow management practices of each company for the last three fiscal years-including cash, accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed assets, and inventory.

Prompt: First, use AnnualReports webiste to access the following financial reports for each of your selected firms for the previous three fiscal years: the profit and loss statement, the balance sheet statement, and the sources and uses of funds statement. This information can also be retrieved from each corporation's official website.

In a 2- to 3-page paper, discuss the cash flow management practices of each company for the last three fiscal years, including cash, accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed assets, and inventory.

As you retrieve this information, consider both companies' financial ratios, including activity ratios, debt ratios, and profitability and market ratios. Also, consider what you, as a financial manager, would have done differently or suggested as improvements.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be included:

I. Background: Describe both of the firms and their management, including their strategic objectives. Provide sufficient detail to support the rest of your analysis.

II. Evaluation of the Firms

A. Analyze both companies' cash flow management practices for the last three fiscal years, including cash, accounts receivables, accounts payable, fixed assets, and inventory. Cite specific examples and figures to illustrate.

B. Analyze both companies' working capital cash flow management practices, including cash, accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed assets, and inventory. Cite specific examples and figures to illustrate.

Support your responses by referencing the corporate reports and other course resources, including your textbook. Be sure to incorporate instructor feedback into your upcoming milestones and your final project.