INSTRUCTIONS
Download the 2011 Annual Report for Marks and Spencer PLC, from the link provided on Study Space. Review the Annual Report, paying particular attention to the Financial Statements included therein.
1. Analyse and comment on the Financial Performance of the Company using Ratio Analysis. Use whichever ratios you deem relevant for this purpose, including profitability, efficiency, liquidity, financial gearing, and Investment ratios. Your commentary should include a comparison of the ratios for the previous year,together with a conclusion on the company's financial performance. Please include all detailed ratio calculations in an Appendix.
2. Outline the main limitations of Ratio Analysis as a basis for ascertaining financial performance. Please use the Harvard Referencing system to reference to source material.
3. Explain the main Accounting principles which form the basis for the preparation of financial statements. Your answers should refer to the Accounting Policies Note in the M & S financial statements reviewed above, as well as other suitable referencing to textbooks or similar material.
Guidance Notes:
Your answer should be approximately 2,000 words, NOT including the Appendix / Appendices, and in the form of a formal business report, including an Introduction and a Conclusion / Executive summary, and a bibliography.
You may only use actual extracts from the M & S Annual Report and Accounts, by way of an Appendix to the report.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
This in Course assignment aims to assess the first two learning outcomes as detailed in your Module Handbook, detailed below. It represents, in total, 30% of the marks available for the whole course. The remaining 70% are covered by way of an Examination, to be held early in January 2012.
|
LEARNING OUTCOME
|
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
|
|
1) apply the main conventions on which financial statements are based
|
Examination and Assignment
|
|
2) analyse and interpret company financial statements
|
Examination and Assignment
|
|
3) identify and use relevant data for decision making
|
Examination
|
|
4) describe and explain the use of budgeting and product costing processes.
|
Examination
|
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT
Marks are awarded to various parts of a particular answer, not just the final figure e.g. the workings, evidence of understanding, inclusion of the appropriate detail and format. Marks may be deducted where evidence of a fundamental lack of understanding is apparent,When dealing with accounts and accounting, it is important that you pay attention to detail. Not paying attention to the detail can stop you from gaining marks. The following is an indicative guide to how marks might be translated
|
Class
|
Mark
|
Grade
|
Description
|
|
1st
|
70%+
|
A
|
Work of distinguished quality that demonstrates an authoritative grasp of the topic. Evidence of ability to synthesize complex material and think analytically
|
|
2.1
|
60-69%
|
B
|
Work that demonstrates a sound and above average level of understanding of the topic. No serious errors or omissions
|
|
2.2
|
50-59%
|
C
|
Work that demonstrates a grasp of the main aspects of the topic with no serious errors or omissions
|
|
3
|
40-49%
|
D
|
Work that demonstrates a limited understanding of the topic containing a number of errors and/or omissions
|
|
F
|
35-39%
|
F5
|
Marginal fail
|
|
F
|
1-34%
|
F1-F4
|
Clear fail – no understanding, or fundamental errors
|
|
F
|
0%
|
F0
|
Non-submission
|