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.