Assignment Business Plan Due November 23, 2018, By 6:00 Pm
Assignment Business Plandue November 23 2018 By 600pm 1800 Hrspar
Assignment Business Plandue November 23 2018 By 600pm 1800 Hrspar
Assignment_Business Plan Due November 23, 2018 by 6:00pm / 18:00 hrs Parameters: You have been selected as the consultant to develop a business plan for Durango Manufacturing Company, which is a start-up, medium-sized public manufacturing company. The CEO has a background in manufacturing and is well versed in supply chain management. However, the CEO has limited experience in financial management and creating value for the various stakeholder groups. Your business plan must include a five (5) year strategy to increase revenues by 10% and a recommendation for creating an organizational structure to comply with SOX mandates for strong corporate governance over the internal controls. Your business plan must also include prescriptions for creating an ethical environment. Your recommendation must be approved by the Board of Directors before the company can begin its operations. Based on your knowledge of accounting and financial, prepare a ten to twelve (10-12) page report in which you: 1. As the consultant, create an argument that you will present to the CEO that suggests accounting and financial management knowledge and skills will be essential to the company’s success and stability over the next five (5) years. Provide support for your argument. 2. Suggest to the CEO how the company’s stakeholders (investors, lenders, and employees) will use financial statement information and ratio calculations to make key determinations related to the financial condition and operational efficiency of the company. Provide support for your rationale. 3. Given the strategy to increase revenue during the five (5) year plan period, which will need to be achieved through expansion and capital expenditures, determine which capital budgeting ratio is appropriate for Durango to evaluate its proposals for capital expenditures, such as NPV, IRR, etc. Defend your position. 4. In order for the company to improve its operational efficiency, recommend which production departments should use process, job order, and activity-based costing - all three (3) of which must be implemented within Durango. Defend your choice for each department. 5. The CEO would like to consider outsourcing his manufacturing operations if labor can be supplied cheaper overseas than in the U.S. Create an argument either for or against outsourcing the manufacturing operation to a foreign country. Your argument should include key points that support your position. The key points should address economic and business management aspects related to outsourcing. 6. Predict the economic and business environment over the next five (5) years, indicating at least two (2) ways it may impact Durango Manufacturing Company’s ability to achieve the desired 10% growth in revenue. Provide support for your prediction. 7. Formulate a strategy to improve the opportunities for Durango to reach its revenue goals (i.e., increase revenue by 10% within five [5] years). 8. Assess the potential for fraud within Durango based on the lack of IT controls, and determine at least two (2) ways Durango will structure its internal IT controls to ensure that such controls are effective in detecting fraudulent transactions. Use at least six (6) quality academic resources in this assignment. NOTE: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: · Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with 1†margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format. · The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: · Analyze financial reports, prepare analysis, and draw conclusions based on the financial analysis · Calculate and interpret various financial and operating ratios used in business. · Apply activity-based costing and other managerial accounting concepts to various business situations. · Evaluate capital budgeting situations by calculating financial returns and drawing appropriate conclusions. · Evaluate internal controls within an organization and create a risk assessment. · Analyze ethical theories to evaluate a decision-making process to determine compliance with professional codes of ethics. · Evaluate the health of organizations to assess the level of risk in an audit engagement. · Evaluate financial data for potential fraud and prepare an audit approach for detecting fraud. · Assess the risk of financial misstatement in an IT-based environment. · Evaluate financial data for potential fraud and determine the business relationships contributing to the fraudulent reporting. · Use technology and information resources to research issues in accounting management. · Write clearly and concisely about accounting management using proper writing mechanics.
Paper For Above instruction
Developing a comprehensive five-year strategic business plan for Durango Manufacturing Company requires meticulous integration of financial expertise, operational efficiencies, ethical standards, and strategic considerations such as outsourcing and environmental predictions. As a startup aiming for sustainable growth and robust governance, the company must leverage financial management skills to ensure success and stability over the next five years. This paper discusses the pivotal role of accounting and financial management, stakeholder utilization of financial information, evaluation metrics for capital projects, operational costing methods, outsourcing considerations, environmental impacts, revenue strategies, and internal controls against fraud.
Significance of Financial Management for Durango's Success
Financial management is fundamental to the durability and success of Durango Manufacturing. Effective financial oversight enables management to allocate resources efficiently, monitor cash flows, and sustain competitiveness. According to Ross, Westerfield, and Jordan (2019), sound financial management practices foster organizational stability by ensuring that capital resources are used prudently. As a manufacturing enterprise, Durango must maintain accurate financial records to support strategic decision-making, attract investment, and secure financing for expansion, particularly as it plans to increase revenues by 10% over five years. Financial skills will facilitate budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis, optimizing operational performance and minimizing financial risks.
Utilization of Financial Statements and Ratios by Stakeholders
Stakeholders such as investors, lenders, and employees depend heavily on financial statements to assess Durango's financial health and operational efficiency. Investors use ratios like return on equity (ROE) and earnings per share (EPS) to evaluate profitability and growth prospects (Gibson, 2018). Lenders examine liquidity ratios such as the current ratio and debt-to-equity ratios to decide on creditworthiness. Employees may analyze profit margins and productivity ratios to gauge job security and potential for bonuses. Accurate financial data combined with analytical ratios empower these stakeholders to make informed decisions aligned with their interests and the company’s sustainability.
Capital Budgeting Ratios for Investment Evaluation
Given Durango’s strategic focus on expansion and capex for revenue growth, the Net Present Value (NPV) ratio emerges as the most appropriate evaluation tool. NPV considers the present value of cash inflows and outflows, providing an estimate of profitability after discounting future cash flows (Brigham & Ehrhardt, 2019). Unlike Internal Rate of Return (IRR), which may produce multiple rates in non-conventional projects, NPV directly indicates whether a project adds value, aligning with the company’s goal for 10% revenue increase. Employing NPV supports prudent capital investment decisions that emphasize value creation over mere profitability percentages.
Costing Methods for Operational Efficiency
To enhance operational efficiency, Durango must implement process costing in departments with homogeneous mass production, such as assembly lines, to allocate costs systematically. Job order costing suits custom or small batch production departments like special order manufacturing, providing detailed cost tracking. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) is optimal for overhead-heavy departments such as engineering or quality control, as it accurately assigns indirect costs based on activities, leading to better cost control and process improvements (Kaplan & Anderson, 2004). Each method's selection aligns with departmental activities and cost behavior, fostering precise cost management and operational optimization.
Outsourcing Manufacturing Operations: Pros and Cons
Outsourcing to foreign countries can drastically reduce labor costs, potentially increasing profit margins and competitive advantage. However, risks include quality control issues, intellectual property concerns, and supply chain disruptions (Boyson, 2014). Offshoring might also impact company reputation and trigger political or economic instability. Conversely, outsourcing can free capital for investments elsewhere, access emerging markets, and enable focus on core competencies (Gereffi & Fernandez-Stark, 2016). A thorough cost-benefit analysis, considering long-term strategic goals and operational risks, is crucial before making such a decision.
Environmental Factors Impacting Revenue Growth
The next five years may experience economic fluctuations, technological advancements, and regulatory changes affecting Durango’s growth trajectory. For instance, a recession could diminish demand; however, technological innovation might create new product lines or enhance manufacturing efficiency (Bresser & Bresser, 2019). Changes in tariffs or trade policies could increase material costs, challenging profit margins. Anticipating such external factors will enable Durango to adapt its strategies, diversify markets, and leverage technological upgrades to maintain or accelerate revenue growth.
Strategic Approach to Achieving Revenue Goals
To reach the 10% revenue increase, Durango should implement a multi-faceted strategy comprising product diversification, market expansion, and operational efficiencies. Investing in research and development to innovate new products can attract new customers and open new markets. Strengthening relationships with existing clients via improved customer service and loyalty programs enhances retention. Additionally, leveraging digital marketing channels would tap into broader demographics. Strategic alliances and partnerships may also facilitate entry into new markets, all contributing to sustained revenue growth aligned with the five-year plan.
Internal IT Controls and Fraud Prevention
Given the deficiencies in IT controls and heightened fraud risk, Durango must adopt robust internal controls such as Segregation of Duties and Real-Time Transaction Monitoring. Segregation of duties prevents any individual from executing and authorizing fraudulent transactions alone, reducing the risk of misappropriation (COSO, 2013). Implementing automated systems with audit trails that flag unusual activities will enhance detection capabilities. Regular internal audits and employee training on ethical practices are vital in cultivating an ethical environment and safeguarding company assets (Albrecht et al., 2015). These measures are essential to protect against fraud and ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) mandates.
Conclusion
Overall, Durango Manufacturing's success over the next five years hinges on a strategic integration of advanced financial management, intelligent operational costing, prudent outsourcing, environmental awareness, and reinforced internal controls. Implementing these recommendations will prepare the company to meet its revenue target, comply with regulatory standards, and establish ethical governance, thereby ensuring sustainable growth and stakeholder confidence.
References
- Albrecht, W. S., Albrecht, C. C., Albrecht, C. O., & Zucker, G. S. (2015). Fraud Examination (5th Edition). Cengage Learning.
- Bresser, R. K. F., & Bresser, R. K. F. (2019). Innovation and technological progress: the future of manufacturing. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(2), 139-162.
- Boyson, R. (2014). Managing the Risks of Offshoring. Harvard Business Review, 92(10), 106-113.
- Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global value chain analysis: A primer. Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC), Duke University.
- Gibson, C. H. (2018). Financial Reporting & Analysis (13th Edition). Cengage Learning.
- Kaplan, R. S., & Anderson, S. R. (2004). Time-driven activity-based costing. Harvard Business Review, 82(11), 131-138.
- Ross, S. A., Westerfield, R. W., & Jordan, B. D. (2019). Fundamentals of Corporate Finance (12th Edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Brigham, E. F., & Ehrhardt, M. C. (2019). Financial Management: Theory & Practice (16th Edition). Cengage Learning.
- United States Congress. (2002). Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
- Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). (2013). Internal Control—Integrated Framework.