Module: Financial Analysis and Module code:

Management
Contribution to Overall
100% Assignment No(s): Assessment Component -1:
Module Assessment
(%): Written assignment 40%
Weighting(1600 words)

Assessment Component- 2 :

Written assignment 60%

Weighting(2400 words)

Assignment Title(s): 1. Written Assignment – Funding Methodology and Ratio Analysis

Lecturers: Prof. Bob Greenwood Internal Verifier: Mr. N.Skandakumar

Hand Out Date: 27/09/2019 Submission 07/11/2019

deadline:

Referencing: In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research
your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books,
articles, etc. that you have read or referred in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for
books: surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of book, edition, publisher:
place of publication).
All assignments must reflect the theories, models and frameworks associated with the
subject matter. It is critical that the student reflects this in the submission and accordingly
students must give credit to the authors of the theories, models and frameworks. The
Harvard system of referencing is required throughout and needs to be adhered to rigidly.
Disclosure: Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment,
followed by your name and date:

I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all
materials used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references
have been duly cited.

YES X

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 1
 Turnitin: All assignments must be submitted to Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the NO
Lecturer.
Late submissions will not be accepted unless previously granted under the Mitigating
Circumstances Policy

Learning Outcomes tested (from module Assessment Criteria To achieve each outcome a
descriptor) student must demonstrate the ability to:

 Demonstrate the following knowledge and
understanding
Of financial accounting reports and strategies
and key concepts and comparative models,
and their relationship to financial strategy and
decision making within businesses and
organisations
 In this assignment, part 01 will enable the
students to demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding in financial planning concepts,
contexts, policies, applications and
opportunities faced within organisational life
cycles.

 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities
Identify, analyse and evaluate financial
business and enterprise positioning within the
contexts of corporate investment, asset
management, decision making and strategy,
and economic, legal and tax environments.
 In this assignment, part 01 provides the
student with the opportunity to demonstrate
skills and ability to analyse and evaluate
investments, financial sources, corporate
strategy and finance.
 The second part of the assignment will give
the opportunity to demonstrate skills and
abilities company valuation and capital market
positioning.

TASK DESCRIPTION – Assessment Componenet-1

Assessment Component -1: Sources of finance

Written assignment 40% weighting (1600 words)
TASKS

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 2
 Residential Properties PLC is a well-recognized listed company, operating in the construction
of residential property. It is currently financed principally by equity. Its board of directors is
currently considering purchasing all the shares of an unlisted company, which will allow it to
expand into a new geographical region. The price being asked by the shareholders of the
unlisted company equals about 25% of market capitalisation.

The scale of the investment is such that RP plc could not raise the cash from internal sources.
A decision now needs to be made on the method of funding. The directors are not sure which
method of funding best suits the RP plc.

Required:

1. Recommend four alternative methods of funding to the board of directors of RP plc

debating critically the reasons for using each of these methods of funding. All the relevant
factors must be explained and placed clearly in the context of the particular circumstances
of RP plc.

2. Provide an insightful analysis with regard to the link between the above financing decision
and investment decision relating to the acquisition of the unlisted company.

LENGTH REQUIRED
1600 words

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style

2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Length: 1600 words
4. Formatting: Typed on A4 in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge,
double spaced and pages numbered.
5. Document format: Report
6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard
referencing throughout is also provided.
7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals
that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
8. All referencing should be in Harvard style
MARKING CRITERIA AND STUDENT FEEDBACK –ASSESSMENT COMPONENT-1
This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks
available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers will use the space provided to comment on the achievement of the task(s),
including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.
rded
Mark

Common Assessment Criteria (applied to all parts of the project)

awa
Mar
avail
able

ks
s

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 3
1. Research-informed Literature: Extent of research and/or own reading,
selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing
conventions.

Inserting your references (quality texts and published articles) into the 10
appropriate places in the text. Listing these at the end of the report (Harvard
Method). The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic
books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and
newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other
company information.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject: Extent of knowledge and
understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the
discipline.

Demonstrating insights into selected academic concepts and models. 10

The relevance of these in the context of the set questions.

3. Analysis: Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and

judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence

Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; 40. (10
analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence marks for
each source)
For the 4 methods of funding critically discussed.
4. Practical Application and Deployment: Deployment of methods,
materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of
innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.

1. Recommended source of funding/financing. 10

2. Links between financing and the investment decision
20

5. Skills for Professional Practice: Attributes in professional practice:

individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media;
presentation and organisation.

Written in report style, Directed at your reader(s) and flows well throughout 10
and overall Presentation
TOTAL 100

Late Submission Penalties (tick if

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to %
appropriate)
ratification at the Exam Board. These comments
and marks are to give feedback on module work
and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )
Up to one week late

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 4
 GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria overleaf and specifically aligned
to the “exceptional” outcome category to which we anticipate students aspire.

1. Research-informed Literature
Your work must embed and be informed and supported by relevant and credible scholarly material that is accessible
in the learned journals listed on the module schedule. You should refer to at least 10 such sources. Additionally, you
should refer to text books, current news items and benchmark your organisation against other organisations to ensure
your assignment is current and up-to-date. High-level referencing skills using the Harvard Method must be
demonstrated throughout your work and all sources listed alphabetically within your bibliography.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the subject area. This means that within your work, you should provide evidence of your
growing mastery in critical awareness of current challenges, new insights and the constant need for innovation within
the field. Furthermore, a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge and even understanding,
should be considered and examples of such, illustrated within your work.

3. Analysis
To be considered masters worthy, your work must contain evidence of analysis, evaluation and synthesis. This means
not just describing “What!” but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? And at what cost! At all times, you
must provide justification of your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of
others on matters occurring in the real world of business is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate
within your work. Your choice of methodologies to gather data and information must be rigorously defended.
Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments in
the absence of complete data, since within the real world of work, we rarely have access to, or know all the
information! Persuasive conclusions are especially necessary and must be derived from the content of your work –
there should be no new information presented within your conclusion. Your work should aspire to resemble work
which is of journal publishable quality.

4. Practical Application and Deployment

It is essential that you rationalise how you decided upon certain methods, materials, tools and techniques to inform
and complete your work. You must demonstrate what informed your decision(s) to apply certain concepts that
enabled you to formulate innovative and creative solutions to the challenges presented to you or that you identified
for yourself. Plausible, costed and justifiable recommendations are demanded and where these are absent, your work
is undermined. Your work should provide evidence that you are growing in mastery in developing cutting edge
processes and techniques within the subject area.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of your attributes in the application of professional practice. This includes
demonstrating that you are highly capable of individual and collaborative working. Regarding the presentation of your
work, you must demonstrate your ability to select and deploy the appropriate media that is “fit for purpose.
Additionally, you must exhibit your ability to: communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism; work
professionally, autonomously and within a team; develop leadership skills; and produce/present work that is coherent,

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 5
cogent and specifically addresses the challenges set for you or you have set yourself. Importantly, your work should
be easily understood by specialists and non-specialists in the field.

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 6
 TASK DESCRIPTION – Assessment Component-2

Assessment Component -2: Financial Ratio Analysis

Written assignment 60% weighting (2400 words)

The Question:

1. Your question is as follows:

Choose a listed company on the London Stock Exchange or in any other globally
recognized stock exchanges in any of the following sectors: Retailers, Food &Beverages,
Health Care, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech, Telecommunications and Utilities.

Obtain the annual reports of the company and one of its main competitor for the latest
five years from its website or other sources.

a) Write an introductory report on the activities of the company and its position in
the industry with respect to its competitor.

b) Critically compare and analyse their financial performance over the last five years.
( i.e. the major company and its main competitor company)

c) If you were going to buy one of these companies’ shares, which one would you
choose? Explain your reasons.

d) State clearly any problems, limitations and assumptions that you need to make to
answer the questions

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 7
 FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style

2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Length: 2,400 words
4. Formatting: Typed on A4 in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at
each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
5. Document format: Report (Please do not write in the first or second person).
6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet.
7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and
journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
8. Citation and Referencing: All the used sources must be cited and given in the reference list.

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 8
 MARKING CRITERIA –ASSESSMENT COMPONENT-2

rded
Mark
Common Assessment Criteria (applied to all parts of the project)

awa
Mar
avail
able

ks
s
1. Research-informed Literature: Extent of research and/or own reading,
selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing
conventions.

Inserting your references (quality texts and published articles) into the 10
appropriate places in the text. Listing these at the end of the report (Harvard
Method). The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books,
peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper
articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject: Extent of knowledge and

understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the
discipline. Provide a brief summary of chosen two companies’ business activities and
a brief financial summary in terms of its cash flows, profitability, assets, liabilities etc.
over the last 05 years! Using suitable graphs & charts!

Demonstrating insights into selected academic concepts and models. 10

The relevance of these in the context of the set questions.

3. Analysis: Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement;

analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence

Analysis along the lines of liquidity, profitability, efficiency, capital structure 50

management and stock market performance

4. Practical Application and Deployment: Deployment of methods, materials,

tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and
creative solutions to solve problems.

 Problems, limitations and assumptions of the analysis

 Recommendation for investment. 20

5. Skills for Professional Practice: Attributes in professional practice: individual

and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and
organisation.

Written in report style, Directed at your reader(s) and flows well throughout and 10
overall Presentation
TOTAL 100

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 9
 Late Submission Penalties (tick if
Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to %
appropriate)
ratification at the Exam Board. These comments and
marks are to give feedback on module work and are
for guidance only until they are confirmed. )
Up to one week late

LEVEL 7 POSTGRADUATE COMMON ASSESSMENT &

MARKING CRITERIA
Outright Fail Fail Narrow Fail Marginal Pass Good Pass Distinction Outstanding

Assessment Criteria
0-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 70-79% 80-100%
1. Research-informed Little or no evidence Poor evidence of Inclusion of research- Inclusion of a wide A comprehensive Outstanding
of reading. reading and/or of informed literature, range of research- range of research knowledge of
Literature reliance on including sources informed literature, informed literature research-informed
References to a
Views and findings inappropriate limited range of retrieved including sources embedded in the literature embedded
Extent of research and/or unsupported and sources, and/or mostly relevant independently. Some retrieved work. Excellent in the work.
own reading, selection of non-authoritative. indiscriminate use of sources. omissions and minor independently. selection of relevant Outstanding
credible sources, sources. Referencing errors. and credible selection of relevant
conventions not Selection of relevant sources. High-level and credible
application of appropriate Referencing
Referencing always applied Referencing and credible referencing skills, sources. High-level
referencing conventions conventions largely
conventions used consistently. conventions mostly sources. Very good consistently applied. referencing skills
ignored.
inconsistently. consistently applied. use of referencing consistently and
conventions, professionally
consistently applied. applied

2. Knowledge and Major gaps in Gaps in knowledge, Some evidence of Knowledge is generally Knowledge is Excellent mastery of Exceptional mastery
knowledge and with only superficial knowledge and accurate with a extensive. Exhibits a complex and of a complex and
Understanding of understanding of understanding. understanding of satisfactory understanding of specialised area of specialised area of
Subject material at this Some significant current and understanding of the the breadth and knowledge and knowledge and
level. Substantial inaccuracies. relevant concepts field of study. depth of established skills, with an skills, with an
Extent of systematic inaccuracies. and underlying and contemporary excellent critical exceptional critical
principles but with views. awareness of awareness of
knowledge,
gaps or errors. current problems current problems
understanding and critical and/or new insights and/or new insights
awareness of concepts at the forefront of at the forefront of
and underlying principles the field. Clear the field. A critical
associated with the awareness of awareness of the
discipline. challenges to ambiguities and
established views limitations of
and the limitations knowledge.
of the knowledge
base.

3. Analysis Unsubstantiated Some evidence of Evidence of some Evidence of some Evaluates Excellent critical Exceptional critical
generalisations, analytical logical, critical logical, analytical, methodologies, evaluation of evaluation of
made without use of intellectual skills, thinking and some critical thinking and current research and methodologies, methodologies,
Analysis, evaluation and any credible but for the most attempts to synthesis. Can analyse ideas critically and, current research and current research and
synthesis; logic, argument evidence. Lack of part descriptive. synthesise, albeit new and/or complex where appropriate, ideas and, where ideas and, where
and judgement; analytical logic, leading to Ideas/findings with weaknesses. data and situations proposes new appropriate, appropriate,
reflection; organisation unsupportable/ sometimes illogical without guidance. hypotheses/ideas. proposes new proposes new
of ideas and evidence missing conclusions. and contradictory. Some evidence to Evaluates and hypotheses/ ideas. hypotheses/ ideas.
Lack of any attempt Generalised support findings/ An emerging synthesises complex Evaluates and Evaluates and
to analyse, statements made views, but awareness of different issues both synthesises complex synthesises complex
synthesise or with scant evidence. evidence not stances and ability to systematically and issues systematically issues at a high level
evaluate. Conclusions lack consistently use evidence to creatively. Makes and creatively. of mastery. Makes
relevance. interpreted. support the argument. sound judgements Makes excellent outstanding
and proposes judgements and judgements and
convincing proposes convincing proposes highly
Some relevant Some conclusions and
arguments in the arguments in the convincing
conclusions and recommendations,
absence of complete absence of complete arguments in the
recommendations, where relevant
data. Sound, data. Strong, absence of complete
But not always
convincing persuasive, data. Highly
well linked to
conclusions / conclusions, persuasive
other material.
recommendations. justifiable conclusions. Work is
recommendations.

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 10

4. Practical
Application and
Deployment
Effective deployment of
appropriate methods,
materials, tools and
techniques; extent of skill
demonstrated in the
application of concepts to
a variety of processes
and/or contexts;
formulation of
innovative, original and
creative solutions to solve
problems.
5. Skills for
Professional Practice
Demonstrates attributes
expected in professional
practice including:
individual initiative and
collaborative working;
deployment of
appropriate media to
communicate (including
written and oral); clarity
and effectiveness in
presentation and
organisation.
BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management
Assessment.
Work is of of journal
conference publishable quality.
publishable quality.
Limited or no use of Rudimentary Some awareness A satisfactory and A very good An advanced Outstanding levels
methods, materials, application of and mostly appropriate application of a application of a of application and
tools and/or methods, materials, appropriate application of range of methods, range of methods, deployment skills.
techniques. tools and/or application of standard methods, materials, tools materials, tools Assimilation and
techniques but well-established materials, tools and/or and/or techniques. and/or techniques. development of
Little or no without methods, techniques. cutting edge
appreciation of the consideration and materials, tools Very good The context of the processes and
context of the competence. Flawed and/or Satisfactory consideration of the application is well techniques.
appreciation of the techniques.
application. appreciation of the context of the considered, with
context of the context of the application, with extensive use of
application. Some appreciation application, with some perceptive use of relevant examples.
of the context of use of examples, examples, where
the application. where relevant. relevant. Application and
deployment extend
Evidence of some beyond established
originality, conventions.
innovation and Originality,
creativity. innovation and/or
creativity evident
throughout.
Communication Media is poorly Communication is Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate
media is designed and/or not not clear. effectively in a well, confidently and professionally and, with an
inappropriate or suitable for the suitable format, but consistently in a confidently in a exceptionally high
misapplied. audience. Limited may have minor suitable format. suitable format. level of
independent work errors. professionalism.
Little or no evidence Poor independent or and limited Can work very well Can work
of autonomy in the collaborative involvement in Can work effectively autonomously and professionally Can work
completion of tasks. initiative. group activities. autonomously and as as part of a team, autonomously and exceptionally well
part of a team, with with very good within a team, and professionally
Work is poorly Work lacks Work lacks some involvement in contribution to showing leadership autonomously and
structured and/or structure, coherence in group activities. group activities. skills as appropriate, within a team,
managing conflict showing advanced
largely incoherent. organisation, and/or places and is in
coherence need of Mostly coherent work Work is coherent and meeting leadership skills.
amendments to and is in a suitable and fluent and is obligations.
the structure. structure. well structured and Work is
organised. Work is coherent, exceptionally
very fluent and is coherent, very
presented fluent and is
professionally. presented
professionally.
Page 11
 GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria overleaf and specifically
aligned to the “exceptional” outcome category to which we anticipate students aspire.

6. Research-informed Literature
Your work must embed and be informed and supported by relevant and credible scholarly material that is accessible in
the learned journals listed on the module schedule. You should refer to at least 25 such sources. Additionally, you
should refer to text books, current news items and benchmark your organisation against other organisations to ensure
your assignment is current and up-to-date. High-level referencing skills using the Harvard Method must be
demonstrated throughout your work and all sources listed alphabetically within your bibliography.

7. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the subject area. This means that within your work, you should provide evidence of your
growing mastery in critical awareness of current challenges, new insights and the constant need for innovation within
the field. Furthermore, a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge and even understanding,
should be considered and examples of such, illustrated within your work.

8. Analysis
To be considered masters worthy, your work must contain evidence of analysis, evaluation and synthesis. This means
not just describing “What!” but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? And at what cost! At all times, you
must provide justification of your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others
on matters occurring in the real world of business is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within
your work. Your choice of methodologies to gather data and information must be rigorously defended. Furthermore,
you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments in the absence of
complete data, since within the real world of work, we rarely have access to, or know all the information! Persuasive
conclusions are especially necessary and must be derived from the content of your work – there should be no new
information presented within your conclusion. Your work should aspire to resemble work which is of journal
publishable quality.

9. Practical Application and Deployment

It is essential that you rationalise how you decided upon certain methods, materials, tools and techniques to inform and
complete your work. You must demonstrate what informed your decision(s) to apply certain concepts that enabled you
to formulate innovative and creative solutions to the challenges presented to you or that you identified for yourself.
Plausible, costed and justifiable recommendations are demanded and where these are absent, your work is undermined.
Your work should provide evidence that you are growing in mastery in developing cutting edge processes and techniques
within the subject area.

10. Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of your attributes in the application of professional practice. This includes
demonstrating that you are highly capable of individual and collaborative working. Regarding the presentation of your
work, you must demonstrate your ability to select and deploy the appropriate media that is “fit for purpose. Additionally,
you must exhibit your ability to: communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism; work professionally,
autonomously and within a team; develop leadership skills; and produce/present work that is coherent, cogent and
specifically addresses the challenges set for you or you have set yourself. Importantly, your work should be easily
understood by specialists and non-specialists in the field.

BSC PG Diploma – Financial Analysis & Management

Assessment. Page 12