ACCT2213 : Accounting in organisation & society

Assessment 2: Team Assignment

Overview

In a team of 2 students, you are appointed as management accountant for a fictitious Australian business, and you are required to prepare a report to evaluate the performance of the company so that you can recognise environmental, social, and economic implications of business decisions.

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate that you understand different financial and non-financial information, accounting concepts and apply the knowledge of theory in a business setting, so that you can identify the issues and challenges that need to be addressed when analysing financial and non-financial information to prepare powerful reports.

Assessment Details

You are required to critically analyse a range of financial and non-financial information in a team and prepare a report to present it front of management team of your organisation that will contribute positively to your organisation’s financial position and reputation.

For any calculation questions, write down each step you took to get the answer. The report is to be structured using a question-based approach, that is by answering each question in turn. You are not required to include an introduction or conclusion.

You should use the course materials provided on Canvas to assist your team in evaluating the financial and non-financial information provided. You will also need to undertake additional research to assist your team in formulating their response to each question.

Questions

1. Using the data in Appendix A: Prepare the following (Show step by step calculations. Must be with a quarterly breakdown in a table format. Budgets provided without a table format may result in mark deduction). (Paste you answers from excel template) (Word guide: 200-250 words in total, excluding calculations).

Insert your answer for each here. Show your calculations.

a. Sales Budget.

b. Production Budget

c. Direct Material Budget

d. Labour Budget.

e. Provide a budget analysis summary and address any issues that you might find in the budgets. What consideration might have been taken while preparing the budgets.

2. Using the information provided in Appendix B: (Word guide: 100-150 words in total, excluding calculations) Show your step-by-step calculations for calculation related questions. (i.e., FC, VC, or total revenue, operating cashflow, calculation of NPV etc.) for all calculation related questions.

 Insert your answer below.

1. What would be its NPV assuming funds earn 10% if they were invested elsewhere. (Paste you answers from excel template here)
2. Evaluate Green Connect’s expansion decision using the Net Present Value method, providing valuable insights into the financial feasibility along with non-financial (qualitative factors) measures of the project to serve as a comprehensive guide for stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions.

3. Using the information and guide provided for Questions 3, undertake research and provide an analysis for the following and write your response drawn on real-life information to support your justification. Make sure you fully reference all the sources (including citation) you have used in your answer (Word guide: 400- 600 words in total, excluding references)

To be able to provide the report you need to do research and do an analysis for the following and write your response (Not more than 400-600 words).

Insert your answer below for each:

1. What does CSR mean to the industry “Green Connect” operates in?
2. Explain the environmental impacts of the businesses of the related industry in Australia. What actions and initiatives should be taken by businesses or industries to support and further enhance the positive impacts to reduce carbon footprints and to reduce the negative ones?
3. Explain the community engagement approaches or impacts of the related industry in Australia. What initiatives should be taken by the businesses or industries to support and enhance community engagement.
4. Comment on how important you believe environmental and social performance of a business is when potential client analyses a business. Explain how environmental and social factors are likely to create value /benefit for those stakeholders and community.

4. Using the information and guide provided for Questions 4, Answer the following questions: (Word guide: 200-300 words in total, excluding references)

Insert your answer below for each: 

1. Clearly articulate any two of ethical obligations (principles) stated in the “APES conceptual framework” that an accountant should be aware of for an accurate and transparent financial reporting.
2. What approach should an accountant undertake to identify, evaluate and address the issues to ensure compliance with the fundamental principles as per “framework of the code of ethics” (Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants).?

5. Refocusing the Business:

Using your team’s findings from all the previous steps:

Based on your findings from questions 1-4, what would be your recommendations for management to improve business’s economic performance, social and environmental performance? Make sure you fully reference all the sources you have used in your answer (Word guide: 300-400 words in total, excluding references).

Assessment Summary

Assessment Type: Team Assignment – Report

Scenario: Students act as management accountants for a fictitious Australian business, Green Connect, to evaluate financial and non-financial performance.

Purpose:

• Demonstrate understanding of financial and non-financial information.
• Apply accounting concepts in a business context.
• Identify environmental, social, and economic implications of business decisions.
• Provide recommendations to improve the organization’s financial and non-financial performance.

Key Requirements:

1. Budget Preparation & Analysis – Sales, production, direct material, and labour budgets, with step-by-step calculations and quarterly breakdowns.
2. Financial Feasibility Analysis – NPV calculations, operating cash flow, and evaluation of Green Connect’s expansion project, including qualitative considerations.
3. CSR & Industry Analysis – Environmental impacts, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility measures relevant to the industry.
4. Ethical Considerations – Accountant’s obligations under the APES conceptual framework and the Code of Ethics.
5. Recommendations – Integrate financial, social, and environmental findings to suggest improvements for management decision-making.

Step-by-Step Approach Guided by Academic Mentor

Step 1: Budget Preparation & Analysis

Mentor Guidance:

• Review Appendix A data to identify revenues, costs, and production requirements.
• Show students how to create tables in Excel for sales, production, material, and labour budgets.
• Ensure step-by-step calculations are shown to maintain transparency.
• Discuss budget assumptions (e.g., seasonal sales fluctuations, labour availability, material lead times).
• Encourage reflection on potential issues in budgets and ways to address them.

Outcome Achieved:
Students produced accurate quarterly budgets, highlighted discrepancies, and explained considerations in preparing budgets.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Apply financial accounting techniques.
• Interpret quantitative information for decision-making.
• Communicate findings clearly to management.

Step 2: Financial Feasibility & NPV Analysis

Mentor Guidance:

• Explain NPV concept and formula, including discount rate application (10% in this case).
• Walk students through step-by-step cash flow calculations.
• Discuss the importance of considering non-financial factors (environmental, social, strategic).
• Guide students to evaluate whether the project is financially feasible and sustainable.

Outcome Achieved:
Students completed NPV calculations, assessed qualitative factors, and concluded on the financial viability of expansion.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Conduct investment appraisal using NPV.
• Integrate qualitative insights with quantitative analysis.
• Provide recommendations based on comprehensive evaluation.

Step 3: CSR & Industry Analysis

Mentor Guidance:

• Explain the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the context of Green Connect’s industry.
• Direct students to research environmental and social impacts of similar Australian businesses.
• Provide guidance on sourcing credible references to support analysis.
• Encourage linking environmental and social strategies to stakeholder value creation.

Outcome Achieved:
Students analyzed environmental impacts, community engagement approaches, and CSR initiatives, demonstrating how these factors affect business reputation and stakeholder value.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Apply knowledge of non-financial performance measures.
• Evaluate sustainability and ethical practices.
• Communicate industry insights effectively.

Step 4: Ethical Obligations

Mentor Guidance:

• Introduce APES conceptual framework and Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.
• Identify two ethical principles (e.g., integrity, objectivity) and explain their relevance to reporting.
• Discuss approaches to compliance, including evaluation, monitoring, and reporting.

Outcome Achieved:

Students highlighted key ethical principles and explained how accountants can ensure transparency and compliance.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Understand professional ethical obligations.
• Apply ethical standards in reporting.
• Evaluate potential risks to transparency and accountability.

Step 5: Recommendations

Mentor Guidance:

• Help students integrate findings from budgets, NPV, CSR, and ethical considerations.
• Suggest structuring recommendations in terms of economic, social, and environmental improvements.

• Guide students to ensure recommendations are practical, supported by evidence, and actionable.

Outcome Achieved

Students provided well-rounded recommendations to enhance financial performance, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen community engagement.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Synthesize financial and non-financial data for decision-making.
• Develop actionable strategies for management.
• Communicate professional recommendations clearly and effectively.

Final Outcome

By following the mentor’s step-by-step guidance, students produced a comprehensive team report that addressed all assessment questions, demonstrated critical thinking, and integrated quantitative and qualitative analyses. The assignment showcased skills in budgeting, investment appraisal, CSR evaluation, ethical compliance, and professional reporting.

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