Thursday, 19 June 2014

Assessment 2 - SITXFIN005A Prepare and monitor budge

What you have to do

This assessment consists of financial questions to be answered adequately to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Preparing, monitoring and managing budgets in order to be deemed competent in this unit.

The following pages detail five (5) tasks required to be completed in order of Task 1 to 5.
TASK 1 - Prepare a source of information memo report - 10 marks
TASK 2 - Prepare profit and loss budget - 30 marks
TASK 3 - Prepare a cash flow budget - 20 marks
TASK 4 - Monitor budget & manage variances - 20 marks
TASK 5 – Reporting and keeping records - 20 marks
This is a graded unit. Your result is based on the evidence you provide to meet the criteria for competence as specified in the unit of competency and grading criteria.  You will receive a result of Achieved Competency (AC) or Not yet Competent (NC).
You may need to SAVE your work into a Zipped File with both Word and Excel documents.
Information on how to submit your assignment is located on the OLS OTEN website.


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CASE STUDY SCENARIO
Places To Go Travel

The management of Places To Go Travel, a retail travel business, has planned to open a new branch, a second travel agency located in a large retail/office complex in a suburban residential and commercial hub. The new office will be known as 'Places To Go Travel Huntington'
It is expected that the new agency will be selling both domestic and international leisure travel to local shoppers and residents. There are also a number of small corporate accounts who have signed agreements to book with the new agency, which will contribute much needed income for the short to long term. It is predicted that eventually additional various corporate accounts will be booking with the agency, once it has become well established.
You are one of Places To Go Travel's top sales performers, and also a senior team leader in the parent travel office. You have been offered a promotion to Travel Manager and asked to run the new agency. This is an acknowledgment of your superb leadership & sales abilities.
The Travel Manager role also requires responsibility for preparing and managing the agency's budgets. As part of your job role you will need to assist with staffing, as well as negotiating expenses and costs for the running of the new office. Staff for the new office will include you, the Travel Manager (selling role), another senior consultant, one junior corporate consultant and one junior leisure consultant. You will be able to liaise with Sally Morgan in HR in regards to wages, the financial controller Mary Tran in regards to some accounting/legal fees and coordinate negotiated rent with the landlords Ascot Holdings. Additionally, in the first 3 months you will have another experienced manager Peter Lee to assist with operational advice and canvassing for new corporate accounts, however he is only on loan from the parent company.
As you are new to managing, the operations manager, Howard Min, has provided you with the brief for planning and preparing the new office's budgets to organisational standards as follows:
  • Source information and data for use in preparing budgets
  • Prepare budgets in accordance with organisations policies and procedures
  • Monitor budgets evaluating performance
  • Manage budget variances and make decisions for adjustments
  • Report to management and staff regarding budget outcomes.




TASK 1 - Prepare a memo report - 10 marks

Prepare a memo report for the operations manager on ten (10) sources of information you have referred to in preparation for budgeting. Explain for each the reason you used these sources. You will need to consider how you will find information, data, figures and statistics that will have an effect on the running of the business; all income/revenue and operating costs. Where can you source information or whom can you consult to provide you with the information on; rent essential services, wages, superannuation, taxes, demographics for the area, tourism statistics, customer sales etc?


Places to Go Travel - Huntington Office

 TO:

FROM:

DATE:
Source of information/data for budget preparation:Why consulted?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Internal staff I have consulted in preparation for budgeting are as follows:1.
2.
3.


TASK 2 - Prepare operational budget - 30 marks


Using the information provided in the tables below prepare an operational budget for the next twelve months showing trading of the new agency office to commence in July 20XX. This budget should be formatted indicating monthly sales and income, as well as monthly expenses, and the forecasted profit or loss underneath.
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The budget is to be prepared to show the following:

  1. Income/revenue: as per the below table a per annum forecast for sales has been budgeted. We have also provided these per annum figures already proportioned out per month, over the twelve months. The per month values allow for lower sales in first months due to recent start up and no pre-existing bookings and higher sales and income values in the months prior to peak travel times (Christmas, Easter and school holidays etc), when customers will be making final payments for upcoming holidays.
A travel business' 'income' is based upon earning commissions on sales of products. The commission percentages differ depending on the product sold, however can be averaged out between all products as shown on the sales/income document.

  1. Expenses: to be listed alphabetically. For most expenses the per annum values are split by twelve and proportioned over the whole year evenly. However, some expenses have a payment due date and have been shown in the month due.

You will need to submit this budget formatted as either a Word table or Excel spreadsheet. An Excel spreadsheet, however will be the best option. An operational budget template document is provided on the OLS in the unit's learning materials pages to assist you.

Note: International and Domestic (Australian travel) Income shown separately as 10% GST is payable only on Domestic products sales and only on the commissions earned. You may wish to show totals for both types of incomes and a grand total for all income. GST has already been included in the figures mentioned in the below table.

Income:Per Annum $Income commission
International Airfares
1,400,000.00
12%
International Wholesale Packages
300,000.00
10%
International Accommodation/Car Rental
28,000.00
10%
International Cruises
200,000.00
10%
International Travel Insurance
80,000.00
35%
Domestic Airfares
300,000.00
3%
Domestic Wholesale Packages
60,000.00
10%
Domestic Accommodation/Car Rental
22,000.00
10%
Domestic Cruises
25,000.00
10%
Domestic Travel Insurance
8000
35%
Domestic Misc Service Fees
2000.00
10%
Total Income
2,425,000.00
(Average commission is 11.20%)Total commission $271,500.00
ExpensesPer Annum $Expense due/proportioned as
Computer Leasing (4)
4320
Monthly
Staff Amenities
2340
Monthly
Entertainment
1200
Monthly
Subscriptions & Memberships
300
Due July and January 1/2 each
Licenses
2400
Due July and January 1/2 each
Computer Software incl. CRS
1200
Monthly
Rent
40560
Monthly
Advertising & Marketing
6000
Equal monthly values
Legal Fees
3000
Due Sept and Feb 1/2 each
Cleaning
1560
Monthly
Office Equipment Leasing
4800
Monthly
Wages incl. Super and Tax (4)
162000
Monthly
Insurance
7800
Due June
Communication - Telephone & ISP Connections
1800
Monthly
GST on Domestic Commission
2280
Due quarterly Apr/Jul/Oct/Jan
Repairs & Maintenance
2400
Monthly
Bank Fees
1200
Monthly
Accounting Fees
1500
Due October
Postage Printing & Stationery
3600
Monthly
Electricity Rates
3600
Due April Jul Oct Jan - 1/4 each
Travel Expenses
2400
Monthly
Couriers
1560
Monthly
Fig 1.1 - Sales, income and expenses for budget preparation. Note: commission levels above are an indication only and may not be indicative of current market levels.



Fig 1.2 – Sales and income figures for use in preparation of operational budget

TASK 3 - Prepare Cash Flow Budget - 20 marks

Using the information from the operational budget you have prepared in Task 2, now create a cash flow budget to plot the cash inflows and outflows for the operations of the business. This is to determine your monthly working capital and cash requirements required to support this new business.
Additional funding for the new business (above sales income) is in the form of capital injection on a month to month basis required until the business has built up cash flow reserves. Show capital injection of funds to cover cash flow as follows:
  • First month of trading - capital  injection $ 15,000
  • Second month of trading - capital  injection $ 10,000
  • Subsequent months of trading  until January - capital  injection $ 5,000
  • From February onwards the business should have enough reserve cash flow.

This cash flow budget should be shown as month by month values for a twelve months period from July. As per the table in Task 2 the expenses need to be allocated in the month they are due or if an annual expense, split equally between all twelve months.
You will need to submit this budget formatted as either a Word table or Excel spreadsheet.
A cash flow forecast template document is provided on the OLS in the unit's learning materials pages to assist you.

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TASK 4 - Monitor and manage budgets - 20 marks

It is now January and the office has been trading for 6 months. It is apparent that there are variances between budgeted sales and actual sales for the month of December. Using the figures below, consider the actual performances versus the budget to complete tasks a & b.


a. Prepare a management 'performance report' to summarise the results (as per examples in the learning materials and practice activities). 10 marks
A typical performance report can be represented as shown:

 BudgetActualVariancePossible Causes
InternationalSales    
Domestic Sales    
TOTAL    
Fig 1.3: Performance report for the month of December

b. Create an action plan on how you will manage the budget and improve budget performance. To explore ways to improve the budget's performance you need to examine all income and expenses. Expenses for the new office are already quite tight, however there may be 'variable' expenses that you could look at reducing - indicate what these may be. From our report we have identified major variances in the sales and income. Draw up an Action plan that describes how you may be able to manage the variances in the office's income and explore how you can increase income. 10 marks
Places To Go Travel - HuntingtonAction Plan
What I want to achieve and why (Outcome)How I will go about it(Action)Who I need to involve/ consult(People)What resources do I need (Physical resources)When - finish by date
 
    

    

    
Action plan


TASK 5 – Reporting and keeping records  -  20 marks


Question 1
What type of report would you use to communicate annual financial outcomes to management?



Question 2
Which financial statements would you include in your report?




Question 3
For travel businesses, which external organisations do you need to supply detailed financial statements?



Question 4
What is the accounting equation referred to in the preparation of a Statement of Financial Position?



Question 5
What is the accounting calculation referred to in the preparation of a Statement of Financial Performance?

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Question 6
What information should a business analyse to access the financial health of a business



Question 7
Explain GST and how the GST impacts on budgeting for a travel business?


Question 8
Explain the difference between Gross Profit and Net Profit?



Question 9
How long should financial records be kept for?



Question 10
Detail some of the advantages of good record keeping?


Assessment checklist

I have:
q  Completed all the activities
q  Attempted all the questions in this assessment and checked my answers before submitting it
q  Saved a copy of the assessment


Would Mickey Mouse Eat Shark’s Fin Soup

Case One: Japan to Apple’s iPhone: “No Thanks!”
Identify the lessons learned by Apple regarding the differences in consumer behavior and purchasing decisions between the Japanese market and the market outside of Japan.
Evaluate how the differences in consumer behavior across these cultures may affect the marketing mix strategy.
Case Two: Would Mickey Mouse Eat Shark’s Fin Soup?
Identify the lessons the Walt Disney Company learned about consumer behavior and purchasing decisions at Hong Kong Disneyland
Explain global issues that may influence consumer behavior.
Format your paper consistent with APA guideline, including references.

MAT222 Intermediate Algebra ALEKS

3 parts to this. Willing to only pay 15.00 as there is not alot of work involved.  Will go no higher, so will not respond to messages requesting as such.
1) Finish this weeks PIE slice (20/22 DONE-only 2 needed)

2) Complete the "Assignment" in ALEKS for this week (week 1)= Assignment usually involves roughly 10 questions to answer. Gives the option of taking twice if needed.

Roles in War

Roles in War" Please respond to the following:
• From the first e-Activity, suggest the critical impact that the principles of sovereignty can have when Nationalism or Imperialism exists in general. Provide a rationale for your response.
• Take a position on the role of the U.S. has occupied in addressing terrorism in social and economic sectors during the invasions of Iraq. Support your position with a discussion of the attributes of war (e.g., manpower, weaponry, rules of engagement) in which terrorism played a part.
"Non-State Roles" Please respond to the following:
• From the second e-Activity, examine the overall roles of the Non-State participants within a current event that requires a foreign policy on terrorism to be developed. Provide a rationale for your response.
• Infer whether Non-State participants create either sources of power or new constraints when developing effective and acceptable approaches to solve international, political, and economic problems. Provide at least two (2) examples to support your rationale.

Starbucks Tax Scandal

The UK Starbucks tax scandal
(adopted from a Reuters 2012 article)
‘Starbucks' coffee menu famously baffles some people. In Britain, it's their accounts that are confusing. Starbucks has been telling investors the business was profitable, even as it consistently reported losses’ (Reuters 2012).
It is not uncommon for Multinationals (MNCs) to adopt legal tactics to avoid taxes and other business expenses. The Seattle-based group is the second-largest restaurant or cafe chain globally after McDonald's. Accounts filed by its UK subsidiary show that since it opened in the UK in 1998 the company has racked up over 3 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) in coffee sales, and opened 735 outlets but paid only 8.6 million pounds in income taxes, largely due because the taxman disallowed some deductions.

Over the past three years, Starbucks has reported no profit, and paid no income tax, on sales of 1.2 billion pounds in the UK. McDonald's, by comparison, had a tax bill of over 80 million pounds on 3.6 billion pounds of UK sales. Kentucky Fried Chicken, part of Yum Brands Inc., the no. 3 global restaurant or cafe chain by market capitalization, incurred taxes of 36 million pounds on 1.1 billion pounds in UK sales, according to the accounts of their UK units. Yet transcripts of investor and analyst calls over 12 years show Starbucks officials regularly talked about the UK business as "profitable", said they were very pleased with it, or even cited it as an example to follow for operations back home in the United States.
Starbucks' Chief Financial Officer and one of the company officials quoted in the transcripts of calls Reuters reviewed, defended his past comments, saying the company strictly follows international accounting rules and pays the appropriate level of tax in all the countries where it operates. A spokeswoman said by email that:
"We seek to be good taxpayers and to pay our fair share of taxes ... We don't write this tax code; we are obligated to comply with it. And we do."
There is no suggestion Starbucks has broken any laws. Indeed, the group's overall tax rate - including deferred taxes which may or may not be paid in the future - was 31 percent last year, much higher than the 18.5 percent average rate that campaign group Citizens for Tax Justice says large U.S. corporations paid in recent years. But on overseas income, Starbucks paid an average tax rate of 13 percent, one of the lowest in the consumer goods sector.
Starbucks' CFO Alstead which version was accurate - Starbucks' accounts for the UK taxman, or its comments to investors, he said: "The UK is very troubled, unfortunately. Historically it has performed a little bit better than it does now." He did not explain why the UK business was so disappointing, but said Starbucks was "taking very aggressive actions" to improve its performance, including changing its cost structure.
On the other hand, politicians said Starbucks' experience reflects broader problems in the UK system, which allows companies to pay less tax than they morally should. Tax campaigners say that failure is partly policy: successive governments have urged the tax authority to take a pro-business
stance. The UK is one of the few rich countries not to have general anti-avoidance legislation, which the government is preparing now.
Starbucks (2013) claims the following:
‘We’ve always believed that businesses can – and should – have a positive impact on the communities they serve.
So ever since we opened our first store in 1971, we’ve dedicated ourselves to earning the trust and respect of our customers, partners (employees) and neighbours. How? By being responsible and doing things that are good for the planet and each other’.
Your case study answer should cover the following themes/subheadings:
• a comparison of the contributions of the key business functions to the organisational changes: finance, marketing, operations and human resources
• the key stakeholders of the organisation, plotted on a power-interest grid
• the key issues in managing stakeholders
• a SWOT analysis for the organisation and an assessment of its prospects for the future

" Good Sherpherd"

Good Sherpherd"
This association helps vulnerable children in a constructive way by offering education to them (Paying school fees) instead of giving them foods and whatever that can be consumed and get finished shortly.

Create an Excel spreadsheet and compare and contrast the alphabetic and numeric filing systems

Create an Excel spreadsheet and compare and contrast the alphabetic and numeric filing systems. Use the following as headings in your spreadsheet: Similarities, Differences, Advantages, and Disadvantages.