Instructions -The purpose of the assignment is to apply the concepts and techniques learned throughout the course.
The first step of the final assignment, i.e. the Project, of the Corporate Reporting module requires to prepare a Research Proposal, according to the instructions provided below. Then the second step of the final assignment is the preparation and submission of the Project itself.
For the first step, i.e. the Research Proposal (weighting: 35%) the student has to:
a) Select one company (A):
Whose financial statements have been prepared according to the International
Financial and reporting Standards (IFRS)
Listed on a major Stock Exchange for example the London Stock Exchange
(LSE) and
Which has acquired another firm (B) in the last 2 years
The choice has to be agreed with the moderator of the course in order to confirm suitability. Individual and consolidated financial statements must show at least one financial instrument,
b) Write a proposal about a research paper aimed at analysing:
How the consolidated financial statements (A + B) have been prepared in
terms of financial accounting rules applied for the consolidation 20 points
What financial instruments discussed in the module are shown in the consolidated financial statements (A + B) and how they have been accounted for, also highlighting differences (if any) in the approach individually followed by buyer and target to do that and how they have been harmonized
15 points

Total: 35 points
For the second step, i.e. the Project (weighting: 65%) the student has to deliver a research paper, based on what proposed as per first step, covering the following areas:
Cover page 1 point
Table of contents 2 points
Executive summary 6 points
Brief overview of each of the two selected companies (strategy, geographical
footprint, product mix, accounting standards) 4 points
Financial ratio analysis of each of the two selected companies (pre acquisition) in
the last three years 17 points
Financial ratio analysis of the consolidated entity (pro forma at the acquisition and
at the first reporting date after the acquisition) 17 points
Use of financial instruments, for example derivatives (if any), by each of the two
selected companies (before and after the acquisition) and the combined entity
(after the acquisition) 10 points
Conclusions 6 points
Bibliography 2 points
Total: 65 points
Answers should be made in appropriate length keeping in view the total word count of 3,000+/- 10%.
In addition, your assignment should demonstrate the following qualities:
A critical appreciation of relevant literature and its use to support argument, substantiate calculations and other aspects of the assignment.
Taking ownership of the content, being prepared to debate and argue a personal position, and providing evidence of evaluative skills. A submission made up of extracts from published sources which is descriptive or simply just theoretical regurgitation is not acceptable. Your submission must have interpretation and consideration of the challenges and issues of taking theory into practice.
Logical flow of ideas and treatment; appropriate selection of real world factors related to the companies under scrutiny.
Evidence of additional personal research, and the ability to analyse material from a variety of appropriate relevant perspectives.
Referencing
The Harvard Referencing System must be used. The Wikipedia website must not be referenced in your work. The Harvard method of referring to publications and of arranging references uses the author’s name and the date of the publication. References are listed at the end of the text in alphabetical order by author’s name. The general format of a journal article reference is shown below:

Smith, J. (1999) ‘How to succeed!’ Journal of Entrepreneurs, 1 (2), pp.34-56.
Author/s name and initials are listed first, followed by year of publication in brackets. Then there is the title of article and the journal where article appears, which is in italics. Finally, state the volume and issue number (in brackets) along with the pages where article can be located.