ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS END-OF-COURSE COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH/WRITING PROJECT

  The Comprehensive Writing Project continues throughout the seven modules comprising this
course. Initially, it focused on strengthening critical thinking and written communication skills. In
the last three modules, it serves as a platform allowing you to mesh together problem solving and
effective writing. Altogether, the CWP evidences much of what you learned in MBE 500.
Modules 5, 6, and 7 focus on analyses of financial (and other) data that will enhance the
effectiveness of managerial decision making. Accordingly, the end-of-course project, which serves
as the CWP for Modules 6 and 7, anticipates plentiful use of mathematical calculations, along with a
written analysis. Depending on your background and interests, you can choose to pursue one of two
topics. If your interests center on large, complex organizations, you can examine the Exxon/Mobil
dilemma, addressing issues facing one of the world’s largest energy companies. If you are interested
in smaller entities, still in their formative stages, you can elect to analyze Orijinal.
Whichever choice you make, the task is at hand is to predict results for the year ahead, and
proffer recommendations as to what each company needs to do to best serve its owners. For
Exxon/Mobile, the shareholders are its owners, for Orijinal, the owner is Kate Ward, a sole
proprietor. You will be evaluated on your ability to analyze relevant issues typically relating to topics
covered in MBE 500, and your ability to effectively communicate your findings. It is not essential
that you confront all issues. It’s more important to submit a well-written and organized report.
The narrative should be at least 800 words, plus supporting calculations and/or tables. Your
recommendations are opinions, but you need to explain the underlying reasons for them. No doubt,
you don’t have all the information needed to fully analyze either company. You do, however, have
enough information to proffer suggestions. There is no requirement that you digest all of the
information I have provided, nor is there a restriction on looking elsewhere for relevant information.
The Module 6 CWP will be an early draft – the full 800 words, demonstrating that you are
familiar with the entity, and including some mathematical analyses or tables. The purpose of the draft
includes (1) to get initial feedback, (2) to demonstrate you are underway with your project, and (3) to
give you a springboard for the final submission. The feedback I provide on the draft will be minimal.
The purpose of the project is for you to tell me what should be done, not the other way around.
The Module 7 CWP will be your final report, submitted via Blackboard no later than
midnight on the last day of the module. If you select EXXON/MOBIL, the final report should
include your prediction for the per share price of common stock, and utilize several of the formulas
and/or ratios introduced in Modules 6 or 7, including the Altman Z-Score. If you select Orijinal, your
final report should include a Static (Master) Budget Contribution Margin Income Statement for the
upcoming year, differentiating your estimates of revenues, as well as what you believe to be the
relevant direct variable costs and indirect costs. For both projects, your narrative should include a
summary of the facts you deemed relevant in reaching your predicted income (Orijinal) or per-share
price (Exxon/Mobil), as well as the narrative summarizing your recommendations and findings.