1. Analyze the changes that Al Dunlap had initiated at Sunbeam after being hired from a strategic perspective. Did the changes started by Dunlap allow him opportunities to manage earnings?
Following are the changes that Al Dunlap initiated after being hired by Sunbeam Inc and the probable opportunities that Dunlap used to manage earnings:
Fired the existing set of senior managers of Sunbeam and appointed his close friends and lieutenants in those positions.
Opportunity: Picked a close set of friends in the key positions like finance, purchasing and human resources. This provides an opportunity to gain control over the operational and financial aspect of the company, thereby eliminating whistle blowing chances and creating an easy
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The asset write off of 92M contributes to a lower depreciation charge which boosts profits.
Capitalizing advertising expenses
Support: As a % of revenue, the SG&A expense has decreased from 21% to 11% from 1996 to 1997, that’s aggressive considering the marketing activities the company carried out. This is associated with the year in which the company introduced a new product. Such years involve large expenses.
Reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts
Support: The Company’s revenues increased considerably (19%). However, the Accounts receivables also increased significantly (38%). Increase in revenues are generally associated with a proportional increase in the allowance for doubtful debts. By not reporting a significant ‘allowable for bad debt accounts’, the company is able to overstate its profits and could be a cause for concern in the long run, if the receivables turn out to be bad.
Increase in inventories
Support: The inventory increase in 1997, YOY, was 58%. Additionally, the COGS to revenue ratio reduced from to 72% in 1997. This combination of increase in inventory and reduction in COGS as a percentage of revenue seems to indicate that the fixed costs may have been spread over a larger base through over production, thereby causing the COGS to reduce. This may be a cause for concern and could be a potential red flag.
Extensive use of ‘Bill and Hold’ sales
• Net profit margin has been negative and no major patterns over the 9 year period on net profit since the trend of the industry is based mostly on economic factors, and whether or not they secure contracts. Due to high percentage of COGS they are only left with a net profit of $980 or
Although the company did show an increased gross profit of $8,255,000 with $6,358,000 less Net Sales in 2013 versus 2012, that increase is due to the reduction in product Cost of Goods Sold by $14,613,000. Since increases in product price will negatively affect sales, one of management’s primary goals is to keep prices stable. This objective is achieved through implementation of cost cutting programs, investing in more efficient equipment, and automation of more steps in the production process.
Cost – HD’s cost of goods sold has increased from 1991 to 1995 due to expansion of production. Similarly, the cost of selling, admin and engineering has also increased.
Given the net sales in 2011 is still higher than 2010, we can assume the problem is most likely with its operating cost management. On the other hand, HH’s assets turnover rate dropping 0.30 from 2010 suggests an inefficiency of generating more sales with its increased assets in 2011.
-The estimated depreciation lives on certain U.S. plants, machinery and equipment changed. The economic life of these assets was increased, so the depreciation expense was lowered.
The return on shareholders’ fund, capital employed, total assets all have gone down during this period. The ability of the company to pay its short term debt hasn’t varied much, but the administrative expenses have gone up by a very large amount.
When it comes to the Sunbeam case, I think that in the beginning, June of 1996, Albert Dunlap definitely succeeded in maximizing shareholders’ wealth. It seems to me that he was more of a short term
3. Was the second compensation package offered to Dunlap well-structured? Was it excessive? Was it necessary?
Assess the need for a change in Best Buy 's strategy when Brand Anderson became CEO.
According to the balance sheet Laura & Bob increased accounts receivable by 100,600 by the end of year three. Now this increase could indicate that the company may be short in collecting, and might be struggling to find the cash to pay the bills. So, it would be important for them to go back, and potentially indicate why the company may be short in cash. After indicating why there is an increase in accounts receivable they will be able to take steps from there to stabilize the company.
3. Was the second compensation package offered to Dunlap well-structured? Was it excessive? Was it necessary?
The Net Cash inflow from Operating Activities was up by 18%, and the net cash outflow from Financing Activities were down by 16%. At the same time, the Net Cash inflow of Investing activities were 639,000 (vs outflows of 1,868,000) owing to the disposal of available-for-sale financial assets, which included preference shares on the ASX. The sale of assets also contributed to the increase in NPAT. Cash outflow from financing activities reduced by 16%. This decrease was mainly due to the lesser overall dividends paid, as there was no special dividend pay-out this year.
Assume you are in Susan shoes. You have settled into your new role for 9-12 months now and you have been thinking about ways in which you as the director, and your department can “add greater value” to the company. The specific areas you would like to address include: (1)broadening your contribution to the long-term success of the business by providing a strategic HRM perspective to the company and (2)secondly, by developing a performance management system. For each of these areas describe what steps you should take as you begin to assess how you will proceed and secondly, to move forward. (2-3 pgs approx)
Management accounting technique is the procedure of understanding, analyzing, exam, calculating, deciphers, and transfers the verbal data to chase of company objectives. The section of bookkeeping is called as cost accounting. The difference between the financial and managerial bookkeeping data is the goal at assist the administrators inside the corporation to create choice as per their situations. Even as economic bookkeeping is intended at giving data to gathering inside the company. (Klinowski, Marcin, 2015) Management accounting consists the types also idea for effectual preparation, selecting with change company proceedings, also organize during the interpretation and assessment characteristics.