ACCT-201 Financial Accounting

Fall 2024
Individual Project (15%)
Due Date: 3 Nov Sunday by 11:59 PM
Submission: Through Turnitin by the due date

Critically evaluate the following scenarios and write an essay on them.

1. Analyze a scenario where a company fails to properly record a significant financial

transaction. What potential short- and long-term impacts could this have on the company’s
financial standing, reporting, and compliance?
2. Financial statements are often used to make key business decisions. Analyze how different
stakeholders (e.g., investors, creditors, and management) might interpret the same set of
financial statements differently. Provide examples of how each group may prioritize
different aspects of the statements.
3. Imagine two companies in the same industry with identical balance sheets but very
different income statements. Critically evaluate how it is possible for two companies to
have the same financial position (as shown in the balance sheet) yet demonstrate different
levels of profitability. What factors could explain the discrepancy?

Instructions: (departures will attract a penalty)

1. The assignment is required to be submitted through Turnitin by the due date;

2. The assignment is to be typed in 12-point font;

3. Word limit: 1500 max, including references and appendices, if any.

4. A similarity (based on the Turnitin report) of up to 20% is accepted.

5. In the case of any use of AI in writing this essay, two versions of the writing need to be
submitted. The first version should exactly be the one generated by AI (without making
any changes, this version will not be considered in the 1500 word count), and the learner
should edit the first version to produce a second version with a maximum AI-generated
writing of 20%.
 Marking Rubrics:
Criteria Excellent (90-100%) Good (80-89%) Satisfactory (70- Needs Improvement Unsatisfactory
79%) (60-69%) (Below 60%)
Critical Analysis Demonstrates a deep Shows a good Analysis is basic Understanding of Fails to provide
and nuanced understanding of the but accurate. the scenarios is critical analysis.
understanding of the scenarios with sound Arguments are limited. Some The response is
scenarios, providing analysis. Arguments reasonably analysis is present, largely descriptive
insightful, well- are generally well- supported but may but arguments are or irrelevant, with
supported, and supported and clear, be superficial or weak, little to no
original analysis. though lacking in lack thorough underdeveloped, or argumentation or
Clear and persuasive depth or originality explanation. lack sufficient support for claims.
arguments are in some areas. support.
presented, showing
strong critical
thinking.
Content All aspects of the It effectively Covers the basic Some aspects of the It does not address
Relevance question are addresses most of aspects of the question are not the question or
thoroughly the questions. question, but the addressed or are address it in a way
addressed. Scenarios Scenarios are analysis is treated superficially. that is largely
are evaluated evaluated with some incomplete or lacks Limited or irrelevant. Little to
comprehensively, and depth, though one or depth in one or inappropriate use of no use of relevant
multiple perspectives two aspects may be more scenarios. examples. The essay examples.
(investors, creditors, underdeveloped. Examples may be lacks a connection Scenarios are not
management) are Examples are used but not between the evaluated
explored in detail. relevant but not consistently linked examples and the effectively or
Examples are highly fully integrated into to the analysis or analysis. appropriately.
relevant and enhance the analysis. are somewhat
the discussion. simplistic.
Structure and The essay is well- The essay has a The essay has a The essay lacks a The essay has no
Organization structured, with a clear structure, basic structure but clear structure. Ideas discernible
clear introduction, though transitions lacks clarity in are presented in a structure. Ideas are
body, and conclusion. between some ideas transitions between disjointed way, and presented
Transitions between may be somewhat ideas. Some parts transitions between randomly or
ideas are smooth, and abrupt. The order of may feel sections are unclear incoherently, with
paragraphs are arguments is logical disorganized or or absent. no clear
logically ordered, but could be lack coherence. introduction, body,
enhancing readability improved for better or conclusion.
and argument flow. flow.
Use of Evidence Effectively uses a Good use of Uses some relevant Limited use of No or minimal use
and Examples wide range of well- evidence and evidence and evidence or of relevant
chosen evidence and examples, though examples, but they examples. Those evidence or
examples to support some may not be as are often used are not clearly examples.
arguments. All well-chosen or fully underdeveloped or relevant or do not Arguments are
examples are directly explained. Generally not fully integrated sufficiently support unsupported or rely
relevant and clearly supports the into the analysis. the analysis. Lacks on irrelevant or
linked to the analysis. arguments Arguments may not appropriate sourcing incorrect
effectively, but be well-supported for claims or data. information.
some links between by the evidence
examples and provided.
analysis could be
stronger.
Understanding of Demonstrates a Shows a good Shows a basic Demonstrates Does not
Key Concepts thorough understanding of understanding of limited demonstrate an
understanding of key financial key financial understanding of understanding of
financial concepts concepts but may concepts, but the key financial financial concepts.
related to reporting, lack depth in application to concepts. Misapplies Key theories are
stakeholder analysis, applying them to the scenarios may be theory or fails to absent,
and profitability. scenarios. superficial or connect it misunderstood, or
 Effectively integrates Integration of theory partially incorrect. meaningfully to the incorrectly applied
theoretical into the analysis is Some theoretical scenarios. to the scenarios.
knowledge into the present but not fully elements are
evaluation of developed. missing or
scenarios. inaccurately used.
Originality It demonstrates Shows some original Offers basic Lacks originality No originality or
original thinking, thinking but relies analysis with and relies heavily on critical perspective
provides fresh more on established limited originality. surface-level is evident. The
perspectives on the viewpoints. While The essay is analysis or essay is entirely
scenarios, and the essay primarily regurgitation of descriptive,
generates unique demonstrates critical descriptive, and common knowledge. providing little
insights. The essay analysis, it lacks the critical thinking is The essay does not more than a
offers a critical uniqueness of limited. add much new summary of known
viewpoint that goes perspective found in insight or information.
beyond basic higher levels of perspective.
analysis. work.