Master program on international finance is for Master student in foreign universities. You are required to prepare/submit an individual report discussing the following:
Choose a Multinational Enterprise (MNE) listed on an internationally recognised Stock Exchange (including for example, London, Dublin, New York or Paris). You are required to:
a. Critically discuss two recent developments in the international financial environment which appear to have impacted on your chosen company’s recent performance and development. Analyse how these two developments are likely to impact on the company in the near future. (14 marks)
b. Discuss the following key elements of the MNE’s international financial and/or risk management strategy (and how they appear to have affected the financial performance of your chosen company): · Sources of finance · Dividend policy (14 marks)
c. With reference to your chosen Multinational Enterprise (and using the most recent annual report published), analyse the financial performance (in terms of profitability, liquidity, efficiency and investment) of the company in the two most recent consecutive financial periods (e.g. 2018/19 or 2019/20, ) using 8 different accounting ratios (prior year comparative figures will be available in the annual report). (32 marks).
Notes:
(i) You must advise your tutor of your chosen multinational enterprise to ensure suitability for use and avoid duplication
(ii) It is advisable to choose your multinational enterprise and download the most recent annual report. This will facilitate your preparation and allow you to effectively participate in weekly class activities;
Master program on International finance Guidelines 1)
The assignment may take the form of an individual written word-processed briefing report of not more than 2500 words, including title page, contents page, in-text references and citations, but excluding tables, reference list and appendices
Part of Solution to the Question
1 Introduction
Honda is a Japanese company that specialize in the manufacturing of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment with headquarter in Tokyo, Japan (Honda, 2021a; Forbes, 2021). Honda made a net profit of ¥509,932 million and ¥695,444 million in 2020 and 2021 years respectively.
Honda is ranked 39 among the top 100 companies in the Fortune Global 500 list (Fortune 500, 2021). The financial performance and developments are analyzed, explained and outlined, including how it copes with the risks linked with its sources of finance and dividend policy.
2 Section A: Current developments
2.1 Development One—Covid-19 Pandemic
The covid-19 pandemic impacts the financial performance of Honda to the extent that its production activities were affected (Honda, 2021a).
2.2 Development Two—Chip Shortage
Honda was affected by the global microchip shortage. This caused Honda and other major brands to slowdown vehicle production and caused sales drop by 50%. This development made Honda to have low inventory and prompted their prices to rise (Hesketh, 2021). Over 100,000 vehicles were affected last years due to this chip shortage (Reuters, 2021).
Some forensic accountants choose to specialise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) due to their familiarity with both finances and the legal system. Business litigation can be a very expensive and costly. Generally, opposing attorneys will fight vigorously for their clients. When forensic accountants are engaged as EXPERT WITNESSES in business litigation, such fighting can drive up the cost of the expert witnesses and drive down the understanding of the forensic accountant’s work and, therefore, the client’s satisfaction with the forensic accountant.
In a typical business litigation scenario, the opposing attorneys may fight against providing information which the forensic accountant has requested in order to calculate damages or to perform a business valuation. Depending on the amount of rancor between the parties and level of antagonistic determination between the attorneys.
There are times he may have to perform the damage calculation or business valuation without all the relevant information he believes is necessary. In the absence of such information, the forensic accountant may have to make reasonable assumptions regarding the missing information. If there are differing assumptions by each side’s expert witness, significant differences in damage calculation or business valuation amounts may result.
In such situations, the parties often may expend significant time and incur significant costs in using these forensic accounting experts. Especially when there are significant differences of opinion between the two expert witnesses, the experts’ fees and attorney fees can be even higher. Both parties also may come away with confusion and misunderstanding regarding how the relevant damage amount or business’s value was determined.
This is because they may only speak with the expert retained by their attorney and must rely upon the deposition and/or courtroom testimony of the opposing expert without being able to ask their own questions. The use of alternate dispute resolution – such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation – not only can reduce the cost of traditional business litigation, but also can help eliminate the uncertainty that comes from leaving the resolution of the dispute up to the Courts (judge or jury).
Examples of disputes that are prime candidates for alternate dispute resolution includes: • Business contract disputes • Shareholder/partner disputes • Employee termination disputes • Insurance claims • Royalty payment disputes • Patent/trademark disputes • Business merger and acquisition • Local disputes, • Global disputes,
How the role of the forensic accounting expert differ in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) • First, the forensic accounting expert can be jointly retained by both parties as opposed to by just one party in traditional business litigation.
• Next, because of the joint retention of the forensic accounting expert, both parties are more cooperative and better able to share all the necessary information needed by the forensic accounting expert. Thus, there is also usually less of a need to make assumptions.
• Finally, the expert witness report can be openly reviewed with both parties. Because this is a joint retention, the forensic accounting expert can be more open and informative with both parties and stand ready to fully answer either party’s questions. This helps to eliminate confusion and lack of understanding regarding the damage calculation or business valuation and the forensic accounting expert’s process.
• Additionally, the cost for the forensic accounting expert will be less, because only one expert is retained instead of two, and because the cost of depositions and/or courtroom testimony can be eliminated.
The Role of the Forensic Accountant In Mediation A forensic accountant has a number of possible roles to play, which are discussed below.
Expert Accountant acting as a Mediator. Accountants may play a role in a dispute by acting as a mediator. For example, disputes involving business valuations, application of technical accounting standards or which require business acumen and experience in a particular industry or sector may benefit from having a mediator with the requisite expertise in these areas.
The Forensic Accountant’s role in calculating damages and attending the Mediation. In complex commercial disputes requiring an expert opinion on the quantum of damages, for example in a case whereby one party may have suffered a loss of profits following a breach of contract by another party, a forensic accountant may be retained as an independent expert to provide an independent assessment of the amount in dispute. In such a case the forensic accountant may be requested to prepare an expert report, attend a meeting of experts with an opposing expert, or advise their client on a range of their potential losses depending on a number of factors or assumptions. In mediation, the forensic accountant can provide a similar role, assisting a mediator in dealing with and understanding complex financial issues.
Forensic accountant role to serve as appointed receiver or monitor
Forensic accountant role as Consulting or testifying expert
Forensic accountant role as impartial neutral with specialized expertise
Forensic accountant role as Advisor to party during mediation
Conclusion The philosophy behind Alternative Dispute Resolution is to ensure that parties involve resolve their dispute without anyone of them feel aggrieved. ADR is a good mechanism to resolve disputes among individual and organisation both local and international level. The presenter believes and suggests to us that all avenues available within ADR be explored fully before approaching the court. Even now that so many cases are queuing in the court without definite date of conclusion, is an issue that need immediate action by the government.
Abstract: This study examined the impact of Audit Quality and Financial Performance of Quoted Firms in Nigeria. The study spanned from 2000-2017 which is 18 year period. The independent variable is audit quality which is proxy with auditor’s independence, audit size and audit committee while the dependent variable is Financial Performance and proxy with earnings per share and return on asset. Three firms were chosen for this study, which are: Unilever Nigeria Plc., Oando Plc. and C & I Leasing Company. Time series data were used and gotten from annual report and account of the firms under study. The study applied Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation technique through E-view 7.0 version. The result revealed that for model 1 Company is below 5% significant level. The study thereby concludes that audit quality does not have significant impact on returns on asset of quoted firms in Nigeria. The study recommended that management of quoted firms in Nigeria can improve the financial performance and audit independence of their firms by increasing the amount of audit fees paid to the audit firm. This might seem like a profit reducing decision in the short run, but the benefits it will bring to the firm far outweighs the cost. Also management of quoted firms should employ the services of one of the Big 4 audit firms because their character and integrity is beyond question.
This study investigated the relationship between carbon emission and economic growth in Nigeria for a period ranging from 1981-2018. The proxy for carbon emission is carbon dioxide CO2 and the proxy for economic growth is gross domestic product. The study used causal research design to mobilize data from the World Bank and Fact Fish publications while gross domestic product is sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. The methods of descriptive statistics, Phillip-Perron, dynamic ordinary least Square and bivariate granger causality test are employed to analyze the data. The results show evidence of autoregressive effect of previous records of gross domestic product on its future value; there is an inverse relationship between carbon emission and gross domestic product. The bivariate granger causality confirms no existence of causality running between the variables. On the basis of the findings, the study concludes that there is an insignificant and negative relationship between carbon emission and Gross domestic product. It also concludes that CO2 and GDP are causally neutral to each other. It therefore recommends that earnest effort should be made by government to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) in Nigeria by adhering to all relevant protocol and standards. Emissions not connected to the production of industrial and consumer goods should be taxed and avoided completely except the inevitable domestic emissions by practically applying the necessary laws both national and international. Precisely, focus should be shifted to going green in terms of energy generation, ensuring positive multiplier effect of constant power supply and the economics of clean air on the human health and productivity.
There are basic assumptions which underline the preparation of financial statements of business enterprise. There are stated below:
Going concern concept: accounting assumes that the business will continue to operate for a long period of time. In other words, it means continuity in business or Continuity Assumption.
The continue preparation of financial statement in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) is an evidence of going concern. Even the auditor may also carry out investigation see that the going concern is intact.
Example of going concern is prepayment and accrual of expenses. The company accept these expenses because they believe the business will continue to run. If for example any part or section or department or product line is discontinue, it does not means there is no longer a going concern. Going concern is for the entire company.
During Covid19, a lot of companies had financial issues and were unable to pay their obligation. Various government gives those companies a bailout and a guarantee of all payments to creditors. The companies are a going concern despite of its current weak financial position. But if government imposes a restriction on the manufacture of a certain goods and service for the period say 1 year. Then the company will no longer be a going concern since they might not be able to sell any product.
2. Entity concept: This accounting concept separates the business from its owner. Meaning the business is a legal entity. It can sue and be sued. It also means the owners of a business are limited to how much he has invested not his personal resources. So for example, if the owner brings in additional capital into the business, we will treat this as a liability on the balance sheet of the business.Entity concept ensures that each company is tax separately.
Let look at these examples, Mrs. Ese bought a building having 5 office space for $5000 per month. She uses three office for his business and two for personal purpose. In line with business entity concept, only $3,000 (the rent of two offices) is a valid expense of the business
Another example is when owner of a business lends loan to his company. It would be strictly recorded as a liability and that has to be paid back to the owner.
3. Matching Concept:This concept states that the revenue and the expenses of a transaction should be included in the same accounting period. So to determine the income of a period all the revenues and expenses (whether paid or not) must be included. The matching accounting concept follows the realization concept. First, the revenue is recognized and then we match the costs associated with the revenue. So costs are matched with revenue, the reverse would be an incorrect system.
4. Dual concepts: this says that there are two aspects of accounting. It is represented by the assets of the business and liabilities (i.e. claims against it). Assets =liabilities + capital. So for example. Say the business buys an asset worth N10, 000. So now the Fixed Assets of the company will increase by N10, 000. But at the same time, the bank or cash balance will reduce by N10, 000 and so the transaction will have a dual effect in accounting. And also the Balance Sheet will stay balanced.
5. Realization concepts: in accounting, profit should not be recognized until the goods are passed to the customer.
6. Money measurement concept: Accounting is only concerned with the facts that can be measured in monetary terms with fair degree of objectivity. Accounting does not record that the firm has a bad or good management team, poor morale among staff. So for example, if the company underwent a major management overhaul this would have no effect on the accounting records. This concept is actually one of the major drawbacks of accounting.
7. Accrual concept: Revenue and cost are usually recorded in accounts when they are earned or incurred rather than when the money is received or paid.
8. Full Disclosure Concept: This concept states that all relevant information will be disclosed in the accounting statements. A lot of external users depend on these financial statements for their information to make investing decisions. So no information/transactions etc of relevance to any one of them will be omitted from these statements for the benefit of the company.
9. Cost Concept: This accounting concept states that all assets of the firm are entered into the books of account at their purchase price (cost of acquisition + transport + installation etc). In the subsequent years to, the price remains the same (minus depreciation charged). The market price of the asset is not taken into consideration.
10. Accounting Period Concept:Every organization, according to its needs, chooses a specific period of time to complete an accounting cycle. Generally, the time chosen is a year we call the accounting year. The time period is mentioned in the financial statements.
11. Substance over form: usually transactions are recorded and accounted for by their commercial realities rather than their legal form. Substance over form is an accounting concept which means that the economic substance of transactions and events must be recorded in the financial statements rather than just their legal form in order to present a true and fair view of the affairs of the entity.
12. Faithful representation: For financial report to be useful, the financial information must not only represent relevant phenomena but must faithfully represent the phenomena that it purports to represent.
13. Timeliness: It means having information available to decision makers in time to be capable of influencing their decisions. The older the information the less important it become.
14. Relevance: Relevant information is capable of making a difference in the decisions made by users.
15. Comparability: The information about a firm is more useful if it can be compared with similar information about other enterprise and with similar information about the same enterprise for another period or date.
