Reliable Thematic Data Analysis Help |Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Data

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Thematic Analysis defined and When to Use it?

Thematic Analysis is a qualitative method for analyzing data that involves identifying recurring themes, such as topics, ideas, and patterns, within a dataset. It is employed to discern patterns of meaning across data sets, providing insights into the research questions at hand. Particularly well-suited for exploring perceptions, views, and experiences, as well as understanding the construction of meaning, thematic analysis is widely used in various disciplines, including social, behavioral, and applied sciences. The method consists of six sequential steps, initially developed for psychology research by Braun and Clarke in 2006. These steps involve an iterative process, with movement back and forth between them.

Approaches to Thematic Analysis

Approaches to Thematic Analysis vary based on the study’s purpose.

Inductive or deductive approach

Researchers may adopt an inductive or deductive approach, where coding and theme development are driven by the data or preconceived concepts, respectively.

Semantic approach

The semantic approach focuses on explicit content, while the latent approach delves into underlying concepts and assumptions.

Realist and constructivist approaches

Realist and constructivist approaches differ in whether the analysis reports an assumed reality in the data or constructs a certain reality based on it.

The Steps in Doing Thematic Analysis are as follows:

1. Familiarization: Get to know the data thoroughly by reading and re-reading, or transcribing if necessary, to gain a comprehensive understanding. Take notes to mark initial ideas for codes.

2. Coding: Generate initial codes by identifying important information in the data relevant to research questions. Codes can be notes on the transcript, in a Word document table, or using dedicated software.

3. Generating Initial Themes: Examine codes and collated data to identify patterns and group related codes into broader themes. This iterative process involves combining, refining, or discarding codes to form coherent themes.

4. Reviewing Themes: Check and refine themes to ensure they accurately represent the data. Address contradictions, overlapping, or broadness by combining, splitting, creating, or discarding themes.

5. Defining and Naming Themes: Provide a detailed analysis of each final theme, describing what it is about, its scope, focus, and how it relates to other themes and research questions. Define themes clearly and give them succinct names.

6. Writing Up: Begin with an introduction to the research project, including the problem, aims, objectives, and questions. Provide background information on the research methodology and analysis. Summarize findings using the defined themes, presenting them in an organized manner, supported by participant quotes (using pseudonyms or numbers). Conclude by explaining the main takeaways and how the analysis addresses the research questions.

Get professional help with your thematic data analysis

Cosmos (ATOM) and Solana (SOL) are top choices for investors in 2023, while Collateral Network (COLT) offers the biggest gains

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The crypto market is expected to rebound in 2023. Many coins are losing their value. However, coins such as:

  • Cosmos (ATOM),
  • Solana (SOL), and
  • Collateral Network (COLT)

are on an upward trajectory in terms of value. Therefore, investors in these assets will leap big in 2023. Following their upward trajectory, analysts have noted that Cosmos (ATOM) and Solana (SOL) are top choices for investors in 2023. On the same note, Collateral Network (COLT) offers the biggest gains.

Collateral Network (COLT)

Never before has there been a web3 peer-to-peer lending platform until the development of Collateral Network (COLT). The platform is highly disrupting the industry of lending. Thus, it has grown in value. In its presale stages, analysts have predicted that it will rise 35 times in its market value. 1.4 billion tokens of COLT are in circulation but only half will be offered during the presale. Therefore, a moment of high demand against low supply will be in play and thus, its market price will be skyrocketing. As we speak, the presale price is $0.014 with a 40% bonus offer for early bird investors.

Blatantly put, COLT is the next big thing in the world of cryptocurrency because:

  • It revolutionised the finance industry.
  • Many investors will mint wealth by virtue of COLT.
  • It opens up a long-term avenue for wealth generation.
  • It provides borrowing opportunities to investors as well as gives them much control over their assets.
  • It has limited bureaucracy and restrictions associated with the lending industry.
  • It also removes third-party intermediaries by connecting borrowers and lenders directly on the blockchain.

Using COLT, an investor can easily fund projects using tangible assets such as vintage cars, jewels, fine art and so forth. Thus, such investors are able to access funds that were otherwise out of their reach.

Cosmos (ATOM)

Cosmos (ATOM) is a great investment for anyone who intends to increase wealth multiple times. Key points to note about ATOM are:

  • It is predicted that the price of ATOM will shoot the sky in a year or so according to predictions from analysts.
  • The price of ATOM is predicted to have grown to an average price of $39.27 in 2025 from a price of $28.05 in 2024, and $10.85 today.
  • The sharp trajectory in the price of ATOM provides unbeatable returns to investors. Thus, any investor who buys it presently will have created immense wealth in two to five years.

Solana (SOL)

Irrespective of the fact that the price of Solana is 91.62% below the all-time high of KES 35,489.52, this is the best time for any bull investor to buy the asset because:

  • The price of SOL is at the lowest mark and as predicted, the price cannot be lower than that.
  • From the observation of top analysts in the market, the price of SOL has been on the rise since December 2022.
  • A price surge of SOL is forecasted soon which is the best thing that can happen to any investor.
  • Following the prediction of a rise in the price of SOL, investors who buy it at the moment will make huge profits in years to come. This is because they have bought it at its lowest point and the worse the price can do is only to rise.

Conclusively, I can confidently say that Cosmos (ATOM), Solana (SOL) and Collateral Network (COLT) offer the biggest gains to investors now.

Description Should the functional areas be expected to cut their costs when sales volume falls below budget? Explain your answer. ( 200 words max-)       use this scenario Palmer Corporation operates on a calendar-year basis. It begins the annual budgeting process in late August when the president establishes targets for the total dollar sales and net income before taxes for the next year. The sales target is given first to the marketing department. The marketing manager formulates a sales budget by product line in both units and dollars. From this budget, sales quotas by product line in units and dollars are established for each of the corporation’s sales districts. The marketing manager also estimates the cost of the marketing activities required to support the target sales volume and prepares a tentative marketing expense budget. The executive vice president uses the sales and profit targets, the sales budget by product line, and the tentative marketing expense budget to determine the dollar amounts that can be devoted to manufacturing and corporate office expense. The executive vice president prepares the budget for corporate expenses. She then forwards to the production department the product-line sales budget in units and the total dollar amount that can be devoted to manufacturing. The production manager meets with the factory managers to develop a manufacturing plan that will produce the required units when needed within the cost constraints set by the executive vice president. The budgeting process usually comes to a halt at this point because the production department does not consider the financial resources allocated to be adequate. When this standstill occurs, the vice president of finance, the executive vice president, the marketing manager, and the production manager meet together to determine the final budgets for each of the areas. This normally results in a modest increase in the total amount available for manufacturing costs and cuts in the marketing expense and corporate office expense budgets. The total sales and net income figures proposed by the president are seldom changed. Although the participants are seldom pleased with the compromise, these budgets are final. Each executive then develops a new detailed budget for the operations in his or her area. None of the areas has achieved its budget in recent years. Sales often run below the target. When budgeted sales are not achieved, each area is expected to cut costs so that the president’s profit target can be met. However, the profit target is seldom met because costs are not cut enough. In fact, costs often run above the original budget in all functional areas (marketing, production, and corporate office). The president is disturbed that Palmer has not been able to meet the sales and profit targets. He hired a consultant with considerable experience with companies in Palmer’s industry. The consultant reviewed the budgets for the past 4 years. He concluded that the product line sales budgets were reasonable and that the cost and expense budgets were adequate for the budgeted sales and production levels. Should the functional areas be expected to cut their costs when sales volume falls below budget? Explain your answer. ( 200 words max-) User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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Description

Should the functional areas be expected to cut their costs
when sales volume falls below budget? Explain your answer. ( 200 words max-)       use this scenario
Palmer Corporation operates on a calendar-year basis. It
begins the annual budgeting process in late August when the president
establishes targets for the total dollar sales and net income before taxes for
the next year.
The sales target is given first to the marketing department.
The marketing manager formulates a sales budget by product line in both units
and dollars. From this budget, sales quotas by product line in units and
dollars are established for each of the corporation’s sales districts. The
marketing manager also estimates the cost of the marketing activities required
to support the target sales volume and prepares a tentative marketing expense
budget.
The executive vice president uses the sales and profit
targets, the sales budget by product line, and the tentative marketing expense
budget to determine the dollar amounts that can be devoted to manufacturing and
corporate office expense. The executive vice president prepares the budget for
corporate expenses. She then forwards to the production department the
product-line sales budget in units and the total dollar amount that can be
devoted to manufacturing.
The production manager meets with the factory managers to
develop a manufacturing plan that will produce the required units when needed
within the cost constraints set by the executive vice president. The budgeting
process usually comes to a halt at this point because the production department
does not consider the financial resources allocated to be adequate.
When this standstill occurs, the vice president of finance,
the executive vice president, the marketing manager, and the production manager
meet together to determine the final budgets for each of the areas. This
normally results in a modest increase in the total amount available for
manufacturing costs and cuts in the marketing expense and corporate office
expense budgets. The total sales and net income figures proposed by the
president are seldom changed. Although the participants are seldom pleased with
the compromise, these budgets are final. Each executive then develops a new
detailed budget for the operations in his or her area.
None of the areas has achieved its budget in recent years.
Sales often run below the target. When budgeted sales are not achieved, each
area is expected to cut costs so that the president’s profit target can be met.
However, the profit target is seldom met because costs are not cut enough. In
fact, costs often run above the original budget in all functional areas
(marketing, production, and corporate office).
The president is disturbed that Palmer has not been able to
meet the sales and profit targets. He hired a consultant with considerable
experience with companies in Palmer’s industry. The consultant reviewed the
budgets for the past 4 years. He concluded that the product line sales budgets
were reasonable and that the cost and expense budgets were adequate for the
budgeted sales and production levels.
Should the functional areas be expected to cut their costs
when sales volume falls below budget? Explain your answer. ( 200 words max-)

User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

Description see attachment 1 attachmentsSlide 1 of 1attachment_1attachment_1.slider-slide > img { width: 100%; display: block; } .slider-slide > img:focus { margin: auto; } Unformatted Attachment Preview ACC 207 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a quantitative analysis with a memo to management. Classifying a company’s costs allows for an in-depth analysis of the impact that changes in output have on revenues, costs, and net income or net loss. A costvolume-profit (CVP) analysis will be completed in order to determine the breakeven point. Relevant costs will be used to prepare a flexible budget. Additionally, an appropriate costing system should be selected and the choice should be substantiated with reasonable rationale. Finally, a memo should be prepared for management that summarizes the results of the quantitative analysis and makes recommendations for an optimal costing system to be ethically used by key decision makers. The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The quantitative analysis with a memo to management will be submitted in Module Seven. In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:     Utilize cost behavior and cost analysis to assist decision makers in planning and adding value to the business Prepare a flexible budget for supporting informed managerial decision making Interpret variances for determining the optimal costing system to fit an organization’s internal accounting needs Interpret the role of ethics in cost accounting for determining its impact on decision making Prompt In this assignment, multiple analyses will be conducted in order to obtain a company’s financial information specific to company costs. MDE manufactures outdoor garden items such as lawn ornaments and bird feeders. MDE uses a standard costing system to set standards for direct materials, labor, and overhead costs. MDE reviews and revises standards as necessary. Recently, budget variances for bird feeders have caused some concern. You, the company’s cost accountant, have been asked to examine the numbers for the product, explain the variances, and suggest ways to improve performance. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: You will begin by using the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Table I) to analyze costs, contribution margin, and breakeven point for the bird feeder division. You will then analyze the actual costs and complete a cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis to determine how many bird feeders must be sold at the current cost and sales price level to earn a $10,000 profit and how much the sales price would have to increase to earn a $10,000 profit at the same cost and sales volume level. Use Tabs 1 and 2 of the Student Workbook. I. Costs a) Classify all product and period costs appropriately. b) Compute a cost-volume-profit analysis. What are the implications of this analysis? c) Compute contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratio. d) Determine the breakeven quantity and the breakeven revenue accurately. e) Determine if the company is breaking even. What are cost-volume-profit analysis implications on short-term planning? Your next step is to use the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Tables I, II, III, IV) to compare the budget and actual costs. Determine where variances occurred and explain why. Use Tabs 3 and 4 of the Student Workbook to present your budgets/variances and Tabs 5 and 6 for all budget/variance calculations. II. Prepare and Perform a) What are your fixed costs? Segregate them in the budget model. b) Determine how variable costs change as activity measures change. How can this information be applied? c) Create the budget model, ensuring fixed costs are hard coded into the model (variable costs are stated as a percentage of the relevant activity measures or as a cost per unit of activity measure). d) Add actual activity measures to the model. Make sure all information is added accurately. e) Add the flexible budget calculations to the budget model. Make sure all information is accurate. f) Compare the flexible budget to the actual expenses. What does this inform? Be sure to discuss the following variances: i. Static budget variance, including sales volume and flexible budget variances ii. Price and efficiency variances for direct materials and direct labor iii. Spending and efficiency variances for variable manufacturing overhead g) Determine the aspects of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement. Justify your response. h) Interpret what budget variances represent. Should all variances be investigated? You have also been asked to give management a recommendation on whether the company should switch from process costing to activity-based costing (ABC). This is an exploratory discussion, but management would like to know more about the difference between the two costing systems and if a different costing system might work better for the company. III. Main Costing Systems – Activity-Based Costing vs. Process Costing a) Identify the cost allocation system that would benefit this company most. Justify your response. b) Does this cost allocation system meet management planning and control goals? Explain. c) What are the ethical implications that should be considered with this cost allocation system? d) Describe the ethical implications of direct costs versus indirect costs. What considerations should be made when selecting one of these two? After all of your calculations and research, you are now ready to prepare your report. IV. Prepare a Memo to Management a) Summarize your quantitative analysis based on your findings (include answers to all questions in Sections I, II, and III). b) Report the parts of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement. Provide suggestions to improve those parts. c) Report overall improvement recommendations to management. Consider the ethical implications when communicating sensitive information. Milestones Milestone One: Draft of Costs (Section I) In Module Two, you will submit a draft of the costs section of the final project. Use the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Table I) to analyze costs, contribution margin, and breakeven point for the bird feeder division of the company. In Tab 1 of your Student Workbook, classify costs as either product or period costs. Briefly explain the difference between the types of costs. Then, analyze the actual costs and, using Tab 2 of your Student Workbook, complete a cost-volumeprofit analysis to determine how many bird feeders must be sold at the current cost and sales price level to earn a 10% profit and how much the sales price would have to increase to earn a 10% profit at the same cost and sales volume level. Submit the Student Workbook with Tabs 1 and 2 completed with your cost calculations and a 1-2 page Word document that explains the implications of your findings and addresses all of the critical elements in Section I. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric. Milestone Two: Draft of Prepare and Perform (Section II) In Module Four, you will submit a draft of the prepare and perform section of the final project. Analyze the budget and actual costs using the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Tables I, II, III, IV). Determine where variances occurred and why. Submit the Student Workbook with Tabs 3 and 4 completed with your budgets/variances calculations and a 1-2page Word document that discusses the implications of your findings on the company’s financial considerations. Explain which aspects of MDE’s budgeting process are in need of improvement and justify your response using your calculations. Address all critical elements in Section II. Use Tabs 5 and 6 of the Student Workbook for your budget and variance calculations. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric. Milestone Three: Draft of Main Costing Systems (Section III) In Module Five, you will submit a draft of your main costing system recommendations. You have been asked to give management a recommendation on whether the bird feeder division should switch from process costing to activity-based costing. This is just an exploratory discussion, but management would like to know more about the differences between the two costing systems and if a different costing system might work better for the division. Submit a Word document that addresses the critical elements of Section III. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric. Final Submission: Quantitative Analysis With a Memo to Management In Module Seven, submit your quantitative analysis with a memo to management. It should incorporate all milestones and include ection IV of the critical elements listed in the Final Project Document. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric (below). Deliverables Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading One Draft of Costs (Section I) Two Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric Two Draft of Prepare and Perform (Section II) Four Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric Draft of Main Costing Systems (Section III) Five Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric Seven Graded separately; Final Project Rubric (below) Three Final Submission: Quantitative Analysis With a Memo to Management Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: The calculations for your quantitative analysis should be submitted in final form in the Student Workbook. Your findings and memo to management should be 8 to 10 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions. Critical Elements Costs: Period Costs Exemplary Costs: CVP Analysis Meets “Proficient” criteria and identification demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the potential implications (100%) Costs: Contribution Margin Costs: Breakeven Quantity Costs: Implications Meets “Proficient” criteria and supports claims with specific examples (100%) Prepare and Perform: Fixed Costs Prepare and Perform: Variable Costs Meets “Proficient” criteria and description is supported with relevant examples (100%) Proficient Classifies all product and period costs appropriately (100%) Computes a cost-volume-profit analysis and identifies the implications of the analysis (85%) Computes the contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratio (100%) Determines the breakeven quantity and the breakeven revenue accurately (100%) Determines if the company is breaking even and identifies the implications of cost-volume-profit analysis on short-term planning (85%) Identifies fixed costs and segregates them in the budget model (100%) Determines how variable costs change as activity measures change and describes how this information can be applied (85%) Needs Improvement Classifies all product and period costs but not all classifications are appropriate (55%) Computes a cost-volume-profit analysis but does not identify the implications of the analysis (55%) Not Evident Does not classify product and period costs (0%) Value 4.9 Does not compute a cost-volumeprofit analysis (0%) 4.9 Computes the contribution margin per unit but not the contribution margin ratio (55%) Determines the breakeven quantity and the breakeven revenue but contains issues related to accuracy (55%) Determines if the company is breaking even but does not identify the implications of costvolume-profit analysis on shortterm planning (55%) Identifies fixed costs but does not segregate them in the budget model (55%) Does not compute the contribution margin per unit (0%) 4.9 Does not determine the breakeven quantity and the breakeven revenue (0%) 4.9 Does not determine if the company is breaking even (0%) 4.9 Does not identify fixed costs (0%) 4.9 Determines how variable costs Does not determine how variable change as activity measures costs change as activity measures change but does not describe how change (0%) this information can be applied (55%) 4.9 Prepare and Perform: Budget Model Creates a budget model and fixed costs are hard coded into the model (100%) Creates a budget model but fixed costs are not hard coded into the model (55%) Does not create a budget model (0%) 4.9 Prepare and Perform: Actual Activity Adds actual activity measures to the model accurately (100%) Adds actual activity measures to the model but contains errors related to accuracy (55%) Does not add actual activity (0%) 4.9 Prepare and Perform: Flexible Budget Calculations Accurately adds the flexible budget calculations to the budget model (100%) Adds flexible budget calculations to the budget model but contains errors related to accuracy (55%) Does not add flexible budget calculations to the budget model (0%) 4.9 Compares the flexible budget to the actual expenses but omits key variances or does not interpret what this informs (55%) Determines the aspects of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement but does not justify response (55%) Interprets what budget variances represent but does not determine if all variances should be investigated (55%) Identifies the cost allocation system that would benefit this company most but does not justify response (55%) Determines if cost allocation system meets management planning and control goals but does not explain response (55%) Identifies ethical implications that should be considered but implications do not align with recommended cost allocation system (55%) Does not compare the flexible budget to the actual expenses (0%) 4.9 Does not determine the aspects of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement (0%) 4.9 Does not interpret what budget variances represent (0%) 4.9 Does not identify a cost allocation system (0%) 4.9 Does not determine if cost allocation system meets management planning and control goals (0%) Does not identify ethical implications (0%) 4.9 Prepare and Meets “Proficient” criteria and Perform: Compare interpretation is well-supported Flexible Budget with examples (100%) Compares the flexible budget to the actual expenses, including key variances specified, and interprets what this informs (85%) Prepare and Meets “Proficient” criteria and Determines the aspects of the Perform: Budgeting explanation is well-supported and budgeting process that are in need Process logical (100%) of improvement and justifies response (85%) Prepare and Meets “Proficient” criteria and Interprets what budget variances Perform: Budget demonstrates a nuanced represent and determines if all Variances understanding of the importance variances should be investigated of variances (100%) (85%) Main Costing Meets “Proficient” criteria and Identifies the cost allocation Systems: Cost justification is qualified with system that would benefit this Allocation System specific examples (100%) company most and justifies response (85%) Main Costing Meets “Proficient” criteria and Determines if cost allocation Systems: Goals explanation is well-supported and system meets management logical (100%) planning and control goals and explains response (85%) Main Costing Meets “Proficient” criteria and Identifies ethical implications that Systems: Ethical explanation demonstrates a should be considered with Implications nuanced understanding of recommended cost allocation potential ethical implications system (85%) (100%) 4.9 Main Costing Systems: Direct Costs Versus Indirect Costs Meets “Proficient” criteria and description demonstrates a nuanced understanding of potential ethical implications (100%) Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and Management: uses industry-specific language to Quantitative establish expertise (100%) Analysis Describes the ethical implications of direct costs versus indirect costs and determines what considerations should be made when selecting one (85%) Summarizes quantitative analysis based on findings (85%) Describes the ethical implications of direct costs versus indirect costs but does not determine what considerations should be made when selecting one (55%) Summarizes quantitative analysis but analysis is not based on findings (55%) Does not describe ethical implications (0%) 4.9 Does not summarize quantitative analysis (0%) 4.9 Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and Management: suggestions are appropriate and Need of logical (100%) Improvement Reports the parts of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement and provides suggestions to improve those parts (85%) Reports improvement recommendations that consider ethical implications (85%) Reports the parts of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement but does not provide suggestions to improve those parts (55%) Reports improvement recommendations but recommendations do not reflect consideration of ethical implications (55%) Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (55%) Does not report the parts of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement (0%) 4.9 Does not report improvement recommendations (0%) 4.9 Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and Management: recommendation demonstrates a Recommendations nuanced understanding of potential ethical implications (100%) Articulation of Submission is free of errors related Response to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format (100%) Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization (85%) Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas (0%) Total 2 100% Purchase answer to see full attachment User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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Description

see attachment

1 attachmentsSlide 1 of 1attachment_1attachment_1.slider-slide > img { width: 100%; display: block; }
.slider-slide > img:focus { margin: auto; }

Unformatted Attachment Preview

ACC 207 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a quantitative analysis with a memo to management.
Classifying a company’s costs allows for an in-depth analysis of the impact that changes in output have on revenues, costs, and net income or net loss. A costvolume-profit (CVP) analysis will be completed in order to determine the breakeven point. Relevant costs will be used to prepare a flexible budget. Additionally,
an appropriate costing system should be selected and the choice should be substantiated with reasonable rationale. Finally, a memo should be prepared for
management that summarizes the results of the quantitative analysis and makes recommendations for an optimal costing system to be ethically used by key
decision makers.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The quantitative analysis with a memo to management will be submitted in
Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:




Utilize cost behavior and cost analysis to assist decision makers in planning and adding value to the business
Prepare a flexible budget for supporting informed managerial decision making
Interpret variances for determining the optimal costing system to fit an organization’s internal accounting needs
Interpret the role of ethics in cost accounting for determining its impact on decision making
Prompt
In this assignment, multiple analyses will be conducted in order to obtain a company’s financial information specific to company costs.
MDE manufactures outdoor garden items such as lawn ornaments and bird feeders. MDE uses a standard costing system to set standards for direct materials,
labor, and overhead costs. MDE reviews and revises standards as necessary. Recently, budget variances for bird feeders have caused some concern. You, the
company’s cost accountant, have been asked to examine the numbers for the product, explain the variances, and suggest ways to improve performance.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
You will begin by using the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Table I) to analyze costs, contribution margin, and breakeven point for the bird feeder division. You will
then analyze the actual costs and complete a cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis to determine how many bird feeders must be sold at the current cost and sales
price level to earn a $10,000 profit and how much the sales price would have to increase to earn a $10,000 profit at the same cost and sales volume level. Use
Tabs 1 and 2 of the Student Workbook.
I.
Costs
a) Classify all product and period costs appropriately.
b) Compute a cost-volume-profit analysis. What are the implications of this analysis?
c) Compute contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratio.
d) Determine the breakeven quantity and the breakeven revenue accurately.
e) Determine if the company is breaking even. What are cost-volume-profit analysis implications on short-term planning?
Your next step is to use the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Tables I, II, III, IV) to compare the budget and actual costs. Determine where variances occurred and
explain why. Use Tabs 3 and 4 of the Student Workbook to present your budgets/variances and Tabs 5 and 6 for all budget/variance calculations.
II. Prepare and Perform
a) What are your fixed costs? Segregate them in the budget model.
b) Determine how variable costs change as activity measures change. How can this information be applied?
c) Create the budget model, ensuring fixed costs are hard coded into the model (variable costs are stated as a percentage of the relevant activity
measures or as a cost per unit of activity measure).
d) Add actual activity measures to the model. Make sure all information is added accurately.
e) Add the flexible budget calculations to the budget model. Make sure all information is accurate.
f) Compare the flexible budget to the actual expenses. What does this inform? Be sure to discuss the following variances:
i. Static budget variance, including sales volume and flexible budget variances
ii. Price and efficiency variances for direct materials and direct labor
iii. Spending and efficiency variances for variable manufacturing overhead
g) Determine the aspects of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement. Justify your response.
h) Interpret what budget variances represent. Should all variances be investigated?
You have also been asked to give management a recommendation on whether the company should switch from process costing to activity-based costing (ABC).
This is an exploratory discussion, but management would like to know more about the difference between the two costing systems and if a different costing
system might work better for the company.
III. Main Costing Systems – Activity-Based Costing vs. Process Costing
a) Identify the cost allocation system that would benefit this company most. Justify your response.
b) Does this cost allocation system meet management planning and control goals? Explain.
c) What are the ethical implications that should be considered with this cost allocation system?
d) Describe the ethical implications of direct costs versus indirect costs. What considerations should be made when selecting one of these two?
After all of your calculations and research, you are now ready to prepare your report.
IV. Prepare a Memo to Management
a) Summarize your quantitative analysis based on your findings (include answers to all questions in Sections I, II, and III).
b) Report the parts of the budgeting process that are in need of improvement. Provide suggestions to improve those parts.
c) Report overall improvement recommendations to management. Consider the ethical implications when communicating sensitive information.
Milestones
Milestone One: Draft of Costs (Section I)
In Module Two, you will submit a draft of the costs section of the final project. Use the MDE Manufacturing Budget (Table I) to analyze costs, contribution
margin, and breakeven point for the bird feeder division of the company. In Tab 1 of your Student Workbook, classify costs as either product or period costs.
Briefly explain the difference between the types of costs. Then, analyze the actual costs and, using Tab 2 of your Student Workbook, complete a cost-volumeprofit analysis to determine how many bird feeders must be sold at the current cost and sales price level to earn a 10% profit and how much the sales price would
have to increase to earn a 10% profit at the same cost and sales volume level. Submit the Student Workbook with Tabs 1 and 2 completed with your cost
calculations and a 1-2 page Word document that explains the implications of your findings and addresses all of the critical elements in Section I. This milestone
will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Draft of Prepare and Perform (Section II)
In Module Four, you will submit a draft of the prepare and perform section of the final project. Analyze the budget and actual costs using the MDE
Manufacturing Budget (Tables I, II, III, IV). Determine where variances occurred and why. Submit the Student Workbook with Tabs 3 and 4 completed with your
budgets/variances calculations and a 1-2page Word document that discusses the implications of your findings on the company’s financial considerations. Explain
which aspects of MDE’s budgeting process are in need of improvement and justify your response using your calculations. Address all critical elements in Section
II. Use Tabs 5 and 6 of the Student Workbook for your budget and variance calculations. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Draft of Main Costing Systems (Section III)
In Module Five, you will submit a draft of your main costing system recommendations. You have been asked to give management a recommendation on whether
the bird feeder division should switch from process costing to activity-based costing. This is just an exploratory discussion, but management would like to know
more about the differences between the two costing systems and if a different costing system might work better for the division. Submit a Word document that
addresses the critical elements of Section III. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Quantitative Analysis With a Memo to Management
In Module Seven, submit your quantitative analysis with a memo to management. It should incorporate all milestones and include ection IV of the critical
elements listed in the Final Project Document. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric (below).
Deliverables
Milestone
Deliverable
Module Due
Grading
One
Draft of Costs (Section I)
Two
Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Two
Draft of Prepare and Perform (Section II)
Four
Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Draft of Main Costing Systems (Section III)
Five
Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Seven
Graded separately; Final Project Rubric (below)
Three
Final Submission: Quantitative Analysis
With a Memo to Management
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: The calculations for your quantitative analysis should be submitted in final form in the Student Workbook. Your findings and memo to
management should be 8 to 10 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New
Roman font, and one-inch margins.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information,
review these instructions.
Critical Elements
Costs: Period Costs
Exemplary
Costs: CVP Analysis Meets “Proficient” criteria and
identification demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of the
potential implications (100%)
Costs: Contribution
Margin
Costs: Breakeven
Quantity
Costs: Implications Meets “Proficient” criteria and
supports claims with specific
examples (100%)
Prepare and
Perform: Fixed
Costs
Prepare and
Perform: Variable
Costs
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description is supported with
relevant examples (100%)
Proficient
Classifies all product and period
costs appropriately (100%)
Computes a cost-volume-profit
analysis and identifies the
implications of the analysis (85%)
Computes the contribution margin
per unit and contribution margin
ratio (100%)
Determines the breakeven
quantity and the breakeven
revenue accurately (100%)
Determines if the company is
breaking even and identifies the
implications of cost-volume-profit
analysis on short-term planning
(85%)
Identifies fixed costs and
segregates them in the budget
model (100%)
Determines how variable costs
change as activity measures
change and describes how this
information can be applied (85%)
Needs Improvement
Classifies all product and period
costs but not all classifications are
appropriate (55%)
Computes a cost-volume-profit
analysis but does not identify the
implications of the analysis (55%)
Not Evident
Does not classify product and
period costs (0%)
Value
4.9
Does not compute a cost-volumeprofit analysis (0%)
4.9
Computes the contribution margin
per unit but not the contribution
margin ratio (55%)
Determines the breakeven
quantity and the breakeven
revenue but contains issues
related to accuracy (55%)
Determines if the company is
breaking even but does not
identify the implications of costvolume-profit analysis on shortterm planning (55%)
Identifies fixed costs but does not
segregate them in the budget
model (55%)
Does not compute the
contribution margin per unit (0%)
4.9
Does not determine the breakeven
quantity and the breakeven
revenue (0%)
4.9
Does not determine if the
company is breaking even (0%)
4.9
Does not identify fixed costs (0%)
4.9
Determines how variable costs
Does not determine how variable
change as activity measures
costs change as activity measures
change but does not describe how change (0%)
this information can be applied
(55%)
4.9
Prepare and
Perform: Budget
Model
Creates a budget model and fixed
costs are hard coded into the
model (100%)
Creates a budget model but fixed
costs are not hard coded into the
model (55%)
Does not create a budget model
(0%)
4.9
Prepare and
Perform: Actual
Activity
Adds actual activity measures to
the model accurately (100%)
Adds actual activity measures to
the model but contains errors
related to accuracy (55%)
Does not add actual activity (0%)
4.9
Prepare and
Perform: Flexible
Budget
Calculations
Accurately adds the flexible
budget calculations to the budget
model (100%)
Adds flexible budget calculations
to the budget model but contains
errors related to accuracy (55%)
Does not add flexible budget
calculations to the budget model
(0%)
4.9
Compares the flexible budget to
the actual expenses but omits key
variances or does not interpret
what this informs (55%)
Determines the aspects of the
budgeting process that are in need
of improvement but does not
justify response (55%)
Interprets what budget variances
represent but does not determine
if all variances should be
investigated (55%)
Identifies the cost allocation
system that would benefit this
company most but does not justify
response (55%)
Determines if cost allocation
system meets management
planning and control goals but
does not explain response (55%)
Identifies ethical implications that
should be considered but
implications do not align with
recommended cost allocation
system (55%)
Does not compare the flexible
budget to the actual expenses
(0%)
4.9
Does not determine the aspects of
the budgeting process that are in
need of improvement (0%)
4.9
Does not interpret what budget
variances represent (0%)
4.9
Does not identify a cost allocation
system (0%)
4.9
Does not determine if cost
allocation system meets
management planning and control
goals (0%)
Does not identify ethical
implications (0%)
4.9
Prepare and
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Perform: Compare interpretation is well-supported
Flexible Budget with examples (100%)
Compares the flexible budget to
the actual expenses, including key
variances specified, and interprets
what this informs (85%)
Prepare and
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Determines the aspects of the
Perform: Budgeting explanation is well-supported and budgeting process that are in need
Process
logical (100%)
of improvement and justifies
response (85%)
Prepare and
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Interprets what budget variances
Perform: Budget demonstrates a nuanced
represent and determines if all
Variances
understanding of the importance variances should be investigated
of variances (100%)
(85%)
Main Costing
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Identifies the cost allocation
Systems: Cost
justification is qualified with
system that would benefit this
Allocation System specific examples (100%)
company most and justifies
response (85%)
Main Costing
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Determines if cost allocation
Systems: Goals
explanation is well-supported and system meets management
logical (100%)
planning and control goals and
explains response (85%)
Main Costing
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Identifies ethical implications that
Systems: Ethical explanation demonstrates a
should be considered with
Implications
nuanced understanding of
recommended cost allocation
potential ethical implications
system (85%)
(100%)
4.9
Main Costing
Systems: Direct
Costs Versus
Indirect Costs
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of
potential ethical implications
(100%)
Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Management:
uses industry-specific language to
Quantitative
establish expertise (100%)
Analysis
Describes the ethical implications
of direct costs versus indirect costs
and determines what
considerations should be made
when selecting one (85%)
Summarizes quantitative analysis
based on findings (85%)
Describes the ethical implications
of direct costs versus indirect costs
but does not determine what
considerations should be made
when selecting one (55%)
Summarizes quantitative analysis
but analysis is not based on
findings (55%)
Does not describe ethical
implications (0%)
4.9
Does not summarize quantitative
analysis (0%)
4.9
Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Management:
suggestions are appropriate and
Need of
logical (100%)
Improvement
Reports the parts of the budgeting
process that are in need of
improvement and provides
suggestions to improve those
parts (85%)
Reports improvement
recommendations that consider
ethical implications (85%)
Reports the parts of the budgeting
process that are in need of
improvement but does not
provide suggestions to improve
those parts (55%)
Reports improvement
recommendations but
recommendations do not reflect
consideration of ethical
implications (55%)
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact readability
and articulation of main ideas
(55%)
Does not report the parts of the
budgeting process that are in need
of improvement (0%)
4.9
Does not report improvement
recommendations (0%)
4.9
Prepare a Memo to Meets “Proficient” criteria and
Management:
recommendation demonstrates a
Recommendations nuanced understanding of
potential ethical implications
(100%)
Articulation of
Submission is free of errors related
Response
to citations, grammar, spelling,
syntax, and organization and is
presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format (100%)
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
(85%)
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas (0%)
Total
2
100%

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Description The double entry system of accounting has been in existence for over 500 years. We still use it because it provides a way to check our work for accuracy. Even the simplest accounting software programs use this system. Discuss the pros and cons of the double entry system, and share any experience you have working either in an accounting department or with accounting software. User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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The double entry system of accounting has been in existence for over 500 years. We still use it because it provides a way to check our work for accuracy. Even the simplest accounting software programs use this system. Discuss the pros and cons of the double entry system, and share any experience you have working either in an accounting department or with accounting software.

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Description As a CFO of a publically traded company, suggest how you would create an ethical environment to ensure account balances are correctly valued and reported so that information is reliable for users. Provide support for your rationale. Assess the ethical requirements as outlined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, indicating whether or not you believe the requirements are adequate to ensure integrity in financial accounting and reporting activities. Suggest improvements that may be needed while providing support for your rationale. User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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Description

As a CFO of a publically traded company, suggest how you would create an ethical environment to ensure account balances are correctly valued and reported so that information is reliable for users. Provide support for your rationale. Assess the ethical requirements as outlined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, indicating whether or not you believe the requirements are adequate to ensure integrity in financial accounting and reporting activities. Suggest improvements that may be needed while providing support for your rationale.

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Description In today’s business environment where publicly traded companies feel pressure to meet short-term earnings expectations, management may be tempted to “manage earnings”. Assess how a financial statement user may be able to detect managed earnings when reviewing the firm’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow statement. Indicate how a potential investor might interpret these “red-flags”. Provide support for your rationale.Assess how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the concern of corporate “managed earnings”, indicating whether or not you believe the requirements within the Act are sufficient to minimize these concerns. Provide support for your rationale User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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In today’s business environment where publicly traded companies feel pressure to meet short-term earnings expectations, management may be tempted to “manage earnings”. Assess how a financial statement user may be able to detect managed earnings when reviewing the firm’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow statement. Indicate how a potential investor might interpret these “red-flags”. Provide support for your rationale.Assess how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the concern of corporate “managed earnings”, indicating whether or not you believe the requirements within the Act are sufficient to minimize these concerns. Provide support for your rationale

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Description The Yurdone Corporation wants to set up a private cemetery business. According to the CFO, Barry M. Deep, business is “looking up”. As a result, the cemetery project will provide a net cash inflow of $105,000 for the firm during the first year, and the cash flows are projected to grow at a rate of 5 percent per year forever. The project requires an initial investment of $1,580,000. a-1 What is the NPV for the project if Yurdone’s required return is 10 percent? (Negative amount should be indicated by a minus sign. Do not round intermediate calculations and round your final answer to 2 decimal places (e.g., 32.16).)    NPV $    a-2 If Yurdone requires a return of 10 percent on such undertakings, should the firm accept or reject the project? Accept Reject   b. The company is somewhat unsure about the assumption of a growth rate of 5 percent in its cash flows. At what constant growth rate would the company just break even if it still required a return of 10 percent on investment? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Enter your answer as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 32.16).)    Constant growth rate  %  User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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Description

The Yurdone Corporation wants to set up a private cemetery business. According to the CFO, Barry M. Deep, business is “looking up”. As a result, the cemetery project will provide a net cash inflow of $105,000 for the firm during the first year, and the cash flows are projected to grow at a rate of 5 percent per year forever. The project requires an initial investment of $1,580,000.

a-1

What is the NPV for the project if Yurdone’s required return is 10 percent? (Negative amount should be indicated by a minus sign. Do not round intermediate calculations and round your final answer to 2 decimal places (e.g., 32.16).)

 

 NPV $ 

 

a-2

If Yurdone requires a return of 10 percent on such undertakings, should the firm accept or reject the project?

Accept
Reject

 

b.

The company is somewhat unsure about the assumption of a growth rate of 5 percent in its cash flows. At what constant growth rate would the company just break even if it still required a return of 10 percent on investment? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Enter your answer as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 32.16).)

 

 Constant growth rate  % 

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Description Information Needs for the AISFor this assignment, research the Internet or Strayer databases for information related to improper assumptions concerning accounting information systems.Write a five to seven (5-7) page paper in which you:Based on your research, assess how corporate leaders may make improper assumptions related to accounting information systems and the related information. Indicate the most negative potential impacts on business operations related to these assumptions. Provide support for your rationale.Suggest three to four (3-4) ways in which organizational performance may be improved when information is properly managed within a business system. Provide support for your rationale.Evaluate the level of system security (i.e., high, medium, low) needed to ensure information integrity within automated business systems. Provide support for your evaluation.Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:Examine and use data flow diagrams and flowcharts to understand, evaluate, and design information systems.Evaluate the approaches and techniques that are used to commit and prevent computer fraud.Use technology and information resources to research issues in accounting information systems.Write clearly and concisely about accounting information systems using proper writing mechanics. User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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Information Needs for the AISFor this assignment, research the Internet or Strayer databases for information related to improper assumptions concerning accounting information systems.Write a five to seven (5-7) page paper in which you:Based on your research, assess how corporate leaders may make improper assumptions related to accounting information systems and the related information. Indicate the most negative potential impacts on business operations related to these assumptions. Provide support for your rationale.Suggest three to four (3-4) ways in which organizational performance may be improved when information is properly managed within a business system. Provide support for your rationale.Evaluate the level of system security (i.e., high, medium, low) needed to ensure information integrity within automated business systems. Provide support for your evaluation.Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:Examine and use data flow diagrams and flowcharts to understand, evaluate, and design information systems.Evaluate the approaches and techniques that are used to commit and prevent computer fraud.Use technology and information resources to research issues in accounting information systems.Write clearly and concisely about accounting information systems using proper writing mechanics.

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Description What factors do you think affect a company’s choice of investment vehicles?Need minimum of 250 words. User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool’s honor code & terms of service.

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What factors do you think affect a company’s choice of investment vehicles?Need minimum of 250 words.

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