“Accounting and Finance AssignmentAssessment SubmissionSubmit your assignment (the database file and the word document) through TURNITIN.Assessment AreaThe basic requirement is to undertake a general financial analysis comparing Myer Holdings Ltd (Myer) (ASX Code MYR) financial position and performance in the Financial Years 2013 and 2012 compared to that of David Jones (ASX Code DJS) over the same period. The 2013 financial statements are required to be available on the internet within 2 months of financial year end.(Note: students are to use the ‘Consolidated’ data in conducting their analysis.) The analysis should consider each of: profitability, asset efficiency, liquidity, capital structure, and market performance.Note that for those 2012 ratios which involve Balance Sheet figures students will require the 2012 annual statements (in addition to the 2013 report) to provide the 2012 beginning‐of year balance sheet figures. The assignment will contain two main elements:1. Schedule(s) of relevant ratios and other useful calculations detailed calculation of relevant ratios and other useful calculations should be included as one or more appendices prepared using Excel or a similar spreadsheet. Students are advised to show the formulae used in determining particular ratios and other figures. Data items (for example ‘Sales Revenue’ or ‘Total Assets’) should be entered in a single cell in a specially designated ‘data area’ in the spreadsheet, with any calculation referencing the relevant data cell.2. Written reportThe written report should:2A. Explain briefly what is revealed by the ratios and other calculations in the context of the company’s profitability, asset efficiency, liquidity, capital structure, and market performance.

In particular, any important changes over the period 2012 to 2013 should be identified, discussed and, where possible, explained.2B. Provide an overall assessment of whether the company’s performance over the 2013 financial year have been better than 2012, and which company has improved its performance to a greater extent over this period. The judgement should be made from the perspective of existing equity investors (shareholders).Other GuidelinesThe assignment is to comply with the University’s General Guide for the Presentation of Academic Work (revised edition 2011) and the written report is not to exceed 2,600 words.• Students are encouraged to seek and use additional public information about the company from sources other than the annual report (for example, from the internet, newspapers, and business magazines). However, it is not envisaged that students will be engaged in extensive research of this nature and it is expected that the annual report will be the primary resource relied upon in completing the assignment. Students are asked not to try and make direct personal contact with either company (for example by telephone, fax, letter or email) in an attempt to gather further information.• Do not reproduce company promotional material from the annual report or company website and represent it as critical analysis. It is not!• Students are expected to obtain relevant share price data for the company so that investment ratios (such as a price earnings ratio) can be calculated. (It is recommended that students obtain the companys’ share price as at the 2013 and 2012 balance dates for the purpose of calculating relevant ratios on these dates. Share price data is available from a variety of sources including the internet.• Students may find it useful to consult accounting references, in addition to the prescribed text, which deal with the analysis and interpretation of company financial reports.Assessment criteriaIn assessing submitted assignments consideration will be given to:• Overall neatness, completeness and quality of presentation. Graduate level students are expected to achieve a satisfactory standard with respect to this criterion as a matter of course, and for this reason no credit will be granted for achieving it. However, assignments that fail to achieve the minimum standard in connection with this criterion may be penalised. The expected standard concerning this criterion is compliance with the University’s General Guide for the Presentation of Academic Work (revised edition 2011).• Demonstrated skill in identifying and calculating relevant ratios and other indicators of profitability, asset efficiency, liquidity, capital structure, and market performance. This criterion relates specifically to the requirement to prepare a schedule (or schedules) of relevant ratios and other calculations and carries a weighting of 10 marks out of the 35 available for the whole assignment.• Demonstrated understanding of financial reports and ratios and other indicators of profitability, asset efficiency, liquidity, capital structure, and market performance. This criterion relates specifically to the requirement to submit a written report and carries a weighting of 25 marks out of the 35 available for the whole assignment. Written reports in excess of words may be penalised.• A copy of the detailed feedback sheet, showing how the marks are allocated, is given on the following page.Assessment feedback/Marking Available MarksPresentationCoverIndexExecutive SummeryReferencing 10 Profitability 3 Efficiency 3 Liquidity 3 Capital Structure 3 Shareholder Performance 3 Calculation and Presentation of Ratio 10 “