Topic: Ratio and Financial Statement Analysis
Instructions: The essay should critically analyze the benefits and limitations of ratio analysis, explaining what factors impact the meaningfulness of such measures and what new practices or theories may be emerging regarding the application of ratio and financial statement analysis. Emphasize practical applications and real-world use of ratios synthesizing your readings in published research or survey articles.
Grading rubric attached.
3/2/23, 7:02 PM Essay - MGMT 640 9044 Financial Decision Making for Managers (2232) - UMGC Learning Management System https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116 1/10 Grading Rubric for Papers Course: MGMT 640 9044 Financial Decision Making for Managers (2232) Criteria Exceptional (90% and above) Good - meets expectations (80-89%) Needs improvement (70-79%) Unsatisfactory (<70%) criterion="" score="" executive="" summary="" 55="" points="" student="" summarizes="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report.="" it="" should="" restate="" the="" purpose="" of="" the="" report,="" highlight="" the="" major="" points="" of="" the="" report,="" and="" describe="" any="" results,="" conclusions,="" or="" recommendati="" ons="" from="" the="" report="" for="" scholars="" in="" the="" discipline.="" 4="" points="" student="" summarizes="" most="" of="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report="" including:="" restating="" the="" purpose="" of="" the="" report,="" highlighting="" the="" major="" points="" of="" the="" report,="" and="" describing="" any="" results,="" conclusions,="" or="" recommendati="" ons="" from="" the="" report="" for="" scholars="" in="" the="" discipline.="" 3="" points="" student="" summarizes="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report="" in="" a="" clear,="" but="" not="" focused="" or="" sophisticated="" manner="" leaving="" out="" some="" of="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report="" including:="" restating="" the="" purpose="" of="" the="" report,="" highlighting="" the="" major="" points="" of="" the="" report,="" and="" describing="" any="" results,="" conclusions,="" or="" recommendati="" ons="" from="" the="" report="" for="" scholars="" in="" the="" discipline.="" 2="" points="" student="" summarizes="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report="" in="" a="" unclear="" and="" confused="" manner="" leaving="" out="" some="" of="" the="" key="" points="" of="" the="" report="" including:="" restating="" the="" purpose="" of="" the="" report,="" highlighting="" the="" major="" points="" of="" the="" report,="" and="" describing="" any="" results,="" conclusions,="" or="" recommendati="" ons="" from="" the="" report="" for="" scholars="" in="" the="" discipline.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 2/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" introduction="" 55="" points="" the="" writing="" provides="" an="" exceptional="" roadmap="" for="" the="" essay.="" in="" addition,="" the="" introduction="" includes="" meets="" all="" of="" the="" following="" criteria:="" the="" introduc="" tion="" context="" ualizes="" the="" thesis="" stateme="" nt="" by="" referring="" to="" larger="" issues="" in="" the="" disciplin="" e.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" provides="" rational="" e="" for="" pursuing="" the="" thesis="" by="" 4="" points="" the="" writing="" provides="" a="" clear="" roadmap="" for="" the="" essay.="" in="" addition,="" the="" introduction="" includes="" meets="" at="" least="" 3="" of="" the="" following="" criteria:="" the="" introduc="" tion="" context="" ualizes="" the="" thesis="" stateme="" nt="" by="" referring="" to="" larger="" issues="" in="" the="" disciplin="" e.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" provides="" rational="" e="" for="" pursuing="" the="" thesis="" by="" demonst="" 3="" points="" the="" writing="" provides="" a="" basic="" roadmap="" for="" the="" essay.="" in="" addition,="" the="" introduction="" includes="" meets="" at="" least="" 2="" of="" the="" following="" criteria:="" the="" introduc="" tion="" context="" ualizes="" the="" thesis="" stateme="" nt="" by="" referring="" to="" larger="" issues="" in="" the="" disciplin="" e.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" provides="" rational="" e="" for="" pursuing="" the="" thesis="" by="" demonst="" 2="" points="" the="" writing="" provides="" an="" incomplete="" roadmap="" for="" the="" essay.="" in="" addition,="" the="" introduction="" includes="" meets="" fewer="" than="" 2="" of="" the="" following="" criteria:="" the="" introduc="" tion="" context="" ualizes="" the="" thesis="" stateme="" nt="" by="" referring="" to="" larger="" issues="" in="" the="" disciplin="" e.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" provides="" rational="" e="" for="" pursuing="" the="" thesis="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 3/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" demonst="" rating="" a="" research="" need="" or="" question="" .="" the="" introduc="" tion="" articulat="" es="" how="" the="" paper="" will="" address="" the="" key="" question="" or="" issue="" being="" studied.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" refers="" to="" relevant,="" appropri="" ate="" scholarl="" y="" literatur="" e.="" rating="" a="" research="" need="" or="" question="" .="" the="" introduc="" tion="" articulat="" es="" how="" the="" paper="" will="" address="" the="" key="" question="" or="" issue="" being="" studied.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" refers="" to="" relevant,="" appropri="" ate="" scholarl="" y="" literatur="" e.="" rating="" a="" research="" need="" or="" question="" .="" the="" introduc="" tion="" articulat="" es="" how="" the="" paper="" will="" address="" the="" key="" question="" or="" issue="" being="" studied.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" refers="" to="" relevant,="" appropri="" ate="" scholarl="" y="" literatur="" e.="" by="" demonst="" rating="" a="" research="" need="" or="" question="" .="" the="" introduc="" tion="" articulat="" es="" how="" the="" paper="" will="" address="" the="" key="" question="" or="" issue="" being="" studied.="" the="" introduc="" tion="" refers="" to="" relevant,="" appropri="" ate="" scholarl="" y="" literatur="" e.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 4/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" argument="" and="" synthesis="" of="" knowledge="" 4040="" points="" the="" argument="" builds="" logically="" upon="" the="" thesis="" with="" research-="" based,="" discipline-="" appropriate="" supporting="" facts,="" evidence,="" and/or="" data.="" student="" clearly="" describes="" major="" methodologies="" and="" practices="" of="" the="" field="" and="" implements="" them="" in="" creative="" and="" innovative="" ways.="" the="" writing="" demonstrates="" the="" ability="" to="" interpret,="" analyze,="" and="" synthesize="" information="" to="" advance="" the="" argument.="" 32="" points="" minor="" gaps="" in="" logic="" and="" argument="" may="" appear.="" supporting="" facts,="" evidence,="" and/or="" data="" are="" evident.="" student="" describes="" major="" methodologies="" and="" practices="" of="" the="" field="" accurately,="" uses="" them="" appropriately="" in="" the="" project.="" the="" writing="" demonstrates="" the="" ability="" to="" interpret="" and="" analyze="" information="" to="" support="" the="" argument.="" 24="" points="" logical="" arguments="" may="" be="" one-sided,="" or="" incomplete,="" or="" may="" be="" based="" on="" inadequate="" sources.="" student="" describes="" major="" methodologies="" and/or="" practices="" of="" the="" field,="" but="" may="" have="" some="" omissions="" or="" problems="" in="" implementatio="" n="" (such="" as="" using="" an="" adequate="" methodology,="" rather="" than="" an="" exemplary="" one).="" the="" writing="" demonstrates="" the="" ability="" to="" summarize="" information="" that="" supports="" the="" argument.="" 16="" points="" fuzzy="" logic="" may="" be="" evident="" and="" adequate="" supporting="" evidence="" is="" lacking.="" student's="" work="" does="" not="" accurately="" or="" thoroughly="" describe="" the="" major="" methodologies="" and="" practices="" of="" the="" field,="" may="" implement="" them="" inappropriately="" .="" the="" writing="" demonstrates="" the="" ability="" to="" refer="" to="" external="" information="" with="" limited="" ability="" to="" support="" the="" argument.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 5/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" sources="" and="" support="" 1515="" points="" student="" communicates,="" organizes="" and="" synthesizes="" complex="" and="" contradictory="" information="" from="" multiple="" sources="" to="" advance="" knowledge="" in="" the="" discipline="" at="" a="" professional="" level.="" student="" accurately="" quotes,="" paraphrases,="" and="" cites="" information="" in="" ways="" that="" are="" true="" to="" the="" original="" context="" with="" no="" errors.="" 12="" points="" student="" clearly="" and="" effectively="" communicates,="" organizes="" and="" synthesizes="" complex="" and="" contradictory="" information="" from="" multiple="" sources="" to="" advance="" knowledge="" in="" the="" discipline.="" student="" quotes,="" paraphrases="" and="" cites="" information="" correctly="" and="" consistently,="" using="" information="" in="" ways="" that="" are="" true="" to="" the="" original="" context,="" with="" minimal="" errors.="" 9="" points="" student="" communicates="" results="" from="" various="" sources,="" but="" the="" information="" is="" not="" clearly="" and="" effectively="" communicated="" or="" does="" not="" advance="" knowledge="" in="" the="" discipline.="" student="" quotes,="" paraphrases="" and="" cites="" information="" mostly="" correctly="" and="" consistently,="" in="" ways="" that="" are="" largely="" true="" to="" the="" original="" context.="" 6="" points="" student="" does="" not="" adequately="" communicate,="" organize="" and/or="" synthesize="" information="" from="" sources="" and/or="" does="" not="" advance="" knowledge="" in="" the="" discipline.="" student="" quotes,="" paraphrases="" and="" cites="" information="" but="" may="" have="" many="" errors="" or="" use="" the="" information="" out="" of="" context.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 6/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" organization="" 1010="" points="" the="" writing="" flows="" smoothly="" and="" logically="" from="" a="" well-="" defined="" thesis.="" there="" is="" a="" coherence="" in="" each="" sentence="" and="" paragraph="" that="" relates="" clearly="" to="" the="" controlling="" idea="" using="" appropriate="" examples.="" the="" flow="" of="" information="" demonstrates="" logical="" reasoning="" without="" jumps="" or="" shifts.="" the="" writing="" contains="" a="" thorough="" introduction,="" body="" sections,="" conclusion,="" and="" smooth="" transitions.="" 8="" points="" the="" writing="" is="" organized="" logically="" and="" flows="" well.="" paragraphs="" are="" organized="" to="" fit="" the="" type="" of="" essay="" being="" written.="" the="" writing="" discusses="" each="" controlling="" idea="" using="" appropriate="" examples.="" the="" flow="" of="" information="" demonstrates="" logical="" reasoning="" with="" minor="" jumps="" or="" shifts.="" the="" writing="" contains="" an="" appropriate="" introduction,="" body="" sections,="" conclusion,="" and="" transitions.="" 6="" points="" the="" writing="" demonstrates="" rudimentary="" organization="" and="" logical="" structure,="" but="" ideas="" may="" be="" more="" fully="" developed="" and="" supported="" by="" more="" appropriate="" evidence.="" paragraphs="" are="" somewhat="" organized="" to="" fit="" the="" type="" of="" essay="" being="" written.="" the="" writing="" discusses="" the="" controlling="" idea="" using="" prescribed="" resources="" or="" examples.="" the="" writing="" contains="" a="" basic="" introduction="" and="" body="" sections,="" but="" may="" be="" missing="" a="" conclusion.="" there="" may="" be="" repetition="" of="" 4="" points="" the="" writing="" is="" noticeably="" lacking="" in="" organization.="" paragraphs="" are="" somewhat="" organized,="" at="" least="" by="" shape,="" to="" fit="" the="" type="" of="" essay="" being="" written.="" however,="" the="" writing="" lacks="" discussion="" of="" the="" proposed="" controlling="" idea.="" there="" may="" be="" repetition="" of="" thought="" or="" ideas.="" the="" writing="" contains="" some="" elements="" of="" the="" introduction="" and="" body="" sections,="" but="" may="" be="" missing="" a="" conclusion.="" transitions="" are="" not="" evident.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 7/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" thought="" or="" ideas.="" the="" coherence="" at="" times="" is="" choppy="" or="" flat.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 8/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" style="" 1010="" points="" the="" writing="" engages="" the="" reader="" through="" an="" original="" prose="" style="" appropriate="" to="" the="" subject.="" language="" is="" precise="" and="" uses="" terminology="" appropriate="" to="" the="" discipline.="" all="" sentences="" are="" solid="" and="" reflect="" mature="" writing.="" variety="" in="" sentence="" structure="" contributes="" to="" the="" logical="" flow="" and="" enhances="" readability.="" active="" voice="" and="" passive="" voice="" are="" used="" appropriately="" for="" the="" subject="" matter.="" 8="" points="" the="" writing="" keeps="" the="" reader’s="" attention="" through="" a="" carefully="" crafted="" prose="" style.="" language="" chosen="" is="" appropriate="" to="" the="" discipline,="" but="" may="" have="" minor="" errors="" in="" using="" terminology.="" sentences="" are="" strong="" in="" thought="" construct.="" variety="" in="" sentence="" structure="" contributes="" to="" the="" logical="" flow.="" active="" voice="" and="" passive="" voice="" are="" typically="" used="" appropriately="" for="" the="" subject="" matter.="" 6="" points="" the="" writing="" is="" clear="" but="" could="" be="" expressed="" in="" a="" terminology="" more="" appropriate="" to="" the="" subject.="" sentences="" are="" sometimes="" nonstandard="" or="" included="" fragments/run-="" ons.="" there="" is="" limited="" use="" of="" sentence="" variety="" for="" logical="" flow.="" active="" voice="" and="" passive="" voice="" are="" used="" inconsistently.="" 4="" points="" the="" writing="" lacks="" clarity="" and="" is="" sometimes="" confusing.="" the="" language="" chosen="" is="" not="" appropriate="" to="" the="" subject="" nor="" the="" assignment.="" sentences="" are="" often="" nonstandard="" and="" included="" fragments="" and="" run-ons.="" there="" is="" no="" evidence="" of="" sentence="" variety="" used="" for="" logical="" flow.="" active="" voice="" and="" passive="" voice="" are="" used="" inconsistently.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 9/10="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion="" score="" grammar="" and="" mechanics="" 1010="" points="" the="" writing="" is="" free="" of="" proofreading="" errors.="" the="" writing="" contains="" sentences="" that="" are="" always="" complete="" and="" grammatically="" correct,="" and="" free="" of="" confusion="" and="" ambiguity.="" 8="" points="" the="" writing="" may="" exhibit="" a="" few="" minor="" errors="" in="" proofreading,="" but="" they="" do="" not="" impair="" the="" flow="" of="" the="" reading.="" the="" writing="" contains="" sentences="" that="" are="" complete="" or="" which="" imply="" unstated="" connections="" and/or="" conclusions.="" 6="" points="" the="" writing="" could="" benefit="" from="" additional="" proofreading,="" as="" some="" errors="" impede="" the="" flow="" of="" the="" reading.="" the="" writing="" contains="" some="" grammatical="" errors="" easily="" corrected.="" additional="" proofreading="" would="" help="" eliminate="" errors.="" 4="" points="" the="" writing="" exhibits="" substantial="" errors="" in="" proofreading.="" the="" writing="" is="" confusing="" and="" ambiguous="" owing="" to="" substantial="" errors="" of="" grammar="" and="" syntax.="" there="" is="" no="" evidence="" of="" proofreading,="" editing,="" or="" rewriting.="" 3/2/23,="" 7:02="" pm="" essay="" -="" mgmt="" 640="" 9044="" financial="" decision="" making="" for="" managers="" (2232)="" -="" umgc="" learning="" management="" system="" https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db="1448704&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=732116" 10/10="" total="" 100="" overall="" score="" criteria="" exceptional="" (90%="" and="" above)="" good="" -="" meets="" expectations="" (80-89%)="" needs="" improvement="" (70-79%)="" unsatisfactory="">70%)><70%) criterion score formating / 55 points student provides a high-caliber, correctly formatted assignment in the assigned citation style. all citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 4 points assignment presents an above-average use of formatting skills with few errors in citation style. most citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 3 points appearance of final assignment demonstrates the student's limited ability to use appropriate citation style formatting. some citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 2 points appearance of the final assignment is distracting. the number of citation style formatting errors impedes easy reading. few citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. level 4 31 points minimum level 3 23 points minimum level 2 15 points minimum level 1 0 points minimum criterion="" score="" formating="" 55="" points="" student="" provides="" a="" high-caliber,="" correctly="" formatted="" assignment="" in="" the="" assigned="" citation="" style.="" all="" citations="" in="" the="" text="" and="" in="" the="" references="" are="" accurately="" cited="" in="" the="" appropriate="" style.="" 4="" points="" assignment="" presents="" an="" above-average="" use="" of="" formatting="" skills="" with="" few="" errors="" in="" citation="" style.="" most="" citations="" in="" the="" text="" and="" in="" the="" references="" are="" accurately="" cited="" in="" the="" appropriate="" style.="" 3="" points="" appearance="" of="" final="" assignment="" demonstrates="" the="" student's="" limited="" ability="" to="" use="" appropriate="" citation="" style="" formatting.="" some="" citations="" in="" the="" text="" and="" in="" the="" references="" are="" accurately="" cited="" in="" the="" appropriate="" style.="" 2="" points="" appearance="" of="" the="" final="" assignment="" is="" distracting.="" the="" number="" of="" citation="" style="" formatting="" errors="" impedes="" easy="" reading.="" few="" citations="" in="" the="" text="" and="" in="" the="" references="" are="" accurately="" cited="" in="" the="" appropriate="" style.="" level="" 4="" 31="" points="" minimum="" level="" 3="" 23="" points="" minimum="" level="" 2="" 15="" points="" minimum="" level="" 1="" 0="" points="">70%) criterion score formating / 55 points student provides a high-caliber, correctly formatted assignment in the assigned citation style. all citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 4 points assignment presents an above-average use of formatting skills with few errors in citation style. most citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 3 points appearance of final assignment demonstrates the student's limited ability to use appropriate citation style formatting. some citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. 2 points appearance of the final assignment is distracting. the number of citation style formatting errors impedes easy reading. few citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style. level 4 31 points minimum level 3 23 points minimum level 2 15 points minimum level 1 0 points minimum>