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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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%) 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="">