Enforcement Of Accounting Standards

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Question:

Discuss about the Enforcement of Accounting Standards.
 
 

Answer:

Introduction:

Analysing over the financial terminology and techniques are required for every organization. It assists the company to analyze various aspects and the position of the comapny in terms of finance. Financial analysis could be done by the chief financial officer of an organization through using the various methods and the techniques. According to the Higgins (2012), financial analysis could be done through trend analysis, horizontal analysis, ratio analysis, capital budgeting analysis, capital structure analysis, cost of company analysis, WACC analysis etc. Further, it has also been found that analyzing the market and making a better decision according to the economy position is also required for a business.

In this report, it has been analyzed that how the financial terminology and techniques assist an organization to make various better decisions. Further, it has also been analyzed that how the audited financial statements affects the decisions and the choices of the investors and financial analysts about the investment in the company. More, for preparing this report, Unilever Limited has been taken into consideration. The study of management and financial accounting has been done over the company to make better decision about the performance and the position of the company (Fulin, 2011).

Firstly, the audited financial statement of the company has been analyzed and further, the study has been conducted over the various strategies and policies to analyze the performance of the company. This report would depict about the various problems which has been faced by the company and the way through which, these problems could be overcome by the company. Further, it has also been found that the management and financial accounting evaluation assist a company to make various better choices.

Company and industry overview:

Unilever N.V. is a consumer goods company. Headquarter of the company is in Britain. This company has various subsidiaries companies which are performing their operations into various other countries. The main products of the Unilever are beverages, food products, personal care products, cleaning agents etc. According to the current report, it has been found that this company is the largest company in segment of consumer goods. This company is one of the oldest global companies (Morningstar, 2017). Currently, this company is performing in 190 countries and the diversification of the company is still ongoing. Further, it has also been analyzed that the 400 brands are owned by this company and the turnover of the company was Euro 50 billion in 2016 (Engle and Hunton, 2015). Further, the study has been done over consumer goods industry of company and it has been found that this industry is continuously enhancing its business. Growth rate of consumer goods industry is quite attractive. Future trends of the industry explain that position of the industry would be superior in near future. 

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Further, the study has been done over financial statement of the company to analyze the performance and stability and profitability position of the company. This study has been done to analyze the position and the strategy of the company. In this report, various managerial accounting and financial accounting methods have been conducted over the company to analyze the performance and the position of the company (Elmuti and Kathawala, 2001).

 

Following are the audited financial statement of the company:

UNILEVER NV ADR  (UN) CashFlowFlag INCOME STATEMENT

Fiscal year ends in December. EUR in thousands except per share data.

2014-12

2015-12

2016-12

Revenue

48436000

53272000

52713000

Cost of revenue

   

30229000

Gross profit

48436000

53272000

22484000

Operating expenses

   

 

Sales, General and administrative

 

14683000

Total operating expenses

 

14683000

Operating income

48436000

53272000

7801000

Interest Expense

   

568000

Other income (expense)

-40790000

-46052000

236000

Income before taxes

7646000

7220000

7469000

Provision for income taxes

2131000

1961000

1922000

Net income from continuing operations

5515000

5259000

5547000

Other

-344000

-350000

-363000

Net income

5171000

4909000

5184000

Net income available to common shareholders

5171000

4909000

5184000

Earnings per share

   

 

Basic

1.82

1.73

1.83

Diluted

1.79

1.72

1.82

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

Basic

2841209

2837572

2840200

Diluted

2888827

2854070

2853900

EBITDA

7980000

7515000

9501000

UNILEVER NV ADR  (UN) CashFlowFlag BALANCE SHEET

Fiscal year ends in December. EUR in thousands except per share data.

2014-12

2015-12

2016-12

Assets

   

 

Current assets

   

 

Cash

   

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

3382000

Short-term investments

   

599000

Total cash

   

3981000

Receivables

5310000

5034000

3329000

Inventories

   

4278000

Deferred income taxes

   

 

Other current assets

7037000

7652000

2296000

Total current assets

12347000

12686000

13884000

Non-current assets

   

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

Gross property, plant and equipment

 

21207000

Accumulated Depreciation

 

-9534000

Net property, plant and equipment

 

11673000

Equity and other investments

 

760000

Goodwill

   

17624000

Intangible assets

22174000

25059000

9809000

Deferred income taxes

1286000

1185000

1354000

Prepaid pension benefit

   

694000

Other long-term assets

12220000

13368000

631000

Total non-current assets

35680000

39612000

42545000

Total assets

48027000

52298000

56429000

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

Liabilities

   

 

Current liabilities

   

 

Short-term debt

   

5266000

Capital leases

   

9000

Accounts payable

 

13788000

8591000

Taxes payable

1081000

1127000

1312000

Accrued liabilities

   

3655000

Other current liabilities

18561000

5104000

1723000

Total current liabilities

19642000

20019000

20556000

Non-current liabilities

   

 

Long-term debt

   

10933000

Capital leases

   

134000

Deferred taxes liabilities

   

2061000

Accrued liabilities

   

159000

Pensions and other benefits

3947000

3254000

3867000

Minority interest

612000

643000

626000

Other long-term liabilities

10175000

12943000

1739000

Total non-current liabilities

14734000

16840000

19519000

Total liabilities

34376000

36859000

40075000

Stockholders’ equity

   

 

Common stock

   

484000

Additional paid-in capital

 

134000

Retained earnings

   

23179000

Accumulated other comprehensive income

13651000

15439000

-7443000

Total stockholders’ equity

13651000

15439000

16354000

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

48027000

52298000

56429000

UNILEVER NV ADR  (UN) Statement of  CASH FLOW

Fiscal year ends in December. EUR in thousands except per share data.

2014-12

2015-12

2016-12

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

 

Net income

   

5547000

Depreciation & amortization

 

1464000

Stock based compensation

 

198000

Inventory

   

190000

Accounts payable

   

-281000

Other working capital

   

142000

Other non-cash items

5543000

7330000

-213000

Net cash provided by operating activities

5543000

7330000

7047000

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

 

Investments in property, plant, and equipment

 

-1804000

Property, plant, and equipment reductions

 

158000

Acquisitions, net

   

-1701000

Purchases of investments

 

-208000

Sales/Maturities of investments

 

173000

Purchases of intangibles

   

-232000

Other investing activities

-341000

-3539000

426000

Net cash used for investing activities

-341000

-3539000

-3188000

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

 

Debt issued

   

6761000

Debt repayment

   

-5248000

Common stock repurchased

 

 

Dividend paid

   

-4081000

Other financing activities

-5190000

-3032000

-505000

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

-5190000

-3032000

-3073000

Effect of exchange rate changes

-146000

-541000

284000

Net change in cash

-134000

218000

1070000

Cash at beginning of period

2044000

1910000

2128000

Cash at end of period

1910000

2128000

3198000

Free Cash Flow

   

 

Operating cash flow

5543000

7330000

7047000

Capital expenditure

   

-2036000

Free cash flow

5543000

7330000

5011000

Through analyzing the above statement of the company, it has been found that the position of the company has been enhanced in last 3 years. Through the analysis over the statement of the company, it has been found that various changes have taken position into the performance of the company. Through the income statement of the company, it has been found that the revenues of the company have been highest in 2015. Further, it has also been found that the net income of the company is highest in 2016 (Dyckman and Zeff, 2014). More, through this study, it has also been found that the earnings of the company are highest in 2016. Through the entire evaluation over the income statement of the company, it has also been found that the performance and the profitability position of the company have been enhanced in last 3 years.

 

For analyzing the performance of the company in a decent way, trend analysis and vertical analysis study has also been done over company. (Calculations have been given in appendix). Through the vertical analysis calculations, it has been found that income statement of the company expresses that the level of expenses of the company has been lower from 2015 and 2014 in 2016 in context of total revenues of the company. Further, the analysis explains that net income of the company has also been enhanced in 2016. The current net profit margin of the company is 9.83% which used to be 9.21% in 2015 (Deegan, 2017).

Further, the horizontal analysis of the company explains that the changes are quite higher in the income statement of the company. The gross profit of the company has been lower in 2016 by 57.79%. Though, the expenses of the company has also been lower and lastly, the analysis over net profit of the company explains that the total profit of the company has been enhanced by 5.90% in 2016. And it expresses that the position of the company has been superior from last 2 years.

Further, the balance sheet of the company has been evaluated and it has been found that the total assets of the company have been highest in 2016. Further, it has also been found that the total liabilities of the company are highest in 2016 (Du and Girma, 2009). More, through this study, it has also been found that the total stockholder’s equity of the company is highest in 2016. Through the entire evaluation over the balance sheet of the company, it has also been found that the performance and the profitability position of the company have been enhanced in last 3 years (Deegan, 2013). 

In addition, for analyzing the performance and worth of the company, trend analysis and vertical analysis study has also been done over company. (Calculations have been given in appendix). Through the vertical analysis calculations, it has been found that balance sheet of the company expresses that the level of current assets of the company has been enhanced from 2015 and 2014 in 2016 in context of total assets of the company. Further, the analysis explains that shareholder equity of the company has been lowered a bit in 2016. On the other hand, total liabilities of the company have also been enhanced and depict about a better position of the company.

Further, the horizontal analysis of the company explains that the changes are quite higher in the balance sheet of the company. The total assets of the company have been enhanced in 2016 by 7.9% (Appendix). Though, the total liabilities of the company have also been enhanced by 8.73% and lastly, the analysis over total shareholder equity of the company explains that the enhancement rate of equity of the company is 7.90% in 2016. And it expresses that the position of the company has been superior from last 2 years (Deegan, 2013).

Lastly, the cash flow statement of the company has been evaluated and it has been found that the total operating cash flow of the company have been highest in 2016. Further, it has also been found that the investing cash flow of the company is lowest in 2016. More, through this study, it has also been found that the total financing activities of the company is lowest in 2016 (De Haan and Amtenbrink, 2011). Through the entire evaluation over the cash flow statement of the company, it has also been found that the performance and the profitability position of the company have been enhanced in last 3 years.

Evaluation of financial performance:

Further, the evaluation study has been done over the financial data of the company to evaluate the performance of the company and it has been analyzed that the following changes have taken place into the position of the company in last 3 years:

Financial Data

Description

 

Unilever Limited (Euro)

 

 

2014

2015

2016

Revenue

 

       4,84,36,000

     5,32,72,000

     5,27,13,000

Cost of goods sold

 

                       –  

                    –  

     3,02,29,000

Gross profit

 

       4,84,36,000

     5,32,72,000

     2,24,84,000

Operating profit

 

       4,84,36,000

     5,32,72,000

        78,01,000

Net profit

 

          51,71,000

        49,09,000

        51,84,000

Inventory

 

                       –  

                    –  

        42,78,000

Current assets

 

       1,23,47,000

     1,26,86,000

     1,38,84,000

Receivables

 

          53,10,000

        50,34,000

        33,29,000

Current liabilities

 

       1,96,42,000

     2,00,19,000

     2,05,56,000

Payables

 

                       –  

     1,37,88,000

        85,91,000

Equity

 

       1,36,51,000

     1,54,39,000

     1,63,54,000

Total liabilities

 

       3,43,76,000

     3,68,59,000

     4,00,75,000

Total assets

 

       4,80,27,000

     5,22,98,000

     5,64,29,000

Description

Formula

Unilever Limited

 

 

2014

2015

2016

Profitability

 

 

 

 

Net margin

Net profit/revenues

10.68%

9.21%

9.83%

Return on equity

Net profit/Equity (Arnold, 2013)

37.88%

31.80%

31.70%

Liquidity

 

 

 

 

Current ratio

Current assets/current liabilities

                   0.63

                 0.63

                 0.68

Quick Ratio

Current assets-Inventory/current liabilities

                   0.63

                 0.63

                 0.47

Efficiency

 

 

 

 

Receivables collection period

Receivables/ Total sales*365

                 40.01

               34.49

               23.05

Payables collection period

Payables/ Cost of sales*365

 

 

             103.73

Asset turnover ratio

Total sales/ Total assets

                   1.01

                 1.02

                 0.93

Solvency

 

 

 

 

Debt to Equity Ratio

Debt/ Equity

                   2.52

                 2.39

                 2.45

Debt to assets

Debt/ Total assets

                   0.72

                 0.70

                 0.71

(De Haan and Amtenbrink, 2011)

Through, the above analysis of the company, it has been found that the liquidity position of the company has been changed from 2014 in 2016. This analysis depict that the current position of the liquidity of the company has been changed and it has been better in 2016 (Deegan, 2013). Further, it has also been found that the profitability position of the company has been changed from 2014 in 2016. This analysis depict that the current position of the profitability of the company has been changed and the current position of the company has been lowered in 2016 than 2014 and 2015 (Bertomeu, Darrough and Xue, 2017).

More, the efficiency position and solvency position of the company has also been analyzed and it has been found that the efficiency position of the company has been better than last years (Davies and Crawford, 2011). The cash conversion cycle of the company has also been better. More, it has been found that the working capital of the company has also been better in 2016. Lastly, the solvency position of the company has also been analyzed and it has been found that the debt position, equity positive, total assets position etc of the company has been improved in 2016 than last 3 years (Brealey, Myers and Marcus, 2007).

Through the above analysis, it has been found that the performance and the position of the company on various levels have been better (Borio, 2014). Still, the company is suggested to make few changes into the performance of the company.

Further, the strategic position of the company has been analyzed and for analyzing the strategic position of the company, trend analysis has also been done over the company. Following are the calculations of the strategic position of the company:

UNILEVER NV ADR  (UN) CashFlowFlag INCOME STATEMENT

Fiscal year ends in December. EUR in thousands except per share data.

2014-12

 

2015-12

 

2016-12

Revenue

48436000

9.98%

53272000

-1.05%

52713000

Cost of revenue

       

30229000

Gross profit

48436000

9.98%

53272000

-57.79%

22484000

Operating expenses

       

 

Sales, General and administrative

     

14683000

Total operating expenses

       

14683000

Operating income

48436000

9.98%

53272000

-85.36%

7801000

Interest Expense

       

568000

Other income (expense)

-40790000

12.90%

-46052000

-100.51%

236000

Income before taxes

7646000

-5.57%

7220000

3.45%

7469000

Provision for income taxes

2131000

-7.98%

1961000

-1.99%

1922000

Net income from continuing operations

5515000

-4.64%

5259000

5.48%

5547000

Other

-344000

1.74%

-350000

3.71%

-363000

Net income

5171000

-5.07%

4909000

5.60%

5184000

Net income available to common shareholders

5171000

-5.07%

4909000

5.60%

5184000

Earnings per share

       

 

Basic

1.82

-4.95%

1.73

5.78%

1.83

Diluted

1.79

-3.91%

1.72

5.81%

1.82

Weighted average shares outstanding

     

 

Basic

2841209

-0.13%

2837572

0.09%

2840200

Diluted

2888827

-1.20%

2854070

-0.01%

2853900

EBITDA

7980000

-5.83%

7515000

26.43%

9501000

UNILEVER NV ADR  (UN) CashFlowFlag BALANCE SHEET

Fiscal year ends in December. EUR in thousands except per share data.

2014-12

 

2015-12

 

2016-12

Assets

       

 

Current assets

       

 

Cash

       

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     

3382000

Short-term investments

     

599000

Total cash

       

3981000

Receivables

5310000

-5.20%

5034000

-33.87%

3329000

Inventories

       

4278000

Deferred income taxes

     

 

Other current assets

7037000

8.74%

7652000

-69.99%

2296000

Total current assets

12347000

2.75%

12686000

9.44%

13884000

Non-current assets

     

 

Property, plant and equipment

     

 

Gross property, plant and equipment

   

21207000

Accumulated Depreciation

     

-9534000

Net property, plant and equipment

   

11673000

Equity and other investments

     

760000

Goodwill

       

17624000

Intangible assets

22174000

13.01%

25059000

-60.86%

9809000

Deferred income taxes

1286000

-7.85%

1185000

14.26%

1354000

Prepaid pension benefit

     

694000

Other long-term assets

12220000

9.39%

13368000

-95.28%

631000

Total non-current assets

35680000

11.02%

39612000

7.40%

42545000

Total assets

48027000

8.89%

52298000

7.90%

56429000

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   

 

Liabilities

       

 

Current liabilities

     

 

Short-term debt

       

5266000

Capital leases

       

9000

Accounts payable

 

13788000

 

8591000

Taxes payable

1081000

4.26%

1127000

16.42%

1312000

Accrued liabilities

     

3655000

Other current liabilities

18561000

-72.50%

5104000

-66.24%

1723000

Total current liabilities

19642000

1.92%

20019000

2.68%

20556000

Non-current liabilities

     

 

Long-term debt

       

10933000

Capital leases

       

134000

Deferred taxes liabilities

     

2061000

Accrued liabilities

     

159000

Pensions and other benefits

3947000

-17.56%

3254000

18.84%

3867000

Minority interest

612000

5.07%

643000

-2.64%

626000

Other long-term liabilities

10175000

27.20%

12943000

-86.56%

1739000

Total non-current liabilities

14734000

14.29%

16840000

15.91%

19519000

Total liabilities

34376000

7.22%

36859000

8.73%

40075000

Stockholders’ equity

     

 

Common stock

       

484000

Additional paid-in capital

     

134000

Retained earnings

     

23179000

Accumulated other comprehensive income

13651000

13.10%

15439000

-148.21%

-7443000

Total stockholders’ equity

13651000

13.10%

15439000

5.93%

16354000

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

48027000

8.89%

52298000

7.90%

56429000

(Brigham and Ehrhardt, 2013)

Through the above analysis, it has been found that this company is required to enhance the total current assets to manage the liquid position of the company (Brigham and Michael, 2013). Further, the chief financial officer of the company is required to evaluate the internal and external aspect and the market situation to make a better position of the company in the market. The costing of the product must be enhanced by the company to manage the revenues of the company (Brigham and Houston,  2012). Further, it has also been analyzed that the cash flow of the company is negative and thus the financial officer of the company must make the new strategies and policies to manage the cash conversion cycle of the company (Bromwich and Bhimani, 2005). This would help the comapny to enhance the cash flow of the comapny as well.

More, through the above analysis, it has also been found that the various positions of the company have been changed in last 2 years (Brown, Preiato and Tarca, 2014). More, it has been found that the new policies and strategise are required to be done by the chief financial officer to manage the position of the company and this new policies would also help the company to make the performance of the company better (Bui, Petersen, Poulsen and Gazerani, 2016).

Conclusion:

Further, through this study, it has also been found that this company is required to enhance the total current assets to manage the liquid position of the company. Further, the chief financial officer of the company is required to evaluate the internal and external aspect and the market situation to make a better position of the company in the market. The costing of the product must be enhanced by the company to manage the revenues of the company. Further, it has also been analyzed that the cash flow of the company is negative and thus the financial officer of the company must make the new strategies and policies to manage the cash conversion cycle of the company. This would also help the comapny to enhance the cash flow.

More, through the above analysis, it has also been found that the various positions of the company have been changed in last 2 years. More, it has been found that the new policies and strategise are required to be done by the chief financial officer to manage the position of the company and this new policies would also help the company to make the performance of the company better. Uniliver NV is managing its business and the performance in improved manner and few changes into position of the company would help the company more t increase the position of the company in the market.

 

References:

Arnold, G., 2013. Corporate financial management. Pearson Higher Ed.

Bertomeu, J., Darrough, M. and Xue, W., 2017. Optimal conservatism with earnings manipulation. Contemporary Accounting Research, 34(1), pp.252-284.

Borio, C., 2014. The financial cycle and macroeconomics: What have we learnt?. Journal of Banking & Finance, 45, pp.182-198.

Brealey, R., Myers, S.C. and Marcus, A.J., 2007. FundamentalsofCorporate Finance. Mc Graw Hill, New York.

Brigham, E.F. and Ehrhardt, M.C., 2013. Financial management: Theory & practice. Cengage Learning.

Brigham, F., and Houston.J. 2012. Fundamentals of financial management. Cengage Learning.

Brigham, F., and Michael C. 2013. Financial management: Theory & practice. Cengage Learning.

Bromwich, M. and Bhimani, A., 2005. Management accounting: Pathways to progress. Cima publishing.

Brown, P., Preiato, J. and Tarca, A., 2014. Measuring country differences in enforcement of accounting standards: An audit and enforcement proxy. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 41(1-2), pp.1-52.

Bui, S.B.D., Petersen, T., Poulsen, J.N. and Gazerani, P., 2016. Headaches attributed to airplane travel: a Danish survey. The journal of headache and pain, 17(1), p.33.

Davies, T. and Crawford, I., 2011. Business accounting and finance. Pearson.

Davies, T. and Crawford, I., 2011. Business accounting and finance. Pearson.

De Haan, J. and Amtenbrink, F., 2011. Credit rating agencies.

Deegan, C., 2013. Financial accounting theory. McGraw-Hill Education Australia.

Deegan, C., 2017. Twenty five years of social and environmental accounting research within Critical Perspectives of Accounting: Hits, misses and ways forward. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 43, pp.65-87.  

Du, J. and Girma, S., 2009. Source of finance, growth and firm size: evidence from China (No. 2009.03). Research paper/UNU-WIDER.

Dyckman, T.R. and Zeff, S.A., 2014. Some methodological deficiencies in empirical research articles in accounting. Accounting Horizons, 28(3), pp.695-712.

Elmuti, D. & Kathawala, Y. 2001. “An overview of strategic alliances”. Management Decision, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 205-217.

Engle, T.J. and Hunton, J.E., 2015. Retraction: The Effects of Small Monetary Incentives on Response Quality and Rates in the Positive Confirmation of Account Receivable Balances. AUDITING: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 34(3), pp.201-201.

Fulin, S. 2011. Preface by SHANG Fulin. Corporate Governance of Listed Companies in China, 9-10.

Gitman, L.J. and Zutter, C.J., 2012. Principles of managerial finance. Prentice Hall.

Higgins, R. C., 2012. Analysis for financial management. McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Morningstar. 2017. Unilever NV. Retrieved from https://financials.morningstar.com/income-statement/is.html?t=UN&region=usa&culture=en-US available as on 26th Nov 2017.

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Our Guarantees

Delivering a high-quality product at a reasonable price is not enough anymore.
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Money-back guarantee

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Zero-plagiarism guarantee

Each paper is composed from scratch, according to your instructions. It is then checked by our plagiarism-detection software. There is no gap where plagiarism could squeeze in.

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Free-revision policy

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Fair-cooperation guarantee

By sending us your money, you buy the service we provide. Check out our terms and conditions if you prefer business talks to be laid out in official language.

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