Principles of Accounting

ACCT-424 10-K Project Instructions
ACCT 424 SEC 10-K Report Project and Data Analytics Dashboard
UMGC’s accounting department curriculum requires an SEC 10-K Report Project in multiple courses from introductory to advanced-level courses, including:
ACCT 220: Principles of Accounting I / ACCT 221: Principles of Accounting II
ACCT 310: Intermediate Accounting I / ACCT 311: Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 321: Cost Accounting
ACCT 422: Auditing
ACCT 424: Advanced Accounting / ACCT 425: International Accounting
The UMGC Principles of Accounting I & II courses introduced you to specific components of an SEC 10-K Report as bases for fundamental financial ratio
analyses and interpretation of results for a selected corporation. In the more advanced accounting courses, including Intermediate Accounting I & II and
Advanced Accounting, you may delve deeper into analyzing financial statements, schedules, and notes to gain a more in-depth understanding of a
corporation through its SEC 10-K filing.
In Advanced Accounting, the SEC 10-K project focuses on US-Based Corporations with subsidiaries and an analytic data dashboard. These will be based on
information found in the financial statements, annual reports, and disclosures of the SEC 10-K filing of a U.S. corporation with subsidiaries and international
operations. Using knowledge learned in introductory accounting courses, you will: (1) review the SEC 10-K Report of a U.S. Corporation with subsidiaries; (2)
review their financial information for the prior two years and the current year; (3) use data analytic methodologies, present financial information for the
current fiscal year and the two prior years.
ACCT 424: Advanced Accounting SEC 10-K Project Requirements
Summary: This SEC 10-K project challenges you to review, analyze, and interpret financial statements and disclosures of a U.S. corporation with subsidiaries
headquartered in the U.S. To simulate processes used by practicing accountants, you present analyses and findings to the class and participate in a peerreview process in the Discussions area. The deliverables are in response to information and analysis requests by your supervisor.
Outcomes: Prepare discussion postings and reports on a U.S. publicly traded corporation with subsidiaries using its most current SEC 10-K report.
Competencies: Review consolidation information in an SEC 10-K filing for a U.S. corporation. Compare, interpret, and contrast the information available and
the approach taken for consolidation purposes.
Assessments: Assessments will include a Word document report, a PowerPoint presentation based on the Word document, and the Data Analytics
Dashboard.
Discussions Week 1-6:
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must include the name of your corporation in the SUBJECT line EVERY TIME you post information about your Corporation in ANY
Discussion. You must also post the DIRECT LINK and page number(s) at the end of your input to enable quick access to verify the information about your
corporation.
Week 1 Discussion: Choosing a corporation
You will select a publicly traded U.S. corporation with a subsidiary corporation and ask for approval from the Professor during Week 1.
The corporation must:
1) produce and sell goods
2) have an SEC 10-K Report for the current or most recent prior year
3) be among the Fortune 500 companies.
NOTE: To identify Fortune 500 companies click this link: http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/
The corporation may NOT:
1) be the same corporation you studied for SEC projects in previous classes
2) be the same corporation a classmate selected for this courseAccessing the SEC 10-K filings:
Visit the company website, look for Investor Relations (or about us, corporate information, etc.), and select Financial SEC Annual filing for the most recent
year. Drop-down menus usually appear. Often you will find the PDF version here plus the Excel version.
Step 1) Find your corporation’s ticker symbol by using a search engine, such as Google. Type the following into the search window: “Company name Ticker
Symbol.” For example, “Ford Ticker Symbol.”
Step 2) Go to http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html. On the right side, use Fast Search by typing the Corporation’s Ticker symbol and
clicking Search.
Step 3) On the “Edgar Search Results” page, scroll down the list of “Filings” to locate the “10-K” and click “Documents.”
Step 4) On the “Filing Detail” page, locate 10-K in the Descriiption column and click the hyperlink (red font) under the column labeled “Document.” This
website is the DIRECT LINK to the Corporation’s SEC 10-K report. Bookmark this SEC 10-K Website address for future reference.
Printing the SEC 10-K document is not recommended as it may be over 100 pages. You will need to download the two prior and current year annual reports.
Annual reports usually are shorter.
Reading an SEC 10-K Report:
The following link will access the SEC’s document: How to Read an SEC 10-K Report. http://www.sec.gov/answers/reada10k.htm
Weeks 2 through 5 Discussions:
A discussion topic related to the SEC 10-K project will be posted each week. Use the Weeks 1-6 Discussions postings strategically to prepare your Word
document report, Excel spreadsheet, and PowerPoint presentation drafts.
Use the Excel spreadsheet for supporting computations and schedules for vertical and horizontal analysis of consolidation impacts. You should always
show changes from the base year as percentages, so the spreadsheet can be a beneficial tool to support your Discussion postings over Weeks 2-5. Focus
exclusively on cost accounting-related information and ratios in your spreadsheet.
Week 6 Discussion Peer Review:
Step 1) Post your DRAFT PowerPoint in the Peer Review Discussions area. Provide DIRECT LINKS to your Corporation’s SEC 10-K, including a page for any
information cited in your posting.
Step 2) Download at least one of your classmates’ PowerPoint files and thoroughly check all information. Provide specific constructive feedback to your
classmate(s). NOTE: Cursory feedback such as excellent job and looks good will reduce your grade for the Week 6 Peer Review Discussion.
Step 3) Use your review of your classmates’ postings and your classmate’s feedback for your reports to make improvements in the drafts of your reports.
Week 7: Guidance for submission of the Word 10K report and PowerPoint files in the Assignments folder
The grading rubric found in the syllabus will be used to grade the deliverables for the project. Create, read, and edit your work. Explain the analyses in your
reports using your own words. If you use direct quotes or paraphrased content, provide links and/or parenthetical references for your sources. Copying
information from the Web and pasting it into LEO or a report does not count as space. Include APA references with any image you present but did not create.
Reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and discussion postings must comply with UMGC’s academic integrity policies.
1. Microsoft Word 10K report:
Estimated length: five to seven (5-7) pages
1-inch margins top & bottom; 1 to 1.25 inches on left & right sides
Line spacing: single spacing with double spacing between paragraphs
Font size: 12 CPI
Font style: Times New Roman
Save the file with YOUR NAME in the file name.
Example: YourNameSECreport.docx
2. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation:
Prepare your slides to make a formal presentation to the senior management team of your corporation. Be creative and present an overview and meaningful
consolidation information to support decision-making by corporate executives and other key personnel internally at your corporation. Use your judgment to
select the consolidation accounting-related highlights for your presentation. You may wish to add audio or to provide speakers notes for your presentation.