Question Details

Assume that you have just been hired as a financial consultant to a startup company that plans to introduce a new beverage to the soft drink market. Your company- product is advertised as a healthier alternative to soda and other artificially flavored drinks. The all-natural sparkling beverage has only 25 calories, 5 grams of sugar, no chemicals or preservatives, and comes in four fruit flavors: orange, pineapple, apple and grape.
Two years ago the product was introduced in Florida. A phenomenal growth in sales since its introduction demonstrates that the product and its marketing possess tremendous potential. Accordingly, the company wants to explore possibly expanding sales of the product to the rest of the U.S. market.
Although the company has been highly profitable, the management group has little to no financial experience. Most decisions to date have been made on the basis of ‘does it feel right’ as opposed to rigorous, data based financial analysis. The company has no system of financial oversight and the managers of the company have a limited understanding of sound management accounting practices.
You have been asked to provide the company with a general analysis of this proposed project. Your specific task is to produce a report discussing the following key aspects of this expansion project:
A microeconomic analysis of the current state of the soft drink market in the U.S. and how any recent developing trends may affect the demand for this product.
A macroeconomic analysis of the state of the U.S. economy and the impact this may have on the demand for this new product.
A list of key management accounting practices that the company must put in place to support their planned expansion. Each item you list must be fully explained to the management group so they understand how and why the practice is necessary to manage the growth that will come with expansion of the product to different states. Be sure to consider the fact that the company will need outside financing and may even consider the possibility of going public in order to sell its stock on an exchange.
Based on the quality of your report, the management group will decide whether or not to hire you to then help them develop a full capital budgeting plan for this project. Because this is something you would like to do, mainly because capital budgeting consulting pays extremely well, you want to make sure your report is well written, organized, professional and convincing.
Length: 6-8 pages not including title page and references
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
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Signature Assignment Evaluation Criteria
The following shows the criteria used to grade this assignment.
Assignment Item
Not completed
Minimal
Acceptable
Exemplary
Microeconomic analysis of the soft drink market
Not attempted, or totally incorrect
(0 points)
Some parts of the microeconomic analysis are identified.
(2 points)
Most parts of the microeconomic analysis are identified.
(4 points)
All required parts of the microeconomic analysis are identified.
(5 points)
Macroeconomic analysis of the U.S. economy
Not attempted, or totally incorrect
(0 points)
Some parts of the macroeconomic analysis are identified.
(2 points)
Most parts of the macroeconomic analysis are identified.
(4 points)
All required parts of the macroeconomic analysis are identified.
(5 points)
Management accounting practices for the planned expansion
Not attempted, or totally incorrect
(0 points)
Some parts of the management accounting practices are identified.
(2 points)
Most parts of the management accounting practices are identified.
(4 points)
All required parts of the management accounting practices are identified.
(5 points)
Grammar/Spelling/APA formatting
Not attempted, or many grammar/spelling/APA errors
(0 points)
Several grammar/spelling/APA errors
(2 points)
A few grammar/spelling/APA errors
(4 points)
No grammar/spelling/APA errors.
(5 points)
Total
0
8
16
20

Include a conclusion page.

References:

Lopez, O., & Hiebl, M. (2015). Management accounting in small and medium-sized enterprises: Current knowledge and avenues for further research.
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Ethics in Corporate America: A Crisis of Credibility (2002). [Motion Picture]. Films Media Group.
http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=6281&xtid=31489

Financial Management and the Planning Cycle (2011). [Motion Picture]. Films Media Group.
http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=6281&xtid=44680&loid=117360