You have been asked to write a report to the board of directors of one of the selected companies below as
part of the interview process for your first appointment as a Finance Director of a company listed on AIM
(which is the Alternative Investment Market for small companies) within the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The board of directors have asked you to write a report about your vision and strategic financial goals for the
company.
The companies are within a selected sector of the AIM. Assume that your selected company has ambitions
and plans to become a FTSE 100 (the largest UK listed companies) company in the near future.
Guide:
You need to introduce the company, discuss the product or services, location, turnover, number of
employees, etc. The report should be maximum 2,500 words (+/- 10%). Remember you need to make an
impression on the board of directors for you to be considered for the critical post of Finance Director.
The essence of this assignment is to test your knowledge and understanding of key accounting and
corporate governance concepts, theories and tools and ability to present data in a concise manner.
Required:
You have been asked to write a report to the board of directors of one of the selected companies below as
part of the interview process for your first appointment as a Finance Director of a AIM company. The board of
directors have asked you to write a report about your vision and strategic financial goals for the company.
The companies are within the AIM index. Assume that your selected company wants to become a FTSE 100
(the largest UK listed companies) company in the near future.
Additional Guidance
You need to introduce the company, discuss the product or services, location, turnover, number of
employees, the contribution of the sector to the UK economy. To analyse, you need to compare the financial
data / ratios of your selected company with either a competitor within the sector or the average of the sector.
The report should be maximum 2,500 words. Remember you need to make an impression on the board of
directors for you to be considered for the critical post of Finance Director.
Section A- 2000 words.
1. Analyse the performance of your chosen company using relevant financial and non-financial ratios (5
years). Your analysis should include profit ratios, efficiency, liquidity and other ratios that you
consider relevant.
Section B 500 words
1. Critically evaluate the company’s corporate governance compliance and its impact on the brand and
reputation as reported in the press (print, online and social media)
2. Discuss the proposed medium term financial strategies for your selected company to become a
company to become dominant in the industry / sector.
(a) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and role of the finance professional
and how financial control processes impact on the organisation and its stakeholders.
(b) Critically evaluate the impact of the external context on the financial domain, both
domestically and internationally.
(c) Identify, critically appraise and analyse the content, relevance and use of key financial
accounting information and techniques, both within organisations and by reference to
relevant research.
(d) Demonstrate the ability to evaluate critically and communicate effectively the financial
performance of an organisation by reference to internal or published financial information.
