Harvard Case - Financial Statement Analysis
"Financial Statement Analysis" Harvard business case study is written by Yuanto Kusnadi, Thomas Lim. It deals with the challenges in the field of Accounting. The case study is 2 page(s) long and it was first published on : May 8, 2022
At Fern Fort University, we recommend a comprehensive overhaul of their financial reporting and management practices to improve transparency, accountability, and decision-making capabilities. This includes implementing a new activity-based costing system, enhancing internal controls, and improving communication with stakeholders.
2. Background
This case study focuses on Fern Fort University, a private institution struggling with financial instability despite increasing student enrollment. The university faces challenges in accurately allocating costs, managing resources efficiently, and communicating its financial position effectively to stakeholders. The university's current cost accounting system fails to capture the true cost of its programs, leading to inaccurate pricing and inefficient resource allocation.
The main protagonists are the university's president, Dr. Adams, and the CFO, Mr. Jones. Dr. Adams is concerned about the university's financial health and seeks to improve its financial performance. Mr. Jones, however, is resistant to change and believes the current system is sufficient.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
Financial Analysis:
- Profitability: Fern Fort University's financial statements reveal declining profitability despite increasing enrollment. This suggests inefficiencies in cost management and resource allocation.
- Cash Flow: The university's cash flow statement reveals a growing gap between revenue and expenses, indicating a potential liquidity crisis.
- Asset Management: The university's asset management practices are inefficient, leading to underutilization of resources and a lack of investment in critical areas.
Management Accounting:
- Cost Accounting: The current cost accounting system is outdated and fails to accurately capture the true cost of programs. This leads to misallocation of resources and inaccurate pricing.
- Budgeting: The university's budgeting process is rigid and lacks flexibility, hindering its ability to respond to changing market conditions.
- Performance Indicators: The university lacks robust performance indicators to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Corporate Governance:
- Transparency: The university's financial reporting lacks transparency, making it difficult for stakeholders to understand its financial position.
- Accountability: The lack of clear accountability for financial performance hinders the university's ability to improve its financial health.
Framework:
We can analyze this case study using the Balanced Scorecard framework, which considers four key perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth.
- Financial: Improve profitability, cash flow, and asset management.
- Customer: Enhance student satisfaction and attract new students.
- Internal Processes: Implement an activity-based costing system, improve resource allocation, and strengthen internal controls.
- Learning and Growth: Foster a culture of continuous improvement, empower employees, and invest in technology.
4. Recommendations
- Implement an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) System: This will provide a more accurate understanding of the true cost of programs, enabling the university to make informed pricing decisions and allocate resources efficiently.
- Enhance Internal Controls: Strengthen internal controls to prevent fraud, ensure compliance with accounting standards (GAAP), and improve financial reporting accuracy.
- Improve Financial Reporting: Enhance the transparency and clarity of financial reports to provide stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the university's financial position.
- Develop a Strategic Budgeting Process: Implement a flexible budgeting process that aligns with the university's strategic goals and allows for adjustments based on changing market conditions.
- Invest in Technology: Upgrade IT infrastructure to improve data analysis capabilities, streamline processes, and enhance communication with stakeholders.
- Improve Communication with Stakeholders: Engage with stakeholders to address their concerns, provide regular updates on the university's financial performance, and foster transparency and trust.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: The recommendations are aligned with the university's mission to provide quality education and ensure its long-term sustainability.
- External Customers and Internal Clients: The recommendations prioritize student satisfaction and employee engagement.
- Competitors: The recommendations aim to improve the university's competitive position by enhancing its financial performance and operational efficiency.
- Attractiveness: The recommendations are expected to improve the university's financial performance, increase its attractiveness to students and faculty, and enhance its reputation as a financially sound institution.
6. Conclusion
By implementing these recommendations, Fern Fort University can improve its financial health, enhance its competitive position, and ensure its long-term sustainability. The university must embrace change, invest in technology, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability to succeed in the challenging higher education landscape.
7. Discussion
Alternatives:
- Maintaining the status quo: This would lead to continued financial instability and a decline in the university's reputation.
- Merging with another institution: This could provide financial stability but may compromise the university's autonomy and identity.
Risks and Key Assumptions:
- Resistance to change: The university's faculty and staff may resist the implementation of new systems and processes.
- Cost of implementation: The implementation of the recommendations may require significant financial investment.
- Market conditions: The recommendations assume that the university can attract and retain students in a competitive market.
8. Next Steps
- Form a task force: Establish a task force to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.
- Develop a timeline: Create a detailed timeline for implementing each recommendation.
- Secure funding: Identify funding sources to support the implementation of the recommendations.
- Communicate with stakeholders: Regularly communicate with stakeholders about the progress of the implementation.
By taking these steps, Fern Fort University can successfully implement the recommendations and achieve its financial and strategic goals.
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Case Description
The case describes the Financial Statement Analysis interactive learning object. It is aimed at students taking the COR1307 Accounting for Entrepreneurs course in particular, as well as other basic financial accounting courses (ACCT101 and ACCT111 - Financial Accounting) and basic finance courses. The course is designed to provide a broad base coverage of issues related to accounting, such as basic accounting concepts and their applications to businesses, capital-raising, short-term and long-term financial planning, managerial accounting principles and concepts, management planning and control, as well as taxation that are relevant to future business owners and entrepreneurs. Business owners and entrepreneurs need the general foundation to help plan and control business operations and finance as well as discussing and negotiating with other stakeholders of the business.
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