Financial Statement Analysis Module 6

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Alabama A&M University *

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ACC-450

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Accounting

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Jul 1, 2024

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MacKenzie Maddox June 20, 2024 Financial Statement Analysis Professor Hughes Integrative Case Study 6.1 A. Given your knowledge of Walmart’s key success and risk factors, use the note information described previously to evaluate Walmart’s accounting quality. a. Walmart’s accounting quality can be evaluated based on its changes in the following areas: assets, liabilities, and earnings to determine these adjustments are necessary for credit analysis and equity valuation. First, the information provided in the notes alludes to its success depending on low attractive prices for its consumers while simultaneously having its supply chain. The risks of this include inventory management and scale of operations. Accounting methods such as GAAP understand the risks, financial situations, and performance of the company. This provides investors a representation of a company’s anticipated earnings. Therefore, it appears Walmart’s accounting quality is decent and have disclosed important parts to facilitate economic decision process, significant policies and judgement. Secondly, focusing on the outlined groups of the accounting quality provides an explanation of each area of Walmart’s financial health. i. Assets: the reported inventory value of Walmart is the lower of its cost or market value. Walmart could value its inventory using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach or a specific identification method to improve inventory measurement since it utilizes a last-in, first-out method. ii. Liabilities: The long-term debt of Walmart is stated at face value. Walmart might evaluate its long-term debt using the present value of future cash flows method, which would improve the measurement of long-term debt. iii. If we take into consideration that Walmart's accounting policy does not create measures of assets and liabilities that represent financial reality and an assessment of net income that is anticipating future earnings, then we can recommend the following changes to improve accounting quality: 1. Earnings: Walmart values their inventory using the average cost approach, which may cause earnings to be overstated or understated. Walmart could value its inventory using the identification method or the FIFO approach to enhance the measuring of earnings. B. If you believe that Walmart’s accounting policy does not yield measurements of assets and liabilities that reflect economic reality and a measurement of net income that is predictive of future earnings, suggest any changes that you would make to assets, liabilities, and earnings to improve accounting quality. (At this point in your learning process, if you do not have specific numerical adjustments to propose, at least describe potential journal entries you would make to change the financial statements, if any, and what information you might need to make those entries.)
a. Walmart can improve its accounting quality in future earnings, relevant accounting policies and procedures and financial model software to implement higher quality accounting information to decrease biases and measuring inaccuracy while maximizing economic content. This can assist investors by identifying potential risks in the company as well as influencing Walmart to use the FIFO method to improve inventory measurement. Additionally, Walmart should consider disclosing its long-term debt using the present value of future cash flows rather than face value. C. Evaluate whether your proposed adjustments are necessary for (1) credit analysis and (2) equity valuation. a. In reviewing its business model, studies have shown that Walmart’s equity return has decreased over time based on after tax returns as they continue to use an antiquated business model. For instance, a 2.7% tax equity return on the market is not too attractive for investors since approximately 1.6% is distributed to dividends and the remainder is used to repurchase shares and support annual capital expenditures. However, its credit analysis indicates the rating agencies believe Walmart to be an attractive investment vehicle to conservative investor. Walmart’s credit ratings indicate the businesses can repay their debts, the higher the grade the safer the investment. Therefore, Walmart’s portfolio appears to be a safer investment and the adjustments improve the accuracy and improvement of the financial statements for the benefit of the credit analysis and equity valuation. Walmart: A Value Equation Forensic Analysis - Taking The Long View (NYSE:WMT) | Seeking Alpha
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