DB4

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CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice *

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Course

270

Subject

Finance

Date

Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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2

Uploaded by EarlRamPerson504

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1. Relative to the 2024 budget projections, how did the company perform in 2024? Why do you say that? In 2024, Lucy and Eleanor's Dance and Gymnastics Studio demonstrated a commendable performance, despite falling slightly short of expectations. The company managed to achieve a net income that exceeded the budgeted amount, albeit by a modest margin. The actual net income of $18,794.97 surpassed the estimated net income of $18,354.36 by $440.61 or 2.4%. While the net sales fell slightly short of the projected 15% increase, with a deficit of $353.75, the company effectively mitigated this shortfall through prudent management of expenses, particularly personnel expenses. Personnel expenses were $504.45 lower than estimated, primarily due to actual employee wages being less than projected by $667. Additionally, interest income exceeded the projected increase by $201.42, further contributing to the favorable overall performance. Thus, despite not fully meeting all budget projections, the company's ability to control expenses and generate higher-than-expected income in certain areas resulted in a positive net income, indicating a resilient performance for the fiscal year. 2. Make recommendations for producing the 2025 budget. For the 2025 budget, several recommendations can be made based on the insights gained from the performance in 2024: a. Refine Sales Projections: While the company's performance in net sales was close to the projection, there was a slight shortfall. It would be prudent to reassess sales projections for 2025, considering factors such as market trends, customer behavior, and potential external factors that may impact sales. b. Expense Management Focus: Continue to emphasize effective expense management, particularly in personnel expenses. Analyze factors contributing to the variance in wages and identify strategies to optimize staffing costs without compromising on quality or service. c. Review Operating Expenses: Review each operating expense category to identify areas where budgeted amounts significantly deviated from actual expenses. Focus on areas where expenses were unfavorable to budget and explore ways to optimize spending or negotiate better terms with vendors. d. Monitor Interest Income: Given the positive variance in interest income in 2024, closely monitor interest rates and investment strategies to ensure similar or improved performance in 2025. e. Consider Revenue Diversification: Explore opportunities to diversify revenue streams to reduce reliance on a single source of income. This could involve introducing new services, expanding target markets, or enhancing existing offerings to attract a broader customer base. f. Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning: Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats to financial performance and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks effectively.
3. What changes to projections (or otherwise) should be considered and/or made? Why? a. Sales Projections: Given the slight shortfall in net sales compared to projections in 2024, it may be prudent to adjust sales projections for 2025, considering factors such as economic conditions, industry trends, and competitive landscape. b. Expense Projections: Review expense projections based on historical data and performance in 2024. Adjust projections where necessary to reflect any changes in costs or operational requirements, ensuring a realistic and achievable budget. c. Investment Strategy: Assess the investment strategy for interest income and adjust projections accordingly based on prevailing market conditions and risk tolerance levels. d. Contingency Planning: Enhance contingency planning by identifying potential risks and uncertainties that could impact financial performance and incorporating appropriate buffers or mitigation strategies into the budget. e. Performance Metrics: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and measure financial performance against budgeted targets, facilitating proactive management and decision-making throughout the fiscal year. By incorporating these changes and recommendations into the 2025 budget planning process, Lucy and Eleanor's Dance and Gymnastics Studio can enhance financial resilience, optimize resource allocation, and achieve sustainable growth in the upcoming fiscal year.
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