CRKC7003 Financial Management

The provided case study demonstrates the financial analysis of Zachary who is based in Seattle, Washington for assessing the new venture. Analysis of re1uirement of cost that would enable the running of new business venture in a seamless way is also conducted. Zachary is interested in starting its own business as a retailer of range of Belgian chocolates. Financing of business would be done by the lump sum amount that is received by Zachary after his retirement.  For the purpose of analysis, summary of all estimates and assumptions have been made. Framing the assumptions is required for because of availability of limited information. Furthermore, the report demonstrate the analysis of break even, monthly cash flow for the operations carried out in first year, analysis of profit and loss statement for the first year along with the sensitivity analysis. Break even analysis is considered as pre requisite for setting up the business because of the sustaining of business in current market scenario. Conducting such financial analysis would assist Zachary in assessing the projecting the estimated amount of sales that would be required to be made by business for its sustainability. The estimated income that would be generated by the business is depicted from the evaluation and analysis of statement of profit and loss (Chittenden and Derregia 2015). Some of the authors have authors have authorized that without the required level of research conducted; there would be eventual reduction in the profits generated by business and hampering impact on the investment capital.

The overall accumulation of liabilities and assets is well understood by the preparation and evaluation of the balance sheet of new business venture. In addition to this, the overall expenditure incurred by business is evaluated by analysis of monthly cash flow in the first year of operation. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out for evaluating of different activities of Zachary. On other hand, the situation of economic crisis would negative impact the operations of business of chocolate retailer. The techniques of capital budgeting is applied for determining the profitability of investment made by Zachary. For this purpose, the tool of discounted cash flow has been used for evaluating the investment profitability of the business. Discounted cash flow is applied for evaluating the time value of the estimated profits of business plan (Aversano 2016). Nevertheless, some of the economic factors such as rate of inflation are not incorporated while computing the discounted cash flow.

Break-even analysis of proposed business:

Break even analysis is regarded as an essential pre requisite as it helps in determination of actual number of units to be sold monthly or annually for covering the total cost incurred in setting up the proposed business.

The above figure depicts the proposed business break even analysis. The determination of cost and selling price of business helps in evaluation of number of business units required for sustainability. Business is able to attain the situation of break even using break even analysis along with determining the total number of business unit.

Break-Even Analysis:-
Particulars		Amount
Selling Price Per Unit	A	$65.00
Variable Costs:
Cost of Material per kg.	B	€ 25.85
Conversion Rate	C	1.17
Cost of Material in Euro	D=BxC	$30.25
Packaging & Shipping Cost	E	$5.50
Credit Card Charges	F	$0.81
Total Variable Cost	G=D+E+F	$36.56
Contribution per Unit	H = A-G	$28.44
Fixed Costs:
Rent for Industrial Room		$950.00
Employee’s Salary		$5,500.00
Total Fixed Cost	I	$6,450.00
Break-Even Point in Unit	J=I/H	€ 226.81
Break Even Sales	K= JxA	€ 14,742.91

Figure 1: Depicting the proposed business break analysis

(Source: created by the author)

Analysis of breakeven would help investor in attaining the position of break even by determination of total number of selling units. The friction of break even analysis would be lost if the incorporated data used in the computation is irrelevant.

` The concept of breakeven would help Zachary in understanding about the requirement of continued growth. Above table depicts the figures of break even sales that are required to be made by business for continued sustainability. The total amount of break even sales made by proposed business stood is computed at € 14,742.91. Determination of break even sales would help new business venture is obtaining the situation where there is no loss and no profit that is the total amount of profit generated would offset the total loss that is incurred (Imegi and Nwokoye 2015). Therefore, the break even unit that is required to attain by the new business venture comes to € 14,742.91. The management of Zachary would be assisted in increasing their share of market by determining the total number of break even units. It also helps them in adopting the suitable pricing strategy and growth sustainability of business would be maintained by determination of appropriate number of units. Strategy continuation that would help in attaining situation of no loss and no profit would affect the future growth and position of liquidity of company.  

Income Statement
Particulars	Amount	Amount
Income:
Fixed Sales Revenue		$30,000
Variable Sales Revenue		$2,06,700
Total Income		$2,36,700
Expenses :
Cost of Material	$1,05,422
Less : Stock for Next Month	$15,125	$90,297
Packaging & Shipping Cost		$17,490
Packaging Cost for Tins		$5,700
Credit Card Charges		$2,584
Rent for Industrial Room		$11,400
Employee’s Salary	$60,500
Add : Outstanding Salary	$5,500	$66,000
Labor Cost for Packaging	$5,500
Add : Outstanding Labor Cost	$500	$6,000
Depreciation of Tools		$2,450
Deferred Revenue Expenditure:
Market Research		$2,500
Ammortization:
Website Designing		$3,333
Marketing Rights		$20,000
Total Expenses		$2,27,754
Net Income before Tax		$8,946
Less : Tax @ 30%		$2,684
Net Income after Tax		$6,262

Figure 3: Depicting the proposed business Profit and Loss statement:

(Source: As created by the author)

The table above depicts the statement of profit and loss that discloses the total amount of income generated by business in the first year of operations. Total amount of income generated by business comprise of fixed sales revenue and variable sales revenue and the amount stood at $ 237600. It can be seen from the statement of profit and loss that total profits generated by business is computed at $6,262. Total amount of expenses that would be incurred by business in carrying out its operation stood at $ 2, 27,754. Amount of tax that is required to be paid by business stood at $ 2684. Computation of profits generated by the new business venture would help in evaluation of overall return of Zachary business. Nevertheless, the rising or increasing cost of material would hamper the profits generated by business. The sales of chocolate would be promoted using the social media platform of internet. It has been planned that the sales of chocolate using internet platform would be done by credit card with certain percentage of sales being remitted to Credit Card Company. Since, the new business venture would make use of capital of investor to make investment; the advantage of tax exemption would not be taken by the new business of Zachary. The overall demand of the chocolates sold by Zachary business in USA would help in meeting the target profit generated in first year of operations. The effective use of online marketing would help business in reaching to its potential customers. Computation of projected profits from the new business venture would help in determination of expected returns from the operations of business. Capital invested in the company would be affected by the situation of economic crisis as the projected profit would lose its friction.

Conducting the effective analysis would help in determination of overall demand of chocolates prevailing in market of United States. Determination of demand of product will help business in making estimate about target profits. The operations of chocolate would be run part time by hiring two part time students. It would incur additional cost to business as it would require employer to incur social charge. However, the rising cost of material would be the factor responsible for hindering the overall level of profits generated by company. Zachary can use the platform of internet social marketing for promoting the marketing of chocolates. The market capacity of new business venture can be increased by formulating the strategies of social marketing that would help in effective promotion of chocolates. It is so because such strategies would help business in reaching its potential customer and thereby increasing the total amount of sales made. Nonetheless, any alterations in the level of assumed demand for computation of estimated amount of sales would negatively impact the actual level of profits generated by company. In addition to this, it can also be said that the change in economic situation of country in which business is carrying out its operations would considerably impact the cash reserve of business venture. The benefit of tax exemption could not be derived by Zachary as the amount of capital contributed in total investment amount is done by the owner itself for being established as chocolate retailer.  

Balance Sheet
Particulars	Amount	Amount
Current Assets:
Inventory		$15,125
Deposit for Industrial Room		$1,900
Cash		$71,600
Total Current Assets		$88,625
Fixed Assets:
Jigs & Tools	$12,250
Less : Depreciation	$2,450	$9,800
Marketing & Distribution Right	$1,00,000
Less : Ammortization	$20,000	$80,000
Market Research	$7,500
Less : Deferred Revenue Expenditure	$2,500	$5,000
Website Designing	$10,000
Less : Ammortaization	$3,333	$6,667
Total Fixed Assets		$1,01,467
Total Assets		$1,90,092
Current Liabilities :
Outstanding Expenses:
Employee’s Salary	$5,500
Labor Cost for Packaging	$500	$6,000
Total Liabilities		$6,000
Equity:
Owner’s Capital	$1,77,830
Add : Net Income after Tax	$6,262	$1,84,092
Total Equity		$1,84,092
Total Equity & Liabilities		$1,90,092

Figure 4: Depicting the Balance Sheet statement of the proposed business

(Source: created by the author)

The above table demonstrates the projected statement of financial position of retail business of chocolates that would be opened in USA. It would help in assessment of effective analysis of accumulated liabilities and assets during particular financial year. During the first year of operation, Zachary would be able to effectively evaluate and analyze the accumulated liabilities and assets. Total amount that has been contributed by owner in terms of capital stood at $ 177830. It is indicated by the amount contributed that there is restriction of total amount of capital invested because of the amount that would be invested in the capital would come from retirement funds of Zachary. The projection of balance sheet would help in evaluation of total amount of capital invested in the business. Preparation of projected balance sheet without conducting adequate research would negatively impact the projected profitability level of business. Investor would carry out the evaluation of total capital invested in business that would help in assessing the viability of new business venture. Without conducting adequate level of research, the projected balance sheet could negatively impact the profit level that is projected in the business.

The total amount of inventories depicted in the balance sheet statement during the first year of operation would enable investors to carry out the evaluation of inventories by computation of ratios such as quick ratio and current ratio. It would help investors in evaluating whether the available inventories are sufficient to make business financially stable. Therefore, Zachary would be able to determine the total amount of inventories that would be required to maintain in sustaining the business during its first year of operations. If there is blockage in the level of indispensable inventories required for running the business, there would be deterioration in the productivity level of newly established business venture. On other hand, if there is increment in the level of inventories that has to be invested, blocked working capital would be experienced by new business venture.

The overall level of assets required by new business venture can be increased by making investment in website designing, refrigerator and distribution rights along with conducting the market research. This new business of chocolate would be required to maintain the overall level of business productivity and thereby supporting the sustainability of business.

Moreover, as illustrated in the table above, Zachary can conduct the analysis of level of inventory available in business during the first year of its operation. The financial stability of business can be understood by investors with the help of valuation of inventory by determination of ratios such as quick ratio and current ratio. On other hand, conducting the inventory valuation during first year of operation would assist in Zachary in determining the overall balance of inventory. In addition to this, there is argument presented, that the increased level of investment in inventories would lead to reduction of essential working capital and receding of productivity of company.

Some of the areas where investment can be made by Zachary would be in distribution rights, market research, refrigerators and websites that would help in designing of overall level of assets. The additional level of investment made by Zachary would help in maintaining the minimum level of productivity that is required the establishing the business of chocolate retailer.

The projected balance sheet depicts that figure of salary of employees at $ 5500 and cost of labor for packaging at $ 500 making the amount of total current liabilities at $ 6000. The total amount of outstanding expenses comprise of cost of labor for packaging and employees salary and these are the expenses that have been incurred by business during a particular accounting period. Expenses form the items of personal account and they are mentioned in the liabilities side of balance sheet. Outstanding salary on other hand is the amount that is yet to be paid by business. Total amount of current liabilities as presented on the balance sheet depicts the evaluation of short term financial obligations attributable to the business venture. However, evaluation of overall liabilities of business would help in assessing the financial strength of business. Contrarily, an increase in accumulation of liabilities would lead to reduction in value of current ratio. Such decrease in value of current ratio would impact the ability of business to meet their financial obligations. Moreover, evaluation of liabilities would help in determining the financial strength of business venture. An increase in the accumulation of liabilities would result in decrease in current ratio and this would have considerable impact on the financial strength of business (Valickova et al. 2016). Moreover, an increase in level of investment in assets comes with the possibility of blocking the total amount of working capital required in the business. Valuation of balance sheet would help in determining the area of making possible investment and this would lead to determination of viability of investment made by Zachary.

The statement of financial position depicts that the total amount of equities and liabilities at $ 190092. It is segregated into total amount of liabilities recorded at $ 6000 and $ 184092 as the total amount of equities. Overall valuation of projected balance sheet would help in determining the viability of investment that is made by Zachary in chocolate retail business. In addition to this, the evaluation of income statement and balance sheet would help in assessing the overall level of profits generated by business.

The table depicted in the appendix illustrates the effective analysis of monthly cash flow generated in a particular operational year. Such analysis would help Zachary to gain an understanding of requirements of liquidity of new venture. Evaluation of cash flow statement would result in determination of overall transactions of cash flow that has been carried out in first year (Loughran and McDonald 2016). This particular table depicting the analysis of monthly cash flow gives an illustration of net cash flow generated from operating activities. It can be seen that the first four months of operations generate negative net cash flow from operating activities and thereafter generating positive cash flow month on month. Net cash flow from operating activities has initially increased and then it has decreased subsequently in later months. In addition to this, there is decrease in amount of net cash for three consecutive months and thereafter increase in net cash throughout the year. The total amount of closing cash balance has decreased initially from $ 43649 to $ 34816 in forth month of operation. This has increased subsequently to $ 71600 in last month of operation. Such increase in net cash intends to support the overall activities of new business venture. However, an increase in level of sales generated would have positive impact on total amount of cash available to business which would be helpful in meeting the total cost of operations. If there is no sufficient level of research, there would be adverse impact on profitability position of business. The main components of total cost of products comprised of total cost of materials that have been consumed in manufacturing, direct cost of labor and manufacturing overhead. However, the changing purchasing conditions and ongoing control of materials are the factors responsible for causing fluctuations in material costs. The process of production involves expected and planned costing of products and requirement of materials in the business. Furthermore, activities of retail chocolate business would be supported by gradual increase in total amount of operating cash flow. Availability of cash flow is negatively impacted by falling profits caused by falling sales of product.

Discounted cash flow is considered as a tool that helps in assessing the investment by the incorporation of accumulated rate of interest. The computation of discounted cash flow is done by carrying out analysis of operating cash flow of business for five years. Total amount of discounted cash flow as depicted from the table stood at $ 233990. A cash flow of amount $ 245604 is represented in the fifth year of operation as operating cash flow. For the first financial year, the initial amount of capital expenditure stood at $ 131650. The first year of operation depicts a negative free cash flow of $ 106229 along with a increase in free cash flow in subsequent years.  

Net Income		$6,262
Owner’s Capital		$1,77,830
Return on Equity		3.52%
Particulars	Growth Rate	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Operating Cash Flow		$25,421	$30,505	$36,606	$43,927	$52,712
Less : Capital Expenditure		$1,31,650	$0	$0	$10,000	$0
FCF		-$1,06,229	$30,505	$36,606	$33,927	$52,712
FCF Growth			-128.72%	20.00%	-7.32%	55.37%
Average FCF Growth Rate		-15.17%
Terminal Value		$0	$0	$0	$0	$2,39,292
Total FCF		-$1,06,229	$30,505	$36,606	$33,927	$2,92,005
Cost of Equity	3.52%
Discounted Cash Flow		-$1,02,616	$28,465	$32,996	$29,541	$2,45,604
Present Value of DCF	$2,33,990

Figure 6: Depicting the Discounted Cash Flow statement for the proposed business plan (Source: created by the author)

The current business illustrates the present discounted flow of new business venture proposed by Zachary. Forward looking method rather than the historical cost forms the basis of computation of this particular method. Total amount of discounted cash flow stood at $ 233990 which a positive figure is indicating the fact that initial capital investment is less than the cash generated from investment in future. Therefore, it is suggested by figure that making investment in business venture would be viable and feasible.

 Assessment of proposed business overall capital requirement:

The total amount of capital that would be required in the current business venture stood at $ 177829.53 which is the amount contributed from the retirement fund of owner. Amount of inventories that is required in the business is depicted in the forecasted balance sheet which stood at $ 15125. This figure represents the opening stock of raw materials and the amount that would be needed for maintaining the stock of inventory. Amount of assets as stood in first year of operation $ 190092 and the depreciation for Jig and tools computed under straight line method stood at $ 2450.

Sensitivity analysis helps in uncertainty determination by using the model or mathematic system of output and allocation of output to uncertain inputs. The impact of programs and policies adopted by Zachary would make it difficult to measure and predict the yielded value. Implementation of tool of sensitivity analysis would help in analysis of uncertainty of benefits and costs. Computation of desired outcomes by making alternative assumptions would help in determining the impact of variable input. The degree of uncertainty involved in the cost benefit analysis can be done by applying sensitivity analysis techniques impacting the desire outcome.

The case study is about starting new business venture by Zachary after his retirement from full time job in Software Company. Effective preparation of projected balance sheet, statement of profit and loss and income statement would assist Zachary in making viable investment decisions. Evaluation of break even sales and total number of break even units would help in determining minimum amount of sales that is required to run the business. Since conducting of such analysis would help business in determining the situation of break even, there would not be negative impact of business (Rossi 2014). In addition to this, preparing the statement of discounted cash flow would help in determining the viability of business. Making an adequate level of investment by Zachary would help in generation of adequate level of return from business after retirement. Some of the recommendations for improving the business growth are listed below:

• Measures should be taken for improving the overall level of business profitability by making certain amendments in terms of implementation of different techniques for project evaluation. There can be reduction in total cost of acquiring materials by sourcing raw materials from cheaper source. Authenticity of proposed business can be increased by using the break even analysis to attain profitability and generating positive discounted cash flow. Efforts should be taken to increase the income generated by way of sales which would help in making the project economic viable.
• Strategy should be developed that would assist in lowering the overall cost of packaging. The sales of chocolates should be boosted using both online and offline platforms as it will help in increasing the level of sales made.

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