Category: Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship requires a strong understanding of financial reporting and stakeholder communication. Public companies must disclose financial and operational information through required Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. This assignment is designed to help you understand the purpose, content, and importance of three key filings: the 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and how they support informed decision-making by entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders.

Paper Requirements

Length: 35 full pages (body of the paper only)

Format: APA (7th edition)

Sources: Minimum of 5 scholarly or credible sources

Citation Style: APA in-text citations and reference list

Individual Assignment: This paper must be completed independently

Note: The following are not included in the page count:

Title page

Abstract

Table of contents (if included)

References page

Content Guidelines

Your paper must address the following components:

1. Introduction

Briefly introduce entrepreneurship and the importance of financial transparency.

Explain why understanding SEC filings is critical for entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders.

Clearly state the purpose of the paper.

2. Overview of SEC Filings

Provide a brief explanation of each filing:

What it is

Who files it

Why it exists

3. The 10-K Report (Annual Filing)

Discuss the 10-K, typically filed for the fourth quarter, including:

Purpose of the 10-K

Required sections, such as:

o Business overview

o Financial data

o Financial statements

o Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)

o Risk factors

Importance of the 10-K for long-term decision-making

4. The 10-Q Report (Quarterly Filing)

Explain the 10-Q, focusing on:

Quarterly performance and financial position

Differences between the 10-Q and the 10-K

How the 10-Q helps stakeholders monitor ongoing performance

5. The 8-K Report (Current Event Filing)

Describe the 8-K, including:

Purpose of the filing

Events that trigger an 8-K, such as:

o Acquisitions or mergers

o Executive departures or officer elections

o Bankruptcies or major financial changes

Why timely disclosure is critical

6. Comparison and Contrast

Compare and contrast the 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K by discussing:

Frequency of filing

Type of information disclosed

Level of detail

Role each filing plays in transparency and accountability

A table may be included (optional) to enhance clarity.

7. Conclusion

Summarize key differences and similarities among the three filings

Explain how understanding these documents supports entrepreneurial success and investor confidence

Sources and Research

Use at least 5 credible sources, such as:

o SEC website resources

o Peer-reviewed journals

o Business or finance textbooks

o Reputable financial news or educational websites

Wikipedia and blogs should not be primary sources.

APA Formatting Requirements

12-point Times New Roman font

Double-spaced

1-inch margins

Page numbers in the header

Proper APA title page and references page

Evaluation Criteria (With Rubric Presented on Canvas Modules)

Your paper will be graded on:

Depth and accuracy of content

Quality of comparison and analysis

Use of credible sources

APA formatting and citations

Organization, clarity, and writing mechanics

You will write an individual APA-formatted research paper analyzing a publicly traded company using its Form 10-K and other credible financial sources. The paper must demonstrate your understanding of financial statements, accounting policies, industry trends, and overall financial health.

Paper Requirements

APA format (7th edition)

Minimum of 5 full pages of content

o Does NOT include:

Title page

Abstract

References page

Scholarly and credible sources

o Company Form 10-K (required)

o Financial websites (e.g., SEC filings, annual reports)

o Business or accounting journals

Third-person, formal academic tone

Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font

1-inch margins

Proper in-text citations and reference list

Required APA Sections

1. Title Page (APA Format)

Paper title

Student name

Course name

Instructor name

Institution

Due date

2. Abstract (150250 words)

Summarize:

The company selected

Purpose of the paper

Key financial and industry findings

Overall conclusion regarding financial health and investment decision

Body of the Paper (Minimum 5 Pages)

Use APA Level 1 and Level 2 headings where appropriate.

3. Company Overview

Include:

Company name

Ticker symbol

Stock exchange(s) on which the company trades

Brief description of the companys business operations

4. Stock Trading Information

Explain:

Whether the company actively trades

Fiscal year-end date

Why fiscal year-end timing matters for financial reporting

5. Shares Outstanding

Using the companys Balance Sheet, Statement of Retained Earnings, or Notes to the Financial Statements, identify:

Number of shares outstanding at fiscal year-end

Explain what shares outstanding represent and why this figure is important

6. Competitor Analysis

Identify and briefly describe:

At least two to three major competitors

The competitive position of your company within the industry

7. Industry Trends

Identify and explain two current trends affecting the companys industry. For each trend:

Describe the trend

Explain how it impacts the company positively or negatively

Support with credible sources

8. Industry Regulations

Discuss:

Types of government or industry regulations affecting the company

How these regulations impact operations, reporting, or costs

9. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

From the Notes to the Financial Statements, describe the companys policies related to:

Revenue recognition

Uncollectible accounts (bad debts)

Inventory valuation

Depreciation methods

Explain why these accounting policies are important to financial reporting accuracy.

10. Report of Management Responsibilities (Sarbanes-Oxley Act)

Address the following:

Who signed the report (e.g., CEO, CFO)

Managements responsibilities for:

o Accuracy of financial statements

o Establishment and maintenance of internal controls

Why this report is important for investors

11. Statement of Cash Flows Analysis

Using the Statement of Cash Flows from the 10-K:

Identify the net cash provided by (or used in) Operating Activities

Explain what this amount indicates about:

o Operational performance

o Ability to generate cash from core business activities

12. Financial Health and Investment Decision

Provide a conclusion that answers:

What does the cash flow and financial data indicate about the companys financial health?

Would you buy this companys stock today?

o Clearly explain why or why not

o Support your opinion using financial evidence from earlier sections

13. References Page (APA Format)

Separate page

Alphabetized

Hanging indent

Include:

o Company Form 10-K

o Financial or accounting sources

o Industry or regulatory references

Evaluation Criteria from Rubric Presented on Canvas Modules

Accuracy and depth of financial analysis

Use of APA formatting

Quality of sources and citations

Clarity, organization, and professionalism

Logical support for investment decision

Assessment 1: Case Study Analysis (50%) 2,000 words (+/- 10%)

Description: Critically reflect on a case study* of a for-profit fast-growth business using the theories, insights, and knowledge you have developed in the course. This Essay should be divided into two sections:

Part A: How do companies grow? (~800-1000 words): This section should be a short literature review using evidence from research and different growth theories. Use this section as an opportunity to review the literature on high-growth firms by choosing one/two theories to discuss. You can use theories discussed in class (Week 3) or any other academic firm growth theory.

Part B: Case study discussion (~1000 words): Using the theory(ies) discussed in part A, critically evaluate the growth trajectory of the proposed case study. You should discuss strategies, models and tools they employed for growth or should use to continue in a growth trajectory.

Ps.: The word count does not include references/appendices

Reference Style: Harvard Style

(*) Assignment 1 Case Study (access below): How Can Bella & Duke Become Top Dog Within the Pet Food Industry?

Task: Explore the work of a transformative entrepreneur or start-up, building on the questions, frameworks and insights from the module, as well as on secondary data. The goal is to analyse the transformative dimensions of the transformative enterprise and provide insights into the scalable or replicable nature of the activity. As part of this case study you may also choose to explore your own start-up if you have set one up already.

Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F89eycANUrQ 1)

What kind of social business/enterprise will you create to teach incarcerated individuals financial literacy and other job/wealth creating skills? How will you make it relevant, and educational? Be specific.

1)Discussion post: (250 words)

• Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? Were those promises legally enforceable promises? Why or why not?
• If someone sought to enter into a contract with you, but that party could not read the language in which your contract was written, should you enter into that contract with that person? How can this problem be overcome so that both parties can form a legally binding contract with each other?
• Should there be more government regulation and standardization of contract terms be-tween private parties? Why or why not?

2)Written assignment:(500 words)

Research the American case of Sherwood v. Walker. This 19th century case involving the sale of a cow is one of the most famous contracts cases in American law. Give an outline of the facts in the case. What were the main legal issues involved? What approach did the court take in ad-dressing the legal issue? How did the court apply its approach to the facts of the case? Provide a detailed example of how the court’s conclusion might be applied in a modern business setting.

Prepare an essay of at least 500 words citing information from the case as support for your positions. The paper should be 12-point font, Times New Roman, and include a list of any out-side sources used.

3)Learning journal: ( 500 words)

Governments enforce some promises but do not enforce most promises made between people. Do you think it is important for governments to enforce certain promises? What kinds of promises should be enforced?