Individual Capstone Final Paper

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