ACCT2102 Intermediate Management Accounting
Semester 1, 2024
Case Study Individual Assignment
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited
(Weight: 25% of Final Grade)
Due Date for Submission: 11:00AM Wednesday 8th May, 2024 (Brisbane Time)
This document has the following parts:
. Administration;
. Case Requirements; and
. Grading Rubric.
ADMINISTRATION
The purpose of this case study individual assignment is for you to:
i. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the organisation the case centres on, as well as the broader context in which it operates (industry, economy, etc.);
ii. Identify and discuss management accounting information applications pertinent to a significant material issue(s) of the firm, applying the concepts and theories learned in the course ACCT2102 ‘Intermediate Management Accounting’; and
iii. Provide well-reasoned recommendations on which management accounting information application the firm should adopt to best address its material issue(s).
Length, Formatting, and Page Limits
1. Your report should be a clear, concise, and comprehensive analysis. You are allowed up to a maximum of three (3) typed pages.
2. Ensure your report adheres to the following format: 11pt Times New Roman font with 1.15 line spacing, and standard Microsoft Word margins.
3. Use of Headings: In your report, ensure to use the numbered headings exactly as provided in the Case Requirements (e.g., 1.1. Operational and Strategic Characteristics, and so on: see later in this document). Each of your responses should begin with the designated heading. That is, structure your report around the provided headings below in this document.
4. Dedicate one additional page solely for a reference list. Include at least 2 references as supporting evidence. You can provide more than two references if you choose. References should follow the APA style. Note: Referencing applies only to Section 1 (see Case Requirements).
5. No quantitative analyses are required for this assignment. Please do not provide any.
6. Anything beyond the specified page limit (i.e., 3 page report + 1 reference page) will NOT be marked.
Submission
7. Submit your Case Study Assignment on through:
. Turnitin via the provided link on the Blackboard site.
. Ensure submissions are in PDF format. You can submit multiple drafts until the due date (but limited to three submissions within any 24-hour window), but only your
final submission will be evaluated. Include your name in the file name, for instance: ACCT2102_Jane_Doe_s12345678.
8. Your work must be original and reflect your individual understanding of the case. Plagiarism
will not be tolerated. Familiarise yourself with the University's plagiarism policy.
9. There is no need for a hard-copy submission.
Grading: A detailed grading rubric is provided in this document to guide your approach.
CASE REQUIREMENTS
. Familiarise yourself with the Grading Rubric (see end of this document) as it provides guidance on evaluation.
INTEGRATED REPORT - ESSENTIAL READING
The focus firm for the case study is Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Ticker: APN, listed on
Johannesburg Stock Exchange). To address the case requirements:
1. Review the "Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited Integrated Report 2023" (see copy on Blackboard).
2. Engage in independent research to supplement your understanding.
Understanding Integrated Reporting (Bridging Past, Present, and Future)
In recent years, there has been a significant surge in non financial disclosures by major companies worldwide. The International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRF), introduced in December 2013, was a response to bridge the gap between financial data and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance metrics. The IIRF's goal is to offer a comprehensive reporting format encapsulating a firm’s governance, strategy, social, and economic standing.
Advocates for Integrated Reporting argue its superiority over traditional annual reports. By consolidating financial andESG data, it provides a holistic picture of a company's health and value creation potential. This format is rooted in the belief that non-financial metrics are indicative of future financial outcomes, while current financial figures represent historical data. Essentially, Integrated Reporting elucidates how a business's sustainability initiatives and financial facets are intertwined and contribute to its long-term growth trajectory.
Section 1: Company and Industry Analysis
Total Marks for Section 1: 4 Marks
This section requires you to systematically dissect both the micro and macro environments of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (hereafter referred to as ‘APHL’). Understanding the broader picture is essential to contextualise the management accounting applications you will explore later.
Use each of the numbered headings below. To be sure, write the numbered heading in your report exactly as it appears in this document, then write your answer underneath the relevant heading.
1.1. Operational and Strategic Characteristics (1 Mark)
Explore the company’s core (discuss only two dot-points from the following list):
. Products & Services: What are the primary products and/or services provided by APHL, and what unique benefits do they offer?
. Operational Capabilities: Analyse APHL's production capacity—how adaptable is it to changes in health trends and demands?
. Market Positioning: Is APHL positioned as a cost leader or a differentiator in the industry they are operating in?
. Market Presence: Investigate the geographical distribution of sales atAPHL. Is the focus more on domestic (South African) markets or international expansion?
1.2. Industry Dynamics and Competitive Landscape (1 Mark)
Illuminate the ecosystem in which APHL operates (discuss only two dot-points from the following list):
. Competitive Intensity: Who are the major competitors in the industry, and what strategic challenges do they pose?
. Production Costs: Examine the trend in industry-wide production costs and where APHL stands in this landscape.
. Regulatory Environment: Identify any industry-specific regulations or global directives affecting companies in the industry.
. Industry Evolution: Are there any significant technological innovations or regulatory changes on the horizon that could disrupt the current market?
1.3. Broader Economic and Market Context (1 Mark)
Expand your lens to the wider business environment (discuss only two dot-points from the following list):
. Pharmaceutical Markets: Explore the current market dynamics, including demand levels and the volatility of product prices.
. Demand Drivers: Identify macroeconomic and industry-specific factors influencing demand for products and services of the firm.
. Alternative Solutions: In cases where there are alternative products, how might these alternatives impact demand for the firm’s products?
Referencing and Evidence (1 Mark) [Note, no heading required for this point]
While your analysis in this section will serve as a foundation for the subsequent sections, it is essential that your claims are substantiated. Ensure that you:
. Include a minimum of 2 references as supporting evidence. These can be academic articles, industry reports, reputable news sources, or any other reliable resource.
. Follow APA style for both in-text citations and your reference list.
. Prioritise references that provide added depth and insight into your analysis.
Section 2: Management accounting information applications
Total Marks for Section 2: 16 Marks (8 Marks for each of the two applications)
Imagine you are the chief management accountant atAPHL. According to their recent reports, two of the most pressing matters faced by APHL include "Continuity of Supply" and "Execution of Business Strategies," as outlined on Page 53 and Page 56 of APHL’s Integrated Report, respectively.
The Board has requested that, before their next meeting, you identify and discuss two (2) management accounting information applications that would provide actionable insights for managers to tackle these significant issues. For each application, you must delve into the specifics, making relevant assumptions where needed, and applying theoretical concepts in a real-world context (i.e., applied to APHL's details).
Again, you must use the numbered headings (i.e., as below) in your report. Provide your answers underneath each heading.
2.1. Application 1: Harnessing Cost Behaviour and CVP Analysis for Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited
Consider how understanding cost behaviour is crucial in addressing the risks related to continuity of supply atAPHL. Think about the following:
. Identify variable and fixed costs in APHL.
. Discuss how variable and fixed costs in APHL might react to external disruptions such as pandemics or regulatory changes? What strategies could APHL employ to manage these costs effectively?
Given the complexities of pharmaceutical production, pricing strategies, and market demand forecasting, explore the role of CVP analysis:
. How can CVP analysis aidAPHL in making informed decisions to ensure operational excellence and the effective execution of business strategies?
. Consider the impact of global supply chain challenges on APHL's CVP relationships. What insights can CVP analysis provide to navigate these challenges successfully?
2.2. Application 2: Decision Making and Relevant Costing at Aspen Pharmacare Holdings
Limited
Explore how relevant costing supports strategic decision-making processes, particularly in mitigating risks highlighted in APHL's report:
. Discuss two specific types of relevant costing decisions that are covered in the course content (i.e., Lectures 8 & 9) that are applicable to APHL. Refer to the five decision types in the lecture content (i.e., choose two from these five). For each decision, discuss which costs might be relevant or irrelevant with case facts supporting your claim.
In all your discussions, it is essential that you emphasise the integration of course concepts with the distinct challenges and operations of APHL. Basic explanations will not suffice; responses should be explained in the context of the company and its industry landscape.
Section 3: Recommendations
Total Marks for Section 3: 3 Marks
This final section calls for you to synthesise your analysis into strategic recommendations for APHL, drawing on the management accounting applications from Section 2.
Identify the management accounting application you recommend as most beneficial for APHL, basedon your analysis of the benefits and costs. Focus on:
. Concise Benefits Review: Highlight the key benefits of each application in the context of APHL's strategic and operational goals. Aim to provide insight into how these benefits could translate into competitive advantages or efficiency gains.
. Cost Considerations: Discuss the costs, emphasising any new insights or implications for operational adjustments that have not been detailed previously. Consider the broader impact of these costs on the company's financial health and operational capacity.
Presentation and readability
Total Marks for Presentation and Readability: 2 Marks
See grading rubric for details.