CIMA Strategic Case Study - CIMAPRO19-CS3-1 Exam Practice Test
SIMULATION
A month later, you receive the following email:
Reference Material:
From: Hesham El-Sayed. Independent Non-executive
Director
To: Romuald Marek. Chief Finance Officer
Subject: Collapse of fuel supplier
Hi Romuald
I am writing to give you some advance notice of an internal audit investigation that has been commissioned by the Audit Committee Just over a year ago. Planejoos, a newly formed company, approached the management team at Airfield's Capital City International (CCI) airport and offered to take over refueling operations at Starport Planejoos offered a higher percentage of revenue than the existing supplier was paying CCI's management team agreed and appointed Planejoos rather than renew the existing supplier's contract.
CCI was unable to conduct the usual background and credit checks on Planejoos for two reasons. Firstly, Planejoos was a new company and so did not have an extensive credit history that could be checked Secondly CCI was under time pressure to reach a decision on whether to renew the existing supplier's contract or allow it to expire CCI's management team claimed that it had acted quickly in order to benefit from the additional revenue that could be earned from dealing with Planejoos The management team was acting on the basis that it had an ethical duty to maximise the wealth of Airfield's shareholders and that maximising revenues from fuel sales through this agreement with Planejoos was consistent with that ethical duty.
Unfortunately, as a new company. Planejoos struggled to obtain trade credit and the high demand for fuel put the company's cash flows under extreme pressure Receipts from sales lagged behind payments for inventory Planejoos has now collapsed, leaving a large trade receivable that CCI will have to write off as uncollectable CCI had permitted this receivable to accumulate rather than pressing for payment and so putting Planejoos under further pressure.
Fortunately, the previous fuel supplier was prepared to return to CCI.
Kind regards
A month later, you receive the following email:
Reference Material:
From: Hesham El-Sayed. Independent Non-executive
Director
To: Romuald Marek. Chief Finance Officer
Subject: Collapse of fuel supplier
Hi Romuald
I am writing to give you some advance notice of an internal audit investigation that has been commissioned by the Audit Committee Just over a year ago. Planejoos, a newly formed company, approached the management team at Airfield's Capital City International (CCI) airport and offered to take over refueling operations at Starport Planejoos offered a higher percentage of revenue than the existing supplier was paying CCI's management team agreed and appointed Planejoos rather than renew the existing supplier's contract.
CCI was unable to conduct the usual background and credit checks on Planejoos for two reasons. Firstly, Planejoos was a new company and so did not have an extensive credit history that could be checked Secondly CCI was under time pressure to reach a decision on whether to renew the existing supplier's contract or allow it to expire CCI's management team claimed that it had acted quickly in order to benefit from the additional revenue that could be earned from dealing with Planejoos The management team was acting on the basis that it had an ethical duty to maximise the wealth of Airfield's shareholders and that maximising revenues from fuel sales through this agreement with Planejoos was consistent with that ethical duty.
Unfortunately, as a new company. Planejoos struggled to obtain trade credit and the high demand for fuel put the company's cash flows under extreme pressure Receipts from sales lagged behind payments for inventory Planejoos has now collapsed, leaving a large trade receivable that CCI will have to write off as uncollectable CCI had permitted this receivable to accumulate rather than pressing for payment and so putting Planejoos under further pressure.
Fortunately, the previous fuel supplier was prepared to return to CCI.
Kind regards
Correct Answer:
See the explanation below
Explanation:
Requirement: 1
The acceptance of Planejoos at Capital City International airport with out credit rating check is a sign of poor internal audit practices. The CCI is the biggest airport the Arrfied owned and amongst the world big airports. The Planejoos is a newer and inexperienced company without sound credit and financial history, the collapse of aviation fuel provider at a major airport is credit and reputaional risk The internal audit performance laking in Arrfied which is in the aviation business could put the business in danger and needs to be corrected. The poor performance of internal audit by not inusring compliance could make damage i.e. a terrorist could attack the aircraft and landside if properchecking are not done. The aviation business are vulnerable to hijacking, human trafficking and smuggling. A special attention must be invited to internal audit.
The overall performance of the internal audit and audit committee is questionable here. The audit committee is not formulated correctly. No non-executive director have sound financial expertise. Martin Harris is the only NED with financial expertise and taking him out of audit committee is not sign of good corporate governance. The new leadership at the audit committee with savvy of financial knowledge must be on the board.
Martin Harris should be taken on the board in replacement of Carmelita Tante. Revamp the internal audit department and startup a credit department which is also responsible to rating checking.
Arrfield must also think about to formulate a risk committee to check the risk and ensure that the risks are properly managed.
Requirement : 2
It is the duty of the management to maximize the shareholder's wealth, but a proper care must be taken while making any decision on behalf of the shareholders. It seems due care is not given to the decision and the decision was made in haste.
It is not only duty of the management to maximize wealth of the shareholder, they are supposed to protect the wealth of the shareholders. Any decision no taken within the risk appetite of the company may leads to breach of ethical principles.
The shareholders trust on the management that they will make the decisions in best interest of the company even if this is not is their own interest. Incase of the Planejoos the management has neglected the credit rating check any made the decision solely on the basis of prices that Planejoos quoted. It seems that this decision does not fit in the risk appetite and risk tolerance of the Arrfield.
Explanation:
Requirement: 1
The acceptance of Planejoos at Capital City International airport with out credit rating check is a sign of poor internal audit practices. The CCI is the biggest airport the Arrfied owned and amongst the world big airports. The Planejoos is a newer and inexperienced company without sound credit and financial history, the collapse of aviation fuel provider at a major airport is credit and reputaional risk The internal audit performance laking in Arrfied which is in the aviation business could put the business in danger and needs to be corrected. The poor performance of internal audit by not inusring compliance could make damage i.e. a terrorist could attack the aircraft and landside if properchecking are not done. The aviation business are vulnerable to hijacking, human trafficking and smuggling. A special attention must be invited to internal audit.
The overall performance of the internal audit and audit committee is questionable here. The audit committee is not formulated correctly. No non-executive director have sound financial expertise. Martin Harris is the only NED with financial expertise and taking him out of audit committee is not sign of good corporate governance. The new leadership at the audit committee with savvy of financial knowledge must be on the board.
Martin Harris should be taken on the board in replacement of Carmelita Tante. Revamp the internal audit department and startup a credit department which is also responsible to rating checking.
Arrfield must also think about to formulate a risk committee to check the risk and ensure that the risks are properly managed.
Requirement : 2
It is the duty of the management to maximize the shareholder's wealth, but a proper care must be taken while making any decision on behalf of the shareholders. It seems due care is not given to the decision and the decision was made in haste.
It is not only duty of the management to maximize wealth of the shareholder, they are supposed to protect the wealth of the shareholders. Any decision no taken within the risk appetite of the company may leads to breach of ethical principles.
The shareholders trust on the management that they will make the decisions in best interest of the company even if this is not is their own interest. Incase of the Planejoos the management has neglected the credit rating check any made the decision solely on the basis of prices that Planejoos quoted. It seems that this decision does not fit in the risk appetite and risk tolerance of the Arrfield.
The Director of Finance, William Seaton, has stopped you in the corridor:
"Your report was really helpful, but the Board is still considering the implications of that email from Jan Archibald at Fouce Oil. I need to make a more detailed report to the Board and I would like you to draft it for me.
I know that we have owned and operated oil wells in the past, but that has always been with the intention of finding a buyer who is prepared to pay a realistic price. We have chosen never to think about the implications of keeping wells.
I need a report from you that covers the following issues:
* The key political risks of retaining our interest in these oil wells, with particular emphasis on high consequence, high likelihood risks.
* A suitable response to each of your political risks.
* An overview of how changes in the global economy and the demand for oil could affect the decision to proceed.
* The challenges associated with putting together a management team to take charge of the production side of this proposed new strategy.
I realise that this is a lot to ask of you, but I need you to move quickly because of the interest from our biggest shareholder."
"Your report was really helpful, but the Board is still considering the implications of that email from Jan Archibald at Fouce Oil. I need to make a more detailed report to the Board and I would like you to draft it for me.
I know that we have owned and operated oil wells in the past, but that has always been with the intention of finding a buyer who is prepared to pay a realistic price. We have chosen never to think about the implications of keeping wells.
I need a report from you that covers the following issues:
* The key political risks of retaining our interest in these oil wells, with particular emphasis on high consequence, high likelihood risks.
* A suitable response to each of your political risks.
* An overview of how changes in the global economy and the demand for oil could affect the decision to proceed.
* The challenges associated with putting together a management team to take charge of the production side of this proposed new strategy.
I realise that this is a lot to ask of you, but I need you to move quickly because of the interest from our biggest shareholder."
Correct Answer:
Complete your answer and submit
Reference Material:
You have received the following email from Marcus Svenson, Finance Director:
From: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
To: Senior Finance Manager
FW: Pricing
Hi,
I am forwarding an email from Sarah Johns.
Sarah has not been with us for very long and this is her first experience of dealing with a currency price movement.
I am really busy, so I need you to respond to her requests. Please email her as soon as possible.
Marcus
From: Sarah Johns, Marketing Director
To: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
Subject: USD movement
Hi Marcus,
A lot of our biggest customers are threatening to cancel orders unless we reduce our selling prices. Timber and associated products are commodity items that are priced in USD, so I thought that our prices would automatically remain competitive regardless of what happened to the USD. I am particularly confused over domestic sales, because many of the customers who have threatened to cancel are based in this country and we invoice them in M$.
Please help me to understand why the M$/USD exchange rate can affect our competitive position in this way.
I also wish to know why you have chosen to do nothing to hedge against this risk. If you look at the attached article you will see that the USD is an issue in the business news.
Sarah
You have received the following email from Marcus Svenson, Finance Director:
From: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
To: Senior Finance Manager
FW: Pricing
Hi,
I am forwarding an email from Sarah Johns.
Sarah has not been with us for very long and this is her first experience of dealing with a currency price movement.
I am really busy, so I need you to respond to her requests. Please email her as soon as possible.
Marcus
From: Sarah Johns, Marketing Director
To: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
Subject: USD movement
Hi Marcus,
A lot of our biggest customers are threatening to cancel orders unless we reduce our selling prices. Timber and associated products are commodity items that are priced in USD, so I thought that our prices would automatically remain competitive regardless of what happened to the USD. I am particularly confused over domestic sales, because many of the customers who have threatened to cancel are based in this country and we invoice them in M$.
Please help me to understand why the M$/USD exchange rate can affect our competitive position in this way.
I also wish to know why you have chosen to do nothing to hedge against this risk. If you look at the attached article you will see that the USD is an issue in the business news.
Sarah
Correct Answer:
Complete your answer and submit
Daily Gazette
Celebrities flock to release tax returns
Comedian Madd Wilkins is the latest celebrity to post his tax returns online. The comedian earned M$1,600,000 from his sell-out tour and from the sale of DVDs. He paid tax of M$608,000 on that income. The comedian quipped, "there's nothing funny about paying tax, but then there's nothing very funny about my act either so it's only fair that I should pay the full whack".
Public concern about the tax benefits enjoyed by wealthy celebrities using artificial schemes such as investing in forestry to minimise their tax bills has led to closing tax loopholes topping the political agend a. Many wealthy individuals have volunteered their tax files in order to reassure the public that they are not benefitting from such schemes.
Celebrities flock to release tax returns
Comedian Madd Wilkins is the latest celebrity to post his tax returns online. The comedian earned M$1,600,000 from his sell-out tour and from the sale of DVDs. He paid tax of M$608,000 on that income. The comedian quipped, "there's nothing funny about paying tax, but then there's nothing very funny about my act either so it's only fair that I should pay the full whack".
Public concern about the tax benefits enjoyed by wealthy celebrities using artificial schemes such as investing in forestry to minimise their tax bills has led to closing tax loopholes topping the political agend a. Many wealthy individuals have volunteered their tax files in order to reassure the public that they are not benefitting from such schemes.
Correct Answer:
Complete your answer and submit
You have received the following email from Marcus Svenson, Finance Director:
From: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
To: Senior Finance Manager
Subject: News reports
Hi,
I have sent you a link to a news site on the internet. Things are getting complicated in Bravador.
Every Board member has been asked to attend a brainstorming session this afternoon, before the CEO flies out to Bravador this evening. We will be considering the following four matters:
* Is it acceptable for us to develop this forest, given the commitment that we have made with respect to indigenous peoples' rights? They have been quoted at the end of the news article.
* Is it fair for the environmental protestors to complain that our operations are unsustainable?
* Would it be unethical to offer to build a village, with a proper school and medical clinic, for the tribe and to offer them work in our forestry operations?
* Is it really a good idea for the CEO to fly to Bravador just to appear on the television news in his boots and overalls?
Please email me your thoughts on each of these matters before I leave for the meeting this afternoon.
Marcus
From: Marcus Svenson, Finance Director
To: Senior Finance Manager
Subject: News reports
Hi,
I have sent you a link to a news site on the internet. Things are getting complicated in Bravador.
Every Board member has been asked to attend a brainstorming session this afternoon, before the CEO flies out to Bravador this evening. We will be considering the following four matters:
* Is it acceptable for us to develop this forest, given the commitment that we have made with respect to indigenous peoples' rights? They have been quoted at the end of the news article.
* Is it fair for the environmental protestors to complain that our operations are unsustainable?
* Would it be unethical to offer to build a village, with a proper school and medical clinic, for the tribe and to offer them work in our forestry operations?
* Is it really a good idea for the CEO to fly to Bravador just to appear on the television news in his boots and overalls?
Please email me your thoughts on each of these matters before I leave for the meeting this afternoon.
Marcus
Correct Answer:
Complete your answer and submit