Financial Modelling Used To Evaluate Strengths And Weaknesses Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

In this coursework, University of Bulgari will be used as an example to be applied in the financial modelling to investigate and evaluate the financial strength and weaknesses. As a privately held independent company, financial data and performance data are not publicly available and strictly restricted (Jogaratnam et al., 1999). Hence, all the figures used in this coursework are merely assumption. Background of University of Bulgari University of Bulgari (UOB) is one of the first private learning institutions in MalaysiaÂÂ  to be awarded the prestigious MSC-status certification. It was established since 1988 by the founder, Joseph Keong. It was named after his favourite luxury brand, Bvlgari. With more than 8,000 students studying in 30 academic programmes, their academic programmes are approved by the Malaysian Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and are developed to meet the high standards required by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). It has Centre for Foundation Studies, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Engineering. The vision of UOB is to be a leader university aspiring to achieve excellence in the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and expertise. Strength and weakness Competition is growing not just from other universities, but from numerous other sources. Seeking to take advantage of the public perception of increasing awareness on the importance of education, colleges are offering more variety courses too which include degree, masters and PhD programmes. Competitors are focusing their attention on ways to boost total of students registered every intake. They held education fair in the schools and shopping complex to expose education life to the potential students. A growing number of private education companies had UOB diversified its courses offered available in local and overseas by co-operating with foreign universities. Basically it means students can study based on United Kingdom (UK) standard even though they are studying in Malaysia as all the teaching materials will be provided from the UK partner including the certificate too. A student has the option to choose to study the whole course locally or continue it at the foreign university during the second or third year. This strategy is beneficial to those who wish to study based on foreign standards and yet at an affordable price. Parents do not need to fork out a huge amount of money to support their children expenses locally comparing to studying abroad. UOB is offering the courses at a lower price compare to the competitors such as Kolej Damansara Utama (KDU) and Sunway College. For example, a business administrative degree in UOB costs RM40000 but for KDU it costs RM60000. Students need to have a lower price education as prices for goods and necessity are increasing. Some students do apply government loans but it is limited and must fulfil the requirement for it. Besides that, UOB had collaborated with a nongovernmental organization to provide a 30% reduction for those who do not qualify to get into local universities. UOB provide rebates too for student who enrolled during open days. The rebate might range between RM1000 till RM2000. At university level, all public schools student including those from Chinese and Indian schools need to fight for the limited space in the university. As a result, many students who failed to get a place in the public university opt for private university who provides economical course. Financial modelling- Cost volume profit A companys financing future can be predicted by using finance model (Benninga Czaczkes, 2000) to analyze profit and loss stability of a company. Cost volume profit analysis model will be used for explanation on the universitys financial status. It is generally used to study relations between revenue, costs and profits (Hirschey, 2009). It assists the manager in understanding and controlling operations (Baker Baker, 2011) to find the most profitable combination ofÂÂ  variable costs,ÂÂ  fixed costs, selling price, and sales volume. Profits can sometimes be improved by increasing the totalÂÂ  contribution marginÂÂ  figure. Estimation on profits can be analyse when the combination of theÂÂ  fixed costsÂÂ  or variable costs at vary levels of sales volume can be calculated (Harper, 2003). This is to show which combination is the best for the company. The size of theÂÂ  unit contribution marginÂÂ  (and the size of the contribution margin ratio -ÂÂ  CM ratio) is very important. For example, the greater the unitÂÂ  contribution margin, the greater is the amount that a company will be willing to spend to increase unit sales. This explains in part why companies with high unitÂÂ  contribution marginÂÂ  (such as auto manufacturers) advertise so heavily, while companies with low unitÂÂ  contribution marginÂÂ  (such as dishware manufacturers) tend to spend much less for advertising. In short, the effect on theÂÂ  contribution marginÂÂ  holds the key in profit planning and short term decision making (Siegel Shim, 2006). There are a number of limitations of the cost volume profit analysis prepared. It assumes that all of the students are identical or that they are sold in a constant mix. Unless all types of students achieve the same contribution to sales ratio, the breakeven point and forecast profit or loss would change if the product mix changed. The analysis also assumes that fixed costs remain the same in total for all levels of output, but this may not be the case. The Bangsar University is likely to experience different students levels and different peaks and troughs in demand, compared with the Subang Jaya University. In the variable costs are to remain constant per students. This may not be realistic. For example, cost savings may be possible as a result of discounts from the increased level of offered expected for the Bangsar University. It is assumed that sales price will be constant at all levels of activity. It may also be necessary to reduce the selling prices in the Bangsar University in order to achieve the higher levels of sales. Furthermore, different levels of competition in the other location may require different pricing strategy. Break even analysis Break even point is where the organization has zero profit. There are two most often used approach to find break even point in units which are operating income approach and contribution margin approach (Hansen et al, 2009). Based on the UOB break even chart, the break even point is 205,455 students or RM 550,566. A formula will be used to verify whether the break even is correct; [Break even = Fixed cost/ (Selling price- Variable cost) =226,000 / 1.1 = 205, 455 students]. The graph states that UOB needs to have 205,455 students to achieve the breakeven point. Therefore, the university will be at lost if the UOB do not have at least 205,455 students enrolled. In that case, if the university successfully get at least 205,455 students, it will be making profits. The variable cost of UOB depends on the number. The contribution margin is [Break even point = Fixed cost /Unit contribution margin]. Based on contribution calculation, the contribution per course is RM1.30. To achieve the expected courses, the university need or require additional 67,692 students to gain the profit or increase of 26%. As for the margin of safety, the university had forecast it to have 21% profit. In order to achieve 21% more than the break even point, it need to have 260,000 courses applied. Profit volume chart According to the profit volume chart, we can see that the breakeven point is at 205,455 students. If the university wants to achieve the profit, it should market more courses to the students for the future enrolment to achieve the target of more than 205,455 students. For example, when the total enrolment of students reached 220,000, the university will profit RM300, 000. Recommendation University of Bulgari staffs can be proud of the local and international reputation it had been build together. The universitys reputation for quality teaching and excellence in research is a hard-won asset we must uphold. UOB needs to responds to the changing needs of the region including the changing needs of the staff and students. This is to ensure the university as a reputable organization and a service provider. The university needs to improve the quality of teaching and learning as well as the research strengths to become one of the wider regions Top 20 universities by 2020. Below are a few strategic plans; Develop a culture of excellence and innovation Recruiting and retain quality staff and the need to improve the quality of the university environment in which learning takes place more satisfying for both students and staff. Focus on high-quality courses in areas of strength. Continuous improvement of the teaching quality and work of comprehensive course review will see a consolidation and an improved financial viability of teaching units offered. By further developing activity in its established areas of research focus, it will accelerate and expand the universitys research achievements. Drive international excellence To become a leading university, it needs to build partnerships that enhance international reputation. Evaluation and implementation plans will be review to increase the universitys activity in targeted markets and improve activities in areas of low return. Enhance capacity and financial sustainability It needs to improve efficiency and productivity of current financial position and leverage the resources and capability of the university. Optimization the use of university buildings and land will see the continuous developments that improve utilization of existing buildings and land. Assumption Lists The University of Bulgari does not represent any existent university; it was invented for this coursework. All the figures used in this coursework are merely assumption. The money currency used is in Ringgit Malaysia (RM). The figures were round up to the nearest thousand.