Respond to the following questions (25 points):

1. Which publicly traded company will you use for the final project?






2. Based on publicly available information for your company, can you tell if the company uses an activity-based costing system? What advantages do you think an activity based costing system provides or would provide (if any) for this company? Explain your answer based on the characteristics of activity-based costing systems and what you have learned about your company.

3. Identify any ethical issues that might arise in this organization.

4. Consider the budgeting needs of the organization you’ve chosen. Though the company’s budget may not be publicly available, answer the following questions based on available information and your knowledge of budgets.
List three kinds of budgets you would prepare as part of an operating budget for the organization. Explain why you think each of the budgets would be included in the company’s operating budget.

If you are trying to cut and paste it does not work here usually. You need to type everything out.

2. Based on publicly available information for your company, can you tell if the company uses an activity-based costing system? What advantages do you think an activity based costing system provides or would provide (if any) for this company? Explain your answer based on the characteristics of activity-based costing systems and what you have learned about your company.

3. Identify any ethical issues that might arise in this organization.

4. Consider the budgeting needs of the organization you’ve chosen. Though the company’s budget may not be publicly available, answer the following questions based on available information and your knowledge of budgets.
List three kinds of budgets you would prepare as part of an operating budget for the organization. Explain why you think each of the budgets would be included in the company’s operating budget.

List three activities that would be included in an activity based budget for the organization. Explain why you think these activities would be part of the company’s activity based budget.

1. To find out which publicly traded company to use for the final project, you can start by conducting research on companies that are of interest to you or relevant to the topic of your project. You can use various online resources like financial news websites, stock market platforms, or business databases to gather information on different companies. Look for up-to-date information such as market capitalization, industry sector, financial performance, and any recent news or developments related to the company. Based on this research, you can narrow down your choices and evaluate which company aligns best with the objectives of your project.

2. To determine if the chosen company uses an activity-based costing system, you can explore the company's financial statements, annual reports, or information provided by the company itself on its costing methodologies. Look for any indications or discussions related to cost allocation methods, cost drivers, or any mention of activity-based costing. You can also analyze the company's costing structure, such as its cost breakdown per product or service, to see if it aligns with the principles of activity-based costing.

Advantages of activity-based costing system:
- Enhanced cost accuracy: Activity-based costing provides a more accurate measurement of the costs associated with products, services, or activities. It allocates costs based on the consumption of resources, allowing for a more precise understanding of cost behaviors.
- Improved decision-making: With activity-based costing, companies can identify the true cost drivers and understand how different activities impact costs. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions regarding pricing, product mix, process improvement, and resource allocation.
- Enhanced cost control: Activity-based costing enables better cost control by identifying and managing non-value-added activities or costs that can be reduced or eliminated. It supports cost optimization efforts and helps in identifying areas for cost-saving initiatives.

3. To identify ethical issues that might arise in the chosen organization, you can review the company's code of conduct, ethical policies, or any recent scandals or controversies that have been associated with the company. Assess the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, fair business practices, employee treatment, environmental sustainability, and transparency in its operations. Look for information on any legal or regulatory violations, instances of fraud or corruption, labor issues, or any questionable practices that may arise.

4. While the company's budget may not be publicly available, you can still answer the following questions based on available information and your knowledge of budgets:

a) Sales budget: This budget estimates the expected sales revenue for the organization. It helps in setting sales targets and serves as a basis for planning production and resource allocation. This budget is crucial for understanding the company's revenue generation potential and aligning it with other operational budgets.

b) Production budget: This budget outlines the production targets and requirements for each product or service offered by the organization. It considers factors like demand forecast, production capacity, inventory levels, and any external factors impacting production. The production budget guides the allocation of resources and assists in efficient production planning.

c) Operating expenses budget: This budget covers all the anticipated operating expenses of the organization for a specified period. It includes costs like salaries, marketing expenses, utilities, rent, and other day-to-day operational costs. The operating expenses budget helps in tracking and controlling expenses, ensuring that the company operates within its financial means.

Each of these budgets is included in the company's operating budget because they provide essential information for effective financial planning, resource allocation, and performance evaluation. They allow the organization to align its operations with its financial goals, make informed decisions, and monitor its financial performance.