JWI 530: Financial Management I
Assignment 1B

© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

JWI 530 – Assignment 1B (1244) Page 1 of 5

Executive Memo and Presentation
Due: Monday, 9:00 am (eastern), Week 6 (20% of Final Grade)

Overview

A critical financial accounting skill is the ability to read, analyze, and make actionable decisions from
published financial statements. Business leaders gain valuable information from the annual reports of
direct competitors, companies that operate in similar fields, and companies in which they are considering
an investment or partnership.

Instructions
You are the CFO of a leading real estate development company, Stanton Properties, Inc. Stanton
Properties plans to add a new strategic partner in the physical fitness business to its master planned
community (MPC) division. The General Manager (GM) of the MPC division has asked for your assistance
in performing a financial analysis to help identify the new physical fitness industry partner. The GM has
narrowed the list of potential partners down to two firms, Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT) and Life
Time Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LTH). Both companies use a December fiscal year-end and report
their financial statements in thousands of dollars. The analysis period is from 2020 through 2023. The
CEO, your boss, has specifically asked for a financial analysis of four key areas: Profitability, Short-Term
Liquidity, Debt Management, and Cash Flow. You have decided to organize your work into TWO
components:

• Part A: Financial Analysis Snapshot and Initial Findings using data from the companies’ annual
reports (Due: Monday, 9:00 am (eastern), Week 5; worth 10% of your final grade)

• Part B: Executive Memo and brief Video Presentation of your analysis (Due: Monday, 9:00 am
(eastern), Week 6; worth 20% of your final grade)

Before completing your work on Assignment 1B, carefully review your feedback
and address any questions you have from Assignment 1A.

Assignment 1, Part B: Executive Memo and Presentation

Present a synopsis of your analysis in an executive memo you would feel comfortable submitting to your
CEO. You may organize the memo as you see fit, but it must follow the principles of good business
communication. Be sure to include your recommendation to the CEO in your memo, preferably in the
opening paragraph and the summary. To support your executive memo, prepare 5 slides and record a
brief video presentation highlighting the key points of your findings.

JWI 530: Financial Management I
Assignment 1B

© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

JWI 530 – Assignment 1B (1244) Page 2 of 5

For your executive memo, answer the following 11 questions organized under four key topics:

1. Profitability/Net Income Margins
• What are both companies’ after-tax net income margins (i.e., net profit margins)?
• How do the two companies compare?
• Which company achieves the higher net income margin? Explain.

Tip: Analyze the major cost structure line items in the income statement (COGS, SG&A,
restructuring costs, depreciation and amortization, impairment, interest expense (income),
etc.) as percentages of net sales so that you can identify reasons for better net income
margins. Identify and comment on the differences. You may not know why a particular cost
item, such as COGS is higher or lower, and that’s okay. Your CEO only wants to know which
cost-structure items are higher or lower for each company.

2. Debt Management

• Which company does a better job managing its long-term debt?
• What are their respective 3-year trends (2021 to 2023) for total debt to total assets

ratio?
• How can each company improve its use of long-term debt and equity capital?

3. Cash Is King
• How much net cash from operations (CFFO) did each company generate in the most

recent year?
• Which company has done a better job generating net cash from operations (CFFO)?
• In layperson’s terms, how is each company spending its cash with respect to

reinvestments in the business, changes in debt, and returning money to shareholders?

4. Short-Term Liquidity

• How do the companies compare in terms of the current ratio, and what are their
respective 3-year trends?

• Do their current ratios indicate that either of these companies could go bankrupt soon?
Explain.

JWI 530: Financial Management I
Assignment 1B

© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

JWI 530 – Assignment 1B (1244) Page 3 of 5

For your slides and video presentation, complete the following tasks:

1. Create a PowerPoint deck to support your financial presentation.

• Highlight your key findings from your Financial Analysis Snapshot (Assignment 1A) and
your Executive Memo. Focus on the most critical insights that would be helpful for the
leadership team. Your PowerPoint should complement your Financial Analysis Snapshot
and your Executive Memo.

i. Assume your CEO will have access to the documents, so just hit the high points.
ii. Keep your slides legible. Avoid tiny fonts, too much text, or distracting graphics.
iii. Keep it brief, using a maximum of 5 slides for the four key topics outlined above

and a summary with your recommendation.

2. Record your financial presentation using ZOOM or PowerPoint

• Record both the PowerPoint deck and your webcam feed simultaneously.

• Practice your presentation. You may record as many times as you wish before
submitting.

• Maintain eye contact, speak conversationally and professionally, use an engaging tone,
and dress appropriately.

• Your video must be no longer than 5 minutes.

Submission Requirements

There are 3 submission files for assignment 1B:

1. Your Executive Memo should be no more than 2 pages, single-spaced, using 10- or 12-point font.

You may also include an appendix with additional references, graphs, charts, and tables for

additional support if needed.

2. Your Video Recording should not exceed 5 minutes in length.

3. Your PowerPoint Deck must not exceed 5 slides (not including the cover page or references, if

desired).

JWI 530: Financial Management I
Assignment 1B

© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

JWI 530 – Assignment 1B (1244) Page 4 of 5

RUBRIC ASSIGNMENT 1B

20% of
Course Grade

Assignment 1B

CRITERIA Honors High Pass Pass Low Pass Unsatisfactory

1. Discuss the Profit
Structure of Both
Organizations’
Net Income
Margins

Weight: 20%

Meets HP
criteria, plus
includes
additional
insights and
analyses
demonstrating
additional
research and
knowledge.

Excellent
analysis of
the profit
structures of
both
organizations;
has no critical
omissions.

Satisfactorily
identifies and
assesses the
profit
structures of
both
organizations;
contains
minor
omissions.

Partially
identifies and
assesses the
profit
structure of at
least one
organization.

Does not
submit, or
incorrectly
identifies and
assesses the
profit structures
of both
organizations.

2. Assess Each
Company’s use
of Long-Term
Debt and Debt-
to-Equity Ratios

Weight: 20%

Meets HP
criteria, plus
includes
additional
insights and
analyses
demonstrating
additional
research and
knowledge.

Excellent
assessment
of both
companies’
long-term
debt/equity
management
methods and
results; has
no critical
omissions.

Satisfactorily
assesses both
companies’
long-term
debt/equity
management
methods and
results;
contains
minor
omissions.

Partially
assesses at
least one
company’s
long-term
debt/equity
management
methods and
results.

Does not
submit, or
incorrectly
assesses both
companies’
long-term
debt/equity
management
methods and
results.

3. Identify and
Assess each
Company’s Cash
Flow Situation
and Decisions

Weight: 20%

Meets HP
criteria, plus
includes
additional
insights and
analyses
demonstrating
additional
research and
knowledge.

Excellent
identification
and
assessment
of both
companies’
cash flow
situations and
decisions;
has no critical
omissions.

Satisfactorily
identified and
assessed
both
companies’
cash flow
situations and
decisions;
contains
minor
omissions.

Partially
identifies and
assesses at
least one
company’s
cash flow
situation and
decisions.

Does not
submit, or
incorrectly
identifies and
assesses both
companies’
cash flow
situations and
decisions.

4. Identify and
Assess each
Company’s
Liquidity Status

Weight: 20%

Meets HP
criteria, plus
includes
additional
insights and
analyses
demonstrating
additional
research and
knowledge.

Excellent
identification
and
assessment
of both
companies’
liquidity
statuses; has
no critical
omissions.

Satisfactorily
identifies and
assesses both
companies’
liquidity
statuses;
contains
minor
omissions.

Partially
identifies and
assesses at
least one
company’s
liquidity
status.

Does not
submit, or
incorrectly
identifies and
assesses both
companies’
liquidity
statuses.

JWI 530: Financial Management I
Assignment 1B

© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

JWI 530 – Assignment 1B (1244) Page 5 of 5

CRITERIA Honors High Pass Pass Low Pass Unsatisfactory

5. Demonstrate
Professional
Communication
and Executive
Presence

Weight: 20%

Meets all HP
criteria, plus
infuses the
delivery with a
style and
energy that
exemplifies
executive
presence;
demonstrates
exceptionally
strong and
engaging
interaction with
support
materials
without
allowing them
to distract from
the
presentation.

Delivery and
communicat-
ion are
excellent;
written
materials,
timing, and
content are
well organized
and clear;
makes
excellent
choices of
where to focus
time and
energy to
cover the
most critical
elements.

Delivery and
communicat-
ion are good;
makes eye
contact; voice
is dynamic;
presenter
uses
appropriate
verbal cues
and wears
professional
attire; PPT
deck, written
work, and
presentation
material meet
all submission
requirements
for content
and length.

Delivery and
communicat-
ion meet
minimum
requirements
but lack
executive
presence;
PPT deck and
written work
meet basic
submission
requirements;
presentation
is on-topic,
but poorly
organized
and/or makes
minimal
connections
to key topics.

Does not
submit, or
submission is
poorly written;
PPT deck is
missing or is not
integrated into
presentation;
delivery is
unfocused or
off-topic.