Environmental Accounting & Critical Management Assignment

Part A- Critical Analysis

Research and analyze the external reporting of BHPand critique the usefulness of the information as a decision-making tool for stakeholders who are concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the firms operations.

Use this research and analysis to evaluate, critique and discuss the key Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) disclosures concentrating on the interpretation of the accounting guidelines and frameworks. Your discussion should include:

1. An overview of the environmental and social impacts (positive and negative) of the firms operations. (10 marks)

2. A comparison of the quality and depth of environmental and social performance information provided with other firms in the sector.(20 marks)

3. A discussion of the key challenges faced by the firm when complying with the GRI Reporting Standards.(10 marks)

4. An evaluation of whether widespread compliance with the GRI Reporting Standards by other comparable organizations would benefit potential investors, current shareholders and other stakeholders of the firm.

Your critical analysis should be presented as an academic paper, be in MS Word format, and use:

• 12 point Arial.

• table of contents (linked to the headings in your report);

• single line spacing.

• text justified left.

• use headings and sub-headings.

• introduction, the body; and conclusion format.

Ensure your academic writing:

• is clear and concise.

• is written in the third person.

• uses full sentences and paragraphs.

• is free from professional jargon.

• explicitly acknowledges and explains all assumptions.

Your response should be no longer than 1,500 words (excluding the reference list). Penalties apply where the word limit is exceeded by more than 10%.

Part B Strategic Initiative

Construction Pty Limited is considering a strategic initiative to develop a new range of mining equipment. The sales and production teams have developed a high-level cost analysis. Prior to pursuing these initiatives, they have asked for your management accounting focused input and guidance. Prepare a short memo document critically analyzing the strategic initiative that you will distribute at a team meeting. You can select an appropriate template for your memo by clicking 'New' > 'search for online templates' within MS Word by typing 'memo'.

As part of your memo, consider the following:

1. What are the likely major costs associated with the ongoing operation for this strategic initiative? Estimate the cost behavior (fixed, variable or otherwise) of each of the identified costs.

2. Develop a sustainable balanced scorecard that could be used to evaluate the success of this initiative.

3. Critically evaluate whether break-even analysis would be a useful and reliable screening tool to assess the desirability of pursuing this new initiative.

4. Discuss the impact of the initiative on the organizations' resources with reference to:

(a) How many products will need to be sold to break-even and achieve the given after-tax profit figure,

(b) Proposed strategies that you have developed that could enhance the break-even point and forecast profit? These strategies could impact the firms sales mix, selling prices, variable or fixed costs.

(c) Include workings that illustrate how your proposed strategies could influence the break-even point and forecast profit.

Your memo should be presented as a formal business document suitable for an internal professional audience that includes all supporting workings. It should be no longer than 1,000 words (excluding referencing). Penalties apply where the word limit is exceeded by more than 10%.include workings that illustrate how your proposed strategies could influence the break-even point and forecast profit.