a$)$ Following is selected financial information for eBay Inc., for its fiscal years $2020$ and $2021.$

$\backslash$table$[[\backslash$table$[[$Kwachas millions, except per share$],[$data$]],2020,2021],[$Current assets,$8,875,7,904],[$Current liabilities.,$3,847,2,263],[$Total Assets,$23,847,17,755],[$Total Liabilities,$13,308,11,179],[$Shares Outstanding,$530,741],[$Retained Earnings,$14,959,7,713],[$Stock Price Per Share,$29\mathrm{.}69,27\mathrm{.}48],[$Sales$,8,979,8,592],[$Earnings before Interest and Taxes,$2,325,2,197]]$

i$.$ Compute and compare the Altman Z$-$scores for both years. What explains the apparent trend?

$(6$ Marks$)$

ii$.$ Is the company more likely to go bankrupt given the Z$-$score in $2021$ compared to $2020?$ Explain.

$(4$ Marks$)$

In what order do we normally forecast the financial statements? Explain the logic of this order.

$(5$ Marks$)$

Evaluate the importance of understanding management's interests and influence in the preparation of financial statements when analyzing a company.

$(5$ Marks$)$