Homework: Accounting Report

Your client, Julio Teheran, has just inherited some money and has decided to invest it in stock. He is not interested in mutual funds because he prefers to have personal control over his investments. He currently has a diversified portfolio of stock to which this new investment will be added. Mr. Teheran wants to invest about $25,000, but plans to maintain a conservative investing strategy, so as to keep risk as low as possible.

Mr. Teheran has asked you to evaluate the most recent reports of several corporations as possible investment options. Choose three corporations whose stock is listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ and whose annual reports you can study. Compare information found among the three, and prepare a report for Mr. Teheran that provides three favorable options, but outlines the differences with each. Keep in mind that Mr. Teheran will only invest in one firm, but you are providing him three options.

As you write, remember to practice the steps of the Writing Process that we have discussed. Make sure you know what you are being asked to do, and set out to research a clear answer to Mr. Teherans question. Remember, while there are many options, Mr. Teheran has asked you to do the winnowing down for him. You will want to draft a complete and thorough comparison, and condense down to what is most pertinent. This means drafting and revising. Remember your audience, and write to his needs. Finally, make sure you have correct references and citations so that your client could do follow up research, or find more information on his own after reading your report.

A successful report will:

Begin with a transmittal document that adheres to principles of letter writing.

Contains a properly formatted title page, table of contents, and summary.

Back up its clearly stated claims (e.g. topic sentences) with evidence and examples.

Cite sources within and at the end of the text, quoting and referencing correctly.

Remain clear and concise. A report contains the most important points, not everything you learned in your research!

Take audience into account and address concerns fully, (in this case by suggesting a course of action) in an appropriate tone.