In order to assist your Capstone employer with their focus on corporate disclosure and transparency, you will benchmark Ford Motor Company (Ford) by locating their most recent annual Form 10-K using the Ford Investors section of their website (under Filter Filing Type, click on Annual Filings), or the SEC Company Search page (enter F in the Fast Search field for Fords stock ticker symbol), and enter 10-K in Filing Type field. You will also utilize the Ford Corporate Governance section of their website.

Respond to the following questions:

1A. Describe the role of the Securities Exchange Commission in promoting ethical behavior at Ford. Include an explanation of the purpose of Form 10-K and how the information that the company is required to disclose promotes transparency for the benefit of its stakeholders.

B. Using Form 10-K, locate the Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries Financial Statements section, review the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Income Statement, and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and summarize the purpose of each report. Next, describe the connection between Ford providing this information to its stakeholders and how this facilitates ethical behavior.

C. Discuss the purpose of the audit conducted by Fords CPA firm and its role in supporting transparency and disclosure. Next, locate the auditors conclusion in the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries Financial Statements section. Explain the purpose of this report, including how it facilitates ethical behavior, and indicate the auditors conclusion expressed in the report. Do you believe that the opinions provided are comprehensive enough to give confidence to Fords stakeholders? Why or why not?

D. Examine how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) facilitates financial transparency at Ford by addressing the following:

a. Describe the overall purpose of SOX, including why it was created and how Fords compliance will promote financial transparency.

b. Locate the Form 10-K 3. Exhibits section which is part of ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules under Part IV. Locate the Certifications of CEO and CFO under this section (labeled as Rule 15d-14(a) and Section 1350), describe the contents of each document, and indicate how they facilitate financial transparency.

c. Locate the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Personnel using the Governance Policies tab in the Ford Corporate Governance section of their website, describe the contents of the code, and indicate how it facilitates financial transparency.

d. Locate the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors using the Governance Policies tab in the Ford Corporate Governancesection of their website, describe the contents of the charter, and indicate how it facilitates financial transparency.