The PDF attachment is in regards to my Accounting 547 course. In this managerial accounting class, I was assigned to a group with two other students. We needed to analyze and compare the performance of two firms (Amazon & Wal Mart) in a common industry over the most recent 3-year period for which 10-K reports were available with emphasis given to one of those firms (Amazon) that you will evaluate for investment purposes. We were to use the data from recent SEC filings (10-K), news reports, and other public sources of information to write a report that examines differences and similarities between the two firms in areas like (1) operating strategies, (2) business and investment strategies (R&D policies, capital investments, acquisitions, etc.), and (3) financial strategies (sources of new capital, leverage, dividend policy, etc.). We had to remember that the financial statements of each firm may need to be adjusted, to make them comparable, before performing the time-series and cross-sectional analyses. Examples of common adjustments included differences in inventory cost flow assumptions, like FIFO vs. LIFO, differences in pension plans, like defined benefit plans vs. defined contribution plans, and differences in depreciation methods. We were required to submit a typed, electronic report, no more than 20 double-spaced-pages long (including exhibits, but not including appendices). At the end of our report we were to come to a conclusion describing whether or not we would invest in our emphasized firm. We were graded on our written communication skills (grammar, organization, clarity, presentation, style) as well as the content of your report.We were responsible for deciding what information should be communicated and how much detail was needed for effective communication without creating information overload.