Professional Body: ICA (Ghana)

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q5c – Board Independence and Accountability in Corporate Governance

Evaluation of how the governance structure at BOGML affects board independence and accountability.

There are a number of concepts of good corporate governance that every entity, including BOGML, must strive to adhere to.

Required:
Provide an evaluation of how the existing corporate governance structure at BOGML may undermine or compromise the following key concepts of good corporate governance, with particular reference to the current composition and organisation of the board.

i) Independence
ii) Responsibility and accountability

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q5b – Board Responsibilities in Corporate Governance

Evaluate the role of the board in corporate governance, focusing on responsibilities for strategy, oversight, and ethical leadership.

The role of the board of directors is critical in corporate governance. The National Corporate Governance Code for Ghana (the National Code) issued in November 2022 outlines the board’s core responsibilities.

Required:

Advise the board of BOGML on the FIVE key responsibilities of the board of directors as outlined in the National Code.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q5b – Board Responsibilities in Corporate Governance

Identify and explain the five governance pillars in the National Corporate Governance Code for Ghana 2022.

It is evident that all is not well with the current corporate governance at BOGML. However, for the company to achieve sustainable growth and remain competitive, it must adhere to sound corporate governance principles.

Required:

Using the FIVE governance pillars identified in the National Corporate Governance Code for Ghana 2022 (the National Code), issued in November 2022 by the Institute of Directors-Ghana, advise the company on how to improve upon its current governance structure.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q4c – Forward Rate Agreement for Interest Rate Risk Management

Calculation of settlement amount for FRA under different Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) scenarios.

The company has decided to use a Forward Rate Agreement (FRA) to manage its interest rate risk likely to arise from the short-term loan of GH¢15 million it intends to borrow in three months for a period of six months.

Required:

i) What is the purpose for a company to enter into an FRA arrangement? (2 marks)

ii) Calculate the amount of money that will be paid to settle the FRA at the beginning of the FRA period if, at the end of month 3, when the FRA becomes effective, the six-month Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) is as follows:

a) 37.50%
b) 28.50%

In each case, clearly state the party (i.e. FRA buyer or FRA seller) responsible for making the payment.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q4b – International Tax Considerations

Key tax issues for BOGML’s planned international expansion to minimize total group tax payable.

The company is planning to expand its operations to Tanzania and South Africa in 2026. As a result, transactions between the head office in Ghana and the prospective foreign subsidiaries will likely take place, leading to potential international tax implications.

Required:

Briefly identify and explain TWO key issues to consider for the company to minimise total tax payable on the group profits.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q4a – Capital Budgeting Framework

Explanation of the five key elements in the capital budgeting framework for investment appraisal.

One of the Board members, Dr. Halimatu Sadia, has expressed concerns regarding Dr. Ayimadu Baffour’s consistent failure to conduct investment appraisals and capital budgeting when making long-term investment decisions.

Required:

Advise Dr. Ayimadu Baffour on the capital budgeting and strategic planning framework used for conducting investment appraisals by briefly outlining the FIVE key elements of the framework.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q3a-b – SBUs and Growth Phases

Evaluate BOGML’s SBUs using Ashridge Matrix and analyse growth phases with Greiner’s Model.

a) The company has presented information on the various products and services (i.e. the strategic business units (SBUs)) within the company’s portfolio.

Required:
Using Ashridge Portfolio Display Matrix and based on the performance of each SBU, clearly classify and explain the products and services under appropriate categories identified by the matrix. Support your answer with Ashridge Portfolio Display Matrix.

b) Since its inception, BOGML has grown organically and has gone through different stages of development in response to the challenges of growth and changes in both its internal and external environments. The company is currently under pressure to continue evolving.

Required:

i) Identify and describe the first two phases of growth applicable to BOGML based on Greiner’s Growth Model. In your explanation, include the type of crisis the company faced at each phase.

ii) The board has proposed appointing Regional Managers who will be responsible for the sales performance of the company’s filling and gas stations in their regions. If this proposal is implemented, it will move the company to the next phase in Greiner’s Growth Model. Identify and explain what this next phase is, and describe the potential crisis that may arise at this stage.

C 

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q2b – Integration/Responsiveness Matrix and Cost Reduction

Advising BOGML’s MD on the best international strategies under the IR Matrix to achieve cost reduction in expansion.

The Board of BOGML has approved the Managing Director’s proposal to expand operations into Tanzania and South Africa by 2026. A key strategic focus of the company has been cost reduction, due to the narrow profit margins prevalent in the industry.

Required:
Using the Integration/Responsiveness (IR) Matrix, advise Dr. Ayimadu Baffour on the two most suitable international strategies/choices that have a low requirement for local responsiveness but can effectively support his cost reduction objectives. Clearly identify and explain the two strategies within the IR Matrix that prioritize cost reduction.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q2a – Approaches to Risk Management

Discusses risk management approaches to address identified risks in BOGML.

Approaches to risk management in BOGML – Advice to the board of directors

The following are the risk management approaches that the board of BOGML can adopt to manage the following risks identified in the company:

Risk A

  • Description: Low probability but high impact, e.g., pandemics, natural disasters.
  • Approach: Risk Transfer or Risk Sharing
  • Since this risk has a low likelihood of occurring but can result in severe financial losses, the company should consider transferring this risk or sharing risk. This can be done through the company taking full or partial (i.e. sharing of risk) insurance policies specifically designed for catastrophic events, such as business interruption insurance, pandemic insurance, or property insurance that covers natural disasters. Since the impact will be high when the risk occurs, the company can take insurance to pass on the high impact on the company to the insurance company which has to compensate BOGML in the event that the risk does occur.
  • The risk could also be shared through BOGML forming partnerships and collaborating with other OMCs to undertake investment in their oil stations.
  • The company should also develop a disaster recovery and business continuity plan to manage potential impacts effectively.

Risk B

  • Description: High likelihood but low financial impact, e.g., labor turnover and software downtime due to internet instability.

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SCS – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q1b – Digital Challenges in Accounting

Discuss the challenges of digital transformation in accounting, covering cybersecurity, compliance, and ethical concerns.

In the contemporary business landscape, the integration of digital technologies presents multifaceted challenges for accounting professionals, particularly in the areas of digital transition, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and ethical decision-making. Explain each of these challenges.

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AAA – Nov 2024 – L3 – Q1a – Ethical Issues in Audit Engagements

Ethical issues and professional conduct in an audit engagement involving conflict of interest.

You are the Audit Partner of a mid-sized audit firm, Amoah Sonko and Associates. One of your major clients, Kudi LTD (Kudi), has approached you for a significant audit engagement. Kudi has been experiencing rapid growth and plans to get listed on the Ghana Alternative Market within the next year. During preliminary discussions, the Managing Director of Kudi, a friend, promised you a bonus if the audit report is completed quickly and is favourable, highlighting the company’s strengths.

In the course of the audit of Kudi, you came across a series of unusual financial transactions. These included large intercompany loans with its sister companies, other significant related-party transactions with the directors, and an unusually high volume of sales recorded a few days before the end of the financial year. Upon further investigation, your team found discrepancies in inventory records and evidence of potential non-compliance with revenue recognition standards. The Finance Manager insists these transactions are legitimate and necessary for the company’s rapid growth.

Additionally, you noticed that Kudi was involved in a high-profile legal battle with a major competitor, which was not fully disclosed in the financial statements. The lawyer for Kudi insists that you omit this information from the audit report, arguing it would damage the company’s reputation and its plans to get listed on the Ghana Alternative Market.

Required:
i) Identify TWO potential ethical issues in the scenario and explain the potential impact on your professional conduct.                      ii) Identify the steps you should take to address the conflict of interest presented by the Managing Director’s offer. 
iii) Discuss the potential sanctions for accepting the Managing Director’s offer and providing a favourable audit report without proper verification. 
iv) Evaluate the impact of the undisclosed legal battle on Kudi LTD’s financial statements and the upcoming initial public offer.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q5c – Functions of the State Interests and Governance Authority

Explains four functions of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) in overseeing state entities.

The Nine Hundred and Ninetieth Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana entitled the State Interests and Governance Authority Act, 2019 was established to oversee and administer state interests in state-owned enterprises, joint venture companies, and other state entities and to provide for related matters.

Required:

Explain FOUR functions of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA).

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q5b – Nolan’s Principles of Public Life

Explains four of Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life, which guide ethical behavior in public office.

 Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life serve as guidelines for ethical behavior in public service. They are not typically enforceable through direct legal actions; instead, they often operate as moral and professional standards shaping the behavior of individuals in public office.

Required:

Explain FOUR of these principles.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q5a – Public Financial Management Regulations

Explains the provisions in PFM Regulation 2019 for a Principal Spending Officer in the payment process and differentiates between misapplication and misappropriation of funds.

a) The Public Financial Management Regulation makes the Principal Spending Officer (PSO) personally responsible for all payments of the covered entity. To mitigate possible risk exposure of the PSO during the payment process, the regulations provide guidance to assist approving authorities before signing off any payment.

In recent times, the Auditor-General has faulted PSOs for infractions such as misapplication of funds, misappropriation of funds, and partially accounted payments among others. Similar observations were cited in the 2023 Management Letter of Nipa Ye Municipal Assembly.

Required:

i) With reference to the PFM Regulation 2019, LI 2378, explain the provisions available to the PSO in the payment process before approval.

ii) Distinguish between misapplication of funds and misappropriation of funds as used by the Auditor-General with an example each.

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PSA – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q4c – Events After the Reporting Date

Explanation of events occurring after the reporting date and their impact on financial statements.

Explain THREE limitations of ratio analysis

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q4b – Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability

Explanation of the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability framework and its application.

Based on your results in (a), write a report to the newly appointed board analyzing and indicating whether their performance is better in comparison with the old board.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q4a – Financial Ratio Analysis

Compute financial ratios for Ghana Wind Farms LTD to analyze performance trends.

Ghana Wind Farms LTD, a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE), has appointed a new Board of Directors in January 2023. The new Board, after settling for a year, is interested in assessing their performance for the year 2023 against the performance of the previous Board in the year 2022 through ratio analysis. Below is the financial statement of Ghana Wind Farms LTD for the two years.


Ghana Wind Farms LTD

Statement of Profit or Loss for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

2023 (GH¢) 2022 (GH¢)
Revenue 9,860,000 6,218,000
Direct Cost (5,905,000) (5,822,000)
Gross Profit 3,955,000 396,000
Distribution Costs (297,000) (264,000)
Administrative Expenses (505,000) (455,000)
Other Income 236,000 13,000
Other Gains 1,482,000
Operating Profit 3,389,000 1,172,000
Finance Cost (1,000,000) (334,000)
Profit Before Tax Expense 2,389,000 838,000
Tax Expense (500,000) (144,000)
Profit After Tax 1,889,000 694,000

Ghana Wind Farms LTD

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2023

2023 (GH¢) 2022 (GH¢)
ASSETS
Non-Current Assets
Property, Plant & Equipment 17,000,000 15,000,000
Investment 5,000 2,000
Advances & Loans 30,000
Total Non-Current Assets 17,005,000 15,032,000
Current Assets
Inventories 687,000 546,000
Trade and Other Receivables 2,829,000 1,978,000
Prepayments 87,000 42,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents 383,000 434,000
Total Current Assets 3,986,000 3,000,000
TOTAL ASSETS 20,991,000 18,032,000
EQUITY & LIABILITIES
Equity
Government Equity 8,000 8,000
Other Government Equity 613,000 306,000
Capital Surplus 8,471,000 7,599,000
Income Surplus (1,434,000) 478,000
Total Equity 7,970,000 8,697,000
Non-Current Liabilities
Deferred Credit 6,692,000 670,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities 2,498,000 2,572,000
Borrowings (Due After One Year) 1,297,000 950,000
Total Non-Current Liabilities 10,487,000 4,192,000
Current Liabilities
Bank Overdraft 166,000 180,000
Provision for Company Tax 109,000 109,000
Trade and Other Payables 1,820,000 4,516,000
Borrowings (Due Within One Year) 439,000 338,000
Total Current Liabilities 2,534,000 5,143,000
Total Liabilities 13,021,000 9,335,000
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 20,991,000 18,032,000

Required:

a) Compute the following ratios:

i) Current Ratio
ii) Quick Ratio
iii) Inventory Turnover (Days)
iv) Trade Receivable Collection Period (Days)
v) Trade Payables Period (Days)
vi) Working Capital Cycle
vii) Interest Cover Ratio
viii) Total Debt – Total Asset Ratio

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q3b – Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Assessment

Evaluate the financial performance of a local government based on PEFA assessment results and recommend strategies for improvement.

 Accounting and reporting constitute a key pillar of an organised and transparent public financial management system in the public sector. The effectiveness of accounting and reporting reflects the integrity of financial data, the accuracy of in-year budget reports, and the quality of annual financial statements. In a recent Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment, a local government had the following results:

  • Annual financial reporting: D
  • In-year budget report: D+
  • Financial data integrity: C

Required:
i) Explain the assessment performance to the Municipal Chief Executive of the local government.
ii) Recommend two strategies for improving the performance of the local government in each of the assessed areas.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q3a – Public Financial Management Cycle

Explaining objectives and improvements in public financial management systems.

As part of efforts to improve public financial management, the government has engaged experts to evaluate the entire public financial management cycle. The review report indicates that every component of the cycle is malfunctioning and emphasizes the need for a stronger commitment to building a robust system to achieve the desired outcomes.

Required:

i) Explain THREE key objectives of an orderly and open public financial management system.

ii) Recommend TWO ways of enhancing each stage of the public financial management cycle towards the attainment of desired outcomes.

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PSAF – Nov 2024 – L2 – Q2b – Related Party Transactions and Disclosures

Explains related party transactions and their implications under IPSAS 20.

You are the Director of Finance at the Ghana Water Development Authority, an entity under the Ministry of Forestry and Water. The Authority has a five-member Board chaired by the daughter of the Sector Minister. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority has just been appointed by Government for an initial term of four years.

The Chairperson of the board runs boutique services. The Authority buys a lot of presents from this boutique whenever they are confronted with the need to give out presents to any high-profile person. The Chairperson has made a request to the Authority to finance her boutique services with an amount of GH¢546,000 to enable her business to pay some urgent bills. No terms or conditions were provided in the request. Such an assistance from a financial institution would attract the current prevailing bank interest on loans at a rate of 35% per annum. Recently, another member of the Board contracted a loan from the Bank for her child’s university entrance fees at that rate.

Management of the Authority indicated that the amount was not significant to the Authority and has been approved by the Head of the entity and the Chief Director. The approved document has been handed over to you for payment. Considering the PFM Laws and IPSAS, you engaged the Chief Director about the request, but you were directed to go ahead and pay and use the appropriate accounting treatment in such circumstances. You accordingly raised the necessary documentation and effected the payment.

Required:

In relation to IPSAS 20: Related Party Disclosures:

i) Explain the implications of this transaction on the Authority and state how you would account for this transaction in the financial statements of the entity.

ii) State SIX situations where related party transactions may lead to disclosures by a reporting entity.

iii) Explain TWO reasons for disclosing related party transactions/relations.

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