Critically evaluate a range of technologies in the accounting and financial arena 2. Design and evaluate solutions to contemporary accounting and financial management challenges

After completing the module, you should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate a range of technologies in the accounting and financial arena
2. Design and evaluate solutions to contemporary accounting and financial management challenges
3. Assess the accounting and financial management challenges impacting the contemporary
business environment
4. Assess the importance of Big Data analysis in modern financial environments
5. (GA) Digitally literate to show confident and critical use of information and digital
technologies across a range of professional, personal, and academic contexts. (This may include but is not limited to computer literacy, digital information, digital media, digital communication, and collaboration competencies).Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard system(s). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.
Please put your STU number in your file name.Question 1
The Aviva and Prudential Plc, are top UK companies in terms of capitalization. Please analyse the financial performance (in terms of profitability, liquidity, gearing, efficiency and investment etc.) of the companies in the three most recent consecutive financial periods (e.g. 2021/2022 & 2022/2023 & 2023/2024) using 10 different accounting ratios and future growth opportunities.
You are required to:
a) Calculate the 10 ratios (at least two from profitability, liquidity, gearing, efficiency and investment). You are expected to use charts to compare performance of your chosen company to reveal trends on consecutive financial periods. (20 Marks)
Note: Show your calculations of ratios and the source of financial statements. Please do not copy and paste ratios directly from sources.
b) Interpret the ratios
i.
What do the ratio values reveal? – i.e. the significance of the ratios and their strategic implications (5 marks)
ii.
Any reason for the movement in the ratios across the years with respect to changes in business environments and internal initiatives?Justify which one of the two companies is a better target for investment with aim of long-term capital appreciation. Industry specific insights are important to include..Question 2
Analyse how blockchain can mitigate fraud in financial transactions. Criticise the safety of a blockchain finance app of your choice.
Hint: You may begin by identifying and debating about two up-to-date scholarly or practitioner articles.