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Ethics and Compliance

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Obtain a copy of Walmart's annual report and SEC filings for the past two years.
Prepare a 1,400-1,750-word paper in which you analyze the data in thier annual reports and SEC filings. In your analysis, be sure to address the following:
1) Assess the role of ethics and compliance in walmart's financial environment.
Describe the procedures that walmart has put in place to ensure ethical behavior
Identify the processes the organization uses to comply with SEC regulations.
Evaluate walmart's financial performance over the past two years using financial ratios. Calculate the following ratios for each year:
a) Current
b) Debt
c) ROE (return on investment)
d) Days receivable

Be sure to discuss the trend for each ratio and what it tells you about the organization's financial health.
Be sure to properly cite your sources of financial information.

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Ethics and Compliance is discussed very comprehensively in this explanation.

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The process that Wal-Mart uses to comply with the requirements of SEC is to file relevant reports, annual report and the financial statements on time. For instance the results of operation and financial condition and financial statements for the year ended 31st January 2007 were filed on 20th February 2007. Similarly, the Annual Report was filed with the SEC on 27th March 2007. This is an ethical and a legal compliance step taken by Wal-Mart. The reason is that first it is the legal duty of Wal-Mart to file its financial statements and annual report with SEC. Moreover, from the deontological ethical perspective, it is the duty of Wal-Mart to make available its financial statements and annual report to the public in general. This duty has been performed by Wal-Mart by filing the returns. Moreover, the changes in directors and principal officers of Wal-Mart have been notified to SEC on 3rd April 2007, this is quick reporting because the change was announced on 30th March 2007. These filings allow the stakeholders to evaluate the financial and business performance of Wal-Mart and allow investors to make considered decisions. Also these filings imply that Wal-Mart has complied with the legal requirements.

According to the website www.walmartstores.com, "Wal-Mart's Ethical Standards program exists to strengthen the implementation of positive labor and environmental practices in factories, to bring opportunities for a better life in the countries where merchandise for sale by Wal-Mart is sourced, and to verify factory compliance with our Standards for Suppliers (code of conduct). We are committed to working with our suppliers and other stakeholders to accomplish these objectives and to address challenges with sustainable solutions." www.walmartstores.com
This is what the website http://walmartfacts.com/reports/2006/ethical_standards says: "The Wal-Mart Ethical Standards Program is in
place today to work with our suppliers and to
do what is right for factory workers and the
environment. The only effective way to achieve
our objective is by moving beyond monitoring
factories, increasing collaboration with
stakeholders and capacity building. Through our
efforts we hope not only to bring sustainable and
positive change to working conditions in factories
but also help to provide opportunities for a better
life in the countries where we are sourcing." http://walmartfacts.com/reports/2006/ethical_standards
Wal-Mart has put in place some ethical standards ...

Solution provided by:
Hatim Baxamusa, MBA
Education
  • BSc , University of Calcutta
  • MBA, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management
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