Financial Accounting Project (BA 42, Tailab)

To locate the data needed for this project, follow these steps:

Step 1: Each group will select a firm and analyze its financial statements. The firm should be a large U.S. company as measured by the most recent S&P 500 list.

Step 2: Find the Financial Statements or Financial Ratios for this project in the following database:

• Mergent Online - available via free San Francisco Public Library account

Step 3: Panel data should span five years.

Step 4: Use Financial Ratios for your analytical tool.

Students are expected to apply for a free San Francisco Public Library Card. Please see information about the process below.

Who is eligible?

• Residents of California may receive a free San Francisco Public Library card.

Why get a SFPL library card?

• You can borrow books, LPs, and museum passes, AND your card allows you to download digital media, use electronic databases, take online classes, use library computers, and more. 

How do I apply?

• Apply Online (or fill out the paper application) and then present a valid photo ID in-person at any SFPL location to receive a library card. The Library does not issue library cards online; you must visit in-person one time.

How do I Iog in?

• Once you have a library card, use your unique barcode and pin to log in to your account.

Can I access resources remotely?

• Yes! You can access articles & databases remotely. Enter your barcode and pin when prompted.

You will need access the Mergent Online database for this assignment. Mergent Online includes U.S. and international company financials, ratios, news, and annual reports.

How to access Mergent Online with a free San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) card:

1. Go to the SFPL website.
2. Go to the "Research & Learn" tab and select "Articles & Databases"
3. Use the A-Z List to find and select "Mergent Online" (or search in the "Business & Finance" selection).
4. Enter your unique SFPL barcode and pin when prompted.
5. From Mergent Online's home page, unselect all search criteria except for, "USA Company Database (Active)".
6. Enter a Company Name (example: Wal-Mart) or a Company Ticker (example: WMT) in the search box.
7. Select the correct company from the drop-down list and click on the highlighted company name.
8. Choose the "Company Financials" tab.
9. Then, choose the "Ratios" tab in the row below.
10. Now you can customize your report to get the data you need.
11. For example, you can select "5 years", "10 years", etc. from the drop down menu. Be sure to hit "refresh" if you change any selections.

Video Tutorial: How to Access Mergent Online