In any data analytics exercise, it is important to understand the underlying data as an aid in interpreting the results of any analysis undertaken. In this comprehensive problem that covers multiple chapters of the textbook, five cities in the state of New York are the basis for the analysis. The five cities are:

• City of Elmira
• City of Poughkeepsie
• City of Rome
• City of Saratoga Springs
• City of Watertown

These five cities were selected because they are all in one state, thus governed by the same state reporting and audit requirements. The fact that the cities are governed by one set of reporting requirements means that the data reported follows the same chart of accounts and rules for what should be reported in each account. As you will see, state requirements may not always follow GAAP requirements or the recommendations of the text. Cities selected are fairly comparable in population size, but they are geographically dispersed within the state, which has an impact on their economy. A data set including information for the five cities has been provided. The data set includes:

• Five years of data from 20142018
• Modified accrual information for the General Fund, Capital Projects Funds, and Debt Service Funds
• Budget information for the General Fund

Click here to download the data set.

Click here for a brief tutorial on Pivot Tables in Excel.

Click here for a brief tutorial on Pivot Table Filters and Charts in Excel.

Substantial detail is provided for some types of data. Although the assignments do not require the use of all data detail, your professor may ask for additional support for analysis that could include you preparing additional reports and analysis relating to the detail provided. Depending on your professors preference, the assignments will require that you prepare visualizations of the data using either Excel charts/graphs or Tableau. Using Excel to create graphs/charts can be accomplished by using pivot tables (click on insert). Once in your pivot table, filter the data to include only those items you would like charted (click on insert and then recommended charts or create your own chart). Some calculations may require you to create a new column and/or row and/or table that includes the calculations you will graph. The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to practice preparing governmental fund financial ratios and using the information from those ratios to help form an opinion on the financial position of the cities in the database, along with an opinion on the cities capacity to operate at the same or higher level in the future. This evaluation will be based on the General Fund information only.

Using the cities as benchmarks against each other, evaluate the financial position of the cities. Indicate whether, in your opinion the data show each city's ability to continue at or above their current levels of operation.