Let students complete or polish the shared artifact and identify what project features they must later recreate independently
Using the shared rehearsal workbook, write a recommendation statement on your own (or with your group). This is practice for the real project. Your recommendation must follow this format:
Claim: [What should TechStart do?]
Evidence: [Cite 2-3 specific numbers from the workbook that support this claim.]
Risk: [Name one limitation or risk that could change this recommendation.]
Example: "TechStart should delay its equipment purchase until Q2. Evidence: Net income this month was only $300 after $8,800 in depreciation, and cash on hand is $12,000 against $9,500 in monthly operating costs. Risk: If a key client pays early, the cash position could improve enough to proceed."
Write your own recommendation below. Use numbers from the shared workbook.
In Lessons 08–10, your team will receive a different dataset and work independently. The structures below are what you must recreate from scratch. Check each one as you confirm you understand it.
Structure
- Same seven-sheet tab structure (Data, Adjustments, Trial Balance, Financial Statements, Closing Entries, Recommendation, Assumptions)
- Clear color-coding for inputs vs. calculations vs. outputs
- Named ranges for all key data blocks
Evidence Chain
- Every recommendation on the Recommendation sheet must cite specific numbers from other sheets
- Adjusting entries must have written reasons
- Trial balance must show debits equal credits
Communication
- At least one clear recommendation statement (claim + evidence)
- At least one risk or limitation statement
- Assumptions sheet with date, version, and data source
Quality Checks
- No hard-coded outputs in Financial Statements — all pull from Adjustments or Trial Balance
- No broken formulas or #REF! errors
- Post-closing trial balance contains only permanent accounts
Review the shared workbook one more time. Can you confirm each item?
- The recommendation cites specific numbers that I can find on another sheet
- The risk statement acknowledges a real uncertainty (not a generic disclaimer)
- All adjusting entries have written reasons
- The Assumptions sheet has a date and version
- I could recreate this workbook structure with a different dataset