Financial Math

Financial Math provides members with the opportunity to gain knowledge around calculations in the business world. This competitive event consists of an objective test. This event aims to inspire members to learn about math in the business world.

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development

Equipment Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Conference-provided namtag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Equipment FBLA Provides: One piece of scratch paper per competitor; calculator.

 Objective Test Competencies

·         Consumer credit
·         Mark-up and discounts
·         Data analysis and reporting
·         Payroll
·         Interest rates
·         Investments
·         Taxes
·         Bank records
·         Insurance
·         Ratios and proportions
·         Depreciation
·         Inventory

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event. Students who placed in the top 10 at National in Business Calculations are NOT eligible to compete in this event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, Partnership with Business Project).
·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

 Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

 Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; calculators will be provided.

Tie Breaker

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type are not to be brought to the testing site.

National

Be sure to see the National guidelines at:  https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/

Study Guide: Competencies and Tasks

A.      Consumer Credit

1.       Identify the costs, benefits, and sources of various types of credit.

2.       Calculate sales tax and computer total price with sales tax.

3.       Compute total purchase price with interest/finance charges added

4.       Compute the costs involved in owning and buying an item such as an automobile, appliances, home, or furniture.

5.       Compute finance charges for single payment loans.

6.       Calculate installment loan costs such as amount financed, installment price, finance charge, and installment payment.

7.       Find the estimated annual percentage rate (APR) using a table.

8.       Compare costs of leasing and buying.

9.       Find the finance charge and new balance using the average daily balance method.

10.   Read amortization tables to determine payment, interest and balance.

11.   Compute Annual and monthly Percentage Rate for credit cards or loan.

12.   Find the monthly mortgage payment.

13.   Find the total interest on a mortgage and the PITI.

14.   Prepare a partial amortization schedule of a mortgage.

15.   Compare the total interest paid on a 15-year and 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

16.   Define and compare the interest only, fixed rate, and adjustable-rate loans.

B.      Data Analysis and Reporting

1.       Using a data set, determine mean, median, and mode.

2.        Distinguish between a simple average and a weighted average and calculate each.

3.       Identify and construct various types of graphs and charts.

4.       Compile and arrange facts in organized manner for a table, chart, or figure.

5.       Explain or prepare written summary of findings expressed in tables, charts, graphs and figures.

6.       Make predictions and decisions based on data and communicate their reasoning.

7.       Explain the usage of statistics, probability, and systems of measurement in business.

C.      Interest Rates

1.       Figure rates, interest, and proceeds of bank discounts.

2.       Calculate simple interest using the simple interest formula.

3.       Calculate any single variable – principal, interest rate, amount of interest, or time – given the other three.

4.       Explain the process of discounting a promissory note and calculate the proceeds of a discounted promissory note.

5.       Define maturity value and find the maturity value of a loan.

6.       Convert months to a fractional or decimal part of a year.

7.       Find the future value and compound interest by compounding manually.

8.       Find the interest compounded daily using a table.

D.      Mark-ups and Discounts

1.       Identify the various types of discounts.

2.       Calculate chain, trade, and cash discounts and net selling price of each kind of discount.

3.       Determine price of product after coupons and/or rebates.

4.       Define and calculate markup and markdown.

5.       Determine the rate of the markup or markdown.

6.       Find the cost, markup or selling price when any two of the three are known.

7.       Find the amount of markdown, the reduced price and the percent of markdown of an item.

8.       Calculate markup based on cost.

9.       Calculate markup based on selling price.

10.   Convert markups from cost to selling price or from selling price to costs.

E.       Payroll

1.       Calculate pay based on piecework, salary, commissions, and graduated commissions.

2.       Calculate gross pay based on an hourly wage with an overtime policy.

3.       Calculate an employee’s net earnings per paycheck.

4.       Prepare an individual payroll or earnings record.

5.       Find federal tax withholding per paycheck using IRS tax tables and IRS percentage method.

6.       Calculate Social Security Tax and Medicare tax per paycheck.

7.       Find an employer’s total deposit for withholding tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax per pay period and quarterly.

8.       Calculate federal and state unemployment taxes.

9.       Compute business expenses related to employees: benefits, disability insurance, travel, and employee training.

F.       Investments

1.       Define investment terms such as risk, yields, P/E ratio, and rate of return.

2.       Explain the effect compounding has in an investment and lending environment.

3.       Compare investment decisions and make mathematical comparisons of investment alternatives.

4.       Calculate the net present value of an investment such as certificate of deposit, savings account, stocks, and mutual funds.

5.       Determine stock yield, earnings per share, and price-earnings ratio.

6.       Compute the anticipated rate of return on specific investments and savings accounts using various factors such as simple or compound interest, dividends, fees, etc.

G.      Taxes

1.       Define tax terms such as standard deduction, itemized deductions, exemptions, and various types of taxes such as income tax, sales tax, and property tax.

2.       Define and calculate property taxes based on local percentages/guidelines.

3.       Calculate sales tax on purchase.

4.       Complete a 1040 EZ Federal Income Tax Form with a W2 form.

5.       Prepare a 1040 A using W2 and 1099 Interest form.

6.       Complete basic tax forms such as W2 and W4.

H.      Bank Records

1.       Compare different types of banking options such as credit unions and other banks.

2.       Identify the types of banking services and their costs for meeting various needs.

3.       Write a check, prepare deposits, and prepare withdrawal slips.

4.       Maintain a check register including proper procedures for ATM and automatic payment withdrawals.

5.       Reconcile a bank statement.

6.       Utilize online banking and bill payment options securely.

I.         Insurance

1.       Identify and compare types of insurance.

2.       Read insurance premium charts and determine the cost of a particular policy.

3.       Analyze insurance proposals for auto and determine the cost of compulsory insurance and costs of optional coverage.

4.       Analyze health insurance premiums and calculate based on selected options.

5.       Compute the costs and benefits of specific insurance plans.

6.       Analyze deductibles and their effect on policy.

J.        Depreciation

1.       Distinguish between straight-line method, declining balance method, sum of the year’s digits method, and MACRS method.

2.       Determine straight-line depreciation for a year.

3.       Determine the depreciation expense on plant assets by the sum of the year’s digits and declining balance.

4.       Determine modified accelerated cost recovery system depreciation.

5.       Use the straight-line depreciation method to find the value of an asset.

K.       Inventory

1.       Determine the cost and value of inventory.

2.       Determine rate of inventory turnover.

3.       Determine the value of ending inventory using Average Cost (weighted average), FIFO, and LIFO.

L.       Ratios and Proportions

1.       Define the terms ratio and proportion.

2.       Use ratios to evaluate profitability, efficiency, and leverage.

3.       Create ratios to express the quantitative relationship between two amounts.

4.       Use ratios, proportions, and percents to solve problems involving financial calculations.

5.       Analyze and explain methods for solving problems involving proportions such as scaling and finding equivalent ratios.