Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Accountancy
First Advisor
Victoria Dickinson
Second Advisor
Mark Wilder
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This thesis includes a study of the food company, General Mills, from the perspective of auditors who view General Mills as a client. Specifically, it is an investigation of General Mills’ extensive efforts to comply with a new political agenda, which may result in subsequent applicable regulation. To develop this analysis, my classmates and I used various sources, including General Mills’s real, current financial statements, over the course of several weeks to produce a three-part compilation on the company itself, its move toward healthier products, and how we could assist them in doing so as their auditors. We performed analyzed General Mills; financial statements and evaluated their operations and external environment.
Our findings indicate that General Mills faces threats and opportunities in a changing environment, operating risks it will undertake with ingredient and cost changes, and opportunities it may be able to take advantage of surrounding branding and product reformation. Their current product mix is not currently fully aligned with health trends, but they already have some brands positioned to succeed in a healthier market. We concluded that the best course of action would be for General Mills to accept short-term cost increases in favor of broadening their market share- specifically, switching from artificial to natural ingredients. These additional costs could be offset through price adjustments and cost reallocation.
Recommended Citation
Hill, Annalee, "A Compilation of Accounting Studies and Analyses" (2026). Honors Theses. 3409.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3409
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