Download Great Computer Challenge

Great Computer Challenge
Integrated Applications
Level IV
2016
Remember that this is the Integrated Applications Competition. Not only are the correct
answers important, but the methodology with which the solutions are derived counts
significantly in judging. You must integrate two or more applications in your solution.
Scenario 1
You are a trader on the U.S. Commodities Market (COMEX). You have a number of
investor clients and today you are producing reports of their financial investments. This
problem will involve the calculation and manipulation of transactions associated with
these investors.
The Commodities Market (or Futures Market) is the buying and selling of contracts for
the fixed quantity and quality of products. The types of commodities that are traded
include (but are not limited to) agricultural products (such as wheat, soybeans, cotton,
sugar, cocoa, coffee), livestock (cattle & hogs), precious metals (gold, silver & platinum),
petroleum (crude oil) and foreign currencies to name a few.
When you purchase a commodities contract, you are purchasing a fixed quantity of a
specific product at TODAY’s prices for delivery at a future date. You can sell your
contract before (called an option premium) or at delivery for market value at that time.
The difference in the amount you purchase the commodity for and the amount you sell
the commodity for represents your potential gain (or loss) for the transaction.
With this problem you will find two files. The first file is called accounts.csv, which
contains a list of all accounts that you currently manage. This file is provided in comma
delimited text format and contains the following information: Company/Individual Name,
Account Number, Account Balance (as of 01/01/15), Address, City, State, and Zip. The
second file is called transactions.csv, which contains a list of all transactions that you
have obligated to and executed for your customers over the last 12 months. This file is
provided in comma delimited text format and contains the following information:
Account Number, Commodity, Contract Number, Purchase Date, Purchase Price per
Unit, Standard Units, Sell Date, and Sell Price per Unit.
For these problems you will need to know the following:
1. $1234.00 represents a positive value while ($1234.00) represents a negative
value.
2. A quarterly report is one that covers a full 3-month period.
3. A semiannual report is one that covers a full 6-month period.
Page 1 of 3
Integrated Applications, Level IV
Great Computer Challenge, 2016
Problem 1:
Process the information provided and provide Account # 98-1244560 with a quarterly
statement for their account for the months of April through June. The quarterly statement
should contain the account holder’s name, address, city, state, zip, account number, and
should only reflect the transactions made during the specified period with a recap of the
total funds generated or lost during that period.
Problem 2:
Process the information provided and provide account # 97-0005686 with a quarterly
statement for their account for the months of July through September. The quarterly
statement should contain the account holder’s name, address, city, state, zip, account
number, and should only reflect the transactions made during the specified period with a
recap of the total funds generated or lost during that period.
Problem 3:
Process the information provided and provide all account holders a semiannual statement
for the period of January through June. The semiannual statement should include the
Account holder’s name, address, city, state, zip, account number, account balance at the
beginning of the period, all transactions made during the period with gains and losses
listed per transaction, and the account balance at the end of the period. Additionally, it
should list all commodities still available in the account portfolio after the end of the
statement period.
Page 2 of 3
Integrated Applications, Level IV
Great Computer Challenge, 2016
Scenario 2
During the months of August, September and October, the USFDA suspended all
transactions in the trade or exchange of US Cattle futures due to a breakout of Mad Cow
disease in Wisconsin and Montana. During this period many head of cattle had to be
destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease and contamination of the beef supply both
in the United States and abroad. This situation created a significant capital loss in the beef
industry for those that deal in the sale and exchange of beef. The result was a high cost to
consumers for all associated beef products.
The USFDA has provided everyone associated with this catastrophe an opportunity to
apply for emergency relief in the form of tax assistance or replacement of capital lost,
depending on each situation.
Problem 4:
Process the information provided and calculate the value of lost contracts due to this
situation. Provide a special statement to any account holder who has incurred a loss due
to this situation. The special statement must include the account holder’s name, address,
city, state, zip, account number, and a detailed list of all transactions during this period
that incurred any losses on US Beef. The detailed list must include the date the
commodity was acquired (Purchase Date), Purchase price per unit, contract number, the
date the commodity was lost (Sell Date), the sold price per unit, the standard units and the
calculated loss.
Page 3 of 3
Integrated Applications, Level IV
Great Computer Challenge, 2016