Why can't I get the IPS return calculation correct?! difficulty, something, question, correct

ayodayo

I’ve done the CFAI past exams (through 2006) and I always seem to miss something in the return calculation. Is anyone else having difficulty with this? If not, is there a methodology or template that can help with this question?
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

jcole21

I was told that they will accept different answers as long as it makes sense. It might be the case for the IPS calculations as long as you state your assumptions.

brazilatz

I probably don’t mind chairing this ‘Didn’t get a single return calculation correct’ committee.
But it hardly bothers me now, as I have too much to worry about and focus on rest of the stuff.

cfalevel2011

Scenario: Compute BEFORE TAX Return objective for 1st year of retirement, starting in 1 year from Today.
In order to determine the portfolio base at the end of this year/start of next year, we would still have to deduct after-tax expenses.
Then Return would be: {After tax Expenses/Portfolio Value at Start of year} / (1-T), then include inflation.
Does this make sense?

sabre

Can I join the club?
I ALWAYS miss at least one step while trying to calculate the required rate of return… always!

mp3bu

I really struggle with lining the cash flows up.
Do they typically take out the first years living expenses right away from investable assets? I never remember to do this and it always haunts me.

NakedPuts2011

I was having this problem to until I employed a method similar to Skill’s. I’ve also noticed that CFA has both a written and quantitative response to the questions, so I started doing the same.
In the quant section, I have to write the inflows and out flows so I make sure that (1) I account for everything and (2) I make the proper adjustments for inflation or taxes where necessary.
A few rules to remember:
1. Align the cash flows in the correct year(s).
2. Make the appropriate adjustments for inflation.
3. Don’t include the house in the assets unless the question explicitly states it.
4. Don’t gross up, stay consistent with your tax status. If you calculate annual after tax expenses as the required rate, state that the required rate is net of tax (don’t gross up). If you are given pre-tax expense rate, calculate a pretax required rate. Stay consistent with what is given.
5. After doing 1-4 calculate the expenses, the asset base, and the Req. return.

bchadwick

Also, I think the Schweser scoring convention is pretty strict.
Schweser says “Score 2 points for correct cash flow in Year 1, 2 points for correct EOP assets in Year 2, etc.”… so if you missed one item that screws up calculations in multiple time periods, you lose tons of points. As a good example, look at the Schweser 2010 Mock Exam, Question #1.
I would think - if you show your work to the graders and miss one calculation along the way, so your numbers don’t tie but you’re 95% of the way there - then they wouldn’t dock you that many points.

Palantir

The 2007 exam made me throw up my hands. 3m ending value and using the TVM calculation to get the rate. F these little oddities. What tricks will they have this year? I feel like I’ve screwed up at every possible point, so what will be the new wrinkle I miss?

canadiananalyst

^^ follow the useful advices from Skillionaire. Maybe re-do these IPS following his steps.
Also look at each your old answers and look for what you often missed.
Remember many of us have the same problems with IPS.