Abstract In this paper the author assumes that he had invested $10,000 in Boeing Inc. over a certain period and analyzes his investment. The author makes particular reference to the World Trade Center bombings and their effect on the airline industry.
From the paper:
?When you put all of these factors together in the big picture, it appears that the airline industry is like no other. The cost of goods rises and falls. As everything is done by contract, the inventory carryover is low or non-existent. The sales and revenues are influenced by how many people are flying.?
Abstract This paper is the examination of findings of the Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC), Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) that was formed in September of 1998 to address concerns about various accounting practices. The committee's report, detailing their ten recommendations and the results they hoped to achieve, are examined in detail. The report was issued in February 1999, an since then several rules, regulations and standards have been enacted in the spirit of the committee's recommendations.
From the Paper "The Blue Ribbon Committee's report entitled Report and Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees was issued in February 1999 and consisted of two sections (Grant Thorton). First, ten recommendations for actions to be taken by regulatory or standard setting bodies, such as the AICPA, SEC, NYSE, and NASD were presented (Grant Thorton). Second, five guiding principles for best practices that may be used by companies as building blocks in developing audit committee processes and practices were discussed (Grant Thorton). "
Abstract This paper summarizes the ASB exposure draft on Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit. This draft, which supercedes SAS 82, introduces new concepts and requirements to assist the auditor in detecting fraud. It discusses the definition of fraud, identifying risk of fraud, and general assessment of fraud risk. The summary outlines the appropriate response to each fraud risk identified through the analytical process, including evaluation of implications.
From the Paper "As the need for new standards and ways to look for this fraud got stronger, the AICPA auditing standards board (ASB) responded by issuing an exposure draft on Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit. This exposure draft would supersede SAS 82, which is the current standard for detecting fraud in an audit. The exposure draft was not meant to change any of the auditor's responsibilities in a financial statement audit but rather introduces new concepts and requirements to assist the auditor in detecting fraud. Some of the major areas that the exposure draft discusses are the description and characteristics of fraud, discussion of fraud and professional skepticism, a wider range of inquiries, identifying and assessing risks that can result in fraud, evaluating programs and controls and responding to the results of the assessment. "
Abstract The paper deals with the issue of who pays taxes on employee benefits that are transferred in a divorce agreement. It covers stock options, IRA's, qualified plans and QDRO's.
From the Paper "The issue of how to treat alimony for tax purposes comes up pretty frequently. The basic rule is that the person receiving the alimony payment must include it in their gross income and the person making the payments gets a deduction for their adjusted gross income. The IRS then goes on to clarify what payments made between the former couple are considered alimony. The IRS says that to be alimony there cannot be an agreement that the payment is not alimony, the two former spouses cannot live in the same household, there is no contingent liability to make payments after the death of the payee's spouse and that the payment must be in cash. Any transfer of property other than cash to a spouse under the divorce decree or an agreement is not a taxable event. The transferor would not be entitled to a deduction and the transferee does not recognize income."
Abstract This paper describes the business logic involved in choosing the correct delivery vehicle for a given product. Business managers must consider the specific goods being carried in order to choose the right type and size of vehicle. The paper also examines the other factors that enter the decision: the size of the fleet, the region in which the company operates, the financial health of the company, and a variety of other similar factors.
From the Paper "Acquiring the best delivery vehicle for a specific application is a dynamic decision and must include a thorough investigation into the types of vehicles that work best, the cost and terms of the financing or lease, as well as how it will accommodate the drivers as well as consideration of the type of goods that is to be carried and whether delivery will involve the crossing of state or international borders. This paper examines some of the basic parameters involved when considering how to make the best business decision in acquiring the right delivery vehicle."
This paper looks at different perspectives of operations strategy and how material requirements planning implementation shift according to which strategy is adopted.
Abstract This paper describes business as mathematics in that it is an equation of balance on both sides of the balance sheet: labor must be balanced with capital, resources with allocation, customers with services or goods and workers with rewards. The paper describes the perspectives of operations strategy and material requirements planning. It illustrates how business organizations differ dramatically in their underlying systems of organization because of the personal preferences and predilections of their managers.
Table of Contents
I. Operations Strategy and MRP: A Brief History
II. The Importance of Operations Strategy
III. Organizational Approach
IV. Political Approach
V. Cognitive Approach
VI. Conclusion
VII. Works Cited
From the Paper "Doing business is mathematics by other means ? all a question of keeping equations in balance on both sides. Labor must be balanced with capital. Resources with allocation. Customers with services or goods. Workers with rewards. At the heart of an ideal operation ? by which is usually meant a business, but a number of other multi-person organizations also qualify ? is a sound theory of operations strategy. Part of that strategy must be a well-designed program of material requirements planning or MRP. After looking generally at the field of operations strategy or operations management, this paper looks at different perspectives on operations strategy and the ways in which MRP implementation plans shift according to which operational strategy is adopted.
Operations Strategy and MRP: A Brief History
Industrial management in business is a term used to describe the techniques and expertise of efficient organization, planning, direction, and control of the operations of a business. In the theory of industrial management, organization has two principal aspects. One relates to the establishment of lines of responsibility, drawn usually in the form of an organization chart that designates the executives of the business, from the president to the foreperson or department head, and specifies the functions for which they are responsible. The other principal aspect relates to the development of a staff of qualified executives (Johnson, Newell & Vergin 19)."
Abstract After the introduction of the Euro to the financial world, changes took place across the financial world. This paper discusses the impact, changes in financial reports and the gain or loss due to new currency for Canada, United States and Portugal. The three countries are compared in the EU market as to accounting advantages and disadvantages of having the euro currency.
From the Paper "Portugal is now in its 16th year as part of the European Union (EU). During the last decade Portugal has shown remarkable economic performance that resulted in Portugal's participation in the final stage of European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on January 1, 1999 (http://www.portugal.org/information/economic1/info_1a.html). Portugal has adopted the single currency, the euro, and its position as a mainstream European nation is thus consolidated. The government and the Bank of Portugal pursued consistent economic policies focused on European integration. Markets were completely liberalized and an extensive privatization program initiated."
Tags: European, Central, Bank, European, Monetary, Union
Abstract This paper examines the financial status and forecast of The OK Company, a fictitious firm used for a financial case study. Key profitability, asset management, liquidity, and debt management ratios are analyzed. Financial performance is compared to industry and bench marked to the industry leader. Free cash flow is calculated and analyzed. Recommendations to management are made based on the analysis. Based on the recommendations a pro forma income statement and balance sheet is prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.
From the Paper "This paper is a financial analysis of The OK Company, a fictitious firm used in the study of finance. The case, as given, is reproduced in appendix A. This analysis is written from the viewpoint of a consultant who is retained by The OK Company to analyze their 2000/2001 financial reports and forecasts for 2002-2004. Reasonable assumptions are made and indicated in order to facilitate the case study.The following table shows the key financial ratios used to analyze The OK Company, and compare performance to the industry and leader."
Abstract Education finance as the foundation that enables schools to exist and teaching and learning to occur is discussed. The author is of the opinion that in order for desired outcomes to be fully realized, school finance must be viewed as an essential part of any major reform plan.
From the Paper "In the debate of the value of public education versus private education, a great deal of attention has been devoted to funding. Fundraising activities not only shape the structure of the school, but also influence the content of the curriculum, and determine whether students have access to a variety of technologies The primary difference between funding for public and private schools seems obvious; public schools rely primarily on government funding while private schools depend mostly on private donations. However in recent times, only a small percentage of private schools are able to exist solely on donations. According to Burnett (2000):
Today, there are over 27,000 private schools; that's about 25 percent of all schools in the nation. Of these, a relative few -- 2,000 or so -- are independent, as commonly defined. These schools are independently governed nonprofit institutions. They rely on tuition and charitable donations for financial support and not on federal or state funding (Burnett, 2000). "
This paper discusses Philips Medical Systems Company's recent acquisitions with the aim of examining how they will become the world's premier provider of healthcare solutions.
Abstract The following paper deals with recent merger activity in Philips Medical Systems Company and its result. This paper also takes a look at the company's competitors and the market situation including growth strategies. The writer provides a SWOT analysis for factors affecting future success.
From the Paper "It is predicted that device start-ups will be fewer and riskier. Both the FDA and physicians are demanding trials that prove clinical efficacy, raising the cost and therefore the risk of starting new companies. That means these firms will have to target larger markets, which by their very nature will require a change in medical practice and thus also a more expensive selling effort - this is good news for established companies like Philips, who have an edge in the market by their established presence and size.Merrill Lynch is currently rating Philips stock as a strong 'buy', indicating that it has a good position, strategy including impending cost cuts and profitability driven by its medical business, which is strong and has good indications of future growth given the factors above stated."
Abstract Corporate investing programs allow firms to maximize their profits by utilizing excess cash reserves and strategically investing in vehicles with potential for high returns while incurring the lowest possible risk. This paper discusses such programs, as well as the concept of ?beta,? which is a method for calculating the risk of an investment and how beta can be calculated.
From the Paper "The most prevalent form of corporate investing is when larger companies invest in smaller companies with huge potential. Passive investment funds also exist, as an alternative or complimentary investment option. Corporate investing programs may be loosely organized programs affiliated with the existing companies business developments or may be self-contained entities with a strategic charter and mission to make investments congruent with the parents company strategic mission. Stuart Read, vice president of marketing at AvantGo states ?with cash in the bank, big companies are looking for ways to leverage that asset, and if there is a good investment, they'll take it.? Firms encounter different implications when investing than individuals, firms face a different set of rules and regulations to in which they must abide, firms have differing tax consequences, they also face a different set of risks."
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines issues related to starting up a small business (CPA or accounting firm). It examines step-by-step the stages required to set up an office from reason and motivation, to building a business plan, to necessary office equipment. It also discusses alternatives to setting up a small business such as working freelance.
From the Paper "Individuals who decide that working for a large accounting firm is not the right fit for them may decide to work as a freelance consultant or to partner up with fellow accountants or CPAs, and perhaps even lawyers. As with starting up a small business or striking out on your own, there are challenges in partnering with other individuals. For instance, some partners may have different visions about how to bring in and retain business or what areas to focus on. In addition, individuals may have different viewpoints about how compensation should be determined. For a partnership arrangement to work, the partners must agree to discuss the issues in a well-thought out, rational manner which allows for disagreement but also which emphasizes just resolution."
An insight into the The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), the branch of government that is charged with the examination of many financial aspects of government and government run agencies.
Abstract This paper discusses the history, purpose and background of the Government Accounting (GAO) as well as the duties that the office is responsible for. It reviews literature that illustrates the office in action and in summary discusses whether the GAO is performing a valuable and vital task to the public or is a waste of money.
From the Paper "During the last few years there has been a public outcry and demand to investigate government spending. The public was brought stories by the media about the government paying thousands of dollars for toilet seats, and spending hundreds of dollars on a screwdriver and other such tools. When the reports began to surface about wasted government spending the public became angry. Lobbyists across the nation began to demand an accounting of not only tax dollars but also why they were being spent the way they were."
Tags: spending, tax, dollars, congress, agency, public
From the Paper "Implementing a Total Quality Management system (TQM) can be a difficult process due to the changes that are brought about in the organization. Resistance to change in a TQM environment often does not come from the "lower" workers, but rather from middle managers who often feel a loss of control and a sense that their importance to the organization has been diminished. his research explores the implementation program for TQM in the accounting department of Company X.
"Problem Description and Background
"Company X has an accounting department composed of 22 employees. The controller has been with the organization for more than 18 years, and is a middle aged man (Mr. Thompson) who oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, and special programs. The special program ..."
From the Paper "Accounting has been described as the "language of business" (Guerrieri, Haber, Hoyt & Turner, 1992, p. 1). Accounting provides managers with the tools they need to plan effective and focus attention on deviations from that plan, direct day to day operations and arrive at the best solution to the operating problems faced by the organization. However, as the language of business, accounting is also used by those outside the organization to make decisions that directly affect the company. If the company is publicly held, this information is used by current and potential shareholders to determine whether management is meeting their expectations. Creditors evaluate the company's financial statements in order to determine whether or not to extend credit or to call in debt already owed. Potential employees evaluate the ..."
