Business Commons^™

A Nondisclosed Cpa Examination: Implications For Education And The Accounting Profession, Kenneth Rosenzweig, K. Geary

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

The Board of Examiners of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has proposed that the Uniform CPA Examination change from a disclosed to a nondisclosed examination in the Year 1996. A disclosed examination is available to candidates and others after its administration, whereas a nondisclosed examination is kept secret. In this article, we develop the case that nondisclosure is undesirable. Consideration is given to the impact of nondisclosure on question quality, examination security, public confidence in the examination, accounting instruction in universities, and the costs of examination administration.

An Exploratory Field Study Of The Relationships Between The Controller’S Department And Overall Organizational Characteristics, Kenneth Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

This paper describes an exploratory field study which applies organizational research perspectives to the study of the relationship between the controller's department and characteristics of the overall organizations of a sample of 18 manufacturing companies. Correlation analysis is used to assess the extent of association between a wide variety of controller's department and overall organization variables. The findings point to a number of significant relationships between the nature of the controller's department and characteristics of the overall organization.

Is Managing Earnings Ethically Acceptable? Surveys Show Age And Seniority Affect Attitudes On Earnings Management, Kenneth Rosenzweig, Marilyn Fischer

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

Is managing earnings through accounting methods ethically acceptable? That's the question we recently asked a sample group of management accountants. The response to the survey was enlightening. Our survey was designed as a follow-up and extension of the research done by Bruns and Merchant and published in Management Accounting in August 1990. They found that managers disagreed considerably on whether earnings management is ethically acceptable. They also found that in general the respondents thought manipulating earnings via operating decisions was more ethically acceptable than manipulation by accounting methods. Bruns and Merchant were disturbed by these findings. They were concerned that …

An Economic Analysis Of The Earnings Of Industrial Accountants., Kenneth Rosenzweig, Elizabeth Gustafson, Lawrence Hadley

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

This paper explores hypothesized determinants of accountants' earnings using a conventional Mincer earnings function. Findings indicate that the CPA credential, MBA degree, and years of work experience increase earnings. Also presented is a more detailed analysis of the earnings gap between accountants employed in traditional accounting positions and those in finance-related positions.

Attitudes Of Students And Accounting Practitioners Concerning The Ethical Acceptability Of Earnings Management, Marilyn Fischer, Kenneth Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

There are many ways that accountants and managers can influence the reported accounting results of their organizational units. When such influence is directed at changing the amount of reported earnings, it is known as earnings management. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of surveys of undergraduate students, MBA students, and practicing accountants concerning their attitudes on the ethical acceptability of earnings management. Analysis of the survey results reveals how the attitudes of the three groups differ and what variables are associated with these differences. Based on the analysis, the authors suggest changes in accounting education curriculum …

Resolving A Tension, Kenneth Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

I went to Augsburg, Germany, this summer for an accounting research project and for a broader purpose — to get to know contemporary Germans and to learn how they think, especially about the Jewish people. I have always felt a tension between my feelings about Germany and those about being Jewish. In high school and college in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as I studied the German language, I developed a great respect for German culture. Yet, brought up with an extensive Jewish education, I understand how many American Jews visiting Europe resist even traveling to Germany, feeling such …

Challenges To Audit Education For The 21st Century: A Survey Of Curricula, Course Content, And Delivery Methods, Christine Earley, Eric Johnson, Jane Baird, Paul Caster, William Dilla, Timothy Louwers

Eric N. Johnson

This paper reports the results of a survey of auditing and assurance courses in the US and several other countries conducted during 2000-2001. The survey, commissioned by the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association, yielded data on a total of 285 auditing and assurance courses taught at 188 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and several other countries. The syllabi data were analyzed on a number of dimensions and the results compared to two prior surveys of auditing courses (Frakes, 1987; Groomer and Heintz 1994). Our findings document substantial changes in content (e.g., new or expanded coverage …

Assessing The Control Environment Using A Balanced Scorecard Approach, Joseph Callaghan, Arline Savage, Steven Mintz

Steven Mintz

No abstract provided.

Outside Director-Shareholder Agency Conflicts: Evidence From Bank Consolidation, James Tompkins, Robert Hendershott

James Tompkins

Purpose – Takeovers create a potential conflict of interest between target shareholders and directors. While mergers generally create value for the target shareholders, their directors will typically lose their board seats and likely face a financial loss or loss of prestige. The purpose of this paper is to examine evidence to support or refute that directors may act in their own best interests at the expense of shareholders. Design/methodology/approach – The authors reason that if directors act in their own best interests, then acquiring firms will seek targets with older board members who are closer to director retirement and are …

A Modified Version Of The Lewellen And Badrinath Measure Of Tobin's Q, Darrell Lee, James Tompkins

James Tompkins

Lewellen and Badrinath (1997) propose a superior method of measuring Tobin's Q. Unfortunately, their method is prone to a high percentage of missing observations and results in selecting samples of larger and more mature firms with lower Q statistics. A slight modification is proposed that preserves the appeal of their method, yet almost doubles the sample size, avoids sampling problems, and is statistically indistinguishable from their Q measure. In addition, a step in the Lewellen and Badrinath Q calculation is clarified, which was inadvertently omitted in their explanation, and, if left undone, can result in downward-biased measures of Q.

Technical Default, Auditors' Decisions And Future Financial Distress, Michael Wilkins

Michael S Wilkins

A study was conducted to examine auditors' responses to first-time debt covenant violations and to assess whether these responses can be employed to forecast financial distress. Data were drawn from a sample of 159 companies traded on the NYSE/AMEX or NASDAQ that had initial default dates ranging from 1978 to 1988. The findings reveal that auditors are more likely to need debt reclassification when the violations are not waived by lenders. However, the waiver decision does not seem to significantly affect the auditor's qualification decision. For companies experiencing technical default, the audit option is an important determinant of future financial …

Internal Control Disclosures, Monitoring, And The Cost Of Debt, Dan Dhaliwal, Chris Hogan, Robert Trezevant, Michael Wilkins

Michael S Wilkins

We test the relationship between the change in a firm's cost of debt and the disclosure of a material weakness in an initial Section 404 report. We find that, on average, a firm's credit spread on its publicly traded debt marginally increases if it discloses a material weakness. We also examine the impact of monitoring by credit rating agencies and/or banks on this result and find that the result is more pronounced for firms that are not monitored. Additional analysis indicates that the effect of bank monitoring appears to be the primary driver of these monitoring results. This finding is …

Bringing Darkness To Light: The Influence Of Auditor Quality And Audit Committee Expertise On The Timeliness Of Financial Statement Restatement Disclosures, Jaime Schmidt, Michael Wilkins

Michael S Wilkins

This study investigates whether auditor quality and audit committee expertise are associated with improved financial reporting timeliness as measured by the duration of a financial statement restatement’s ‘‘dark period.’’ The restatement dark period represents the length of time between a company’s discovery that it will need to restate financial data and the subsequent disclosure of the restatement’s effect on earnings. For a sample of dark restatements disclosed between 2004 and 2009, we find that companies that engage Big 4 auditors have shorter dark periods than companies that do not engage Big 4 auditors. We also find that companies with more …

An Empirical Investigation Of Stock Dividends-In-Kind, L. Fields, Michael Wilkins

Michael S Wilkins

We investigate share price reactions to announcements of dividends payable in the common stock of corporations different from the issuing firm. We find that firms that declare these dividends (typically investment companies) experience positive abnormal returns upon announcement. We also find that such dividends are more likely to be declared when the shares to be distributed have peaked in value. Consistent with this finding, we document negative announcement-period abnormal returns for firms having their shares distributed. Additional tests reveal that prices respond more negatively when the information signal is strongest, when outside ownership is more dispersed, and when management is …

Does A Lack Of Choice Lead To Lower Quality?: Evidence From Auditor Competition And Client Restatements, Nathan Newton, Dechun Wang, Michael Wilkins

Michael S Wilkins

We examine the relationship between auditor competition and the likelihood of financial restatements that occur as a result of failures in the application of GAAP. Policy makers and audit market participants have expressed concern that the current level of auditor competition is low, resulting in a negative impact on audit quality. However, we find that restatements are more likely to occur in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) that have higher auditor competition. The association between audit market competition and restatements is statistically and economically significant. Our finding that audit quality is higher when auditor competition is lower suggests that at least …

An Empirical Investigation Of Voluntary Non-Ifrs Earnings Reporting During The Recent Financial Crisis : Australian Evidence, Elisabeth Sinnewe

Dr Elisabeth Sinnewe

This study examines how the financial crisis affected the reporting choice of and market reaction to earnings that are different from the profit firms report on their income statement under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These non-IFRS earnings reflect management’s subjective of view of earnings. By observing management’s reporting choices and investors’ reaction in Australia prior to, during, and after the financial crisis, this study shows a distinctive effect of the economic condition on reporting non-IFRS earnings. As such, this study contributes to the limited attention hypothesis suggesting that information-equivalent disclosure is perceived as value relevant by management and investors …

Internal Audit, Sarbanes-Oxley And Athletic Departments: An Examination And Recommendations For Reform, Michael Akers, Gregory Naples

Michael D. Akers

During the past fifteen to twenty years the integrity of intercollegiate athletics has been seriously questioned as a result of an increased awareness of problems associated with institutional controls over athletic departments. Limited empirical evidence has been used in the debate regarding institutional controls pertaining to the athletic department. This paper provides empirical evidence regarding the use of the internal audit function as an institutional control. Our findings indicate that while the internal audits of athletic departments are adequate, the communication of these audit results is inadequate. We also discuss the applicability of recent legislation, Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to …

An Examination Of The Differences Between Personal Values And Value Types Of Female And Male Accounting And Nonaccounting Majors, Michael Akers, Don Giacomino

Michael D. Akers

Research has shown that a person's values affect his or her behavior. While there has been considerable research regarding the ethical perceptions and behavior of business students, there has been limited research regarding the personal values that affect such perceptions and behavior. This study was designed to determine the differences between values and value types of accounting and nonaccounting majors, as well as differences between values and value types of males and females. The values survey questionnaire developed and validated by Schwartz (1992) was used for this study. The instrument, containing 56 values, was administered to business students in three …

Personal Values Of Certified Internal Auditors, Michael Akers, Don Giacomino

Michael D. Akers

Internal auditors are being asked to assist in the development of codes of conduct and to audit ethical compliance and thus are expected to adhere to strict standards of behavior. It is, therefore, important for the Institute of Internal Auditors and other organizations to understand the personal values that underlie behavior in order to determine whether internal auditors' values are consistent with the Standards of Conduct. This article reports the results of a study, which focuses on the personal values of certified internal auditors. The study's main purpose is to determine if the personal values and value systems of CIAs …

Designing And Implementing An Accounting Assessment Program, Michael Akers, Don Giacomino, James Trebby

Michael D. Akers

The Accounting Department at Marquette University responded to the desire to improve processes and to external pressures by designing and implementing an assessment program. The selection and involvement of the assessment team, the development of the 6 intended student outcomes, the establishment of the quantifiable goals, the development of the measurement tools used to evaluate the goals, and the identification of mechanisms used to provide feedback are examined. Results of the implementation indicate that improvement is needed in the following areas: oral communication skills, business writing skills, and microcomputer skills.

Internal Audit's Role In Systems Development: The Ceo's Perspective, Meredith Maher, Michael Akers

Michael D. Akers

For the past 30 years, the development of the role and management's expectations of the internal audit function as related to information technology has been an evolutionary process. A sample of CEOs were surveyed to ascertain their opinions on internal audit's involvement in systems development, including whether internal auditors' independence is compromised by such involvement and whether auditors should act as consultants for systems development projects. The prevailing sentiment among the CEO respondents was that internal auditors should be involved primarily in testing the accuracy of the systems being developed. A comparison of CEOS' and chief audit executives' opinions shows, …

Personal Values Profiles And Value Types Of The Most Influential People In Accounting, Don Giacomino, Michael Akers

Michael D. Akers

This chapter reports on the results of a study of values of the most influential people in accounting. The study measures the personal values and value types of people included in the 100 most influential people in accounting in Accounting Today and managing partners in the largest 100 public accounting firms. We also compare the results of our study with those of a study of exemplary physicians' values. Both studies found that the influential accountants and exemplary physicians rate Power and Influence very low among their personal values. We also compared our study with other studies that we have conducted …

Information Systems Content In The Cma Examination, Michael Akers, Lloyd Doney

Michael D. Akers

This study examines 12 recent CMA exams administered from June 1987 through December 1992 to determine the extent of information systems (IS) coverage. We evaluated each exam using a definition of IS knowledge and skills from the common body of knowledge developed by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The results of the study indicate that the IMA has recognized the importance of IS knowledge, as evidenced by the extent of exam coverage and the relevance of the items tested. Because information systems courses are included in a model curriculum recommended by the IMA, the results of this study may …

Corporate Governance, Risk Assessment And Cost Of Debt, Husam Aldamen, Keith Duncan, Ray Mcnamara

Ray McNamara

This paper examines the impact of corporate governance practices on the reported cost of contracted debt for Australian listed companies. Good governance decreases the variability in cash flows, reduces the probability of default (reduces default risk), increases the quality of value-relevant information disclosed (reduces the information risk) and thereby lowers the cost of debt (Ashbaugh-Skaife, Collins, and LaFond 2006; Sengupta 1998; Bhojraj and Sengupta 2003; Beekes and Brown 2006; Klein 2002; Easley and O'Hara 2004). Similarly our Australian data confirms that cost of debt is positively related to default and information risks. We show that increased corporate governance reduces default …

Multi-Perspective Performance Reporting And Organisational Performance: The Impact Of Information, Data And Redundant Cue Load, Errol Iselin, Lokman Mia, John Sands

Errol Iselin

Multi-perspective performance reporting systems (MPRS), such as the balanced scorecard (BSC), have become popular. The BSC reports performance about four perspectives (learning and growth, internal business processes, customer and financials). Although these systems are important, research in these areas has only just scratched the surface, hence the motivation for this study. A possible problem with multi-perspective systems is that they may cause information/data/redundant cue (I/D/C) overload and thus detrimentally affect the performance. The objectives of this research are to: (1) explore the relationship between MPRS and organisational performance and (2) study the relationship between I/D/C load and organisational performance in …

Corporate Governance, Risk Assessment And Cost Of Debt, Husam Aldamen, Keith Duncan, Ray Mcnamara

Keith Duncan

This paper examines the impact of corporate governance practices on the reported cost of contracted debt for Australian listed companies. Good governance decreases the variability in cash flows, reduces the probability of default (reduces default risk), increases the quality of value-relevant information disclosed (reduces the information risk) and thereby lowers the cost of debt (Ashbaugh-Skaife, Collins, and LaFond 2006; Sengupta 1998; Bhojraj and Sengupta 2003; Beekes and Brown 2006; Klein 2002; Easley and O'Hara 2004). Similarly our Australian data confirms that cost of debt is positively related to default and information risks. We show that increased corporate governance reduces default …

The Effect Of Regulation On Statement Disclosures In The 1915 Moody's Manuals, Jeffrey Archambault, Marie Archambault

Jeffrey Archambault

United States firms in the early 20th century were subject to public and private regulation. Forms of regulation included rate regulation and stock exchange listing requirements. These regulations created incentives to report income statement information. This study utilizes the 1915 Moody’s Analyses of Investments to test whether regulated firms in the United States reported more income statement information than unregulated firms. Rate regulation influenced utilities to report income statements more frequently than industrial companies.

Stock market listing requirements also influenced the reporting of income statements. Therefore, the results indicate that both public and private regulations influenced financial reporting in the …

Financial Reporting In 1920: The Case Of Industrial Companies, Jeffrey Archambault, Marie Archambault

Jeffrey Archambault

This study uses the 1920 Moody’s Analysis of Industrial Investments to assess the extent of financial reporting by U.S. indus­trial companies. The reporting of an income statement and a balance sheet, as well as the amount of disclosure in both of these statements, is examined empirically to determine which economic factors influ­ence this reporting. The results show that corporate-governance, op­erating, and financing factors all significantly influence the reporting of financial statements and the extent of disclosure within those state­ments. However, the significant factors vary across the two financial statements and the two decisions considered (reporting a particular statement and the …

Social Networking Information Disclosure And Continuance Intention: A Disconnect, D. Mcknight, Nancy Lankton, John Tripp

Nancy K. Lankton

This paper tests a privacy calculus model for Facebook users. Privacy calculus means that individuals weigh a complex set of factors—including both costs and benefits—to decide whether to disclose personal information. Because information disclosure is closely related to use for many information technologies (IT), our privacy calculus model proposes that costs and benefits of user privacy will simultaneously influence users’ information disclosure and usage continuance intention. Based on past research, our model includes as ‘costs’ privacy concern and information sensitivity, while it includes as ‘benefits’ perceived usefulness, enjoyment, and trust. In a sample of business college students’ use of a …

Revenue Management With Dynamic Pricing And Advertising, Leo Macdonald, Henning Rasmussen

Leo MacDonald

In this article, we analyze the temporal pricing and advertising strategy of a monopolist with a fixed inventory to sell over a finite horizon. The arrival of the customers is modeled by a Poisson process where the arrival rate is given by an increasing convex function of the advertising expenditure, and the willingness of a customer to pay is modeled by a decreasing function of the price. For specific functions for the arrival rate and willingness-to-pay, we derive and solve a system of ordinary differential equations for the optimal pricing and advertising strategy. We show that this optimal strategy is …