Business Commons^™

Fraud In Small Businesses: A Preliminary Study, Esther Bunn, Jack Ethridge, Kaili Crow

Faculty Publications

This study investigates the attitudes small business owners and managers have towards fraud and internal controls. Commonly small businesses consist of long-term friends and relatives and tend to embody a culture of family, love, and trust. Four factors were identified that lend themselves to a lack of internal controls and a breeding ground for fraud. A survey was distributed to small business owners and management. The responses were analyzed and compared to the data in the 2016 American Certified Fraud Examiners Report to the Nations. Of the four expectations studied, only the anticipated results of Expectation 1 were confirmed.

Introductory Information Systems Course Redesign: Better Preparing Business Students, Gina Harden, Robert M. Crocker, Kelly Noe

Faculty Publications

Aim/Purpose The dynamic nature of the information systems (IS) field presents educators with the perpetual challenge of keeping course offerings current and relevant. This paper describes the process at a College of Business (COB) to redesign the introductory IS course to better prepare students for advanced business classes and equip them with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills demanded in today’s workplace.

Background The course was previously in the Computer Science (CSC) Department, itself within the COB. However, an administrative restructuring resulted in the CSC department’s removal from the COB and left the core course in limbo.

Methodology This paper presents a …

Closing Pandora’S Box: Reducing Student Confusion With A Process Costing Simulation, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Process Costing simulation that can be used in both introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses in order to help students better understand the principles of process costing and how to apply these principles to a problem. In groups, students work to manufacture candy necklaces for a set amount of time. After the manufacturing time has ended, students work together to determine equivalent units of production, cost per equivalent unit, and total costs for the period. Subsequently, a final class discussion provides opportunities for differences between groups to be discussed and any additional questions to …

Determinants Of State Audit Delay: An Empirical Analysis, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

Prior audit delay studies concentrated on municipal government, counties and school districts. This study adds to the literature by examining the determinants of state governments’ timeliness of audit reports. Audit delay determinants found by previous municipal research are used to identify characteristics that may influence state audit delay. This study’s results suggest both agreement and contradiction of prior research audit delay determinants. Financial variables alone do not predict state government audit delay. However, a combination of financial and nonfinancial variables used in municipal audit delay studies do.

Academic Accounting Salaries In The Southwest: A Revisitation And Exploration, Kelly Noe, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh, Dana A. Forgione

Faculty Publications

This study examines the faculty located in the Southwest Region of the American Accounting Association to ascertain salary determinants as well explore salary compression and inversion. This study finds there are differences among faculty salaries based on longevity, institutional type and size. Typically larger, public institutions pay higher salaries. Further this study finds that salary, perceived salary compared to others, institutional longevity, marital status, institutional type and size are significantly associated with faculty’s gender.

Lumberjack Construction: Job-Order Costing & Manufacturing Simulation, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Job-Order Costing and manufacturing simulation called Lumberjack Construction. This simulation is used in introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses to help students understand the various parts of the manufacturing process and the application of Job-Order Costing principles. For this simulation, students are placed into manufacturing groups. Each group is responsible for manufacturing a building and calculating the cost of that building using job-order costing.

Accounting Information Systems: A View From The Public Eye, Rachelle Paige Miller, Esther Bunn, Kelly Noe

Faculty Publications

In order to fully appreciate the potential impact accounting information systems have on the accounting profession, an understanding of what accounting encompasses is necessary. Over the years, accounting has evolved from what many would call a “checks and balance” system to a much more complex system involving complicated activities such as calculating taxes and garnishments, auditing financial statements and processing payroll to name a few. It would be reasonable to think that advanced technology such as accounting information systems would only enhance the production of these activities. However, like with any “game changers,” there are always potential threats involved. The …

Using Option Theory To Determine Optimal Ira Investment, Treba Marsh, Todd A. Brown, Mary Fischer

Faculty Publications

Given the current uncertain economic trends, the decision to contribute to a personal retirement account can be a financial challenge taking a great deal of courage. Using the option theory, this paper presents arguments to justify the optimal contribution to maximize an IRA investment return.

Rodeo In The Classroom: Activity Based Costing Simulation, Nikki Shoemaker, Marie Kelly

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Activity Based Costing simulation called Rodeo in the Classroom. This simulation has been used in several introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses in order to help students understand the difference in the application of overhead between Job Order Costing and Activity Based Costing methods. Each student is assigned their own rodeo simulation and must calculate its cost using specific cost drivers. To verify their calculations, students with the same rodeos are grouped together to compare costs. Final rodeo costs are presented to the class where differences in cost allocations and reasons for these differences …

How College Business Students Learn With Emphasis On Differences Between Majors, Nikki Shoemaker, Marie Kelly

Faculty Publications

Students' learning styles play an important role in their success in the classroom and beyond. This study explores the learning styles of business students so that professors can better understand the instructional methods that are most beneficial for their students. A survey of 205 business students in an introductory accounting course revealed that the most common learning style was visual, while the second most common learning style was kinesthetic. These results suggest that a large number of business students process and internalize new information best when they see or actively participate in what they are learning.

Fiscal Health Analysis Of Texas And Its Municipalities, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh, Esther Bunn

Faculty Publications

Recently insolvent municipalities have declared bankruptcy when they are unable to meet their bond debt or pay their outstanding liability obligations. This analysis looks at the fiscal health of Texas municipalities who have issued debt in the past two years to identify those suffering financial stress that would possibly result in the municipality seeking bankruptcy to resolve its fiscal issues.

This investigation analyzes the State of Texas and local municipalities fiscal health using the revised Altman Z-Score with the governments annual financial report data. Additional analysis relating the Z-score to entities bond rating is reported. These findings provide an effective …

Financial Statement Racing, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes an active learning activity called Financial Statement Racing. This game has been used in several introductory financial accounting courses to help students understand the normal balances and financial statement classifications of multiple financial statement accounts. The activity encourages students to work together in a team to place racecars on the appropriate financial statement racetrack in the correct debit or credit lane. These teams compete against other teams in the class to try to win the race to the end of the financial statement racetrack.

Real-World Flowcharting Willy Wonka Style!, Kelly Noe

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development, implementation and outcome of a field-based learning flow-charting project that was conducted in an accounting information systems (AIS) course. The emphasis for the project was strengthening the students' critical thinking skills. This paper advances AIS education by sharing a field-based learning project geared toward AIS.

Can Universities Encourage Students Continued Motivation For Knowledge Sharing And How Can This Help Organizations?, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

Both practitioners and researchers recognize the increasing importance of knowledge sharing in organizations (Bock, Zmud, Kim, & Lee, 2005; Vera-Muz, Ho, & Chow, 2006). Knowledge sharing influences a firm's knowledge creation, organizational learning, performance achievement, growth, and competitive advantage (Bartol & Srivastava, 2002; Bock & Kim, 2002; Vera-Muz et al., 2006). However, an individual's natural tendency is to hoard knowledge rather than to share knowledge (Davenport, 1997; Ruggles, 1998). So, how can knowledge sharing be encouraged?

Extrinsic rewards are believed to effectively motivate desired behaviors (Bartol & Locke, 2000). Under certain environmental conditions, extrinsic rewards are also believed to develop …

Recognizing Intellectual Capital As An Asset, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

The revised definition of an asset by the FASB and GASB gives way to the recognition of the fair value of another off-balance sheet value. Interest in recognizing intellectual capital as an asset of the organization has grown out of dissatisfaction with traditional financial accounting and reporting directed toward manufacturing, trading of goods, and service activities which ignore the organizational asset values based on knowledge, expertise and technology. The growing interest in intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge management reflects an awareness of the need for identification, utilization, and measurement of an organizations most valuable asset. This paper identifies the importance …

Keystone Xl Pipeline, Violet C. Rogers, Jack R. Ethridge

Faculty Publications

The Keystone Pipeline and everything it entails has taken over the news and the majority of North America. Most people around the United States did not know the Keystone Pipeline already existed before all of the uproar and protesting began back at the end of 2011. The part of the pipeline that does not exist is the additional expansion, the Keystone XL Pipeline, which was proposed in 2008. Since the approval of the project in March 2010, the Keystone XL Pipeline has been a problematic proposition ever since the idea was introduced by the TransCanada Energy Company. While the project …

Does The Classroom Delivery Method Make A Difference?, Esther Bunn, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

This study seeks to determine if a difference exists in student performance and participation between an online and face-to-face Accounting Intermediate I class taught by the same professor. Even though students self-selected which course section to enroll, no significant difference was found to exist between the delivery method of the two courses based on the student's major field of study, gender, and whether or not they commuted to class. No significant difference is found between the assessments of the two class sections membership except the students' course performance. Contrary to prior research, the students enrolled in the online sections did …

Is The Community Health Needs Assessment Replacing The Certificate Of Need?, Pamela C. Smith, Kelly Noe

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to question the need for Certificates of Need at the state level. At the Federal level the Affordable Care Act requires hospitals must justify their community impact through a Community Health Needs Assessment (IRS Form 990 Schedule H) in order to retain their tax-exempt status. Not-for-profit hospitals will save money, time and personnel resources if the CON is combined with the CHNA and all states accept this change, no longer requiring the CON.

A Descriptive Comparison Of Two Sources Of Occupational Fraud Data, George L. Hunt

Faculty Publications

The propose of this study was to determine if the data contained in the Internal Auditor Roundtable and Fraud Finding columns are consistent with data reported in the ACFEs Report to the Nation. Cases of fraud reported in the Internal Auditor columns were analyzed, summarized, and compared to the data contained in the Report to the Nation. The results show significant similarities between the two data sources.

Accounting For Agricultural Products: Us Versus Ifrs Gaap, Treba Marsh, Mary Fischer

Faculty Publications

Currently there is a mix of accounting guidance for agriculture producers in the US that is both GAAP including Accounting Statement Codification 905 and non-GAAP financial guidelines. Should the US adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), this guidance would be replaced with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 41 – Agriculture.

This study identifies systematic differences between the US and International accounting and reporting for agricultural assets and products. The study also finds that international and US agricultural accounting recognition and reporting guidance result in dissimilar reporting due to guidance interpretation. Valuation variances and definition differences including the requirement to change the …

Enterprise Risk Management In The Oil And Gas Industry: An Analysis Of Selected Fortune 500 Oil And Gas Companies Reaction In 2009 And 2010, Violet C. Rogers, Jack R. Ethridge

Faculty Publications

In 2009, four of the top ten Fortune 500 companies were classified within the oil and gas industry. Organizations of this size typically have an advanced Enterprise Risk Management system in place to mitigate risk and to achieve their corporations' objectives. The companies and the article utilize the Enterprise Risk Management Integrated Framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) as a guide to organize their risk management and reporting. The authors used the framework to analyze reporting years 2009 and 2010 for Fortune 500 oil and gas companies. After gathering and examining information from 2009 and 2010 annual …

Transfer Pricing In A Global Economy, Jin Ulmer, Jack Ethridge, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

In September 2006, the Internal Revenue Service and GlaxoSmithKline entered into an agreement to settle transfer pricing disputes covering the years 1989 to 2005. The $5.2 billion agreement, whereby Glaxo paid $3.4 billion in back taxes plus dropped a claim for a $1.8 billion tax refund, was the largest settlement in IRS history.

Attitudes Of Students And Practitioners Regarding Ethical Acceptability Of Accounting Transactions, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh, George L. Hunt

Faculty Publications

This study reports the findings of a study assessing the acceptability differences in decisions made by Certified Public Accounting practitioners (CPA) and students studying to become CPAs. The study responds to researchers’ call for additional research on topics related to accounting decision ethics. Modified managerial and accounting recognition scenarios were used to collect the acceptability of ethical judgments. The analysis employs factor analysis to affirm whether the scenarios are mana­gerial or accounting recognition decisions. The analyses further divides the managerial decisions into either revenue or expense related. The accounting recognition decisions are further divided into those involving an accounting manipulation …

Journal Of Public Budgeting, Accounting And Financial Management [Abstract], Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Accounting And Reporting Convergence [Abstract], Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ethical And Environmental Disclosures: An Analysis Of The Oil And Gas Industry, Violet C. Rogers, Jack R. Ethridge, Treba Marsh, Jessica Lott

Faculty Publications

This study investigates the similarities of ethical and environmental disclosures, as well as risk factors contained within annual reports for the reporting year 2009. The data were collected from Fortune 500 oil and gas company annual reports. Findings include: 1) an emphasis on environmental, financial, nonfinancial and ethical disclosures and 2) similar reported risks for all companies investigated. The findings illustrate that many of the studied oil and gas companies have similar disclosures but, on the other hand, are situation specific to particular company and location.

We Are Not Publicly Traded And So The Rules Don't Apply Or Do They Should They?, Kelly Noe

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a case study of the accounting practices of a company that is privately held. The company follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) but has some questionable transactions. The paper then follows up with a discussion of baby-GAAP and possible consequences of two different GAAP options.

Fasb/Gasb Recognition And Reporting Differences: A Nonprofit Sector Perspective, Treba Marsh, Mary Fischer

Faculty Publications

The financial statement users’, investors’, donors’ and academic researchers’ understanding of current accounting recognition and reporting guidance affect their ability to compare financial information issued by nonprofit universities, hospitals, fund-raising organizations and government agencies. The financial results reported by public nonprofit organizations is different from that reported by private nonprofit organizations. This study discusses the events that brought about the divergence in nonprofit financial accounting recognition and reporting,and illustrates specific differences.

Environmental Risks: Doing Business In China, Jack R. Ethridge, Treba Marsh, Esther Bunn

Faculty Publications

Planning and conducting the audit of financial statements involves understanding the entity and the environment in which it operates. First and foremost this requires identifying the risks faced by the entity. Identifying these risks can be a complex and difficult task since the auditor needs to not only understand the entity’s risk process but also independently understand the risks facing the firm. Tackling this task will involve a comprehensive review of the external and internal factors affecting the business. It is possible many identified business risks are related to financial reporting risk and ultimately to audit risk. Therefore, the auditor …

Enterprise Risk Management For Fishing Tournaments, George Louis Hunt, Jack R. Ethridge, Violet Rogers

Faculty Publications

The fishing tournament industry is confronted with many of the same risks as other industries (such as financial statement misstatements), share some risks specific with others (such as cheating in casinos), and face some unique risks (such as the risk of competitors adding weight to fish).

This teaching case explores some of the risks inherent in the fishing tournament industry. Students are given background information about a how a tournament operates and then asked to perform an overall risk assessment using the COSO enterprise risk management framework. Elements of the assignment include assessing the internal environment, setting of objectives, and …