Business Commons^™

Client Size, Auditor Specialization And Fraudulent Financial Reporting, Joseph Carcello, Albert Nagy

Albert Nagy

This study examines the effect that client size has on the relation between industry-specialist auditors and fraudulent financial reporting. Most of the major accounting firms have organized their audit practices along industry lines, reflecting a belief that industry specialization leads to higher quality audits. Furthermore, regulatory bodies and extant research suggests that larger clients have greater bargaining power and are more likely to be able to convince the auditor to acquiesce to aggressive accounting. Also, it may be more difficult for an auditor to possess industry expertise for larger clients who are likely to be more complex and operate in …

Audit Firm Tenure And Fraudulent Financial Reporting, Joseph Carcello, Albert Nagy

Albert Nagy

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) required the U.S. Comptroller General to study the potential effects of requiring mandatory audit firm rotation. The General Accounting Office (GAO) concludes in its recently released study of mandatory audit firm rotation that “mandatory audit firm rotation may not be the most efficient way to strengthen auditor independence” (GAO 2003, Highlights). However, the GAO also suggests that mandatory audit firm rotation could be necessary if the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's requirements do not lead to improved audit quality (GAO 2003, 5).We examine the relation between audit firm tenure and fraudulent financial reporting. Comparing firms cited for fraudulent reporting …

Boeing-Airbus Subsidy Dispute: A Sequel, Robert J. Carbaugh, John Olienyk

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Business

After intensifying in the 1980s and 1990s, the longstanding dispute between Europe and the United States over government subsidies for the commercial jetliner industry again heated up in 2004. This time, however, the stakes were higher because both nations sued each other at the World Trade Organization over government subsidies paid to their respective commercial jetliner companies. The dispute over subsidies has heightened trade tensions between the United States and Europe, as both companies spar for dominance in the highly competitive industry of commercial aircraft.

This paper provides a sequel to "Boeing-Airbus Subsidy Dispute: An Economic and Trade Perspective," a …

The Importance Of Integrated Goal Setting: The Application Of Cost-Of-Capital Concepts To Private Firms, A. Frank Adams Iii, George E. Manners Jr, Joseph H. Astrachan, Pietro Mazzola

Faculty and Research Publications

In this article, we examine financial return, answer the question of how one knows when the return is adequate, and explore the relationship of short- and long-term returns as they relate to business health.

Using The Wacc To Value Real Options, Tom Arnold, Timothy Falcon Crack

Finance Faculty Publications

We present a real option valuation using the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). This is an alternative to risk-neutral real option valuation. Using the WACC involves a marginal increase in mathematical complexity, but it is easy to implement in a spreadsheet, and it is easy to present to management. Our analysis reveals, however, that because the real option valuation is immune to choices of admissible discount rates (as per Arnold and Crack 2003a), the critical issue is correct estimation of volatility, not choice of discount rate. We also point out that the natural and conservative tendency to overestimate risk …

Investing In Hedge Funds: Risks, Returns And Performance Measurement, Francis Koh, Winston T. H. Koh, David K. C. Lee, Kok Fai Phoon

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Hedge funds are collective investment vehicles that are often established with a special legal status that allows their investment managers a free hand to use derivatives, short sell, and exploit leverage to raise returns and cushion risk. We review various issues relating to the investment in hedge funds, which have become popular with high net-worth individuals and institutional investors, as well as discuss their empirical risk and return profiles. The concerns regarding the empirical measurements are highlighted, and meaningful analytical methods are proposed to provide greater risk transparency in performance reporting. We also discuss the development of the hedge fund …

Prospect Theory, Analyst Forecast, And Stock Returns, David K. Ding, Charlie Charoenwong, Raymond Seetoh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper documents how prospect theory can be used to explain stock returns and analysts' forecast behavior. Positive earnings surprises are associated with increases in abnormal returns but negative earnings surprises have only a limited negative impact on returns. We find that analysts display asymmetric behavior towards positive and negative earnings growth. Analysts' forecasts are found to be accurate during periods of positive earnings growth, but overly optimistic during periods of negative earnings growth. Our findings have implications for the structuring of investment products, as well as the role of market timing in their introduction.

Employment Creation And Opportunities In The Manufacturing Sub-Sector: The Case For The Manufacturing Of Cotton, Textile In Nigeria., Onuoha G. Nkem

Bullion

Nigeria is the third largest producer of cotton in Africa after Egypt and Sudan. Cotton growing zones are mainly in the Northern parts of the country, though the planting of cotton started in Western Nigeria. This paper focusses on the manufacture of cotton, textile in Nigeria, sources of material available, the equipment required, manpower, the land space required, the capital outlay and Profitability of the business. The paper concludes that from the financial result of the above analysis, the project is economically viable and technically feasible. Neem Seeds as Raw Materials is in abundance and can be sourced at lower …

Employment Generation And Opportunities In The Manufacturing Sub-Sector. The Case For The Manufacturing Of Farm Implements., Ihinodu I. I

Bullion

The modernization of agriculture has the potential to achieve the various objectives of creating employment, increasing productivity and output in both the sector and the entire economy, thus contributing to the food security goal of the government. This paper aims primarily at examining the prospects as well as the processes of manufacturing agricultural implements with a view to encouraging small/medium entrepreneurs to engage in the ventures. It examines the manufacturing activities of farm implements. It analyses the role which governments should play as well as highlighting the potential benefits of the enterprises. The paper conclude that given the stage of …

Membership On Editorial Boards And Rankings Of Schools With International Business Orientation, Kam C. Chan, Hung-Gay Fung Dr., Pikki Lai

GFCB Working Paper Series

Using four-year data (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002), we have provided a ranking of schools with international business (IB) orientation based on the membership on editorial boards of 30 leading international business journals. Participation on editorial boards of quality journals is highly selective, and should provide a quality indication of the schools. Both quality unadjusted and adjusted board membership based ranking are calculated in this study. Several interesting findings are worth noting. First, U.S. schools play a significant leadership role among the leading IB programs. Second, the findings of this study also show the major contribution of non-U.S. schools, which …

The Market Premium For The Option To Close: Evidence From Australian Gold Mining Firms, Simone Kelly

Simone Kelly

This paper assesses whether the market valuation of gold mining firms contain a premium for the option to close. Tests of whether observed market values incorporate operating flexibility is central to our understanding of the processes that drive market values and has implications for the relevance and suitability of known theoretical pricing frameworks. This paper assesses the relevancy of the option to close for mining firm valuation. This is achieved by examining 41 Australian gold mining firms listed on the Australian Stock Exchange from 1987 to 1994 that are actively engaged in gold mining extraction and production. A pooled cross-sectional …

How Do Institutional Investors Trade, Paul G. J. O'Connell, Melvyn Teo

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Using a novel and detailed custody trades dataset, this paper analyzes the trading behavior of institutions. Extant studies have examined the effects of past performance on trading by retail investors, day traders, and futures floor traders. Yet very little work has been done on institutions. We find that unlike other investors, institutions take on more risk following an increase in net profit and loss. However, the responses to a gain and loss are highly asymmetric. Institutions aggressively reduce risk in the wake of losses, but only mildly increase risk in the wake of gains. This asymmetry is more pronounced for …

How Corporate Culture Impacts Unethical Distortion Of Financial Numbers, Joseph F. Castellano, Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig, Harper A. Roehm

Accounting Faculty Publications

The recent accounting scandals have highlighted the critical role that investor confidence in the accuracy and lack of distortion of accounting data plays in the health of capital markets and, indeed, the whole economy. The legal and moral culpability of top-level company managers (as well as auditors) is an issue that will be addressed by the nation in the coming months. Whether or not legal sanctions are imposed on managers, it would be well to examine some of the reasons managers may feel compelled to distort accounting numbers as well as engage in other actions that damage the interests of …

Review And Appraisal Of 2003 Budget And Economic Performance., Ige S. Cyril

Bullion

The first set of problems in realizing the benefits of a national budget in Nigeria, the 2003 Federal Government Budget in particular, is the delay in formulation and presentation to the National Assembly. This paper examines various definitions of the national budget as understood by some of the important stakeholder. It discusses budget implementation and management, budget 2003 and the people, strengthening programming as a basis of budgeting for development, and co-ordination of economic management in 2003. Finally, the study concludes that NEEDS is a welcome idea but its goals will prove difficult to achieve because of the flaw in …

Fiscal Policy Thrust Of The 2004 Budget., Odoko F. O

Bullion

The budget is an important tool of economic management. Usually, it presents estimates of Government revenue and expenditure for a fiscal year. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the fiscal policy measures in the 2004 Budget. This paper contains the background to the budget, the policy thrust and the key parameters. It highlights the revenue and expenditure estimates and identifies the policy priorities and prospects. Finally, a good monetary policy is expected to achieve macro economic stability and a sound financial sector if effectively implemented and barring fiscal shocks. Overall, socio-political stability and fiscal discipline …

Monetary And Other Financial Sector Policy Measures In 2004., Nnanna O. J

Bullion

The objective of this paper is to review the monetary and other financial sector policy measures in 2004, with a view to identifying how they assist in achieving the macroeconomic objectives of the government in fiscal 2004. This paper evaluates the financial sector and the macroeconomic developments during fiscal 2003. It examines the monetary and other financial sector policies in 2004. A good monetary policy is expected to achieve macro economic stability and a sound financial sector if effectively implemented and barring fiscal shocks. Overall, socio-political stability and fiscal discipline are critical factors for the effectiveness of monetary policy. The …

External Sector Policies In The 2004 Budget, Obadan I. Mike

Bullion

External sector problems have continued to pose serious challenges to economic management in Nigeria. There is the challenge of conducting trade policy within the framework of the World Trade Organisation's [WTO] rules and regulations without compromising the country's short and Iong-term interests. This paper discusses the policy thrusts with respect to three issues in 2004, viz: Trade policy, Exchange rate policy, and External debt management. In the last few years, the government appears to have recognized the need to conduct trade policy, specifically, trade liberalization in a sensible and orderly manner. Hence, the growing effective protection being accorded local industries. …

Post-Jgtrra Dividend Planning, Danny A. Pannese, Paul N. Iannone

WCBT Faculty Publications

The JGTRRA reduced the tax rate on dividends for individuals and lowered the accumulated earnings and personal holding company taxes for corporations until 2008. This article reviews some of the planning techniques corporations and shareholders can use to take advantage of the temporarily lower rates.

One of the key provisions of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA), if not the prime emphasis of the legislation, is Section 302's reduction in the individual tax rate on corporate dividends received to 15% (5% for individuals in the 15% and 10% brackets). In an emerging trend, the lower …

Obesity, Educational Attainment, And State Economic Welfare, Martin W. Sivula Ph.D.

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

For the first time in history, estimates of the overweight people in the world rival estimates of those malnourished. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2002) ranked obesity among the top 10 risks to human health worldwide. In the early 1960s, nearly half of the Americans were overweight and 13% were obese. Today some 64% of U.S. adults are overweight and 30.5% are obese. Even more alarming, twice as many U.S. children are overweight than were twenty years ago, a 66% increase. Non-communicable diseases impose a heavy economic burden on already strained health systems. Health is a key determinant of development …

International Cross-Listing And The Bonding Hypothesis, Dan Segal, Michael King

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The authors describe a new view of cross-listing that links the impact on firm valuation to the firm's ability to develop an active secondary market for its shares in the U.S. markets. Contrary to previous research, cross-listing may not provide benefits for all firms, even when those firms meet the highest regulatory requirements for disclosure and supervision. When cross-listed firms are divided into two groups on the basis of their share turnover in the home market relative to the U.S. market, the firms that develop active trading in the U.S. market experience an increase in valuation. Cross-listed firms that remain …

What Makes A Winner?, Linda Riddell

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Health insurance costs are one of the unremitting pressures on corporate profits, but the pressure is not suffered evenly throughout the market. What are the differences between Company A & Company B?

Macroeconomics/Structural Policies And Financial Sector Stability: The Challenges, Nnanna O. J

Bullion

The financial system plays an important role in the process of economic growth and development of a country. A financial system consists of various institutions, markets, instruments and operators that interact within an economy to provide financial services. It plays the crucial roles of lubricating the payment mechanism, resource mobilisation and credit allocation. The Nigerian financial sector comprises the regulatory/supervisory authorities, deposit money banks, and other nonbank financial institutions. The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of macroeconomic/ structural policies on the financial sector, as well as the challenges of maintaining financial sector stability in Nigeria. The …

The Impact Of The Operations Of The Non-Bank Financial Institutions On Financial Sector Stability, Bamisile A. Sesan

Bullion

The Banks and Other Financial institutions Act (BOFIA) defines an NBFI to mean "any individual, body, association or group of persons; whether corporate or unincorporated, other than the banks licenced under the Act which carries on the business of a discount house, finance company and money brokerage and whose principal object include factoring, project financing, equipment leasing, debt administration, fund management, private ledger services, investment management, local purchase order financing, export finance, project consultancy financial consultancy, pension fund management and such other business as the Bank may, from time to time, designate". This paper affords the opportunity to explain and …

Internationalisation Of Financial Services: Challenges For Financial Sector Stability In Nigeria., Adeola Ade

Bullion

Internationalisation or Globalisation refers to the increasing integration of "economics around the world, particularly through trade and financial flows. lt is the actual movement, the capacity to move and the potential movement across nations of trade, , investment, technology, finance and labour. lt's also involves the effects of these I forces and the consequent liberalization I of the market. This paper focuses on internationalisation as it relates to the financial sector in Nigeria and its most common manifestation, which is liberalization. It aims to identify ways in which we can benefit from this process while remaining realistic about its potential …

The New Capital Accord: Challenges For The Central Bank Of Nigeria And Nigerian Banks., Imala O. Ignatius

Bullion

Capital occupies a vital position in the life of a bank, like any other business. It plays the role of a cushion for losses resulting from crystallisation of the various risks a business entity is exposed to. This paper summarises the 1988 Accord and its inadequacies. It introduces the new Accord, the need for it and its structure. It highlights the challenges to both operators and regulators, and It discusses efforts of the supervisory authorities to implement the Accord in Nigeria. The challenges highlighted in this paper are by no means exhaustive but it is believed that the attempt would …

Effects Of Board Structure On Firm Performance: A Comparison Of Japan And Australia, Ingrid Bonn, Toru Yoshikawa, Phillip H. Phan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This article compares the effects of board size, proportion of female directors, proportion of outside directors and average age of directors on firm performance in Japanese and Australian firms. We found that board size and age of directors were negatively associated with the performance of Japanese firms. For Australian firms, outsider ratio and female director ratio were positively associated with performance.

Journal Of Actuarial Practice, Volume 11, 2004, Colin Ramsay , Editor

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993-2006)

ARTICLES (the entire volume)

Product Innovation in Financial Services: A Survey • Christopher O'Brien 5

Phased Retirement for Defined Benefit Plan Participants • Patricia L. Scahill and Jonathan Barry Forman . 43

The Actuarial Value of Life Insurance Backdating • James M Carson and Krzysztof M Ostaszewski . 63

Decision Tree Analysis of Terminated Life Insurance Policies • Robert Keng Heong Lian, Yuan Wu, and Hian Chye Koh . 79

A Comparative Study of Parametric and Nonparametric Estimators of Old-Age Mortality in Sweden • Peter Fledelius, Montserrat Guillen, Jens Perch Nielsen, and Kitt Skovsø Petersen 103

Estimation of Complete …

Risk Sharing And The Market For Corporate Control: A Case For Golden Parachutes, Atreya Chakraborty

Accounting and Finance Faculty Publication Series

The predictability of security returns has received considerable attention in the literature, and yet the predictability of bond returns beyond the US markets has remained far less explored. Here we plan to remedy the shortcoming, and in that effort we analyse the ability of several predetermined information variables in predicting bond returns in the European market. We test if variables, commonly used for that matter in the context of other markets (such as inverse relative wealth, term spread, real bond yield and a January dummy) are also useful predictors of European bond returns. Due to some particularities of the sample …

Does The Adoption Of "Economic Value Added" Improve Corporate Performance?, Matthew Louis Bell

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Determining how to properly measure corporate performance is one of the most important problems in contemporary corporate finance. Without a sound mechanism to evaluate managerial performance, a corporation's management has no adequate standard to be judged by. This can destroy the firm's value very quickly through poor managerial decisions. For this reason, managers need to be evaluated and compensated based on a performance measure that truly demonstrates the changes in a company's value. The interests of executives and shareholders do not always coincide, as can be seen through many of the current corporate scandals. Thus, it is almost universally argued …

Persistent Dependence In Foreign Exchange Rates? A Reexamination, Atreya Chakraborty

Atreya Chakraborty

We test for stochastic long-memory behavior in the returns series of currency rates for eighteen industrial countries using a semiparametric fractional estimation method. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to analyze the temporal stability of the longmemory parameter. Contrary to the findings of some previous studies alluding to the presence of long memory in major currency rates, our evidence provides wide support to the martingale model (and therefore for foreign exchange market efficiency) for our broader sample of foreign currency rates. Any inference of long-range dependence is fragile, especially for the major currency rates. However, long-memory dynamics are found …