Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics Commons^™

Ifrs In The United States: If, When And How, Donna Street

Donna L. Street

This paper provides an overview of the convergence efforts of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. It begins with their 2002 Memorandum of Understanding and traces developments up to the December 2011 announcement by the IASB Chair that convergence has come to a close, and it is now time to incorporate IFRS into the US financial reporting system. The paper then assesses approaches being considered by the SEC for incorporating IFRS into the US financial reporting model. The conclusion calls on the SEC to ‘make a decision’ and set a date for US adoption …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Adopting Ifrs 8 On The Segment Disclosures Of European Blue Chip Companies, Nancy Nichols, Donna Street, Sandra Cereola

Donna L. Street

Amidst the IASB's post-implementation review of IFRS 8, we examine how the standard's adoption changed the reporting of segments by European blue chips (i.e. companies comprising the top tier index of 14 European stock exchanges). We focus on anticipated benefits articulated in the IASB's Basis for Conclusions and concerns expressed by IFRS 8 opponents.

In addition to convergence with U.S. GAAP, IFRS 8 results in the reporting of significantly more operating segments on average. However, most companies report the same number or fewer segments. Refuting claims regarding the loss of geographic data at the entity-wide level, we identify an improvement …

Compliance With Ifrs 3 And Ias 36 Required Disclosures Across 17 European Countries: Company-Level And Country-Level Determinants, Martin Glaum, Peter Schmidt, Donna Street, Silvia Vogel

Donna L. Street

In this study, we analyse compliance for a large sample of European companies mandatorily applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Focusing on disclosures required by IFRS 3 Business Combinations and International Accounting Standard 36 Impairment of Assets, we find substantial non-compliance. Compliance levels are determined jointly by company- and country-level variables, indicating that accounting traditions and other country-specific factors continue to play a role despite the use of common reporting standards under IFRS. At the company level, we identify the importance of goodwill positions, prior experience with IFRS, type of auditor, the existence of audit committees, the issuance of …

Some Simpler Methods Of Accounting For The Effects Of Changing Prices, Surendra Agrawal, Kenneth Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

The complexities of accounting for the effects of changing prices on financial statements could be lessened with the use of simpler accounting methods. Because of existing complexities, even industrialized countries require only their larger business entities to provide inflation-adjusted information. Such information is prepared by making numerous adjustments to the traditional, historical cost-based data. For example, in the United Kingdom, inflation-adjusted income is calculated in two stages: operating profit and profit attributable to shareholders. These calculations are based on the concept of value to the business and require complicated adjustments with respect to cost of goods sold, depreciation, monetary working …

The Pricing Decision: Balancing The Cost-Based And Market-Based Approaches In Different Industries, Shawn M. Kain, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

The objectives of this paper are to discuss cost estimating and pricing issues in four different industries, to analyze methods and strategies that are used in the costing and pricing of products in those industries, and to make general comparisons about costing and pricing techniques. Accurate projection of costs is essential to the survival of any firm because cost estimates often determine whether a project will be authorized to begin or continue, the amount of resources that will be allocated to a particular product or product line, the prices of products, and the firm's and product line's profitability. Many management …

Earnings Manipulation: A Report By Robert Lavine On The Business Ethics Research Of Kenneth Rosenzweig And Marilyn Fischer, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, Marilyn Fischer

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

This column by Robert LaVine in the Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand reports on the research of University of Dayton professors Kenneth Rosenzweig and Marilyn Fischer, "Is Managing Earnings Ethically Acceptable? Surveys Show Age and Seniority Affect Attitudes on Earnings Management," >>> published in the journal Management Accounting.

Why Toyota And Honda Topped The 2002 J.D. Power Quality Study, Susan Lightle, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, John Talbott

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

Toyota again topped the annual J. D. Power and Associates quality study released in late May of 2002. Toyota scored the highest mark ever with l 07 defects per l 00 vehicles, while Honda came in second with 113 defects. The study was based on responses of approximately 65,000 new car owners queried during their first 90-days of ownership. These results do not surprise us, as we have been fortunate to make numerous sojourns to the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, and observe the manufacturing processes. These trips were normally facilitated by a former Japanese student of ours, Minako Yanke, …

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.

User-Friendly Financial Statements: A Proposed Model, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, Andrew A. Fioriti

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

In contrast to early bookkeeping systems whose only role was to assist the resident owners, financial reporting today serves to protect various nonresident parties with interests in the enterprise, such as absentee shareholders. It provides them with information useful for monitoring the operations of the enterprise and for making decisions concerning it. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) formalized this concept of usefulness when it stated: Financial reporting should provide information that is useful to present and potential investors and creditors and other users in making rational investment, credit, and similar decisions. The information should be comprehensible to those who …

Education, Certification, And The Earnings Of Industrial Accountants, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, Lawrence Hadley

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

Utilizing a model of the relationship between skill accumulation and earnings known as human capital theory, we analyzed the incremental earnings associated with various educational and professional credential for a sample of members of the National Association of Accountants (NAA). Data were collected by means of a questionnaire survey of NAA members and were analyzed utilizing a multiple regression technique. Earnings is regressed on various education and certification variables. Employment characteristics and personal characteristics of the respondents are included as control variables. Our analysis documents positive earnings increments for the bachelor’s and MBA degrees and the CPA certificate. For the …

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.

Report Earnings Accurately, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, Marilyn Fischer

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

As authors of the March article, “Is Managing Earnings Ethically Acceptable?,” we wish to thank Alfred M. King for his letter in the April issue questioning some of the contentions in our article. In a time when corruption seems to be rampant in many aspects of our national life, it is important for accountants to discuss openly what are their ethical responsibilities, and what are the limits to those responsibilities. The credibility of accounting numbers is vital to our success as a profession and as individual accountants. There will be no demand for accounting service if accounting information is not …

Company Resistance To Complex Fasb Statements: The Case Of Sfas 33, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

Over the past fifteen years, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued numerous pronouncements designed to narrow the differences in accounting practice and thereby increase the usefulness of financial statements by making them more comparable among different enterprises. Though questions have often been raised over the years about the complex and prescriptive nature of these pronouncements, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 33, “Financial Reporting and Changing Prices” (SFAS 33), has perhaps been the most controversial. The above statement required subject companies to generate and publish information that was radically different from that produced in accordance with conventional financial …

Managing The Cost Of Federally Sponsored Research At Educational Institutions, Mary J. Brown, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

In an era of weak economic ·growth, budget deficits and government spending reductions, limited government resources must be utilized in a manner that maximizes the public welfare. One major use of such resources in recent years has been to fund research and other activities at universities. To shed light on this important area, this article examines current practice in government contracting with educational institutions, reviews recent governmental efforts to control contract costs and investigates ramifications for the affected educational institutions.

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 …

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

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

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 …

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 …

Companies Are Not Using Fas 33 Data, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

How is price-adjusted information required by FAS 33, “Financial Reporting and Changing Prices,” being used for management decision-making purposes? I mailed a questionnaire survey to the controllers of all companies in the FASB's Statement 33 bank to find out the answers and to examine the company characteristics associated with such use. The questionnaire was designed to find out the extent of use and reporting of FAS 33 information for internal company purposes such as management decision making and the factors that might be associated with that use and reporting. The controllers were asked about the extent of internal use and …

Financial Statement Fraud Detection And Possible Link To Company Failure, Adrian Gepp, Kuldeep Kumar, Sukanto Bhattacharya

Adrian Gepp

No abstract provided.

Financial Statement Fraud Detection And Possible Link To Company Failure, Adrian Gepp, Kuldeep Kumar, Sukanto Bhattacharya

Kuldeep Kumar

No abstract provided.

Csr Practices At Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bimb): Managing Csr Fund, Fathiyyah Abu Bakar, Mohd 'Atef Md Yusof

fathiyyah abu bakar

The notion of CSR from Islamic perspective has been viewed as a comprehensive discourse when it is already embedded the element of spiritual (Tawhid and Taqwa), economics, ethics and legality. However, there is a black box in the process of managing CSR fund which is used to conduct the CSR initiatives. Thus, this study attempts to revisit the issues by discussing Islamic concept of CSR practices and to gain insights the process of managing various sources of CSR fund. By using case study approach, a group of key CSR players at Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad as well as the recipients …

The Role Of Professional Bodies In Malaysia: Supporting Good Corporate Decision-Making, Razimah Abdullah

Razimah Abdullah

No abstract provided.

Accountability In The Church, Professor Ben C Osisioma

Prof Ben Chuka Osisioma

Traditionally, accountability is the obligation to give a reckoning or explanation for one’s actions and responsibilities to a higher authority. However, for the purpose of this paper, we define accountability as the processes through which an organisation makes a commitment to respond to and balance the needs of stakeholders in its decision making processes and activities, and delivers against this commitment. In the church setting accountability involves managing the resources God has entrusted us with, organising for service and mission, and providing programmes to carry out the church’s mandate. The goal is to help people grow in Christ and learn …

Good Corporate Governance: The Role Of The Accountant, Professor Ben C Osisioma

Prof Ben Chuka Osisioma

Corporate governance deals with the mechanism by which stakeholders of a company exercise control over corporate managers and provide overall direction to the firm, such that stakeholders’ interests are protected. In such a situation, the firm operates more responsibly and profitably, relations are enhanced between the firm and all stakeholders - shareholders, policyholders, employees, suppliers and society at large - the quality of executive and non-executive directors is improved, the firm thinks long-term, information needs of all stakeholders are satisfied, and executive management is monitored properly in the interest of shareholders. The role of the accountant in this setting, is …

Demanda De Institucionales Por Emisiones De Medianas Empresas, John Pineda Galarza

John Pineda Galarza

En abril de 2013 se concretó la primera emisión de papeles comerciales en el ámbito del Mercado Alternativo de Valores (MAV) la cual fue un éxito pues se logró una demanda de 3 a 1, sin embargo los inversionistas institucionales brillaron por su ausencia. En el presente artículo, se analizan los principales desincentivos que tienen inversionistas institucionales como las AFP para invertir en instrumentos emitidos por medianas empresas, planteando en ese sentido algunos temas pendientes en relación con el MAV.

Budgeting, Auditing And Governance: Implementing The Accountability Framework, Professor Ben C Osisioma

Prof Ben Chuka Osisioma

Good public governance involves the management of public resources in a manner that guarantees sustainable development in an atmosphere of due process and rule of law, free from wastage and corruption. The goal is to guarantee a people’s right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food and fibre provision, quality education, fair justice and personal security. Good governance is rooted in quality institutions, informed and adequately motivated citizenry, and structures and processes that endure. The budget and audit tools are critical to the process, and within the requirements of accountability framework can bring the so-called dividends of democracy to citizens. In …

Information Systems Procurement Process Risk And Control: Insights From A Public Sector Organization, Shan Chi Gary Pan, Manjari Mehta, Poh Sun Seow

Gary PAN

This case highlights the specific risks and issues that may be encountered in the information systems (IS) procurement process in a country where bribery and corruption are more common. PSO is a large Indian public sector organization involved in energy-related business. Being financially deprived, PSO relied on government funding to build its infrastructures. Besides the funding support, PSO also inherited the bureaucratic structure and the corruption practices. Lately, PSO was involved in several IS infrastructure and applications upgrading projects and wanted to review its IS procurement process. Does PSO understand the process risks in public IS procurement? Does PSO have …

Fraud Prevention In Nigeria: Applying The Forensic Accounting Tool, Professor Ben C Osisioma

Prof Ben Chuka Osisioma

The spate of global scandals and corporate misadventures that began with the energy giant, Enron in the years 2000 to 2002, the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997/98, and the global Financial Meltdown of 2008, rocked the accountancy profession and sharply drew attention to the need for the profession to re-invent itself and re-define its focus in the new millennium. Accounting practitioners world-wide, have tested the limits of creative accounting, and the verdict of the marketplace is that the era of sharp and unwholesome practices are over for good. Part of the professional response to challenge of this era, is the …

La Transparencia En La Protección De Datos Personales, Bruno L. Costantini García

Bruno L. Costantini García

La Transparencia en la Protección de Datos Personales, ponencia elaborada dentro de los trabajos del VII Congreso Nacional de Organismos Públicos Autónomos (OPAM)