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3d Systems: An In-Depth Look Into The Past, Present, And Future Of 3d Printing, John Lars Ely Jan 2016

3d Systems: An In-Depth Look Into The Past, Present, And Future Of 3d Printing, John Lars Ely

Honors Theses

This thesis revolves around the 3D printing industry. I focused the majority of my research on the company, 3D Systems. I looked into the various factors that are holding the company back and what it can do to overcome then. I concluded that 3D Systems needs to focus more on developing and marketing printers for the domestic market. I also found that the company has to gain a stronger foothold in the Asian market if it wants to emerge as the leader of the industry.


Healthways: A Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Katherine Adcock Jan 2016

Healthways: A Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Katherine Adcock

Honors Theses

The Accy 420 course at the University of Mississippi serves to provide students who are in both the Patterson School of Accountancy and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College an alternative route in which to write their theses. The course uses research methods and financial statement analysis to allow students to produce an in-depth analysis on a company of their choosing. Both a written thesis and a presentation are aspects of the course. Through ten weekly chapter submissions, students compose their final thesis made up of general company information, industry and geographical analysis, strategy analysis, financial statement analysis, accounting quality, …


Walgreens: Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Madeleine Robinson Jan 2016

Walgreens: Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Madeleine Robinson

Honors Theses

This thesis is an analysis including recommendations for the publically traded company, Walgreens. By using the most recent 10-K filing, a complete financial analysis was completed. Through the findings it was recommended to Walgreens that they focus more on mobile growth to compete with technology of competitors, as well as bring an in store area to represent their mobile presence.


Is Accounting For Stock Options Manipulated Before And After An Initial Public Offering?, Natalie Marie Flood Jan 2016

Is Accounting For Stock Options Manipulated Before And After An Initial Public Offering?, Natalie Marie Flood

Honors Theses

Stock option accounting is an area in financial statements that requires substantial estimates and management discretion. Previous research in the area of stock option accounting has found that valuations of options and subsequent accounting methods have been incorrectly stated to aid a company to look financially stronger. Companies that are about to undergo an initial public offering have the most incentive to incorrectly state the value of their options. However, all of these studies have used financial data from financial statements dated before 2004. This is significant because FASB Standard 123(R) (2004) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2000) have both been …


Hospital Corporation Of America: An Analysis Of The Financial Statements Of Hca Holdings, Inc., C. Haadsma Jan 2016

Hospital Corporation Of America: An Analysis Of The Financial Statements Of Hca Holdings, Inc., C. Haadsma

Honors Theses

A successful and dynamic hospital management company, Hospital Corporation of America owns, manages, or operates hospitals, freestanding surgery centers, diagnostic and imaging centers, radiation and oncology therapy centers, comprehensive rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, and other facilities. In fact, Hospital Corporation of America is responsible for between four to five percent of all inpatient care delivered in the United States today. In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi, I have researched the healthcare industry, analyzed the company's financial statements, and provided audit and tax recommendations to the company's management. …


Delta Air Lines: A Financial Analysis And Corresponding Recommendations For Delta Air Lines, Inc., Emily Bush Jan 2016

Delta Air Lines: A Financial Analysis And Corresponding Recommendations For Delta Air Lines, Inc., Emily Bush

Honors Theses

This alternative thesis project is a financial analysis of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Utilizing the 10-K Financial Statements from 2009 to 2013, along with some correlating outside resources, a full business and financial analysis was completed. Starting with the business background and operations, and then working into analysis of the Financial Statements, corresponding recommendations were created for tax, audit and advisory planning strategies.. The bulk of the analysis utilized the 10-K data provided by the SEC, only using minimal other resources for background research. The research found that since filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy Delta Air Lines has improved substantially. Delta's …


A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation And Strategic Exploration Of Institutional Investing With Focus On State Street Corporation, Jack Badger Jan 2016

A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation And Strategic Exploration Of Institutional Investing With Focus On State Street Corporation, Jack Badger

Honors Theses

This report examines State Street Corporation in a way similar to that of a professional in an advisory role. Included in this analysis is a brief history of the firm, financial ratio analysis and implications, audit and tax recommendations, and tools to help improve State Street's strategic outlook and outlast its competitors.  


How Proposed Legislation Could Affect Corporate Taxes, Kaitlin Aspinwall Jan 2016

How Proposed Legislation Could Affect Corporate Taxes, Kaitlin Aspinwall

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore in detail three tax reform proposals and to determine the effects that each would have on three different industries, manufacturing, service based, and technology. This study looks at the detailed tax reform plans of Congressman Dave Camp, Congressman Devin Nunes, and Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Lee. In order to determine the effects that each of these plans would have on the three industries, the financial statements of Lockheed Martin, Liberty Mutual, and Facebook are analyzed as representatives of their industries. This analysis revealed the effects that the proposals would have on …


Food With Integrity: A Financial Analysis Of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Kaylie M. Rowell Jan 2016

Food With Integrity: A Financial Analysis Of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Kaylie M. Rowell

Honors Theses

For the accounting alternative thesis, we were to pick a publicly traded company domiciled in the U.S that we were interested in and research their financials, business, and industry. I chose Chipotle Mexican Grill due to their unique restaurant brand. Chipotle's Food with Integrity campaign makes up their main brand, but brings the issue of finding enough suppliers to meet their needs. If Chipotle has to use processed food to fulfill the lack of the natural, organic food then they will eventually lose their customer's trust. Chipotle has also expanded globally so there are always issues that appear when dealing …


Royal Caribbean International: Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Reagan Huey Jan 2015

Royal Caribbean International: Financial Analysis And Recommendations, Reagan Huey

Honors Theses

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. is an international cruise line that is publically traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It is the second largest cruise line in the world, controlling five brands, 42 ships, and contracts for many more. Royal Caribbean also has part ownership of TUI Cruises and related assets through a 50 percent joint venture. Their headquarters are in Miami, Florida, but the company offers cruises to over 490 destinations in all seven continents. Departure points across the globe allow the company to reach nearly every existing market. Using a strategy of innovation and increasingly lavish offerings, Royal …


Occupational Fraud: A Survey, Elizabeth Carroll Jan 2015

Occupational Fraud: A Survey, Elizabeth Carroll

Honors Theses

This paper examines the issue of occupation fraud in today's corporations. It provides an overview of the types of occupational fraud and how they usually occur. This paper also explains the attributes of the typical fraudster and describes warning signs that management should look out for in their company. It analyzes the regulations and polices put into place to combat the growing issue of fraud. It also provides a look at cyber-fraud, which is an increasing problem due to society's reliance on technology. It explains why fraud prevention is so important in corporations, whether small or large, and emphasizes the …


A Strategic And It Analysis Of Quirky And An Examination Of Business And Accounting Case Studies, Lisa-Marie Schalk Jan 2015

A Strategic And It Analysis Of Quirky And An Examination Of Business And Accounting Case Studies, Lisa-Marie Schalk

Honors Theses

The purpose of this secondary and primary research is not only to explore the concept of management and information technology consulting in the context of a startup up company based in New York called Quirky, but also to present the culmination of my participation in two accounting case study competitions, PricewaterhouseCoopers' xACT competition and KPMG's International Case Competition. After my secondary research on management and IT consulting and the role of IT in various functional areas such as human resources, supply chain management, and financial reporting, I present a brief background on Quirky, a startup company with the mission to …


Strategic Planning In Real Estate Investment Trust, Xinyi Long Jan 2015

Strategic Planning In Real Estate Investment Trust, Xinyi Long

Honors Theses

This paper investigates various strategic planning models and then applies the models to the strategic planning process for a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Several strategic models covered in this paper include Basic Strategic Planning Model, Issue-Based Strategic Planning Model, Kepner-Tregoe Matrix Model, and the Impact Analysis Model. Next, I discuss the roles of different functional areas within a REIT with respect to strategic planning. After fully analyzing these strategic models and the roles of various functional areas, I choose a REIT (AmREIT, Inc.) and perform a SWOT analysis to identify four issues facing this REIT. These four issues are …


An Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting, Anna Claire Wammack Jan 2015

An Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting, Anna Claire Wammack

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to present an overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and CSR reporting. The research done in preparation of this report was done by reviewing articles and professional reports and surveys on the topic of CSR. The report defines CSR and examines several surveys of businesses to see what the current CSR trends are. Next, government initiatives and expenditures related to CSR are described and quantified. The report continues by describing the benefits and format of CSR reporting and attestation. Other areas of business and CSR are studied such as CSR investing and consulting. Lastly, …


Corporate Social Responsibility: Do Companies Have Consciences?, Rachel Victoria Nieters Jan 2015

Corporate Social Responsibility: Do Companies Have Consciences?, Rachel Victoria Nieters

Honors Theses

The first part of this thesis is a report that provides information on a wide variety of topics pertaining to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), particularly those that would be of interest to the accounting industry. All information in this report was gathered through review of research already done by prominent persons and entities in the CSR field. CSR is a combination of both environmental and social factors. In addition to government initiative support, there are a multitude of inherent benefits of CSR, as well as benefits that can only be gained through good CSR marketing. There are also costs, which …


A Study Of Earnings Managent And Financial Statement Reporting Issues Surroding Public Traded Corporations, Juntao Wu Jan 2015

A Study Of Earnings Managent And Financial Statement Reporting Issues Surroding Public Traded Corporations, Juntao Wu

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to study some publicly traded companies' financial reporting systems. I chose four companies in different industries to conduct a series of analyses and evaluations. In Section One, the quality of these companies' financial reporting systems is carefully examined and evaluated. First, I discuss some potential earnings management strategies that managers from different departments tend to adopt. Next, some of the chosen companies' important policies, such as revenue recognition, are compared with industrial standards or relevant policies from competitors. In addition, earnings management and financial reporting issues that relate to income taxes are discussed separately. …


The Ethicality And Financial Impact Of Paying Collegiate Athletes, Keaton J. Vann Jan 2015

The Ethicality And Financial Impact Of Paying Collegiate Athletes, Keaton J. Vann

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to explain why collegiate athletes should be paid and the financial impact of paying them. The study looks at how the NCAA's student-athlete model has exploited collegiate athletes and denied them from receiving a share of the revenues they generate each year. It includes the reasons for paying players, and the troubles athletes go through because of the way the NCAA is orchestrated. The goal is to determine the financial effect of paying athletes across the NCAA, as well as by divisions and conferences. Additionally, the financial statements of the NCAA and some of …


Fraud And Its Relation To The Hospitality Industry, Nicole Ross Jan 2015

Fraud And Its Relation To The Hospitality Industry, Nicole Ross

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to analyze and explore the numerous components of fraud, including its relation and presence in the hospitality industry. Additionally, the study contains findings and analyses derived from participation in a professional development series conducted in a classroom setting and two accounting case studies hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and KMPG in Fall 2013. I will dissect fraud down to its various elements and compile a work plan and proposal originating from the findings from the study. The study examines the causes of fraud, people who commit fraud, fraud legislation, and fraud trends. Through primary and secondary …


Fraudsters, Churches, Economy, And The Expectations Gap: Applying Trends Of Occupational Fraud To An Assurance Engagement Team Plan And Fraud-Prevention Client Proposal, Jenny Trout Jan 2014

Fraudsters, Churches, Economy, And The Expectations Gap: Applying Trends Of Occupational Fraud To An Assurance Engagement Team Plan And Fraud-Prevention Client Proposal, Jenny Trout

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to present an overview of fraud, including concepts, trends, and controls to in turn, develop an effective assurance work plan as well as a fraud-prevention proposal to a potential client. When KPMG collected data from 348 of their company fraud investigations in 2011, an average of 87 percent were male (3). Around thirty-two percent of fraudsters usually worked in a finance role which gave them access to assets and financial statements. According to Donald Cressy's research, it takes all three elements to be considered fraud: a triangle of motivation, opportunity, and rationalization. However, in …


Valuation And Financial Statement Analysis For Activision-Blizzard, Inc., Stephen Wittmann Jan 2014

Valuation And Financial Statement Analysis For Activision-Blizzard, Inc., Stephen Wittmann

Honors Theses

Activision-Blizzard (ATVI), a market-leading publisher and developer in the videogame industry, represents a fascinating case study of a player in a relatively new industry as it struggles to find a permanent place among entrenched entertainment staples such as music, television, and movies. The company in its present form is the product of a 2008 merger between Activision Inc. and Vivendi Games, thus creating a massive publisher with rights to several of the industry's most popular franchises, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Call of Duty. This industry domination has not gone unnoticed, and as of March 2013, ATVI's share price …


Financial Reporting In Division I College Athletics, Anish Sharma Jan 2014

Financial Reporting In Division I College Athletics, Anish Sharma

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether financial reporting standards used in Division I college athletics are comparable, consistent, and complete. The study compares the principles that athletics departments must use in adherence to the Department of Education's Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) report with the principles that athletics departments must also use in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) report. Additionally, the two reporting standards will be compared to the conceptual framework of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Through surveys from Division I athletics departments throughout the country, interviews, and financial databases, the study aims to …


The Effects Of Population Disbursement, Percentage Of Medicare Beneficiaries, And Per Capita Income On Medicare Fee Schedule Prices, Ann Marie Mercier Jan 2014

The Effects Of Population Disbursement, Percentage Of Medicare Beneficiaries, And Per Capita Income On Medicare Fee Schedule Prices, Ann Marie Mercier

Honors Theses

The thesis is an overview of the existing pay disparity in the fee-for-service billing amounts for professional medical services provided by physicians to Medicare patients in the United States. Will improvements in the per capita income, percentage of Medicare participants, or change in the population disbursement result in higher Medicare fee-for-service billing amounts for healthcare providers? Mississippi has one of the fewest primary care physicians per capita rates than any other state. One reason may be the Medicare fee-for-service prices paid to physicians. This paper will show Mississippi Medicare fee-for-service fee schedule prices for a sample of HCPCS codes compared …


Corporate Strategy And Its Use In Solving Issues In The Accounting Field Of The Financial Services Industry, Clark Lisa Jan 2014

Corporate Strategy And Its Use In Solving Issues In The Accounting Field Of The Financial Services Industry, Clark Lisa

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


An Examination Of The Stockholder Response To Corporate Religiosity And Religiosity's Effects On Operational And Financial Reporting Quality, Katrina Marie Briscoe Jan 2014

An Examination Of The Stockholder Response To Corporate Religiosity And Religiosity's Effects On Operational And Financial Reporting Quality, Katrina Marie Briscoe

Honors Theses

Religion has been shown to influence decision makers at both the individual and business level. In this paper, I examine the stockholder response to corporate religiosity and religiosity's effects on operational and financial reporting quality. Industry adjusted return on assets and industry adjusted accruals are my measures for operational and financial reporting quality, respectively. Using religiosity data from Dyreng, Mayew, and Williams, I evaluate the 1999 and 2006 mean stock returns by degree of religiosity and return on assets and by degree of religiosity and accruals earnings management. I find that stockholders favor the least religious companies with the highest …


The Differential Effects Of Mandatory And Voluntary Auditor Rotation On Investors' Expectations Of Financial Reporting Aggressiveness And Willingness To Invest, Kelsey Maynord Jan 2013

The Differential Effects Of Mandatory And Voluntary Auditor Rotation On Investors' Expectations Of Financial Reporting Aggressiveness And Willingness To Invest, Kelsey Maynord

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.