Business Commons^™

Understanding The Ey Split: A Qualitative Approach, Joseph Long

Honors Projects

This research project takes a qualitative approach at analyzing the proposed split between the audit and consulting operations of the accounting firm known as Ernst & Young (EY). The two specific research questions this project attempts to answer are: 1. What specific reasons led to the downfall of EY’s proposed split? 2. Could a similar project be more successful in the future for EY or another firm? In order to answer these questions, a variety of articles in reputable business publications pertaining to the EY split were analyzed to get their take on the proposed split. In addition, an assortment …

Should We Move Our Headquarters Abroad?: An Analysis Of Corporate Inversion, Rowen Newlon

Honors Projects

In recent years, companies from a plethora of industries have participated in the act of corporate inversion, which is essentially moving the headquarters of a company to a subsidiary branch located in another country. There are some substantial benefits as well as drawbacks to this practice; therefore, the objective of this project is to examine this from an accounting and international business perspective. This project will investigate the research of corporate inversion, including both current and potential legislation, and give guidance to companies deciding to move abroad as well as using a hypothetical company to examine this phenomenon in a …

Total Taxation: An Examination Of The Total Tax Burden Of Individuals In The West Michigan Area, Connor C. Meech

Honors Projects

Have you ever thought about how much you might pay in tax each year, across all tax types? If you have, a chill probably went down your spine before you gave up thinking about it. When the subject is brought up, most people think primarily of income. The truth of the matter is that income tax is far from the only tax we pay. Throughout the year, Americans may end up also paying sales tax, property tax, fuel taxes, various sin taxes, and estate tax, just to name a few. With so many ways to be taxed, some of which …

Non-Profit Accounting And Financial Strategies For The Exponential Age, Nathan A. Judd

Honors Projects

This research project was designed to introduce the current state of digital assets with all of its potential risks and rewards within the non-profit business sector. Non-profit organizations receive donations constantly, but what happens when an individual gives a digital asset such as Bitcoin to the non-profit? The answer is quite complicated from an accounting and strategic business approach but will be unpacked and reviewed. Other nonprofit topics included are the exponential network effects for digital assets, official FASB accounting regulation treatments for digital assets, taxation documentation from the IRS regarding digital assets, and potential implementation strategies to consider.

For The People: A Collaborative Space Assessment - Budget And Analysis, Devan Harmych

Honors Projects

One of the most important keys to success is community. Within a community, people come together to support each other and help them achieve their hopes and dreams. When looking at the Honors College and the space they utilize within Founders Hall, there is an opportunity present to further expand the community and to design a space to better support students of the future.

Forensic Accounting At Bgsu: A Proposal, Allison Mishka

Honors Projects

Forensic accounting is a field utilizing accounting and investigative knowledge to detect and examine financial fraud. There is growing demand for professionals in the field. Currently Bowling Green State University (BGSU) does not offer a forensic accounting course. To determine if introducing a forensic accounting to BGSU is appropriate at this time, I have researched other accounting programs and forensic accounting courses. I have also conducted surveys of Schmidthorst College of Business students and faculty as well as forensic accounting professionals to determine if implementing a forensic accounting course would be beneficial to the university and to students. Based on …

Women In Accounting, Kayla Cline

Honors Projects

There is gender inequality at the equity partner level in public accounting firms. The number of female partners is much lower than male partners. This paper examines the three main reasons for this discrepancy. The reasons are the difficulty in finding an appropriate work-life balance, good formal and informal mentors, and the extra financial risk associated with being an equity partner. Next, comparisons to law firms and educators are made examining the reasons for any gender inequality in those industries. Finally, proposed solutions to the three main reasons for the gender inequality in public accounting are explored.

Using Alteryx Designer In Audit, Nolan Asiala

Honors Projects

My senior project was built around data analysis and how it relates to the auditing profession. Initially, I was planning on attending a data analytics competition, but that was canceled due to the events of COVID-19. This project utilized the Alteryx Designer program to demonstrate how it can be used during an audit engagement. By creating a workflow in Alteryx Designer, a report from a client can be cleaned and reformatted into a working dataset. My project includes two Excel files, a Microsoft Word document that serves as a brief introduction to the program, and a video describing the workflow …

Maximizing The Return On Investment For College Marching Bands, Brandon S. Alt

Honors Projects

This report outlines the findings from a study conducted of the income and budgets of college marching bands for the 2017-2018 academic year. The study was conducted with members of the College Band Directors National Association using their Athletic Band listserv. Participants were asked questions about their marching band’s income, expenditures, use of development funds, and their school and band’s demographics. The data is then analyzed to highlight trends within the data, and to generate recommendations for how marching bands can improve their budgets. Study limitations are also discussed.

Existing literature surrounding funding and budgeting issues is also reviewed, including …

Budgeting In Student Life: An Educational Website, Heather Grunden

Honors Projects

An applied honors project in the form of a website prototype. The purpose of this website is to introduce college students to the concept of budgeting and to teach them the core steps of creating their own budget, since many existing budgeting applications are pay-to-use, and the free options tend to have little to no instruction.

Excel Technique Workshop, Kendall Newcomer

Honors Projects

This research paper identifies key Microsoft Excel skills for users at the beginner and intermediate stage. The document consists of 3 consecutive workshops based off the Microsoft Excel skills identified.

The Market At Work, Patrick Flynn

Honors Projects

I believe my project will be the best project for me using both of my majors. It is a great way for me to take some of the knowledge I learned here at BGSU and apply it to a real life scenario I could pursue in future years. Investing at a young age is very important to help raise a lot of money for my retirement, something that I am learning right now in class. People coming out of college usually aren’t very concerned with investing at such a young age. I want to take advantage of this opportunity that …

Keeping Glass Recycling Financially Sustainable: A Cost - Benefit Analysis, Tia Newlove

Honors Projects

Previous research has shown the value that recycled glass, cullet, has in glass container production, road construction and fiberglass production. This cost - benefit analysis explores the value chain of cullet to glass container manufacturers. Glass container manufacturers have a tradeoff between the economic limitations and the environmental benefits of using cullet in the manufacturing process. The cost of cullet is greatly impacted by the location of recycled glass processors relative to the location of glass container manufacturing plants. Strategic investment by glass container manufacturers into maintaining the supply of cullet is essential as recycling programs evolve in the United …

Accounting For Impact: A Path To Innovation Through Csr Reporting, Madison F. Davis

Honors Projects

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting has emerged as a way for companies to communicate emphasis and measures beyond the traditional profit. CSR Reporting has the potential to be used as a tool for companies to move from just compliance with sustainability standards to promote efficiency and innovation. Through case studies of current users, my project explores three reporting platforms and how these platforms can help companies measure this transition to efficiency and innovation rather than using sustainability practices as window-dressing for the reputation company.

An Evaluation Of Fin 48 And Its Effect On Local Companies, Megan Bahr

Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Measuring Risk-Based Capital, Karen Anderson '97

Honors Projects

In order to assure policyholders that their benefits will be available when they are needed, the National Association ofInsurance Commissioners (NAIC) has begun regulating insurer capital through the Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Model Act for life insurance companies. The Model Act helps state insurance regulators plan to preserve and protect adequate insurance capital levels and maintain insurer solvency. The RBC requirements provide for a ratio which assesses the level of risk that is associated with an insurance company's assets. The purpose of the NAIC's RBC calculation is to develop the minimum amount of surplus needed given the risks assumed by the …

Consumption Taxes: An Examination, Joshua E. Richardson '97

Honors Projects

The current in orne tax system fails to achieve several of these goals. This paper will examine three alternatives to the income tax: a national sales tax, a value added tax, and a personal expen iture tax. The three taxes create the same tax on an item of consumption through different methods. These options will be discussed in comparison to the current income tax on the basis of administrative efficiency, equity, economic consequences, and transitional difficulties.

Accounting For Derivatives, Craig Ward '96

Honors Projects

This paper will address the issue of disclosure concerning the derivative acitivities of publicly traded companies. The paper will begin by explaining the basics of derivatives and proceed to explain the current requirements in place to date. It will also detail the current developments of proposed new regulations for derivative activities. Then, the paper will present the results of how a sample of publicly traded companies currently account for and report their derivative positions in the financial statements. Finally, I will propose new requirements to account for and report derivatives in the financial statements. These requirements will combine ideas already …