Business Commons^™

Small And Large Faculty-Size Adjusted Accounting Program Rankings Based On Research-Active Faculty: A Uniform Approach, Mark C. Dawkins, Matthew M. Wieland, Donald L. Ariail

Faculty and Research Publications

Prior studies have ranked accounting programs based on the use of various methodologies, many of which did not control for faculty size. Even in studies that controlled for faculty size, a common issue was the inclusion of faculty and PhD students who were not research active. To resolve these sample issues, this study uses a sample of top-6 accounting journal publications over the 2006-2013 period to demonstrate an innovative, efficient, and uniform approach for calculating faculty-size adjusted accounting program rankings. This approach can be modified to include more accounting journals. Specifically, the study controls for faculty size by including only …

Wink, Wink, Nudge Judge: Persuading U.S. Courts To Take Accountants Seriously In Federal Securities Cases, With Help From The U.K. Companies Act, Kurt S. Schulzke

Faculty and Research Publications

The 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers reopened wounds many thought were healed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in 2002. The Lehman litigation finally ended in late 2013 with audit firm Ernst & Young paying $99 million to investors who claimed the firm misled them with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Other defendants, including banks, officers, and directors, paid out more than $500 million. The bright line standards of GAAP and SOX were obviously not enough to protect Lehman plaintiffs or defendants. Why not? The 2006 fraud trial of Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling offers clues. When asked at trial whether U.S. …

Comprehensive Income Reporting: Fasb Decides Location Matters, Dennis Chambers

Faculty and Research Publications

The article reports on Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-05 issued by the Financial Accounting Services Board (FASB) in June 2011. It states that the standard requires all companies to report comprehensive income and components either in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, net income and other comprehensive income statements.In both cases, companies must reportedly now report in an income statement-type location for total comprehensive income.

Remediation Of Material Weaknesses Related To Employee Compensation, Dana R. Hermanson, Daniel M. Ivancevich, Susan H. Ivancevich

Faculty and Research Publications

The article presents an analysis of the remedial efforts of U.S. companies with material weaknesses in internal control related to employee compensation. Despite the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), public companies have continued to experience accounting and control issues related to employee compensation. The results indicate the role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and its committees in preventing and remediating material weaknesses concerning compensation.

Quality Control Defects Revealed In Smaller Firms' Pcaob Inspection Reports, Dana R. Hermanson, Richard W. Houston

Faculty and Research Publications

The article reports the study of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) on the quality control (QC) defects of small audit firms. Topics including the accounting lapses of small auditing firms, tips on complying QC standards and importance of inspection on the auditing industry are discussed. Study reveals that smaller firms have deficient processes in conducting audit quality. The article notes that PCAOB is expected to increase campaign in assisting audit firms while small audit firms are encouraged to address their QC deficiencies.

Big Gaap-Little Gaap Does One-Size-Fits-All Still Work?, Paula Morris, Jane E. Campbell

Faculty and Research Publications

Initiatives for developing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for private/smaller businesses have surfaced in the United States and internationally. This paper explores those initiatives and identifies common elements and problems in these efforts.

How Sales Executives Can Avoid Accounting Fraud Allegations, Mark S. Beasley, Dana R. Hermanson

Faculty and Research Publications

Is accounting fraud only a concern for CEOs and financial executives? This article discusses recent cases in which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Sales Vice Presidents for their role in accounting fraud. The authors offer suggestions to help sales executives steer clear of accounting fraud allegations.

Uncertain Litigation Cost And Seller Behavior: Evidence From An Auditing Game, Ping Zhang, Bryan K. Church, Lucy Ackert

Faculty and Research Publications

Investigates difficulties that arise in estimating expected litigation costs in an auditing game in the United States. Effect of effort level on certain and uncertain costs of performing the engagement; Frequency of observed fee offers below the total expected cost of an engagement; Institutional arrangements and damage-sharing regimes; Theoretical and behavioral predictions.

Attracting African American Honor Students Into Accounting, Dana Hermanson, Susan H. Ivancevich, Roger H. Hermanson

Faculty and Research Publications

The percentage of minority professionals in the major accounting firms has risen only 2 percentage points since 1976. Black members of a national collegiate honor society were surveyed to see if their perceptions of the accounting profession lead them to select other majors. The nonaccounting students perceived the accounting profession very positively in providing long-term financial rewards and availability of employment. The nonfinancial characteristics of lifestyle, work environment, and nature of accounting work were perceived poorly by respondents. It is vital that black students gain a better understanding of the nonfinancial nature of accounting work and of the role of …