Business Commons^™

Accounting, New Public Management And American Politics: Theoretical Insights Into The National Performance Review, Ann Watkins, Cecil Arrington

Ed Arrington

Borrowing from the work of political theorists Sheldon Wolin and William Connolly, this essay seeks to provide additional rationalization for the expansion of accounting within domains like the public sector. We suggest that such an expansion is intimately linked to social and cultural transitions which have led political theorists to not only question modern political theory but to also recognize the political significance of practices like accounting to political theory. We contend that these same transitions also make possible expansions of accounting through NewPublicManagement (NPM) initiatives like the U.S.'s NationalPerformanceReview (NPR). Seen in this way, accounting theory begins to move …

Race Matters: Whether We Know It, Or Like It, Or Not: Implicit Racial Attitudes And Their Effect On Accounting-Based, Balanced Scorecard Performance Evaluations, David R. Upton, Cecil E. Arrington

Ed Arrington

One of the dominant themes in critical accounting theory over the past two decades has to do with the relation between the construction of human identities and accounting discourse and practices. Though with strong antecedents in Marxist –inspired critique of ideology, genealogical studies (e.g., Miller & O’Leary, 19XX), deconstructive studies (e.g., Shearer & Arrington, 19XX), and critical-rational studies (e.g., Power & Laughlin, 19XX) are examples of different theoretical and methodological ways to probe the constructive force of accounting over human identity and subjectivity. This paper offers a fourth approach grounded in social-cognitive concerns with ways in which implicit attitudes, or …

Late-Modern Politics And The Ubiquity Of Accounting: The Expansion Of New Public Management Within The Us Public Sector, Ann Watkins, Cecil Arrington

Ed Arrington

No abstract provided.

Accounting In Other Wor(L)Ds: A Feminism Without Reserve, Teri Shearer, Cecil Arrington

Ed Arrington

Sexual identity, like economic identity, is a product of historical systems of discourse and representation: that is, sexual identity is produced culturally and linguistically. In this case, even the body iteself is not pre- or acultural. Instead, it is a socially inscribed "sexed" body, a body often constructed and made meaningful as either phallic (the masculine) or castrated (the feminine). Viewed in this light, sexual identity is not essential or biologistic. Instead, it is an artifact of morphology, produced through disursive effects.

Letting The Chat Out Of The Bag: Deconstruction, Privilege, And Accounting Research, Cecil Arrington, Jere Francis

Ed Arrington

There are signs on the intellectual scene that we are moving out of an era in the social sciences termed modernism - a belief that separating fact form value, truth form falsity, is just a matter of applying the right version of method.

A Prolegomenon To The Relation Between Accounting, Language And Ethics, Cecil E. Arrington

Ed Arrington

This essay outlines the preliminary structure of a moral ontology of accounting understood as discourse. To speak of an ontology of accounting is to speak of the most general features of accounting, those features of its existence that are present irrespective of variations in observed “accountings,” of ways in which accounting manifests itself in lived experience. To speak of a moral ontology is to construe those general features as products of human choices and actions which follow from axiological (value-based) commitments to pursue the good and just life, however that life might be understood, and indeed understood differently by different …

The Development Of British Railway Accounting: 1800-1911, John Glynn

John J Glynn

This paper concentrates on accounting aspects arising from the development of the railways. Railways in nineteenth century Britain had a major influence in reshaping some of the legislative procedures in parliament, the development of the capital market, and the economy at large. A background is provided to the first government regulations, introduced in 1840, and all subsequent major developments which led up to the Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911. Why had it taken over eighty years (since the first commercial railway was established in 1830) to produce a standard presentation of accounts and financial reports?

Accounting For Managers, John Glynn, Michael Murphy, Anne Abraham

John J Glynn

Accounting for Managers is an established introductory survey text that is written to give students on executive or general MBA courses an overview of the role of accounting and finance in business, and is also suitable for undergraduates of business and management studies. The approach taken emphasises the conceptual underpinnings of the subject, and views it from the point of view of managers' need for information. Not least the book emphasises the increasing importance of general managers understanding the role played by their accounting and financial management colleagues. The book gives an appreciation of the three traditional subject divisions of …

Book Review: Public Sector Accounting And Financial Control: D. Henley, C. Holtman, A. Likierman And J. Perrin, John Glynn

John J Glynn

Since the second edition of this book was published in 1986 the rapid pace of development and change in public sector finance, fmancial control and accounting has continued apace. In the field of central government, the financial initiative has matured and there has been progress in developing improved performance indicators, reporting and individual accountability. The phased privatisation of nationalised industries and utilities continues. In local government the plans to replace domestic rates by the community charge, and new capital controls and possible changes in capital accounting pose new problems and challenges for financial managers. In the National Health Service attempts …

Public Sector Financial Control And Accounting, John Glynn

John J Glynn

No abstract provided.

Riding The Accounting Train: From Crisis To Crisis In Eighty Years, Shyam Sunder

Shyam Sunder

No abstract provided.

Small Things And First Things – A Pedagogical Tool For Accounting Students, David S. Christensen, Greg Powell, David Rees

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

Experiences early in life or career can shape character and set patterns of behavior. Just as making poor choices in “small things and first things” can adversely affect one’s character and lead to more egregious behavior, making correct choices can positively build the character of a person (Cheffers and Pakaluk 2007). This pedagogical tool provides two examples, one negative and one positive, to help students remember their own character-building experiences. WorldCom accountant Betty Vinson initially resisted an order to make a relatively minor inappropriate journal entry, but caved to management pressure. This set her on a slippery path of accounting …

A Comparative Study Of Governing Board Composition And Financial Performace Measures In New Hampshire Hospitals, Heather C. Brooks

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Helping Hands, Gary Pan

Gary PAN

With economic uncertainty prevailing in recent years, Singapore is being confronted with the challenges of managing growing aging population, acute land and labour constraints and rising business operating costs. If left unchecked, these challenges may threaten Singapore’s economic well-being and consequently its status as a global and financial hub. To address these challenges, many believe productivity-driven growth can deliver sustainable and inclusive economic development and improve Singapore’s standard of living over time. The National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC), set up to spur Singapore to step up its efforts to boost skills and enterprise productivity, has identified the accountancy …

Change Management: The People Dimension, Gary Pan

Gary PAN

Many accounting professionals believe it is important to raise productivity in the accounting sector. A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Management Accountants (2011), however, highlighted that raising productivity, while a very important topic, can be a daunting challenge. Therefore, the urgent issue facing the accounting sector is to address the critical concern of how accounting professionals can be more productive?

International Harmonisation Of Accounting Standards And The Rhetoric Of Globalisation, Kellie M. Mccombie

Kellie McCombie

This paper looks at the growing trend of calls for reform, under the guise of globalisation. Such calls are/have been made by the current Australian Federal Government (AFG) in their national policy setting role. What is relevant to this paper is the AFG’s involvement in accounting standard setting, and their push for International Harmonisation (IH) of Australian Accounting Standards (AAS), through full adoption of international accounting standards set by an international standard setting body. A chronology of Australia’s IH program will be explored, with particular emphasis on the AFG’s involvement. The intensity of their involvement will be shown to emerge …

Implementation Of An Integrated Accounting And Cost Management System Using Sap System: A Field Study, Sudhir C. Lodh, Michael J. Gaffikin

Michael Gaffikin

Not only are in-depth (theoretically informed) longitudinal (reflexive) field studies few and far between, it has been argued in those studies that little is known about the design and implementation of accounting and information systems that operate in today's world-class organizations. Using such an approach this study seeks to illustrate and analyse the implementation processes of an integrated accounting and cost management system using the SAP system at a major steel producer in Australia. It is demonstrated that the technical design of the system is only a part of the implementation process. Keeping 'actor-networks' in line and managing change including …

Change Management: The People Dimension, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Many accounting professionals believe it is important to raise productivity in the accounting sector. A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Management Accountants (2011), however, highlighted that raising productivity, while a very important topic, can be a daunting challenge. Therefore, the urgent issue facing the accounting sector is to address the critical concern of how accounting professionals can be more productive?

Cloud Computing: A Paradigm Shift, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Research has shown that investment in IT is a key driver of productivity improvement in the accountancy sector. IT enables accounting firms to increase their productivity by automating tasks and enhancing collaboration within the firm and with their clients. Cloud computing has generated much interest from the business and IT communities these days as an emerging technology to increase productivity.

Accounting And Productivity: Answering The Big Questions, Gary Pan, Themin Suwardy

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

No abstract provided.

Helping Hands, Gary Pan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

With economic uncertainty prevailing in recent years, Singapore is being confronted with the challenges of managing growing aging population, acute land and labour constraints and rising business operating costs. If left unchecked, these challenges may threaten Singapore’s economic well-being and consequently its status as a global and financial hub. To address these challenges, many believe productivity-driven growth can deliver sustainable and inclusive economic development and improve Singapore’s standard of living over time. The National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC), set up to spur Singapore to step up its efforts to boost skills and enterprise productivity, has identified the accountancy …

Productivity, Return-On-Capital And Stock Price Performance, Andrew Lee, Tracey Zhang

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Productivity improvements in businesses are invariably championed as value-enhancing propositions. Whether the improvements are labour-related or asset-related, the value of a business is arguably enhanced when its employees are more productive, its assets are utilised more productively, and its operations are conducted more efficiently.

Productivity Measurements For Accounting Functions, Themin Suwardy

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The finance department is under pressure to enhance its own value contribution to the business, deliver high quality information and maintain effective controls. It is subject to the same continuing internal demands to reduce the cost of its own operations. To be more effi cient, be more productive. But many finance departments are in a quandary. They are unsure how to demonstrate whether they are delivering real value to the business and to what extent they meet best practice standards for world-class finance departments.

Essential Concepts Of Business For Lawyers, Robert Rhee

Robert Rhee

Accounting and finance cannot be taught through the dense text and format typical of legal casebooks. Mirroring textbooks used at business schools with significant quantities of visuals, Essential Concepts of Business for Lawyers uses many graphical elements, including pictures, charts, diagrams, and tables. Engaging hypotheticals are fun and engaging, but they also illustrate the application of important concepts in business situations. At the end of every chapter, there are three forms of review and summary: Essential Terms, Key Concepts, and Review Questions. The text uses many examples, specially set in example boxes, to illustrate and reinforce difficult concepts. Completely up …

Propensity And Comprehensiveness Of Corporate Internet Reporting In Egypt :Do Board Composition And Ownership Structure Matter?, Sara Abdallah, Khaled Samaha, Khaled Dahawy, Ahmed Abdel-Meguid

Business Administration

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate governance attributes of listed Egyptian companies on the propensity (adoption) and comprehensiveness (quality) of corporate internet reporting (CIR) practices.

Design/methodology/approach – This study uses archival data from the largest (top) 100 listed companies on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX 100). Corporate governance attributes are captured by ownership structure (free float, managerial ownership, government ownership) and board of directors’ structure (board size, board independence, CEO-chair duality). Empirical models are used to estimate the effects of these attributes on the propensity, content, presentation, and overall comprehensiveness of CIR. …

Ifrs And The Repeal Of Lifo, Jonathan Spenser Tipton

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Accounting For Goodwill Pre&Post Sfas 142 And The Implications For Earnings Management, Liang Jian Wu

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis explores how impairment charges driven by management assessment have led to the possibility of earnings management under the SFAS 142 standard. The goal of carrying out this research is to help the user understand the implications behind allowing management to judge impairment charges (US GAAP) versus pre SFAS 142 when intangibles such as a goodwill were amortized (currently IFRS).

How has SFAS 142 opened the door for earnings management? If there is evidence to prove this assumption, then what factors drive management's impairment decisions. This information is pertinent to investors when analyzing a potential investment as goodwill can …

Accounting For Emission Rights: An Environmental Ethics Approach, Emma Zhang-Debreceny, Mary A. Kaidonis, Lee Moerman

Mary Kaidonis

We argue that the International Accounting Standard Board's difficulty in arriving at a standard for accounting for emission rights, which is central to Emission Trading Schemes, is an opportunity to re-examine the issues from an environmental ethics approach. We critically evaluate the IASB approach which privileges profits, and views emission rights as tradeable entitlements to pollute. We consider social ecology, an example of an environmental ethical perspective which holds that humans' survival and the environment's sustainability are inextricably linked. We conclude that social ecology can inform accounting standard setters about the accounting treatment of emissions rights.

Commentary: Reflections On The Critical Accounting Movement: The Reflections Of A Cultural Conservative, Mary A. Kaidonis

Mary Kaidonis

The editors described this as provocative and I was eager to be informed and challenged. O'Regan's claim to be sympathetic to Critical Accounting and his promise to "articulate in sober terms" gave way to O'Regan's frustration, distain and ultimately to reveal his confusion. If previous authoritive writers have failed to inform or enlighten, what contribution could I make? Do I respond the emotive phrases used. Do I sensor me responses? Or should I be amused and have some fun too? I have decided to do all three by offering two commentaries; one which takes O'Regans's paper seriously and I also …

Towards Improving Learning Outcomes For International Students: The Master Of Professional Accounting Embedded Literacy Project, A. Abraham, M. Kaidonis

Mary Kaidonis

This paper presents the University of Wollongong’s collaborative project to embed English literacy in key accounting subjects of the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA). The project will develop a curriculum prototype for embedding literacy which enhances learning in general as well as English literacy at an academic/professional level. Embedding both situated and transported literacies will also assist students in understanding discipline related material and enable critical evaluation of issues within the subject. The overall aim of the project is to improve the teaching and learning of MPA students who are predominantly international and not proficient in English, so that both …