The Question of Undue Hardship

Posted by & filed under Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial Accounting.

The bankruptcy case of Janet Roth stirred a debate over the rigidity of the “undue hardship” standard in discharging student loans. This year, President Obama instructed several governmental agencies to review, by Oct. 1, whether the treatment of student loans in bankruptcy should be altered. Questions: 1. How did Ms. Roth prepare for her case?… Read more »

An Expose on Financial Mismanagement – Casino Money Monte?

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In this extended article, the Washington Post looks at “opportunity gamed away” in Tunica County, Mississippi. The article highlights the sad fact that “somebody born today in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or South Carolina is far more likely than someone born elsewhere in the United States to attend a poorer school, drop out before high… Read more »

Bye-bye Loopholes! You will be missed!

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Keep an eye out for three retirement loopholes that the government may close shortly. They have become increasingly popular as financial advisers have learned how to exploit kinks in the law. Questions: 1. Who benefits from the Back-door Roth IRA conversions and how does this work? 2. What bothers lawmakers about “the stretch IRA?” 3…. Read more »

Innovation, Price Fixing, or Rotten Apples?

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Recently, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling whereby Apple was determined to be the leader of an industrywide conspiracy among book publishers. Their goal was to raise prices of digital books. Questions: 1. When was the original case brought? 2. What were the damaging words in the case and who are these attributed to?… Read more »

So the 20% charge is not a tip?

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The restaurant, Per Se, must distribute $500,000 in compensation to current and former employees as ordered by the settlement struck with the New York Attorney General. The Manhattan eatery is notable for its $300-plus prix-fixe menus. Questions: 1. How did the restaurant violate New York labor law and how did they remedy this situation for… Read more »

China Woes

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This will be a make-or-break week for the Chinese stock market, after officials rolled out an unprecedented series of steps this weekend to prevent a stock market crash that would hurt the world’s second-largest economy. Questions: 1. What has the Chinese stock market done in the last 3 weeks? 2. What will the suspension of… Read more »

Another Bubble?

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Airbnb’s latest financing round is being led by private equity firm General Atlantic, and includes Hillhouse Capital Group, a Chinese fund manager, and Tiger Global Management, which just led a big $80 million financing for Postmates. The deal is expected to be officially announced today, Monday, June 29. Questions: 1. What is a “private IPO”?… Read more »

A Bizarre Story: Watch what you say!

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A man having a colonoscopy sued two doctors and their practices for defamation and medical malpractice last week, after he found that his cell phone had recorded a most horrific “trash talking” event during his procedure, as well as evidence of a falsified diagnosis. In the trial, the jury ordered the anesthesiologist and her practice… Read more »

More Woes in Greece

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Greece will close its banks on Monday to try to avert financial collapse. The anticipated closure is expected to last about a week. This temporary decision was made along with keeping the stock market closed on Monday after the European Central Bank said it would not expand an emergency loan program to prop up Greek… Read more »

Shaking up Pricing

Posted by & filed under Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Principles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

Because the costs of health-care are rising, along with higher insurance deductibles and co-pays, the way medical services are being delivered is changing. unlike hospital ERs and urgent care centers, retailers, such as grocery and drugstore chains, who operate in-store clinics are displaying pricing information upfront for consumers paying cash. Questions: 1. What are the… Read more »