A woman from Azerbaijan who spent 16 million pounds ($21 million) on jewelry, wine and other goods at luxury London department store Harrods over the course of a decade has become the first target of a new British rule allowing officials to seize money from people suspected of getting their wealth through corruption. Questions: 1…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: International Accounting
Changes at GE
GE was led for two decades by Jack Welch, the chief executive both feared and revered for his management discipline. In a surprise move and after only a year in the job of CEO, John Flannery was let go on Oct. 8 amid GE’s long period of stagnation. Questions: 1. In addition to firing the… Read more »
Tough Times for the IRS
Audits and criminal referrals are down sharply by the IRS since Congress cut the tax agency’s budget and management changed priorities. Questions: 1. How many cases did the IRS’s criminal division bring last year? 2. How many cases did the IRS’s criminal division bring in 2010? 3. According to the IRS’s estimates, how much in… Read more »
The New Twist in Airline Rates
While the list of things not included with your plane ticket seems to be constantly growing, there is a new twist in ticket rates. As if it isn’t becoming difficult enough, now some airlines have started bidding sites for seat upgrades! Questions: 1. What are the extra fees associated with airline transportation called? 2. What… Read more »
From the “Oh My Gosh!” File
Science fiction? No, it is the latest in worker productivity. In 2016, Amazon filed a patent for a device described as a “system and method for transporting personnel within an active workplace”. It looks like a cage large enough to fit a worker and mounted on top of an automated trolley device with a robotic… Read more »
South Africa is now in Recession
South Africa has entered into a recession, which is the first time since 2009. Questions: 1. How much has GDP dropped? 2. What has been attributed to the drop and the contraction? 3. How is the South African currency holding up (the rand)? 4. What is the outlook for the rest of the year? Source:… Read more »
Research shows rich people are more likely to lie, cheat, and steal
Questions: 1. What did you think was the most interesting thing that Keltner and Piff found out as part of their experiments? 2. Why should we care about the ethics of wealthy people? 3. According to the article, what does power lead to? 4. In your opinion, what was the most remarkable point made in… Read more »
Wage Stagnation and Fast-Food Workers: No-Poach Clauses
According to the New York Times, attorneys general in 10 states are moving to investigate whether a clause in fast-food franchise agreements is preventing workers from switching jobs and, therefore, locking them into low-paying positions and, some economists say, contributing to widespread wage stagnation in the United States. Questions: 1. Briefly explain how these clauses… Read more »
Yet another warning!
In a new study from the University of Toledo, researchers found that an increase in exposure to blue light can accelerate blindness. Questions: 1. How does this mechanism work? 2. Does your cell phone have blue light? How many devices do you have or use, which have blue lights? 3. What suggestions does the article… Read more »
Sudden Resignation
Fiat Chrysler on Saturday announced the sudden resignation of longtime CEO Sergio Marchionne, who is stepping down due to complications from surgery. Questions: 1. Who will be replacing Sergio? 2. When Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy in 2009, what happened? 3. What’s the outlook for Dodge and Chrysler? 4. What’s going on with current Fiat sales?… Read more »