Attack of the SuperCookies!

Posted by & filed under Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Principles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

What is your privacy worth? Most people would say A LOT! According to Craig Timberg, Verizon and AT&T have been quietly tracking the Internet activity of more than 100 million cellular customers with what critics have dubbed “supercookies.” These supercookies cannot be erased and can even get around the “private” or “incognito” settings on your… Read more »

Should After-Work Screenings be Part of the Payroll?

Posted by & filed under Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Principles, All Articles, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

The nation’s retailers are paying close attention to the hotly contested issue before the Supreme Court this week. On Wednesday, the justices will determine whether security checks and the related waiting time should be part of an employee’s regular, compensable workday. Questions: 1. As part of the opposition of compensation for antitheft checks, retailers’ groups… Read more »

To compete or not compete – Upside or Downside?

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, All Articles, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

Noncompete clauses are now appearing in far-ranging fields beyond the worlds of technology, sales and corporations with tightly held secrets, where the curbs have traditionally been used. Questions: 1. What industries have recently seen more noncompete clauses? 2. What clause were you most surprised at? 3. What are the costs and benefits of noncompete clauses?… Read more »

Tax is not so sweet!

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According to the New York Times, a new study indicates how taxes might be used to curb consumption of sugary drinks and suggests that applying a tax based on the amount of calories contained in a serving rather than its size would be more effective. Questions: 1. What are the relationships that the study mentioned… Read more »

Limiting Public Exposés: China’s Crackdown on Information about Officials and Social Elite

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, IFRS, Intermediate Accounting, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

There is a chilling crackdown on due diligence companies in China. In an effort to tighten access to company records at local industry and commerce bureaus, the Chinese government arrested Peter Humphreys and his wife, who run a due diligence company that works for many multinational companies in China. Access to these bureau records is… Read more »

Amazon’s profit strategy?

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, All Articles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, IFRS, Intermediate Accounting, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

Almost daily, Amazon announces that it is entering another new venture. How do they do it, since they have yet to show profit that supports their share price? Questions: 1. After reading the article, do you think that Amazon with stay with a discounter form of commerce? 2. How do you think Amazon accounts for… Read more »

Numbers tell the story

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, IFRS, Intermediate Accounting, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized, Video Updates.

Unless you have been vacationing on another planet, you have probably heard about the government shutdown this week. This video by the New York Times provides some quantification of the situation. Questions: 1. Which number in the video surprised you the most? 2. Explain why not reaching an agreement by Oct 17 on the debt… Read more »

Based on Projections, The Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) will Likely Benefit Hospitals

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, All Articles, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Intermediate Accounting, Uncategorized.

According to Fitch Ratings, the benefit for hospitals via enrollment in plans offered on the state health insurance exchanges starting Oct. 1 is uncertain, since participant numbers have yet to be disclosed. However, it is anticipated that as enrollment increases, hospitals’ ability to reduce bad debt will also increase and that would clearly be a… Read more »

A Dragnet for Astroturfing

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, All Articles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, IFRS, Intermediate Accounting, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

As a result of a year-long investigation, New York regulators will announced on September 23, 2013 that they would crackdown on deceptive and fake Internet reviews on products and services. Agreements have been reached with 19 companies to cease their misleading practices and pay a total of $350,000 in penalties. Questions: 1. Where were some… Read more »

Gift Scandal in Virginia

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Advanced Accounting, All Articles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, IFRS, Intermediate Accounting, International Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Uncategorized.

There has been a growing investigation into gifts that Virginia’s governor and wife have secured from businessman, Jonnie R. Williams Sr. One of the key issues that the FBI is investigating is Governor Bob McDonnell’s ties to a company known as Star Scientific and gifts from its chief executive is Mr. Williams. Questions: 1. Based… Read more »