According to Accounting Today, the SEC has formed a Climate and ESG Task Force in its enforcement division to identify misconduct in environmental, social and governance reporting. Questions: How are accounting firms putting more emphasis on ESG issues? What initiatives are taking place in the area of standard setting? What has a recent study found… Read more »
Posts Tagged: IFRS
Dutch Treat?
According to the New York Times, “Dutch pensions are scrupulously funded, unlike many United States plans, and are required to tally their liabilities with brutal honesty, using a method that is common in the financial-services industry but rejected by American public pension funds.” This article discusses the Dutch belief that each generation should pay its… Read more »
Operating Leases
For years, there has been a debate about whether operating leases should be capitalized. In a recent IASB project update report, it is estimated that the long-term liabilities on the balance sheet are underestimated by as much as 46% due to non-recognition of operating leases. Many wonder whether the IASB will scrap the dual lease… Read more »
Jail is not for Big Pharma
In the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history, A federal judge on approved an agreement to fine British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline for criminal and civil violations involving 10 drugs. Questions: 1. Do you think fines can deter unlawful behavior at Big Pharma? In your opinion, why didn’t anyone go to jail for these violations?… Read more »
Audit Firm Rotation – Coming to a Theater Near You?
On Wednesday, November 30, the Internal Market Commissioner, Michel Barnier, suggested that radical changes are needed for auditing firms. Barnier said recent apparent audit failures at AngloIrish and Lehman Brothers banks, BAE Systems and Olympus “would strongly suggest that audit is not working as it should”. Under Barnier’s plan, the four top firms will have… Read more »
Financial Crisis in Greece
While banks and European leaders hold abstract talks in foreign capitals about the impact of a potential Greek default on the euro and the world economy, something frighteningly concrete is under way in Greece: the dismantling of a middle-class welfare state in real time — with nothing to replace it. Since 2010, the government has… Read more »
What good is a logo?
Australia, which has already banned the public display of tobacco products in retail outlets, wants to outlaw logos on cigarette packs and force them to be sold in plain dark-olive packaging, carrying health warnings instead of company logos. Cigarette brand names will appear on the packages in the same size and style of printing. The… Read more »
The Aftermath in Japan
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Friday reported a net loss of 1.2 trillion yen ($15.4 billion) for the fiscal year that ended March 31. Tokyo Electric also announced it will decommission reactors Nos. 1-4 at Fukushima Daiichi and has also canceled plans to build two other reactors at the site. In addition to the… Read more »
Put Me First In Line
Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and his business partner gave $15 million to a hedge-fund manager now accused of running a Ponzi scheme. In court papers filed by Elway and Mitch Pierce the two claim that their investment was supposed to be kept in a separate account from Mueller’s Over Under Fund. Therefore, the… Read more »
Interesting News for IFRS Nay-sayers
While reviewing the proposed expansion of the International Financial Reporting Standards for accounting, Tim Bush, a member of the “Urgent Issues Task Force†that scrutinises the work of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB), claims to have uncovered “fatal†and “dangerous†flaws in the system. Mr. Bush alleges the regulations, and specifically the way they have… Read more »