Is Herbalife a Ponzi Scheme?

Posted by & filed under Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Principles, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Fraud Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Video Updates.

Herbalife is a company that sells weight loss shakes, vitamins and other similar products worth billions of dollars. The company has been around for more than 30 years. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. So what could be more legitimate? Bill Ackman, who manages a hedge fund thinks the whole thing is… Read more »

Aporkalypse? Not So.

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A bacon shortage was part of the headlines this week as a result of a September 20 press release from Britain’s National Pig Association, a trade group that describes itself as “Fighting for the growth and prosperity of the British pig industry.” While the pork industry is currently under serious stress, the reality is that… Read more »

Feds Catch Bid-Rigging Bankers

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Federal authorities are pursuing legal action against bankers accused of systematically defrauding states, local governments and non-profits. The ongoing probe is focusing on bankers who have colluded about the offers they’ve made as they bid on contracts to invest municipal bond proceeds. Questions: 1. What is bid-rigging? Summarize the way in which the suspect bankers… Read more »

Ever Thought About Operating A Franchise?

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, Video Updates.

Tired of not getting paid what you’re worth (or not paid at all) and want to start your own, already-proven business? That’s what is intriguing about franchising. Pick a brand, pay your money, take your chances, and then you’re an entrepreneur. Running day-to-day operations and turning a profit is another matter, of course. However, success… Read more »

A Feel-Bad Ending: Swell the Music for Rudy

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If you look up memorable quotes by Rudy Ruettiger, they exact all the inspirational feelings you can muster about “acting on your dreams.” One of my favorites does not have such a pretty answer, now: –If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would your goals be? Sadly, the answer might be: –To attempt a “pump-and-dump… Read more »

Risky Bonds? Where do you put your money?

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With bond yields so low and the potential downgrading of bonds, is it a good idea to substitute dividend-paying stocks for bonds? Some would say yes, since dividend-paying stocks yield more than some bonds, and have more upside potential. But there’s no getting around the fact that stocks, including dividend-paying stocks, are generally more volatile… Read more »

New York Rules That It Is OK To Resell Life Insurance Benefits

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New York’s top court ruled Wednesday that state law allows people to buy life insurance policies and immediately sell them to investors who make money when the insured person dies. The Court of Appeals, in a 5-2 ruling, said the practice is legal in New York even where the policy was obtained solely for that… Read more »

Investing in Art: How About Some Melted Clocks?

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There has been recent momentum in art market investments, despite the recession. The art market is scouring the world for undervalued works by major artists and museums are seeking new material for blockbuster shows.  Amid this, artistic works by Dalí and others are getting longer looks. Interestingly, few artists could reap more from a late-period… Read more »