Finance & Accounting Essays

However most of the European countries had already embarked on their convergence towards the international standards for financial reporting. The United States' standards setting body, FASB is consistently working towards the convergence of US GAAP to the international accounting standards in response to international pressures.

As the text has it, consumers of the finance industry require banking products and services.  Just like any other product or service, products of this industry also have to be marketed to consumers and just as the case with any other industry there is an ongoing need to communicate with the consumers.

The objective of the capital structure assessment is to obtain an indication of Wal-Mart’s longer-term solvency and its degree of financial risk, the main focus here is on the firm’s long-term funding arrangements. Financial risk is the risk of the firm not being able to pay its financial commitments for which the ultimate penalty is liquidation.

In the words of management consultant and business author Peter Drucker, “Activity-based costing records the cost of not doing, such as the cost of machine downtime, the cost of waiting for a needed part or tool, the cost of inventory waiting to be shipped, and the cost of reworking or scrapping a defective part” (Success Profiles, 2003).

The ability to obtain liquidity is further complicated by the fact that the banks that offer short-term financing are at the same time struggling with reduced capital structure, reduced levels of risk they are willing to undertake, and are reluctant to lend more money.

The term globalization specific to the human environment is often used to describe the economic integration across the globe and changes caused by the diffusion of information in digital form, for example with the Internet. The significance of globalization cannot be overstated since it relates to increasing global interdependence in all areas including economy, politics, culture, environment, communication, etc.

................................... 3 2. The Case of Air France and KLM................................................................ 3 3. The Case of Daimler-Chrysler....................................................................... 5 4. Externally-Driven Situations Forcing Change.

Laptop: This is the basic miniature version of a desktop computer. It helps in carrying the office along and also makes working at home a lot more comfortable. With the help of networking, officials can remain in constant touch through instant messaging and emails.

Experts within the region’s banking industry agree that in order for this to be done, and then there should be sound business processes and robust technology. In other words, the bank has to incorporate technological processes in the identification of risk. Credit risk management must start from a particular point and this is the determination of where the problem is.

The strategy seems to be, to capture a considerable amount of online territory. Microsoft is interested in making investments, at the moment. The company wants to get into search engine technology. Besides this, it also wants to make a mark in online advertising. Evidently, Microsoft wants to emerge as the leader in the software field. 

The service should have the capability to interact with the traffic and to respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area” (Paine, n. d. p.3). Functions of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)

The case study shall discuss the specific nature, and occurrence of financial statement fraud and examines how the fraud was discovered from a forensic accounting perspective. The research shall also look at the results of the regulatory investigation and criminal prosecution in trying to understand the potential consequences of the fraud.

Modern innovations in Information and Communication Technologies have enabled banks to widen their range of financial services. Financial institutions deal with millions of different currencies on a daily bases. The profit from these services differs according to a number of some factors such as the volume and nature of the service provided.

The IMF was formed after a financial and monetary conference that was held by the UN in Breton Woods, the USA in July 1944. The fund was established with the aim of assisting in the institution of a multilateral payment system, boosting exchange stability, assisting in the expansion and objective growth of global trade and promoting global monetary cooperation.

The objective of the trustee is to give advice on investment strategy and management given that the investment portfolio has the following characteristics: (1) 40% of the funds invested are in one large UK company; (2) 10% each are in the stocks of six other large companies; (3) Average monthly correlation between the stocks is 0.65; etc.

What finance options are open to a fast growing UK Listed Maritime Company that is looking to expand? Running a successful business operation requires effective financing as access to finance is critical to the company’s growth and productivity. Most companies can obtain the financing they need, although there are a number of structural market failures constraining both debt and equity financing.

There are reasons for the development of my interest in international trade finance. Over the period of time, I came across different borrowers who often showed reluctance to use letters of credit as a viable and most inexpensive means of international trade finance and often considered raising equity through private sources and then finally going for overseas IPOs.

Relief from double taxation is present where a corporate entity earning and giving tax on foreign land is exempted from doing so on UK soil. Loss Relief provision is present which entitles a corporate entity with multiple sections to merge its losses of one entity against the profit of another Profit making entity.

 “Amex employs a wide variety of listed equities, an extensive options market, and an unrivaled listing of more than 100 exchange traded funds (ETFs), the securities category pioneered by the American Stock Exchange.” NASDAQ is an American stock market founded in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).  

 The spot exchange rate (S$/ ₤) is $1.50/ ₤ while the forward exchange rate (F$/₤ ) for delivery is $1.48/ ₤. The interest rate in the U.S. for a 90 day period (RUS ) is 4.5 percent while the UK rate of interest (RUK ) for 180 days is also 5.0 percent. From the list above, it would be advisable to undertake a forward contract hedge since it offers the least cost for the company.

Without accounting resources cannot be managed effectively."It is irrefutable that any business organization requires the use of accounting. In fact, the use of accounting dates back from the time a business organization is formed.

One significant characteristic of standard costing with its relation to direct materials is the estimation of the normal delivered price per unit of material in determining the prices, apparently called standard price.  By multiplying the standard quantity to that of the standard price, the standard cost will then be calculated. 

A cost purpose is an action or product for that the total or unit cost is to be computed. A cost objective may be the product manufactured or the service delivered, or it may be a department, a course, or a function, all of that is referred to as cost centers. The cost axis is the least unit for that costs are mounted up for reporting functions.

To do audit, there must be information in a verifiable form and some standards (criteria) by which the auditor can evaluate the information. Information can and does take many forms. Auditors routinely perform audits of quantifiable information, including companies' financial statements and individuals' federal income tax returns.

During the last half of the year 1990, the US and UK stock markets witnessed a huge increase in the stock prices relative to earnings. However, analysts claim that there are no obvious reasons for such an increase in the prices of stocks which can be attributed as relative to the increase in the earnings of the companies.

Qualitative research is the methodology adopted for the study. This is done by case studies, focus groups, and literature review, the latter being a form of secondary research. Primary search in the form of live case studies, interviews, and focus groups are redundant now as there is considerable literature already available for the proposed study.

Nordstrom’s business philosophy has been based on quality, value, exceptional service, and selection. The company has built a devoted customer base, and has more than 180 stores across 27 states in America. Nordstrom now has a stock market value of more than $12 billion.

The core banking system of any bank is at the very epicenter of its activities and through this dissertation, the researcher has tried to pose relevant questions that will help in taking a critical stand and perspective on the SOA process as developed by Microsoft so as to find ways to improvise the same.

If the company decides to issue dividends, the policy will outline whether or not the dividends will be issued on an ongoing basis, or if the dividend payout will be infrequent”. The dividend policy of the firm is determined by the fact that the manager’s depression to influence the capital structure of the firm by leveraging would allow him to independently act.

While there is a wide acceptance that the stock market is weak form and strong form efficient, it has not been feasible or possible to produce specific theoretical constructs or models of the behavior of share prices across time. Most theorists also agree that information affecting stock price movements is rather randomly generated.

You must let your profits run and cut your losses quickly if you are to have any chance of being successful. Trading discipline is not a sufficient condition to make money in the markets, but it is a necessary condition. If you do not practice highly disciplined trading, you will not make money over the long term.

In this chapter, the researcher attempts to suggest an appropriate research methodology. The chapter also includes the background of the study, research problem, objectives, and hypothesis. The chapter is concluded with the limitations of the study, which could not be avoided by the researcher at any cost.

The adequacy of budgeting, thus, depends upon the adequacy of managerial judgement. Beyond Budgeting is a management tool a way of managing not the management: the presence of a budgeting system should not make. A skilfully prepared budgetary programme will not itself improve the management of an enterprise unless it is properly implemented.   

Once the proposed hospital’s capital has been decided, the desired method of the capital funding needs to be determined. In the US hospital industry, approximately 50% of the assets are financed through equity and 50% through debt.

For example, China uses the policy of dumping goods into foreign markets, which has resulted in the closure of several small businesses all over the world. This leads to unemployment and the closure of local industry means that all the money will flow out of the company to the parent company and little will be left for further investment. 

Demutualization is the process through which organizations like building societies and mutual insurance companies convert themselves into profit-making companies. In the case of insurance companies, it was the normal practice to form these companies with the ownership vested in the policyholders as a group.   

There are numerous other uses of the financial statements created by accountants and as the world economy grows and businesses become more interdependent, Accountancy gains further importance.In recent years an important topic of discussion has been the adoption of global accounting standards

The unethical part about this situation is that thought Stan Sewall paid only $50,000/- for the franchisee he has been able to window dress his balance sheet by 10 times without actually investing the funds into the enterprise at all. This is very similar to the Enron saga where the balance sheet was "pumped up" to hide the huge debts of the company and keep the investors, majority of the employees, and government in dark about the true state of affairs.

It may be noted that the mass media have played an important role in describing and making known to people the activities of financial institutions. There has been a considerable increase in the number of newspaper articles, radio, and television programs that provide consumer advice and guidance towards financial services

 Income Statement basically lists and categorizes all expenses and revenue incurred by the firm during the accounting cycle. It starts with Sales or revenue generated, in case of service organizations; then subtracts all expenses and losses from sales and adds up all revenue and income. The difference is net income and net loss. 

There is a new regulation in place, as a result of the announcement made by the Government in the 2007-08 Federal Budget, of various steps taken to enable small businesses to have more flexibility and a less complicated taxation system. Due to the regulation, a GST registered entity can to claim GST credits for purchases with any GST-inclusive amount of $82.50 or less, without having to hold a recognized tax invoice.

Environmental changes which have taken place after a plan has been made, and actual achievements during the recent past, are taken into account during budgeting. Control, coordination, and feedback are the 3 primary advantages of such an elaborate budgeting system. The budget serves as a kind of navigation tool.

British Airways' stability can be threatened if there are sudden adverse circumstances like 9/11. It could find itself unable to meet its current debts if the receivables become uncollectible. Gearing has improved in BA by 23.5pp. However, EasyJet has resorted to borrowing to fund the capital expenditure.

Accounting is the process of identifying, measuring, handling and communicating the financial information about different economic entities for being used by the concerned parties. How this information is used by the company and the persons handling the information helps in classifying it in managerial and financial accounting.

One hiring challenge is rarely an innovative one for those in HRM that will a company better off establishing and training specialized workmen in-house or hiring skillful workmen from outside the firm. This question holds great significance in fast-paced, technology-based industries who keep investment in human capital as crucial.

However, it is also critical to understand that sourcing of financing the healthcare do not only include just the money but it also include the voluntary sources such as rendering of voluntary services as well as gifts received in kind.

Bush in the 2000 presidential election.Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 30, 1941, the son of Marjorie and Richard H. Cheney. He was raised in Casper, Wyoming, where the elder Cheney worked as a soil conservationist for the Department of Agriculture.

However, recently the company has required a new client: a homeowner's association with a total of 150 homeowners.The firm has agreed to provide the homeowner's association with several services.

An investment entails risks and returns. In order to gain from an investment, an investor chooses among a wide range of opportunities in the market where the expected benefits offset the inherent risks (Keown et al 2004). Currently, an investor is faced with various investment alternatives. With only a limited fund to invest, a prospective investor should utilize financial tools.

Some of those problems include fraud, abuse, incompetence, and laxity and those have been discussed many times over the years.The focus of this paper would have been to find methods to prevent such problems in place of explaining them or focusing on the criminal aspects.