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Sarbanes-Oxley Research Proposal, 2008. A research proposal to explore the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the decision of a company to stay private, seek an acquisition, or become private if already publicly-traded. 986 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 21 sources, APA, $ 35.95 »
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Abstract The paper presents a research proposal to evaluate, quantify and predict the implications of the Sarbanes Oxley Act on the formation of smaller, privately held businesses and the decision of larger, publicly-held corporations to go private in order to avoid the costs and complications of complying with the Act. The proposal also evaluates the role of acquisitions as an exit strategy for smaller, undercapitalized firms who cannot afford to become compliant with the Act.
Outline:
Abstract
Problem Statement
Research Design
Methodology
Expected Results of Research
From the Paper "The impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the decision of any size of company to stay private, or if already publicly-traded, to seek out either an acquirer or to take their companies private again, is the main research problem of this proposed research study. For the smaller companies who may not have the financial resources to fulfill compliance and re-engineering tasks, the strategies they use to seek out acquirers and if publicly-traded, to go private, are researched and quantified. For the larger corporations who are public today, the decision to take themselves private is financially quantified."
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The Letter of Credit Payment Mechanism, 2008. This brief paper is a summary of the letter of credit payment mechanism including its usage, importance and contribution as a financial tool. 856 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 30.95 »
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Abstract This study defines and describes the payment mechanism of the letter of credit, its usage and importance in international financing, as well as the contribution of this financial tool to the risk reduction in commercial and non-commercial transactions. This paper is concluded by the ending thoughts of the author regarding the above mentioned topic.
Outline:
Definition of the Term Letter of Credit
Importance in International Transactions
Letter of Credit Reduces Risk in Commercial Transactions
From the Paper "The letter of credit is used by many commercial players in the world market, especially for the individual advantages and benefits it brings. From the seller's point of view, the letter of credit promotes certainty that all the conditions mentioned in the import-export contract are integrally observed, within the established period and the amounts stipulated in the documentation. The Seller may also offer the buyer a supplier credit, having a specific financing method: the submitted documentation is discounted under the particular export letter of credit - in this way, the payment will be made by the payer's bank soon after the date of the shipment, and not on maturity like in the usual case. In case the exporter is an intermediary among an international transaction, it can transfer the letter of credit to other subcontractors, or can cede the encashment resulted from this particular payment instrument. The importer has the certainty that the payment is realized only if the shipment of merchandise is performed only in the stipulated conditions, as these conditions must be demonstrated using the documents submitted by the exporter."
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Normative Versus Positive Accounting Theory, 2008. An overview of the development of normative and positive accounting theories. 3,128 words (approx. 12.5 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 91.95 »
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Abstract This paper discusses all aspects of accounting theory and the history of regulation in the accounting profession that has been implemented as a result of notable financial accounting scandals. It analyzes and synthesizes the normative and positive accounting theories, beginning with the historical background of each theory and a discussion of the suggested changes and problem areas revealed in the debate. It also analyzes the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in relation to the conceptual framework and concludes with recommendations toward an appropriate course of action.
Outline:
Introduction
Historical Development of Normative and Positive Accounting Theories
Current GAAP Discussion
Positive Accounting Theory vs. Normative Accounting Theory
Changes and Problems Revealed in the Debate
GAAP Analyzation and History in relation to Conceptual Framework
Recommendations for Course of Action
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the past few decades, accounting theory has slowly evolved; as a result, various research methodologies have been utilized to study the development of accounting theory. As accounting theory has developed, debates have emerged regarding the manner in which financial theory should be developed and applied in the accounting profession. This has been essentially a normative, philosophical exercise, imposing a view of how actuarial practice should progress (Thomas & Smith, 1997). In recent years, the differences in application between normative versus positive accounting theories have become the subject of much debate, raising the awareness of those involved in the accounting profession. The underlying basis of normative theory is that it assists in standardizing the practice and thus facilitates the teaching of practice in a more coherent manner. The underlying basis of positive theory is intellectual justification; models are derived from observed behavior."
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The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 2008. An outline and discussion on the implementation of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. 1,145 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 39.95 »
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Abstract The paper discusses how financial professionals are assisting their organizations in the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) (2002). The paper highlights how the public accounting profession is affected by this Act including the issues relating to whether or not a company should be publicly listed on a stock exchange. The paper confirms that many companies chose to stay privately held as a direct result of the costs and level of disclosures necessary to comply with SOX requirements. The paper shows that the burden of compliance on publicly-traded companies is very significant due to the high costs of the implementation of software technology etc. The paper concludes that for the financial professional the need for creating a process-centric view of their organizations is critical.
Outline:
Preparing for a SOX Audit
Conclusion
From the Paper "The greatest contribution financial professionals can make to their organizations is in preparing for a SOX Audit including the IT-related tasks and requirements. From a public accounting standpoint, the significant costs of first re-architecting the many financial processes of their companies to be SOX compliant, then working to ensure audits will be accomplishable are two major strategic investments companies working to attain SOX compliance need to take on. The culmination of efforts at compliance, both for existing publicly-traded companies, and those that choose to go public on exchanges in the U.S. to raise capital both have their moment of truth when a SOX audit of their financial, operations, sales and pricing, logistics, and fulfillment processes and systems are all evaluated from the standpoint of aligned with the requirements of Section 404. As Congress kept the wording of Section 404 as non-prescriptive, there is significant variation in how both companies and services organizations interpret this standard. What this paper looks to do is explain at the audit level what is required of financial professionals, as the audit must be passed for any publicly-traded company to continue operating without fines and penalties."
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Organizational Ethics Issues Resolution, 2008. A review of the neglect of management integrity capacity with particular reference to the Enron debacle. 1,553 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 50.95 »
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Abstract The paper discusses how the Enron debacle that occurred in late 2001 illustrated how an ethically unsound business can have devastating and widespread effects on the international business community. The paper continues and reiterates that the reason for the collapse of Enron was an absence of ideation and practice of ethical values. Market failure occurred due to information asymmetries, in which unfairness of the imbalance exceeded simple competitive advantage, while compromising the rights of others. The paper states that six ethical decision-making steps can be applied to the organizational ethics issue of Enron in order to further understand the process involved in solving ethical issues.
Outline:
Issue Clarification
Stakeholder Analysis
Values Identification
Issue Resolution
Addressing Objections
Resolution Implementation
From the Paper "The collapse of Enron at the end of 2001 resulted in the second largest corporate bankruptcy in American history to date. The fraudulent practices of Enron executives resulted in stakeholder betrayals (Petrick & Scherer, 2003). Stakeholders were deceived by Enron executives, betrayals which contravene any ethical code. This choice among Enron executives to betray stakeholders in order to promote short term financial gain resulted in the destruction of their own personal and business reputations, exposure to the possibility of criminal and civil prosecution, as well as bankruptcy. Stakeholders, including institutional and individual investors, were misinformed regarding the financial stability of Enron due to fraudulent accounting practices, and this resulted in a loss of millions of dollars. Secondary and tertiary stakeholders were also negatively affected by the Enron scandal. For example, Enron executives placed pressure on accounting and law firms to partake in unethical practices in order to accrue short term, temporary gain."
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Business Ethics, 2008. This paper explores three notable business scandals; Enron, WorldCom and Tyco. 2,013 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 63.95 »
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Abstract The paper describes the accounting scandals of Enron, WorldCom and Tyco and looks at how these financial frauds occurred as a result of monitoring failures at different levels. The paper explores ethics and moral judgements in general and discusses how if one is not comfortable telling one's family about a decision, then the decision is likely unethical in one's business.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Enron
WorldCom
Tyco
Analysis & Conclusion
From the Paper "In the past decade, several scandals involving the improper management of financial data have emerged, bolstering the importance of business ethics to the forefront of many industries. The most notable accounting scandals in the 2000s consisted of Enron, WorldCom and Tyco. In just 15 years, Enron grew from nowhere to be America's seventh largest company, employing 21,000 staff in more than 40 countries. WorldCom achieved its position as a significant player in the telecommunications industry through the successful completion of 65 acquisitions. From 1997 through 2001, Tyco's revenues rose by 48.7% a year. These three significant accounting scandals that occurred in the past decade led to the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, an act that requires that the management of a company certify that a system of internal controls is in place that is adequate to report a fair representation of the financial condition of the business in financial statements."
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Finance and Growth Strategies, 2008. A discussion on methods of evaluating potential acquisitions for companies. 2,917 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 18 sources, APA, $ 86.95 »
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Abstract The paper provides relevant definitions, comparisons and an analysis of the effectiveness of three different investment evaluation methods that are commonly used to value companies: (a) net asset value, (b) price: earnings (P:E) ratio, and (c) discounted cash flow. The paper records a summary of the research and salient findings.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Discounted cash flow. According to Hussey (1999) the discounted cash flow (DCF) is, "A method of capital budgeting or capital expenditure appraisal that predicts the stream of cash flows, both inflows and outflows, over the estimated life of a project and discounts them, using a cost of capital or hurdle rate, to present values or discounted values in order to determine whether the project is likely to be financially feasible" (p. 131). A number of appraisal approaches incorporate the DCF principle in their analyses, such as the net present value, the internal rate of return, and the profitability index; in addition, most computer spreadsheet applications include a DCF appraisal routine (Hussey, 1999). On the downside, though, Lippitt and Mastracchio (1993) report that "the discounted cash flow method ... is infrequently used, as it superficially appears to be a difficult procedure to perform," a reference to the complexity of the calculations involved; the authors also note the infrequency of the use of the DCF method, but suggests that the problem is not just complexity of calculations, but rather the speculative nature of the projections necessary to employ DCF. "
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Stocks, 2008. A review of the stock market's stocks to watch in 2008. 799 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 28.95 »
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Abstract The paper states that investors are wary about investing in the stock market and relates that a diverse stock profile and range of economic investments is essential, no matter how well or how poorly the market is doing. The paper states that the prescription in creating a personal finance plan is affected by an investor's risk tolerance, age, and general financial and personal profile. The paper highlights four stocks for the man-in-the-street type investor, pursuing a wise, diversified, and long-term strategy, to watch.
Outline:
Stocks to Watch in 2008
Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM)
Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC)
Compton Petroleum (NYSE: CMZ)
SYSCO (NYSE: SYY)
Conclusion
From the Paper "Yes, the name is funny. But this Indian company recently unveiled what may be the most exiting and important innovation in motor vehicles since hybrids. Tata has created a small, fuel-efficient $2,500 car that is the first car ever conceived that is likely to be affordable for the vast majority of the residents of the developing world. The populations of China and India are expanding exponentially, and have more disposable income, and wider distances to travel on their commutes. They wish to become car owners and car drivers, and Tata will satisfy this need without breaking their bank accounts."
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The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 2008. A review of how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act keeps the corporation's audit committees on track so that illegal activity cannot cause the business financial distress. 2,630 words (approx. 10.5 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 79.95 »
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Abstract The paper states that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on corporation's audit committees has become more structured. The paper discusses that the audit committees should be composed of individuals who are not compensated for their service on this committee or involved in any other conflict of interest with any entity doing business with the organization, since most nonprofit organizations have volunteer board members. This paper demonstrates the many changes that an audit committee will experience through the Sarbanes Oxley Act in order to be successful.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "From there, the board and senior management team have been trying to relocate the company into a better position so that the future of the company will be secured. This promising future will be able to support jobs that are available at the present time and create others. "The audit committee, primarily composed of members of the board of directors, plays a critical role in providing oversight over and serving as a check and balance on a company's financial reporting system. The audit committee provides independent review and oversight of a company's financial reporting processes, internal controls and independent auditors. It also acts as a forum separate from management in which auditors and other interested parties can candidly discuss concerns" (Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Audit committee effectiveness = good company management). Along with that, the union has bees trying to characterize the employees in a losing situation due to the fact that it has not a part of the decisions of the senior management team. In the past, they have given up certain benefits to create an atmosphere of give and take; however they have been feeling that they have been taken advantage of by not being included in the current company decisions."
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Information Systems in Accounting, 2008. This paper explores how information systems are changing the accounting profession. 1,039 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 36.95 »
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Abstract The paper discusses how updated information systems are reforming the most dominant aspects of the accounting profession, which have increasingly become the processes related to auditing and compliance. The paper explains that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) has led to the development of technologies for better management of financial data including service oriented architectures (SOA) and the emergence of business process management (BPM) and business process reengineering (BPR).
Outline:
Executive Summary
The IT Requirements of Governance, Risk and Compliance
The Role of Service Oriented Architectures (SOA)
Business Process Management and Process Re-Engineering
Summary
From the Paper "The most significant change to occur within the area of how new technologies are influencing accounting is in the area of redefining processes by which financial data is capture, analyzed and reported to both shareholders and the government. The attainment of compliance to the SOX requirements has led to a reengineering of financial reporting processes within all publicly-traded companies in the U.S., and has also led to a more consistent approach to reporting financial results (Gordon, 2006) Compliance to SOX standards requires many organizations to significantly re-define how they capture orders from customers, track them, and input them into their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for manufacturing and fulfillment."
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Basel II Banking Supervision, 2008. This paper deals with the consequences of Basel II regulations for Europe, the United States and some developing countries in the Middle East, especially Egypt. 3,739 words (approx. 15.0 pages), 22 sources, MLA, $ 103.95 »
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Abstract The paper discusses Basel II that was published in June, 2004 in order to set international standards for banking regulation. The paper examines the effects of Basel II on Europe and the United States and its effect on some developing countries in the Middle East, Egypt in particular. The paper shows how the Basel II accords bring needed transparency and better risk reporting, but have relatively little effect on the emergence of better banking in developing countries.
Outline:
Introduction
Basel I's creation and evolution
Banking in Egypt Prior to Basel II
Economic Changes in the Developing and Developed World
Comparison of Financial Performance
Convergence and Trade with Money-Center and Developing World Financial Institutions
Basel II Main Tenets
Implementation of Basel II
Focus of Basel II Differs from the Focus on Developing Country Financial Systems
Implications for Egypt and Other Developing Countries
Conclusion
From the Paper "Basel's committee on banking supervision was established as a response to the changes in world currency in the years leading up to 1974. By that time, the US and Great Britain had decoupled their currencies from gold and silver which had been established in the 1940's, and therefore offered a 'pure' promissory currency. Increases in oil prices in 1974 led to massive transfers of wealth to Middle Eastern nations, and several banks were imperiled by these changes."
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International Finance, 2008. This paper looks at international finance and discusses national reserves. 1,117 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 38.95 »
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Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the central bank, which is one of the most important institutions in a country and whose main responsibility is the national monetary policy. The writer notes that many countries can improve the efficiency of their foreign currency reserve by investing the money and generating a return. The writer also points out that, on a global level, the increased efficiency of a central bank's use of reserve would translate into a reduction of financial crises, which would allow institutions such as the International Monetary Fund to redirect its funds to countries that are not yet capable to reach financial stability as well as design policies for those countries targeting their future stability. The writer notes that these are usually third world countries or developing countries with endemic corruption and political instability.
Outline:
The Central Bank - Roles
Reserves Policy - Evidence from Developing Countries
Central Banks and Foreign Currency Reserve Policy Efficiency
From the Paper "A healthy reserve policy can overcome financial crises, such as those related to the country's balance sheet. Korea stands as a good example in this direction with its 1997 crisis. Investment banks started to borrowed short maturity foreign currencies and invested them in Korean won assets after the market deregulation in 1990. The same banks invested in foreign securities Russian bonds and by the end of 1997 the value of these obligations exceeded Korea's foreign currency reserves. In the context of a general fall of Asian currencies, the investors started to sell the Korean won, which eventually devaluated the national currency and forced the authorities to resort to the International Monetary Fund. The problem was not that Korean wasn't solvent, but that it wasn't liquid and this crisis could have been avoided, if the authorities hadn't let the national liquidity deteriorate so much since the beginning of 1990s."
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