Posts By: Brent White

Already?

Posted by & filed under Data security, Ethics.

Description: It’s already happening. Last week, Disney launched streaming service DisneyPlus; this week user accounts and passwords started showing up on hacker websites. Now that’s what I call efficiency! Unfortunately, it’s the type of efficiency that comes by exploiting system weaknesses. Professor Paul Rohmeyer, from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, said he… Read more »

Streaming Disney

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: In terms of a library of content, it probably makes great sense for Disney to have opened its own streaming service this week. It has already been a big hit, with millions of subscribers already signing on for the fee of $7 per month. Disney has already hit 10 million subscribers, a target some… Read more »

Beware Zombie Debt

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles.

Description: If you slip up, you could become a victim of zombie debt. What? Some debt is subject to a statute of limitations, meaning you can’t be taken to court to force payment after a certain period of time has passed. But if you acknowledge this debt after this period has passed, perhaps by responding… Read more »

Hidden in Tax Expenditures

Posted by & filed under Accounting Principles, Canadian governments.

Description: If a government plans to spend money through grants or other expenditures, it is normally clearly disclosed as part of the budget process. But there is another class of “hidden” expenditures known as tax expenditures, a combination of various measures that don’t show up in the financial statements. This week the New Brunswick government… Read more »

SEC Investigating Under Armour’s Accounting

Posted by & filed under Financial Reporting and Analysis.

Description: Clothing company Under Armour has admitted it is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investigation has been ongoing since 2017. Speculation is that the investigation may be looking at revenue recognition issues. Date:  November 4, 2019 Source:  baltimoresun.com Link: https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-under-armour-invetigation-five-things-20191105-3a7dwxt3ujgabbitgq7rcjxwhu-story.html Discussion points:  1) Are you a user of Under Armour’s… Read more »

The Colonel Opts for Bamboo

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Going for an environmentally friendly move, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is experimenting with a bamboo container for its poutine. If the trial is successful, the Colonel plans to go “all in” on bamboo, using it for its famous chicken. Bamboo is a bit more expensive than the traditional plastic-coated paper packaging, but it is… Read more »

Google Buys Fitbit

Posted by & filed under Financial Accounting, Marketing & Strategy.

Description: Google’s parent company has purchased Fitbit for approximately $2.1 billion. This puts Google back into the wearables game as it squares off with Apple. Rumours of the purchase drove Fitbit shares up over 40% in the days preceding the sale, making it a nice week for Fitbit shareholders. Date:  October 28, 2019 Source:  cbc.ca… Read more »

Tim’s profit is down

Posted by & filed under Marketing & Strategy.

Description: The folks at Burger King and Popeye’s are happy, but over at that other RBI food company, Tim Horton’s, profits this quarter are down. The RBI company CEO, Jose Cil, said “Our results at Tim Hortons were not where we want them to be.” There is some speculation that Tim’s new reward program may… Read more »

Bad loans at ACOA

Posted by & filed under Financial Accounting.

Description: Ten percent or more of loans are in trouble at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). That doesn’t sound like a very positive use of our taxpayer dollars. Banks typically have a loss rate of about one percent on business loans. Another federal government agency, the Business Development Bank of Canada, reports that only… Read more »