Six big predictions for 2015

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Canadian Economy.

  Description: Saturday, January 3, the Report on Business cover story highlighted “Six stories to watch in 2015.” These six included discussion on oil uncertainty, housing prices, and the expectations for Canada’s banks. As a business student, you might find it useful to save this article after you read it. Then, set yourself a reminder… Read more »

The bailout story

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Accounting Principles, Canadian Government, Financial Reporting and Analysis.

Description: One intriguing chapter in the most current report by Canada’s Auditor General, Michael Ferguson, discussed the AG’s examination of the 2009 government bailouts of Chrysler and General Motors. Ferguson reported as much as $4 billion of the governments’ investment could be lost if the federal and Ontario governments trade in their shares too early…. Read more »

Jack Johnson’s Woes

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Advanced Accounting.

Description: Hockey star Jack Johnson is reportedly bankrupt. Despite earning roughly $18 million over his career, it appears that bad advice – and perhaps some misadventures by his parents – have led to his financial downfall. Johnson claims to have secured a new team of advisers to assist him in sorting his way out of… Read more »

Full disclosure; still waiting

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Accounting Theory, Advanced Accounting, Canadian Government, Cost Accounting.

Description: Canadian banks  have improved their disclosures since the financial crisis. But these improvements may not have gone far enough. For instance, many investors may know that bankers have lobbied our federal government concerning its attention to transaction fees on credit cards. Yet, because of the banks’  disclosure practices, many  of these same investors would… Read more »

And speaking of corruption . . .

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Auditing, Canadian Economy, Canadian Government, Ethics, Financial Reporting and Analysis.

Description: Canadian companies have been lobbying the federal government to delay implementing its new anti-corruption rules. Public Works and Government Services Canada has been threatening to de-list suppliers – including major names such as HP and Siemens – for up to 10 years because of convictions for corruption in foreign countries. Public Works points out… Read more »

Just in case

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Canadian Government, Managerial Accounting.

Description: With oil prices continuing to head south, resource companies have to reconsider their capital plans. Recently, Canada Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) announced that it may be required to revisit its over $8 billion capital budget in the face of these resource price declines. Investors threaten to punish energy companies that do not show themselves nimble… Read more »

Benevolent cheating?

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Auditing, Ethics.

Description: It sounds like an oxymoron: benevolent cheating. The Globe and Mail’s Leadership Lab series discussed this intriguing concept, a form of cheating in which “well-intentioned employees” game the system. Its effects are far greater than the more sensational greed-based cheating that is more likely to draw the headlines. Source: Globe and Mail.com Date: October… Read more »