Job Cuts at Google

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Managerial Accounting, Student life.

Description: Google might be a cash generator, but that doesn’t stop the tech giant from cutting hundreds of staff loose in an effort to satisfy shareholders or some other objectives. Google framed the move as “responsibly investing in our company’s biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead.” The employee union used different language, characterizing the… Read more »

Not Our Fault; Blame Maple Leaf

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Managerial Accounting, Student life.

Description: Canada Bread has responded to a class action lawsuit centred on alleged price-fixing in the bakery business by essentially saying, “blame it on our former parent company, Maple Leaf Foods.” Michael McCain, a former Maple Leaf CEO, was having no part of this in his statement, saying, “We continue to believe that the pricing… Read more »

Nice Raise, If You Can Get It

Posted by & filed under Managerial Accounting.

Description: Fresh off his appearance with other grocery chain executives in front of a parliamentary committee examining food prices, comes news that Loblaw’s Galen Weston received $8.4 million in remuneration of various types in 2022. While this is up from $5.4 million in 2021, Catherine Thomas, speaking for Loblaws in defense of the move, noted… Read more »

The Etsy Boycott

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

Description: Etsy, the well known marketing site for vendors of various handmade and artistic items, is facing a one-week boycott from some of its suppliers. The boycotts are fueled by vendors who are upset that Etsy has raised its commission from 5% to 6.5%. Etsy counters that the additional funds will allow it to provide… Read more »

Collusion on Beef Prices?

Posted by & filed under Managerial Accounting, Student life.

Description: News came this past week that Canadians may be getting a bit of relief on rising food prices, at least where the cost of beef is concerned. Four meat packers, which together control 85% of Canada’s beef market, face a class-action lawsuit alleging that “the price of beef was fixed at an elevated, anticompetitive… Read more »

Truck Snarls

Posted by & filed under Accounting Careers, Managerial Accounting.

Description: You’ve seen the trucks on Parliament Hill. Now the protests have spread to the Ambassador Bridge connecting Canada and the United States at Windsor. With $300 million in international trade crossing this bridge every day, Canadians across the country are beginning to feel the impacts of this Ambassador shutdown. Auto manufacturers have already reduced… Read more »

Bring Back Pandemic Premium?

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Managerial Accounting, Student life.

Description: Early in the Covid crisis, many lauded grocery strore chains as they cranked up the salaries of front line employees with “Hero Pay.” But the “Hero Pay” premium has all but disappeared, while at the same time grocery chain profits have generated big bonuses for company executives. This has prompted pressure from various voices… Read more »