Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Sex Education For Public Schools - 1426 Words

Sex Education Research Paper Sex education being taught in public schools is a reoccurring topic in many schools. More recently, it has also caught the attention of the public again due to rising unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease among young teenagers in the US over the last decade or so. â€Å"Each year, U.S. teens experience as many as 850,000 pregnancies, and youth under age 25 experience about 9.1 million sexually transmitted infections† (McKeon). Sex Education is attempting to educate students about human sexuality, sexual reproduction, sexual activity, reproductive health, emotional relationships, reproductive rights and responsibilities, sexual abstinences, and birth control. Some teenagers are receiving sex education, but most of them are not being taught in a successful way. Sex education can be explained in two different ways comprehensive or abstinence only. The difference between the two is that comprehensive sex education teaches abstinence as a secondary choice, and the teens that decide not to wait should be taught all about how to use birth control when participating in sexual activity. Comprehensive sex education is a method that should be required in all schools and is the most effective way to keep kids safe, well informed, and prepared for sexual activity. No matter what kind of sex education provided, teenage pregnancy remains an uneasy issue in our country. â€Å"The United States continues to have one of the highest teenShow MoreRelatedSex Education in Public Schools1188 Words   |  5 PagesSex education should be taught in public middle schools because: it decreases the chance of sexual diseases and teenage pregnancies, it is needed in case of a parents’ absence or neglect, and it also provides more knowledge about how sex works while debunking the myths surrounding sexual intercourse, and it makes some want to set goals for relationships. People say sex education encourages youth to engage in sexual activities rather than preventing sex. This is true; however, studies show that whenRead MoreSex Education And Public Schools Essay1692 Words   |  7 Pagesexperiences, sex education in public schools, and abortion. The first two topics, virginity and first sexual experiences, coming from a personal perspective as well as some credible sources. I will also include the historical aspects of virginity, the creation and use of the concept, and why it’s in our society. The last topic is my concern for the lack of sex education in public schools and mentioning the harm of abstinence only sex education and the importance to provide comprehensive education for ourRead MoreSex Education For Public Schools2653 Words   |  11 PagesSex Education in Public Schools 1 Sex Education in Public Schools Jordan Wheeler Kansas State University FSHS 302 Charity Clifford: Sex Education in Public Schools 2 Sex Education in Public Schools Although many parents have multiple reasons why sex education should be taught at home rather than school, students are spending the majority of their day in classrooms with peers and teachers that that are constantly referencing sex whether socially or academically. The peers that are discussing sexRead More Sex Education in Public Schools Essay1852 Words   |  8 PagesSex Education in Schools      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Children all over the country who sit down in their classes are being taught sex education. There are books, videos, special speakers and qualified teachers for the subject. Depending on where a child lives, the education he or she is being taught might vary. For example, Wyoming, North Dakota, Minnesota, Maine and Utah do not require schools to provide sexuality or STD/HIV education, (they teach abstinence). District of Columbia, on the other hand, must includeRead MoreShould Sex Education Be Incorporated Into Public Schools?1372 Words   |  6 PagesFor Sex Education in Public Schools An observation of the prevalent television programs and popular topics broadcasted in the media often depict teenagers with an air of promiscuity. Is teenage pregnancy really an uncontrolled epidemic, as depicted in shows such as â€Å"16 and Pregnant†? Are a vast majority of teenagers exchanging racy photos of their bodies with each other? If so, are teenagers acting out because of too much sex education? Or is the outbreak of hyper-sexualized activity linked to lackRead MorePros And Cons Of Sex Education In Public Schools821 Words   |  4 PagesShould Sex ed be taught in public schools? I. Introduction Do you think all grades, K-12, should take sex education as a part of their school curriculum? A. Interest grabber about the topic Picture this, a 5 year old learning the birds and the bees instead of learning how to write their name. Why are we focusing on teaching kids about sex before they even have the basics of academics mastered? B. Preview of background, pros and cons Sex education is a basic term used to describe a wide rangeRead MoreResearch Paper – Sex Education in Public Schools1569 Words   |  7 PagesPaper – Sex Education in Public Schools It’s been a number of days since I’ve written here, and for that I have to answer that there have been a number of projects under works that I’ve had to tend to. For now, I will take the time to show you a research paper I’ve spent most of the day writing for my Comp I class. Sex Education in Public Schools Sex education in public schools here in the United States has, for at least the past decade, supported and utilized abstinence-only sex education programsRead More Public Schools - Sex Education in the Classroom Essay1822 Words   |  8 PagesSex Education in the Classroom      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teenage unplanned pregnancies continue to increase and the Aids epidemic is still wiping out entire populations rapidly worldwide. Here in the United States we hear little about the ongoing battle that is being fought between parents, educators and government officials, with the outcome having a significant impact on our childrens lives. Programs that teach sex education in the classroom and promote distribution of condoms are constantly under siege byRead MoreThe Benefits of Sex Education in Public Schools Essays2143 Words   |  9 PagesBill Cosby quotes, â€Å"sex education may be a good idea in the schools, but I do not believe that kids should be given homework.† Although Cosby makes light of the situation, educating the youth about sex and sexuality is imperative to providing a holistic educational experience. Sexual education in the public school setting is best described as education about human anatomy, reproduction, intercourse, and other human sexual behavior. Most importantly, sex education in an academic setting which providesRead More The Pros and Cons of Teaching Sex Education in Public Schools1971 Words   |  8 Pagescouple have the proper education to make this life changing decision? They most likely were given their education from the school they attend. Hopefully the school taught them what they needed to know to make such a decision. Should sex education be taught at school by teachers or by the parents? Problems with having sex education at school There are many problems with having sex education in public schools. Religion plays an important part to the topic of sex education. Some parents feel that

What Is Classical Literature

Some scholars and writers use the terms classical and classic interchangeably when it comes to literature. However, each term actually has a separate meaning. The list of books that are considered classical versus classic books differs greatly. What confuses things further is that classical books are also classic. A work of classical literature refers only to ancient  Greek and Roman works, while classics are great works of literature throughout the ages.   What Is Classical Literature? Classical literature refers to the great masterpieces of Greek, Roman, and other ancient civilizations. The works of Homer, Ovid, and Sophocles are all examples of classical literature. The term isnt just limited to novels. It can also include epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, pastoral, and other forms of writing. The study of these texts  was once considered to be a necessity for students of the humanities. Ancient  Greek and Roman authors were viewed to be of the highest quality. The study of their work was once seen as the mark of elite education. While these books generally still find their way into high school and college English classes, they are no longer commonly studied. The expansion of literature has offered readers and academics more to choose from. What Is Classic Literature? Classic literature is a term most readers are probably familiar with. The term covers a much wider array of works than classical literature. Older books that retain their popularity are almost always considered to be among the classics. This means that the ancient Greek and Roman authors of classical literature fall into this category as well. Its not just age that makes a book a classic, however. Books that have a timeless quality are considered to be in this category. While determining if a book is well-written or not is a subjective endeavor, it is generally agreed that classics have high-quality prose.   What Makes a Book a Classic? While most people are referring to literary fiction when they refer to the classics, each genre and category of literature has its own classics. For example, the average reader might not consider Steven Kings novel  The Shining, the story of a haunted  hotel, to be a classic, but those who study the horror genre may. Even within genres or literary movements, books that are considered classic are those that are well-written and/or have cultural importance. A book that may not have the best writing but was the first book in a genre to do something ground-breaking is a classic. For example, the first romance novel that took place in a historic setting is culturally significant to the romance genre.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Push For Equality Within The Military - 951 Words

Introduction/Objective: The push for equality by allowing women to serve in combat positions is not just isolated to a few military branches of service. According to the Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Cater, the push for women to be eligible for all positions in the military is credible, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). Based on the secretary’s recommendation, women will be eligible for all positions to include roles in combat. Senior leaders noted that this will provide a better selection of candidates, therefore increasing the quality of the selection process, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). The Air Force currently has opened over 4000 positions for women, including several that are combat related, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). The leading idea behind gendered neutrality is to improve the military’s position regarding well-qualified personnel in key positions regardless of gender. This integration is supported through equal opportunity for everyone who ins pires to serve their country. It has been noted that standards will remain the same, therefore women will need to pass the same requirements as their male counterparts. According to research, several studies were conducted prior to making the decision to open all military positions for women. It was noted that over 200,000 women worked alongside their male counterparts in Afghanistan and Iraq without incident, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). Their performance was noted as, nothing less than outstanding.Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Civil Rights Movement1708 Words   |  7 Pagesbigger role in the success of the movement. Soldiers of WWII had a substantial impact on the civil rights movement. In the book, A Breath of Freedom, it stated, â€Å"During World War II the African American population pushed for equality and integration of the United States military, which, at the time, remained in accordance with the culture and customs of the white majority by keeping the two races segregated (Hà ¶hn).† The term, separate but equal, made famous by the United States Supreme Court case PlessyRead MoreProposals on Social Classes751 Words   |  4 Pages As long as it has been in existence, society has always been fractured into social classes, the very rich and the very poor. I see within our society the chasm growing by the year. The proletariat, boxed into cramped houses, while the bourgeoisie reside in mansions that jut up towards the sky touching the clouds. The rich, who control mostly everything in todays age, capitalize on those less fortunate than themselves and bask in the ignorance of the l ower class. It is painful for myself to seeRead MoreThe American Revolution Essay1373 Words   |  6 Pagesstands in the present day. In a country built on â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,† certain values have been deemed favorable by the founding fathers. American political culture has thus been molded into one representative of liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, and nationalism; each of which Paine, Franklin, and Jefferson advocate for in some capacity through their writings. A memorable founding father of the United States of America, Thomas Paine, wrote with a fiery passionRead MoreNapoleon : An Enlightened Despot1597 Words   |  7 Pagesone of glory and greatness for both himself and his country. Through many consider him to be a militaristic megalomaniac, Napoleon had a deep interest in Voltairean enlightened despotism and a desire to make France great, combining to result in equality under the law and natural rights for men, as well as an improvement of the economy as a result of tax reform and banking. Inevitably, it must be conceded that Napoleon was a militaristic dictator in some regard, but his work as an enlightenedRead MoreFrom Corsets and Crocheting to Kevlar and Combat: The Journey of a Female Soldier1728 Words   |  7 Pagesproblems when those supportive elements encounter hostilities and naturally take measures to defend themselves. Conflict arises when those elements, engaging in combat, have female soldiers, which, is thought to be a violation of the United States Military Policy. This policy (taken from Army Regulation (AR) 10-6, 600-3) currently states that females may not engage in direct combat based on several factors (whs.mil). The current engagements in the Middle East and the change from a traditional styleRead MoreLincoln s Rights Of Slavery1730 Words   |  7 Pagesslavery was not needed where its not present. Lincoln says† It does not follow that social and political equality between whites and blacks, must be incorporated, because slavery must notà ¢â‚¬ . Lincoln strongly believed that whites and blacks should be equal however there was a twist he was okay with blacks to not be socially and politically equal. Lincoln believed strongly in equality, he said, â€Å"I have made it equally [lain that I think the negro is included in the word ‘men’ used in theRead MoreEssay Social Development of Values and Beliefs702 Words   |  3 PagesSocial Development of Values and Beliefs Values can be described as the general idea of proper and desirable behavior that formal and informal social organizations embrace. As a daughter in a military family, I have been exposed to the values and beliefs of many formal and informal social organizations. Since my family moved to a new town every ten months to three years, I belonged to many churches, schools, and peer groups. As is expected, these many social organizations had an effect onRead MoreThe Stonewall Riots And The Lgbt Community1678 Words   |  7 Pagesprevalent discrimination and prejudice enacted against the LGBTQ community can be witnessed on accounts of the Stonewall Riots and laws that affect the community such as not allowing gay men to donate blood, sexual orientation in connection to the military, et cetera. The gay rights movement has united to eradicate these issues through support of the LBGTQ community and to help people understand the process, timing, advantages, dangers, and pitfalls of coming out, as well as recent local and internationalRead MoreThe Arab Baath Movement and The Rise of the Baath Party in Syria1648 Words   |  7 Pagescommunities. They were attracted to the idea of equality on the basis of being an Arab and the promise of social reform, something that was desperately needed in the countryside. Additionally, the nationalist ideals the Baath promoted would neither exclude nor destroy the middle class and the positions they held (Galvani 4). The Baath also had a base in the military. Therefore, they were able to help members of rural communities join and gain prestige in the military. The Baath Party had two goals: to uniteRead MoreHow Democratic was Andrew Jackson?1042 Words   |  5 Pages(Doc 1). By 1832, only one state elected presidential electors by legislature which can be credited to Jackson and a new spirit that he brought to politics. Many state legislatures had been dominated by the wealthy and elite. Jackson presented more equality in voting by granting lower class people the ability to vote. Some describe the election of 1828 as a political revolution because, â€Å"Jacksons victory accelerated the transfer of national power from the country house to the farmhouse,† (Doc 2).

Essay on Drawbacks and Benefits to Diagnosing...

From schizophrenia to bipolar disorder to severe depression there is no question that these are serious mental illnesses that are debilitating and require constant medical care and according to the American Psychiatric Association(APA) hording and internet disorders are just a couple of new diagnosis that they have added to the manual of mental disorder or DSM. But is this addition of new mental disorders really beneficial for the patients or is this a way for doctors and pharmaceutical companies to cash in? , this paper proposes both drawbacks and benefits to the diagnosis of mental disorders as well as investigation of some specific examples of diagnosed disorders. However, the paper’s main direction is to focus on the drawbacks which†¦show more content†¦Another DSM category is bereavement which has been treated over the years by considering normal grief not pathological, therefore the DSM repathologiesed it and allow people to go to psychiatrist when they lose som eone in their life and the psychiatrist diagnoses them for their lose even though it might be a normal self limiting kind of sadness. Realistically, diagnosis of a mental illness is only a medical diagnostic tool for the physician and it does not taking into account what the average person is dealing with or living with when they have a mental illness. One of the flaws of mental illness diagnosis is that it does not address the questions like what is the life quality of a patient or what other issues could arise in that patient based on these diagnoses. However, there are some drawbacks to the diagnosis of a mental illness there is benefit to it as well in such a way that it helps destigmatized and takes away labels from people who live with actual, severe mental illnesses. Diagnosis of a mental disorder also helps acknowledgement of a mental disorder from insurance companies and federal governments for coverage and funding respectively and helps people to get support and become aware that their behavioral problem is more than just a weak will or an odd behavior, at the same time diagnosis does not mean getting good treatment as well and in my opinion breaking down mental illnesses intoShow MoreRelatedEssay on Telepsychiatry: Improving Mental Health Possibilities1655 Words   |  7 Pagessignificant proportion of the population; however, it is complicated to determine exact numbers. This problem can be attributed to such issues as the changing definitions of mental illness as well as difficulties in classifying, diagnosing, and rep orting mental disorders. Limitations to adequate mental health services including social stigma, cultural incompatibility between patients and providers, language barriers, lack of insurance and logistical barriers. In addition, significant differencesRead MoreHow The Amygdalas Emotional Function Can Affect Sufferers Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )2004 Words   |  9 PagesReview on How the Amygdala’s Emotional Function can Affect Sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a relevant common mental disorder as it may affect approximately 2-3% of the population at any point (Green, 2003). There are numerous literatures on how a capacious amount of traumatic stress can affect the function of the brain, as the remembrance of a traumatic experience can affect attention and memory in the present which may leadRead MoreEssay on Methods and Effects of Prenatal Genetic Testing2997 Words   |  12 Pagescouples are subjecting their lives to the results of prenatal tests. For some, the information may be a sigh of relief, for others a tear of terror. The psychological effects following a prenatal test can be devastating, leaving the woman with a decision which will affect the rest of her life. For couples with previous knowledge of genetic disorders in their family and concerned parents, prenatal genetic testing is part of the regular pregnancy checkup. Making an appointment with a genetic counselorRead MoreMiss Essay8754 Words   |  36 Pagesclassiï ¬ cations systems and have a working knowledge of alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress. The unit also looks at the ways that mental health problems affect the individual and others in their social network, and considers the beneï ¬ ts of early intervention in promoting mental health and wellbeing. You will need to: ââ€" ¶ know the main forms of mental illness ââ€" ¶ consider the impact of mental ill health on individuals and others in their social network. The assessment of this unit isRead MoreMental Health Counseling6134 Words   |  25 Pageshuman development, psychology, mental health, and change theories, and develop an effective helping relationship with people from diverse cultures. Counselo rs are skilled in the assessment of people and situations, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and in the application of cognitive, behavioral and systemic strategies to facilitate change. Community counselors help clients explore their concerns and assist them in creating change. Counselors work with client to implement personal goals andRead MorePsychiatrists and Special Population Essay3236 Words   |  13 Pagescriteria for a major depressive disorder. Furthermore, postpartum depression affects 10-22% of adult women and up to 26% of adolescent mother. The prevalence of general anxiety disorder has been estimated at 8.5% in pregnancy, but there is little research on the impact on pregnancy outcomes. Evidence indicate women with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to high rate of recurrence without continued treatment. Three retrospective studies reported 45-52%bipolar disorder recurrence rate during pregnancyRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPrograms and Motivation Theories 252 Using Rewards to Motivate Employees 252 What to Pay: Establishing a Pay Structure 252 †¢ How to Pay: Rewarding Individual Employees Through Variable-Pay Programs 253 †¢ Flexible xii CONTENTS Benefits: Developing a Benefits Package 257 †¢ Intrinsic Rewards: Employee Recognition Programs 259 Summary and Implications for Managers 261 S A L Self-Assessment Library What’s My Job’s Motivating Potential? 240 Myth or Science? â€Å"CEO Pay Can’t Be Measured†Read MoreHuman Resources Management150900 Words   |  604 Pagesand more employment-related lawsuits have been filed, some employers have become more wary about adding employees. Instead, by using contract workers supplied by others, they face fewer employment legal issues regarding selection, discrimination, benefits, discipline, and termination. BNA Using Contingent Workers 445.10 Review the types of contingent workers and the legal issues associated with their use. Demographics and Diversity The U.S. workforce has been changing dramatically. It isRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesOrienting, and Developing Employees 182 Managing Careers 208 PART 5 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 MAINTAINING HIGH PERFORMANCE Establishing the Performance Management System 230 Establishing Rewards and Pay Plans 260 Employee Benefits 286 Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Work Environment 312 PART 6 Chapter 14 LABOR–MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTS Understanding Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining 340 Endnotes 367 Glossary 389 Company Index 395 Subject Index 398 v Contents Read MoreLibrary Management204752 Words   |  820 Pages. . . . . . . . . . . 38 3—Change—The Innovative Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Factors Promoting Change . . . . . . . Empowerment—An Agent of Change Paradigm Shift—Myth or Reality . . . Organizing for Change . . . . . . . . . . . Diagnosing Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . Libraries as Open Systems . . . . . . . Resistance to Change . . . . . . . . . . . Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Two Decades of Terrorist Activity free essay sample

This paper discusses the terrorist activities throughout the world during the past two decades and how they have impacted on our lives. The following paper defines the term terrorism and makes specific reference to the September 11th attacks. It examines how combating and controlling terrorism requires new mechanisms of cooperation and suggests new strategies. The writer asserts that terrorism impacts on our lives greatly however people can not depart from their normal routines and hide inside their homes because then the terrorists will have won by crippling the populations way of life. ?We certainly lost our innocence on September 11th, but it seemed to generate a new humanity in this country. People came out of the corners of the country in droves to send their help in any way they could. Our hearts went out to all of those who lost their lives or loved ones. We suddenly had a new respect for those in uniform we normally take for granted, such as the policemen, firemen, and security guards who risk their lives everyday. We will write a custom essay sample on Two Decades of Terrorist Activity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page While, terrorism has become a way of life for many in other parts of the world such as Israel, for the United States it still is difficult to accept. However, all in all, our lives continue much as before. Were perhaps more cautious, more curious of strangers, and more inclined to take notice of oddities going on in our neighborhoods. And we may have to wait a little longer to board our planes, but complaining doesnt seem to be in anyones vocabulary these days.?

General Information free essay sample

The issues to be discussed for the cases follow. Berkshire Hathaway – Tuesday, September 7, 2004 Background: The case captures the dynamics of auditor-client relations. The SEC has recently been critical of the audit profession, arguing that CPA firms are too ready to agree with clients questionable accounting decisions. This case demonstrates what can happen to an audit firm when it stands up to an audit client over an audit issue. Actors: Warren Buffett, Peat Marwick partner in 1983, KPMG partner in 1984 (assume a new partner was involved) 1. Consider the merits of each side’s position over the accounting treatment of the proportionate stock redemption (capital gain vs. dividend). Which position do you believe is correct? Explain why. (Note: a proportionate stock redemption is a transaction in which ownership interests are redeemed proportionate to the total shares outstanding. As a result, each shareholder owns the same percentage of the company after the redemption as before. For example, assume you owned 1000 shares of a company, representing 5 percent of the total shares outstanding. The company redeemed 10 percent of the shares. After the transaction, you own 900 shares, and they would still represent 5 percent of the total shares outstanding. ) 2. Do you think Peat Marwick made a good decision in demanding that Berkshire Hathaway account for the proportionate redemption as a capital gain? (Ignore whether you believe that the transaction should be treated as a dividend or capital gain. ) 3. Do you think Warren Buffett overreacted in firing Peat Marwick? Consider the quote from Warren Buffet in the Berkshire Hathaway annual report in your response. In analyzing this question, ignore whether you believe that the transaction should be treated as a dividend or capital gain. ) 4. Is GAAP a precise set of concepts? As an auditor, do you prefer precise accounting standards, or should companies have some flexibility in their application of GAAP? (The issue has sometimes been referred to as rule-based versus principle-based standards. ) 5. The audit firm reversed its pos ition regarding the proportionate stock redemption from 1983 to 1984. Why? Should the auditors have considered the potential for future transactions in their decision as to how to treat the proportionate stock redemption in 1983? 6. Was it necessary to restate the 1983 financial statements to be consistent with the 1984 treatment with respect to the recording of the proportionate stock redemption? 7. The dispute in this case was over an accounting principle. Would the outcome have been different if the dispute was over the amount of an accounting estimate (for example, the allowance for doubtful accounts)? Over Leigh Ann Walker Thursday, September 9, 2004 (Mark Dalton, Karen Siu, Luis Vasquez) Background: The case highlights the importance of ethics to the CPA profession. Actors: Leigh Ann Walker, Jackie Vaughan, Don Roberts (Group 1 – Mark Dalto, Karen Siu, Luis Vasquez) 1. Do you believe Walkers actions call into question her personal integrity as an auditor? Consider whether her actions suggest whether she is likely to kitchen-table (perform work without charging the time), or prematurely sign-off (indicate work is completed without performing it). 2. Ignore that Walker was caught in the lie. Do you think her decision to lie was understandable? How else could she have addressed questions about her performance on the CPA exam? 3. Assume that Walker’s intent was not to lie, but that she was merely caught off guard by Vaughn’s question. How could she have handled the situation? 4. Do you think Vaughn should have handled the situation differently? Explain. 5. Do you believe the firms response to the situation was appropriate? Explain. Are there other ways that the situation could have been successfully resolved? . Was it appropriate for the firm to promise Walker a good recommendation? Oak Industries – Thursday, September 16, 2004 Tuesday, September 21, 2004 Background: Auditors have historically been more concerned with overstatements than understatements of earnings. However, recent SEC rulings suggest that auditors need to also be concerned about understatements of earnings, particularly when they are used to manipulate ea rnings in future periods. Actors: Oak Industries CEO, CFO, and controller (Group 4 – Trine Juliussen, Sang Uk Jung, Laura Platler) . Some people would argue that creating â€Å"rainy day† funds is just conservative accounting. Why should investors and the SEC care about understatements of earnings? 2. Why did Oak Industries intentionally understate earnings? What other factors might motivate firms to understate their earnings? 3. Auditors have generally been more concerned about overstatements of earnings than understatements. Auditors have also normally only been concerned when those overstatements exceeded certain materiality limits, such as 5% of net income. Has this responsibility increased to extend to lower materiality limits and to understatements? Is this socially desirable? 4. As an auditor/investor, what sort of reported earnings would arouse your suspicions? Where would you look for manipulations of earnings? 5. The company’s executives rejected the controller’s recommendation to disclose the reversal of the rainy day reserves. What should the controller have done? Suppose you discovered a misstatement in a client’s earnings, but the manager and partner told you to ignore it. What would you do? ACC 476/726 – Fall 2004 Discussion Case Questions Regina Vacuum – Thursday, September 23, 2004 Background: Regina is one of many high profile frauds involving manipulation of receivables and inventory. Often, these types of frauds can be readily identified through analytical procedures. Actors: Don Sheelen, KPMG partner, Regina chairman (Group 8 – Liz Dwyer, John Orcutt, Chuck Sullivan) 1. Regina was sued for false advertising in an ad. Should that have affected how the auditors approached the audit? 2. What aspects of the fraud were most difficult to detect? What procedures should have allowed the auditor to detect them? 3. Calculate gross margin, inventory turnover, and accounts receivable turnover. What specific problems do these ratios identify? 4. The auditors detected one ship-in-place transaction, but were informed by the client there were no additional ship-in-place transactions. What should the auditors have done? 5. A CPA firm official stated, Were only human, and prefer to trust the people we are auditing. What is the appropriate degree of reliance to place on client inquiries? 6. Were the sentences in the case appropriate? Explain. BarChris Construction Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Major discussion issue What financial figures/ratios did the judge determine to be materially misstated? What factors did the judge appear to focus on? Do you agree with the judge’s application of materiality? Actors: Judge McClean, Berardi, KPMG defense counsel (Group 2 – Matthew Grimm, Yongmei Wang, Kristen Yamane) 1. What do you consider the highest risk areas on this audit? What makes these high risk areas? 2. Ignore that the sale and leaseback was to a related party. The judge ruled that the gain on the sale and leaseback was improper, even though allowed under GAAP. Is the decision by the judge a reasonable standard for auditors? 3. Assume that you are Berardi, the senior in the case. Should he be regarded as responsible for the many problems on the audit? What actions could he have taken to prevent the problems? Crazy Eddie Thursday, October 21, 2004 Major discussion issue According to SAS #99, auditors are responsible for detecting material fraud in the financial statements. Should the auditors be held responsible for failing to detect the fraud at Crazy Eddie? Justify your response. Actors: Eddie Antar, underwriter, Sam Antar, Main Hurdman partner, Main Hurdman auditor, accounting critic (Group 5 Laura Chiu, Fred Qian, Steve Sluty; Group 3 – Jing-Yu Chen, Adfred De la Rosa, Jennifer Scarola) 1. Compute the gross margin ratio ([sales-cost of sales]/sales) and inventory turnover ratio (cost of sales/ending inventory). Note that cost of sales for a nine-month period must be annualized for the turnover ratio. Do these ratios provide any indication of problems? 2. What were the barriers to independence in this case? Are any of these violations of professional standards? 3. Assume you are a partner and have been offered the opportunity to audit Crazy Eddie just prior to the initial public offering. Would you accept the audit? Indicate factors favoring acceptance and factors favoring rejection. Howard Street Jewelers – Thursday, October 28, 2004 Major discussion issue – What major factors allowed this fraud to occur? What key factors should have helped prevent this fraud? Actors: Lore Levi, Julius Levi, Betty, Alvin Levi, accountant (Group 7 – David Black, Wei Lu, Patricia Rice; Group 10 Brett Bushinger, David Lustig, Tanisia Nieves) 1. Consider the longevity of this fraud. What allowed this fraud to go undetected for so long? Do you think that most similar frauds are detected? 2. How was this fraud detected? What other warning signals should the Levi’s have watched for? What accounts or ratios may have signaled that a problem was occurring? 3. Were the cash shortages directly related to the fraud? If there is no theft of cash, why are businesses more likely to have cash shortages than overages? 4. The external accountant did not perform an audit in this case. Do you believe he bears any responsibility for the fraud? ACC 476/726 – Fall 2004 Discussion Case Questions IFG Leasing Tuesday, November 16, 2004 Background and major discussion issue – For certain businesses, the allowance for doubtful accounts is a high risk account. This case involves a simple, but creative method of understating the allowance for doubtful accounts. Why do you think the auditors failed to detect the problems with the aging summaries? Actors: CEO, CFO, Touche Ross partner, junior auditor, experienced auditor (Group 6 – Joo Whan Lee, Jenny Ng, David Runyon; Group 11 Urooj Khan, Martin Oravec, Jennifer Thompson) 1. Ignore the problems with the accuracy of the aging. What factors should have indicated that the percentages used to determine the allowance were too low? What factors may have helped the auditors conclude the percentages used were adequate? How should allowance percentages be established? 2. There were two circumstances where staff auditors changed workpapers at the request of a partner. Do you think it was appropriate for the partner to ask the staff to make these changes? How would you react to the partners requests? 3. The adjustment recorded in 1982 was based on negotiation between the client and the auditors. Do you think this is unusual? 4. The audit staff was judged to be inexperienced. Do you think this is common? What actions could the staff person responsible for assessing the allowance account have taken? Bill DeBurger – Tuesday, November 30, 2004 Major discussion issue – Auditors need to evaluate large accounts based on sampling. This case illustrates the uncertainty that can arise in these tests. Actors: Bill DeBurger, Sam Hakes (Group 9 – Christopher Duffy, Diane Mai, Meredith Veith) 1. Why do you think that Bill was uncertain regarding the value of the inventory?