CURRENT ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

CURRENT ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING - Essay Example Such statements, however, have inaccuracies due to increased off-balance sheet activities devised by firms to escape legal bondages. In this case, the aspect of OBS transactions and their relative representation of economic substance in a business setup is explored. This refers to the structures put in place by corporate to reflect their economic reality for the purpose of facilitating various transactions including tax optimization. In the United States, the doctrine of economic substance is used to direct tax policies, with focus on reducing tax burdens on the given firm. Through this doctrinal setup, the validity and intentions of various organizational structures relative to tax-policy compliance are determined. It provides precise procedures used in computation of taxable income, and other deductions payable by a given entity (Jacobson, 2009; 3). Through court processes, various amendments have been made on the standard economic substance doctrine. Such amendments have been aimed at curbing unethical practices which may be motivated by financial gains. Through legislative reforms, it is widely acceptable that courts can deny firms or individuals from enjoying specified tax benefits if such transactions are ill-intentioned. By all indicatio ns, however, the application of this doctrine has been marred with several instances of inconsistencies, with courts challenged with determination of the liquidity of various entities. Such challenges in ascertaining accurate financial positions of firms have been compounded by the increasing adoption of OBS transactions, a prospect that has rendered financial statements of many firms inaccurate and unreliable in predicting financial position of the firms. One of the common ways through which firms promote off-balance sheet transactions is through sales of receivables (Molina and Preve, 2009: 653). Basically, accounts receivable are representative of sales that are yet to be collected.

The Beginning And Development Of Gothic Architecture Case Study

The Beginning And Development Of Gothic Architecture - Case Study Example The characteristics of Gothic architecture gave the specific definition which was related to what is often referred to as the French style, beginning in the 12th century and going through the 16th century. The architecture was most often used as high art and was created for cathedrals, castles, palaces and other governmental buildings. Many often referred to the style as one which was regarded as belonging to higher powers, which was why it was used for these specific types of buildings. The original term was created by Giorgio Vasari in 1530 in response to a culture which was considered rude. Most during this time believed that the group should be outcast. To represent this, different symbols were used to show that vandals and others within society shouldn’t be present in specific buildings. The architecture of the building is then made to symbolize the individuals who should not enter into a given place (Glaser, 15). The main beliefs and descriptions with the Gothic architec ture then led into concepts which were associated with the symbolic meaning that was created, most which was in reference to the Christian and high-quality attributes which would not welcome others within the region. The features which were used, inclusive of ornate structures and intricate decor became some of the defining parts of the architecture. ... The main focus was designed with both a vertical emphasis, which pointed upwards as a symbol to the higher powers as well as with the concept of having as much light in the building as possible (Murray, p. 18). An example of Gothic architecture can be seen in influences such as the Notre Dame church, as seen in figure 1. Figure 1: Church of Notre Dame In this figure, the elements of the Gothic can be seen. At the lower area, there are three arches which one can enter, all of which are rounded.

Impact of Technology on the Tourism Industry

Impact of Technology on the Tourism Industry Technological Convergence is becoming critical for the future. Discuss and illustrate implications for the tourism industry Technological Convergence Overview Convergence technologies are increasingly obliterating barriers of distance and time, providing anywhere, anytime communication and information sharing. The interactions that these technologies enable are incredibly varied, ranging from real-time one to one communications, to globally accessible electronic resources that reach mass audiences on demand. (Covell, 2000) These technologies also integrate all digital media types and indeed, one of the most powerful aspects of the digital convergence phenomenon is that these technologies can be used to combine interactions and media in so many different ways, thus producing innovative mechanisms, tools, and information resources. Whilst advances in miniaturisation have yielded a massive advance in the range of multipurpose devices in the last two years, ranging from game consoles that can be used as photo viewers, to mobile phones that double as cameras and music players. At the same time, developments in high-speed communications are allowing providers of traditional services like cable TV, Internet and phone services to move beyond their realms to products like video on demand and music and video downloads, together with Internet access through endless different media. â€Å"As the lines between product offerings become blurred, a looming high-tech identity crisis is creating rivals out of companies that once considered themselves to be in separate industries.† (Young, 2006) Telecommunications operators now believe that they can create value out of providing TV services, whilst cable TV companies are bundling Internet and mobile services, and phone handset makers are getting into music players and cameras. However, whilst traditional technology and telecommunications firms fight it out, Internet companies like Google, Microsoft MSN and Yahoo are building up powerful brand names to leverage in the future, both on and off the Web. Signs of convergence are on display the world over, spanning the semiconductor industry in Asia, where the hearts and memories of many devices are made, to cutting-edge telecoms development from Europe to the thriving U.S. Internet community experimenting with new products and services. (Young, 2006) As a result, customers’ expectations and demands have risen to include combined functionality and, where this functionality is included, reliability. (Buhalis, 2003) As a result, technological convergence is becoming increasin gly more critical for businesses wishing to market new products and services, and to extend the life of old ones. Within the tourism industry, technological convergence has had three main impacts: on sales, transport, and the provision of services. Sales Travel agents have found that their role has had to evolve, due to the changing technological dynamics of the travel industry. The travel retail sector has been adversely impacted since 2001 by technological convergence factors, chiefly the increase in the level of Internet and communications access. This has resulted in a rise in the number of consumers and businesses booking their travel arrangements directly, via the telephone or Internet; and as a result airlines and travel companies have reduced commission fees to travel agents in order to save costs, and also set up their own reservation systems via the Internet. Even before 11 September 2001, sales were being hurt by lower commission fees and trends towards direct booking, (Global Market Information Database, 2004) and now many operators in sectors such as airlines, hospitality and car rental have began to take advantage of the technology boom to make their sales direct to the consumer, bypassing travel agents. Travel Although technological convergence has not had substantial impacts on tourist’s choice of long distance travel, asides from facilitating the low cost airline boom, through Internet sales and eTickets, it has had some impacts on resort based travel. A good example of this is highlighted by Daigle and Zimmerman (2004) who studied the Acadia National Park Field Operational Test, where Intelligent Transportation Systems components were deployed to help visitors travel around Mount Desert island and in Acadia National Park Real-time travel information was collected and integrated with island Explorer buses and disseminated to visitors via an automated announcer that transmitted an audio message and displayed the next bus stop on an electronic sign within the bus. Also, electronic signs displayed real-time departure times of the next Island Explorer bus at bus stops, and visitors could also obtain real-time parking conditions at two popular destinations in the park, similar to the t echnology used by TFL in its London bus network. Services Finally, the trend towards individual booking of holidays by Internet, or dynamic packaging, is predicted to continue as more and more people become ‘Internet-savvy’, and seek more control over pricing and planning of both business and leisure travel. (Global Market Information Database, 2004) As a result, tour operators will respond to these trends by introducing more flexible holiday booking and selection services allowing, for example, clients to combine low-cost flights with premium hotels, and creating more targeted packages, such as those aimed at over-50s, sporting or activity holidays. Hotel groups and airlines will respond by improving their websites and services, and especially trying to match the fares offered by online agencies or offering extra services. Technology convergence in the travel and tourism industry will thus continue to improve in order to increase convenience, cut airport waiting times and encourage business travel. This will likely include aut omated check-in, and check-in via the Internet, the continuing development of high-speed Internet services in hotels and on aircraft, and satellite navigation services in cars. Conclusion In conclusion, with the exception of online sales, technological convergence is yet to have as fundamental an impact on the tourism industry as it has had on the technology, media and telecommunications industries. However, as the Internet continues to grow, and converges with more varied technologies, the potential for innovative offering will increase and, as in the TMT sectors, these offerings will increasingly become the norm, thus making technological convergence even more critical for the future in yet another industry. References: Buhalis, D. (2003) eTourism: Information Technology for strategic tourism management. Pearson. Covell, A. (2000) Digital Convergence: How the Merging of Computers, Communications, and Multimedia Is Transforming Our Lives. Aegis Publishing Group, Ltd. Daigle, J. J. and Zimmerman, C A. (2004) The Convergence of Transportation, Information Technology, and Visitor Experience at Acadia National Park. Journal of Travel Research; Vol. 43, Issue 2, p. 151. Global Market Information Database (2004) The World Market for Travel and Tourism. Euromonitor International. Young, D. (2006) Reuters Summit Technology convergence makes a comeback in 2006. Reuters Limited.

Dr. Faustus Vs. Dorian Gray Essay -- essays research papers

Deals With the Devil   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the books The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dr. Faustus, both protagonists are lured into the world of evil, but by different forces. Dorian Gray and Dr. Faustus both sell their souls to the devil. However, Dorian Gray deals with the devil unknowingly, and Dr. Faustus conjures the devil. After Dorian sells his soul, he becomes an immoral criminal, and even resorts to murder. After Dr. Faustus sells his soul, he lives frivolously and entertains himself through practical jokes. So who is more evil? An innocent young man corrupted by the ideas of another? Or, a man who is bored with the world, and seeking excitement calls upon the devil? Dorian Gray is clearly more evil, because even though both he and Faustus were corrupted by knowledge Dorian destroys peoples lives and commits felonies, whereas Faustus just does things for his own pleasure. The protagonists in these works are intellectuals. They read many books and have an immense amount of knowledge in many areas. Dr. Faustus knows everything about the material world and is dissatisfied with it. So, he becomes infatuated with the spiritual world. This is why he wants to sell his soul. His desire for knowledge overcomes his sensibility. Dorian Gray read many books about fields he was interested in like art. These books did not corrupt him; he was just thirsty for knowledge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many other factors lead to the eventual downfall of both characters, ...

The Effects of Long and Short Term Stress

The Effects of Long and Short Term Stress Teresa Mcilwain PS2150-3 Emry Somnarain October 21, 2012 What does the term Stress mean? Stress is a term used in many different ways. Stress also can refer to events and circumstances, also examinations that can cause unease; to the specific body responses to such events, like Rapid heartbeat; or the mind's and body's try to deal with in order to recapture a sense of wellness.Stoklos defines stress as  a state of imbalance within a person, drawing out by actual or bought on different enviromental demands and the person's capacity to cope the demands†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What is the Effect of Short Term Stress? Short-term stress or acute stress is your reaction to an immediate threat. Divorce or sometime as simple as a deadline is a threat . This is kno wn as â€Å"fight or flight† response. The body is effected by stress is sleep disturbances.Insomnia is one form of sleep disorder. Short- term stress can be back pain, shoulder, or neck pain, Stress can even cause tension or migraine headaches. Depending on the nature of stress, you could experience rashes and hives or even hair loss. Your feet and hands may get cold as your blood flow is redirected from your skin to your heart. Shortness of breath may occur, if you have a touch of asthma and can cause asthma attacks. There are many more ways that stress can effects the body.What are the Long Term effects of Stress? Long-Term stress is the same as chronic stress has been defined by Pearlin as â€Å"the relatively enduring Problems and, conflicts and threats that people face in their daily lives. † The most known bases for this type of stress are family problems with spouse, parents, or children; love or sex problems; job related or s can  break down your immune syst em and make you very vulnerable to infection, including cold and flu symptoms.Prolonged stress can cause then you can suffer from Digestive problems, like constipation and diarrhea. Most people that have lots of stress turn to eating that end up being obese problems; and any other competitive involvement. Long-stress GREGORY L. WEISS, LYNNE E. LONNQUIST,. The Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness BYESTRESS,htt://www. byestress. com/byestress-articles/effects-0f-stress-on-the-body. htm

Similarities Between Iago And Othello - 1014 Words

Ill luck? In comparing the so called â€Å"villains† of Shakespeare’s two plays, The Merchant of Venice and Othello, we see similarities and differences between the two villains. The first similarity being that both villains seek revenge. Shylock seeks revenge on Antonio, he wants â€Å"an equal pound of his flesh† (1.3.146). Iago as well seeks the destruction and death of his adversary, Othello. Other similarities we see is that they are both ruthless, merciless and even barbaric at times. Shylock will not stop until Antonio is dead, likewise Iago will also not stop until Othello is dead. However, when comparing their characteristics, one will see they are very different people. Shylock is more anthropomorphic, we also often we find him in a†¦show more content†¦(4.1.345-355) A very interesting â€Å"characteristic† of Iago is his reputation for being a very honest man. This status given to him is entirely the opposite of his real nature. I would like to look at this aspect of his character for a moment as well as why he is so trusted. The latter comes from the former because if one has a reputation for honesty he will be trusted. Iago has a great reputation for honesty, how is this possible for a man we know so well to be a liar? In order for one to have a reputation for honesty one must have first been honest for a considerable amount of time. How can one be known for honesty while being a liar his whole life? It is not possible. One must first be honest in order to acquire that prestige. This causes me to believe that Iago was once an honest man. It is not known when he commenced his evil ways, but it is plausible that once he did not receive the position that he thought rightfully his, he changed his way of life right there and then. We cannot tell what it was but we can recognize that at some point in his life he was very honest. Another of Iago’s interesting characteristics is the way he abuses his reputation. He uses the fact that everyone trusts him to his advantage. IAGO. and did you see the handkerchief? OTHELLO. Was that mine? IAGO. Yours, by this hand! And to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! SheShow MoreRelatedSimilarities And Differences Between Iago And Othello1094 Words   |  5 Pages The tragedy of Othello is not just a story of jealousy but rather a clash of two worlds. In Shakespearean plays we many times see the protagonist fall due to deceit, human flaws, and corruption of their society. We specifically see the hero fall in Shakespeares Othello as a man trying to be himself with a corrupt friendship in Iago. Othello is seen to be the noble moor of Venice. He is respected by society for his many actions of nobility and bravery. Iago on the other hand is the villain plottingRead MoreOthello Character Analysis905 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Tragedy of Othello†, Iago successfully manipulates Cassio various times. In the writing, Shakespeare creates Iago’s plan to demote Cassio from being Othello’s lieutenant, the role Iago dreamt of, by tricking Cassio to get drunk so that he will raise chaos and result in Cassio being demoted. This worked out for Iago when Cassio accepts Iago’s encouraging words and began to drink heavily, this w ould result in Cassio ultimately fighting and stabbing Montano in a drunken rage. Iago now would completeRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello And Othello Essay1282 Words   |  6 PagesOthello speaks to Iago in Act Three of the play saying, â€Å"certain, men should be what they seem† (3.3.131). This excerpt foreshadow events in which Othello will begin to question the actions and morality of Cassio and Desdemona, all orchestrated by Iago’s scheming nature. This is a very important concept to showcase because Othello devoutly loves Desdemona and trusts Cassio until conniving language from Iago causes him to think otherwise. Drawing on Shakespeare’s source story by Cinthio and otherRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Oedipus And Othello 982 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus and Othello are two of the most known tragic heroes throughout all of literature. While there are some noticeable differences between the two there are also many similarities between the two char acters. With the amount of similarities between the two plays Shakespeare must have been inspired by Oedipus and Sophocles when he was writing Othello. Oedipus the king’s main conflict is based around Greek mythology in that from the time Oedipus is born it is prophesied by the Gods that he is goingRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello And Cymbeline1263 Words   |  6 Pagesand Othello When studying Shakespeare’s Othello and Cymbeline it is important to note the plays possess several similarities in plot and characterization, including accusations of adultery and deceitful, foiling characters. More specifically, I noticed strong likenesses shared by the characters Iago and Iachimo. I would even argue that the similarities between the names Iago and Iachimo are no coincidence, but a deliberate choice made by Shakespeare. Iachimo is molded very similarly to Iago; howeverRead MorePractice HSC essay1060 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ and the contemporary appropriation of a film ‘O’ by Tim Blake Nelson are based on the societal values and morals of their time. Issues such as racism, the use of language and deception are timeless making them evident throughout both contexts, hence the engagements in both textual forms. Differing contexts convey concerns in different ways through the use of diverse techniques. For example ‘Othello’ is a play which uses props, stage positioning and lighting comparedRead MoreOthello: Compare and Contrast The Two Wives1627 Words   |  7 Pages Bob Mudd Compare and contrast the two characters Desdemona and Emilia from the play Othello. Desdemona and Emilia Comparison and Contrast In the play Othello the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare., there are two prominent women that grab and hold our attention. One is the wife of the play’s heroic character Othello; the other is engaged to an untrustworthy man named Iago. The women are part of, but yet serve as a small piece of what goes on in the play and which is how the conflict of theRead MoreShakespeare s Othello - Iago And Emilia889 Words   |  4 PagesIago and Emilia â€Å"A liar begins with making falsehood appear like truth and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood,† said William Shenstone. This I believe to be so, in the story Othello, Iago was conceived as the most dishonest individual in the plot. Iago played mind games on everyone without them even knowing. Iago is like a snake, he first deceives Othello by turning him against his wife Desdemona. Iago then proves his theories with Desdemona sleeping with her longtime friend CassioRead MoreComparing and Contrast Emilia and Desdemonas love for their husband1015 Words   |  5 PagesKing, Jr.) In the play Othello this quote shows relation to how love occurs among the main characters. This is highlighted though the relationship that Emilia and Desdemona have with their respective husbands. Throughout, the relationship of these characters with their spouses will be analyzed. The relationship between Emilia and her husband Iago will be expressed as well as the relationship between Desdemona and her husband Othello. Then the similarities and differences between the two relationshipsRead MoreOthello Feminist Analysis1611 Words   |  7 PagesOthello, by William Shakespeare is well known for its richness in literary content and elements pertinent to societal ideas. Moreover, women are portrayed in Othello in ways that confirm, but also contradict their treatment in Shakespeare’s time. Both female action and language represent these ideas such as expectations for a wife and expectations for how a woman is to act. That said, there are many other lines spoken by these characters that defy the expectations placed on women at time. Overall

Online Shopping Risks and Benefits - 1417 Words

Online Shopping: Risks and Benefits There has long been a need for the consumer to purchase goods without ever having to leave their home. The industry started with mail order catalogs such as Sears Roebuck that offered consumers the convenience to order goods without having to travel a long distance to see what was available. The catalog offered everything from clothing to toys, and even farming equipment that made it easier for early American families to purchase goods without having to travel to a city possibly hundreds of miles away. The industry has come a long way since the golden years of the Sears catalog. When the personal computer was invented in 1976 people were astonished at its power. After later development and the PC†¦show more content†¦There aren’t shelves to place impulse items on for customers to see on their way in or way out of the door. The customer can click on what they need, purchase it, and be finished. When customers shop online, it is far easier to compare prices at different online stores than it is to compare prices of retail stores. When shopping online one can browse seamlessly site after site and even tab between different online stores with just the press of a button. When comparing prices from retail and outlet stores, it means looking at sales papers and going from store to store to hunt down that great deal which can consume a great deal of time (Hobbs). Many people have been skeptical about shopping online. With its benefits, also come great risks and disadvantages. One of the most common problems with shopping online is security. When purchasing an item off the internet, it is important to know that the site is secure (Snowdon). Personal information such as credit card numbers, addresses, and even personal computers need to be protected from any type of threat. There are sites that are built specifically just to phish information like email addresses, usernames, and passwords; therefore, when consumers want to make a purchase online, they really have to trust the site and know it is secure and that their information is not at risk. Another disadvantage of shopping online is that it is not a hands-on purchase. Customers like to see and hold what they areShow MoreRelatedE Commerce, B2b And B2c1301 Words   |  6 Pagesis the online financial transaction or sale between a business and consumer. B2C includes a service or product exchange from a business to a consumer, by which businessman sells products to consumers. II. The Advantages There are many benefits for people to operate their business electronically, and reduce the operation cost such as rent at the beginning. Here some advantages below: †¢ #1. Cost Effective Because of the financial transactions will become electronic, so one of the benefits of e-commerceRead MoreFactors Affecting Online Shopping1438 Words   |  6 PagesFactors Affecting Customers’ Satisfaction in the Environment of Online Shopping 1. Abstract Online shopping is a process of buying and selling of products and services through the Internet. Online shopping has become the fastest-growing industry and Internet users have reported that online shopping is one of their primary uses of Internet. With the help of online shopping, the consumers can purchase clothing, shoes, books, airline and events tickets, foods, computers hardware and so on. In theRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Online Shopping1018 Words   |  5 PagesThe online shopping trend is becoming increasingly popular. People nowadays can get everything they need online, such as clothes, books, groceries, etc. Online shopping is a new type of technology trend that people are getting addicted to because it makes people’s life easier and saves them time. Shoppers can visit web stores from the comfort of their own home and shop while they are sitting in front of their computer. Many online shoppers do not have to waste time on shopping anymore. Online shoppingRead MoreAn Investigation Of Online Shopping1621 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: An investigation of online shopping and how does it influence NTIC students’ daily life. Observations have shown that there has been a rapid development in an economic world. We have witnessed a tremendous change about shopping online. According to UCLA Center for Communication Policy (2001), online shopping has been regarded as the third most prevalent activity on the Internet, only followed by e-mail and website usage. It plays an important role, not only in retail stores, but alsoRead MoreHow Website Design Influences Customers Purchase Intentions1352 Words   |  6 Pagesreliance on Internet, online retailing has become an essential way for retailers to sell their products to customers (Yulin et al. 2014). Retailers increasingly shift their focus to online retailing because of the consecutive decreases in customer traffic to physical stores (Banjo Ziobro, 2014; Yulin et al. 2014). Customers indicate that online shopping brings them greater convenience, various options, and instant comparisons between products; meanwhile, retailers state that online retailing lower theRead More Internet Shopping Essay1446 Words   |  6 PagesInternet Shopping The Internets popularity has dramatically escalated over the past few years and has become an integral part of daily life. It has wide spread uses ranging from obtaining information, downloading files, business advertisement to Internet commerce, which plays a major part in Internet practice. Our social structure is pressuring society to connect to the Internet, with schools world wide becoming more Web based and universities now have lectures, which can be solely viewed overRead MoreOnline vs Brick and Mortar844 Words   |  4 PagesJacobie COM170 10/27/2014 Laura L. Dorsey Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar Shopping One of the opportunities we have in today’s world is whether to buy online or go to a brick and mortar store to do our purchasing. The two offer great sales and promotions along with selections from which we can choose. As online shopping and brick and mortar may seem similar; however, both differ in pricing, convenience and selection. Discounts are offered both online and in store which makes it easy for theRead MoreElectronic Commerce ( Ec )1031 Words   |  5 Pagesway to their customer to purchase products online. Online buying is the process of selling and buying goods or services by using computer via internet. Since the development of www (World Wide Web), vendors have looked for a way to sell their goods and products to people who like to spend time on the internet. Shoppers can visit web stores from their houses and shop while they are sitting in front of their computer or laptop. Internet and online shopping has the ability to provide a lot of typesRead MoreThe Dominance Of Online Shopping1284 Words   |  6 PagesThe predominance of online shopping is becoming a fact beyond dispute. Many people agree that online shopping can be quick, handy and convenient. Tenacious shoppers find aggressive discounts online as many vendors compete to offer the best retail price and quality. According to McKeown and Brocca (2009), 13.4 million purchase transactions were made online in Canada in 2001.The enormous growth of technology and its hefty impact on online shopping have had a direct impact on the rapid popularity ofRead MoreE Shopping- What We Get And What We Miss. Internet Technology977 Words   |  4 PagesE shopping- what we get and what we miss Internet technology had become quite popular in recent years. Whether it is for any professional use or any personal use, everyone uses internet technology. Due to this rapid growth of technology business organisations have switched over from traditional method of selling goods to electronic method. In recent years the online shopping industry has absolutely exploded and there are now such people who are buying online and just forgot what traditional market