...The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulates the financial disclosures and trading operations of public companies. It mission is to protect investors and maintain orderly and efficient markets and to assets companies in raising capital. It is also in charge of overseeing the company’s financial reports and to market its activity and powers the levy fines and lawsuits will be filed if rules are broken. Starbucks is the world’s largest coffeehouse company in the world with more than 11,000 in the U.S and employing many. The ethics and compliance plays an important role in the company and applies to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Starbucks has its ways of complying with every direction in its quarterly and annual filings and has a committee of auditors that keeps everyone informed on the filing of the SEC. Its auditor’s main purpose is to have control over the financial reporting processes of the company and it makes sure that the Starbucks is complying with all rules and regulations that is required by the SEC. There are several financial reporting such as the Company’s Annual report to shareholders, the Annual Report form 10-K and Starbucks reports along with other amendments files with or reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission are made available by its reporters. The commission has a checklist on reviewing the audit processes with independent auditors and management. Any issues with management where they are unhappy with...
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...(AICPA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are moving towards this type of reporting. The chapter consists of context of the problem, statement of the problem, research question and sub-questions, significance of the problem, research design and methodology, and organization of study. The chapter will also include a tentative reference list. Context of the Problem There is a time limit as to when an organization has to report financials to the SEC. There are several forms that are required to be filed to the SEC by public organization, for the purpose of this research paper we will focus on quarterly statements (10-Q) and yearly statements (10-K). For the 10-Q the organization has forty-five days, after each of the first three quarter ends to file the report with the SEC and ninety days, after the fiscal year end. (Yuille, n.d.) Given the time-frame organizations have to report the quarterly earnings, it would seem to be enough, but let us look at an organization that has an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, along with Hyperion Financial Manager (HFM). The ERP system captures data from all the locations, if the organization has more than one, this information is then fed into the HFM system, at this point the information is consolidated at the segment level. This consolidated information in HFM is then reviewed by the financial accountants in charge of reporting the 10-Q. The financial reporting accountant starts extracting the data...
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...Gaviola, Harold Dave B. BSA-V Assignment in COMED421/0180/8:30-9:30PM PSA 401: Auditing in a Computer Information Systems Environment - The increasing availability of computer-based accounting systems that is capable of meeting both functional and economic circumstances of even the smallest entity impacts on the audits of those entities. Small entities’ accounting systems often make use of personal computers. Philippine Auditing Practice Statement 1001, “CIS Environments—Stand-Alone Personal Computers” gives additional guidance regarding the special considerations of such an environment. - Small entities are likely to use less sophisticated hardware and software packages than large entities (often “packaged” rather than developed “in house”). Nevertheless, the auditor has sufficient knowledge of the computer information system to plan, direct, supervise, and review the work performed. The auditor may consider whether specialized skills are needed in an audit. - Because of the limited segregation of duties, the use of computer facilities by a small entity may have the effect of increasing control risk. For example, it is common for users to be able to perform two or more of the following functions in the accounting system. • Initiating and authorizing source documents. • Entering data into the system. • Operating the computer. • Changing programs and data files. • Using or distributing output. • Modifying the operating systems. - The use of computer information...
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...The role of the ethics and compliance in Lowe’s financial environment will be assessed and the procedures the company has in place to ensure ethical behavior will be described. An explanation of how the financial markets work within the United States, identifying the processes that Lowe’s uses to comply with SEC regulations. Attached are the annual report and SEC filings for the past two years. With the financial information from Lowe’s, Team C will select one ratio from each of the ratio categories to include liquidity, asset management, debt management, profitability, and market value. It will be discussed the trend for each ratio and whit it says about the organization’s financial health. Lowe’s values it reputation for maintaining high ethical standards in its workplaces and around the world where ever they do business (Lowe’s, 2012). The company states that integrity is one of their core values and that every employee must comply with all governmental laws, regulations and rules while acting on behalf of the company. All employees of Lowe’s should avoid in any conduct that is inconsistent with the company’s ethical principles, even if it is legally permissible. Lowe’s also requires all vendors and suppliers to comply with their code of conduct and business ethics, failure to do so will result in termination of the business relationship. Lowe’s requires all personnel (including family members in having any financial dealings with organizations wanting to supply,...
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...accounting standards and financial statements. In your future careers in public accounting or in financial reporting, you will encounter financial accounting problems for which there may not be a clear-cut accounting treatment. Instead, you will need to conduct research to arrive at an appropriate answer. In Case 1, I am providing you with exposure to some of the resources available for you to conduct research, download financial statements, and increase your general knowledge about current accounting issues. In Cases 2 and 3, you will solve unstructured problems like you will do in the real-world. 2. HOW DO I USE THE DATABASES? Download the Accounting Research Handbook that is now available on WebCampus. Included in this booklet are detailed instructions on how to use these databases. This handbook will give you enough information to get you started. (The following pages may be turned into me – you do not need to type up your responses in a separate document. If you are working with a partner, make sure BOTH of your names appear on the assignment). ACCOUNTING RESEARCH CASE 1 – PART A: SEC EDGAR DATABASE This first exercise involves EDGAR, the SEC’s database. You will use EDGAR to find out information about one company. Your company is based on the first letter of your last name. Using the table below, determine which company you are assigned. At the EDGAR home page (www.sec.gov), go to “Company Filings Search” under the heading “Filings.” On the new screen...
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...SEC Regulations In today’s society where there seems to be an increase in attention toward unethical behavior organizations must adhere to the laws set forth by the SEC. It is now more critical than every that organizations establish policies and processes to ensure that it is complying with the rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Barnes and Noble Inc., meet’s the SEC’s reporting requirements through the use of technology, internal disclosure controls, internal controls over financial reporting, and independent accounting auditors who verify that these controls are in place and working as intended. The SEC requires that Barnes & Noble posts all Interactive Data Files required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months. After studying the proxy statement for Barnes & Noble, Inc., the filings show that historical SEC filings are listed by category for a variety of required reports, including forms 8-K, 10-Q, 10-K, and proxy statements. Barnes & Noble requires that SEC filings are signed by a senior management member like. In Barnes & Nobles case the 8-k SEC filing was signed by the Chief Financial Officer. This helps ensure that the filings are correct, comply with SEC reporting requirements, and are properly communicate to stakeholders in the management of Barnes & Noble, Inc. The organization uses internal auditing committee called the “Audit Committee “. The Audit Committee...
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...unethical behavior organizations must adhere to the laws set forth by the SEC. It is now more critical than every that organizations establish policies and processes to ensure that it is complying with the rules and regulations put in place by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Barnes and Noble Inc., meet’s the SEC’s reporting requirements through the use of technology, internal disclosure controls, internal controls over financial reporting, and independent accounting auditors who verify that these controls are in place and working as intended. The SEC requires that Barnes & Noble posts all Interactive Data Files required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months. After studying the proxy statement for Barnes & Noble, Inc., the filings show that historical SEC filings are listed by category for a variety of required reports, including forms 8-K, 10-Q, 10-K, and proxy statements. Barnes & Noble requires that SEC filings are signed by a senior management member like. In Barnes & Nobles case the 8-k SEC filing was signed by the Chief Financial Officer. This helps ensure that the filings are correct, comply with SEC reporting requirements, and are properly communicate to stakeholders in the management of Barnes & Noble, Inc. The organization uses internal auditing committee called the “Audit Committee “. The Audit Committee reviews the company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Barnes & Noble...
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...Implementing XBRL Developing a roadmap for the SEC mandate Contents 1 2 4 14 What is XBRL? XBRL and the SEC Implementing XBRL Focus on quality To our clients and friends For several years now, momentum has been building towards a single electronic financial reporting standard to allow more efficient retrieval and analysis of financial information. One of the key objectives of this movement to digital financial reporting is to enhance the accessibility of financial information, which proponents believe will be utilized better, faster and cheaper. Furthermore, a digital format would support more informed business and investing decisions, including greater comparability across enterprises. The SEC has required filers to begin using “interactive data” — eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) — as the electronic financial reporting standard. This indicates the dawn of a new digital era in business and financial reporting. This document is intended to help companies develop an XBRL implementation strategy that includes an understanding of the key considerations and decisions required to create a quality XBRL submission. Thus allowing investors, analysts, regulators and other financial statement users to realize the full benefits of XBRL. It outlines the building blocks for a company’s XBRL implementation plan. The foundation of this plan is for a company to develop the necessary background on XBRL basics and the SEC’s XBRL mandate. With an implementation...
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...Introduction Ethics and compliance play an important role in a company’s financial environment. In large corporations, such as Wal-Mart, who employ 2.1 million employees worldwide and 9029 retail units fewer than 60 different banners in 15 different countries is a prime example of how ethics and compliance practices are used effectively (Walmartstores.com) (2011). An assessment of the role ethics and compliance plays in Wal-Mart's financial environment along with procedures Wal-Mart has in place to ensure ethical behavior will be examined and discussed in this paper. Also covered in this paper: An explanation of how financial markets work in the United States and identifying the processes Wal-Mart uses to comply with SEC regulations, and an evaluation of Wal-Mart’s financial performance during the past two years using financial ratios and the trend each ratio tells about the financial health of the company. Assess the role of ethics and compliance in your organization’s financial environment The role of ethics and compliance in Wal-Mart’s financial environment is founded on the three Basic Beliefs set forth by Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart). The three Basic Beliefs as stated in Wal-Mart’s ethics statement are: Respect for the individual, Service to our customers and striving for excellence (Wal-Mart, n.d.). The open door communications process is another role of ethics and compliance in Wal-Mart’s financial environment. The open door communications process according to "Wal-Mart-Statement...
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...On an annual basis, companies such as Procter & Gamble are required to file two well-known types of reports: the 10K filing and the Annual Report. The purpose behind both of these documents is to monitor a company’s performance for the past year. Stakeholders in the respective companies can acquire this publicly provided data and analyze the information for different purposes. While 10K filings and annual reports contain similar data, their perspectives differ. For example, consider that the 10K is a financial fill-in-the-blank form whereas an annual report is a marketing document. The goal of the annual report is to persuade and inform current and potential stockholders. It is sent out to shareholders when companies hold their annual meetings to elect directors. Ultimately, this report serves as a benefit to a company because it has free reign over its content and design. On the contrary, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires 10k filings to inform about the company, monitor finances and prevent fraud. Both documents are effective considering their particular audiences; 10K’s are for a financial audience and annual reports are for the general public stockholders. Inherent differences such as layout, design details, tone, and content are apparent in Procter & Gamble’s 10K SEC filing and their annual report. Procter & Gamble’s annual report effectively uses verbal and visual strategies to catch the reader’s attention. Its colorful front page displays...
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...by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Auditing Standards Board (ASB) of the AICPA is responsible for establishing auditing standards for the audits of private companies. However, prior to the SOX Act, the ASB established standards for private and public companies. Thus, the PCAOB adopted existing standards established by the ASB as interim audit standards. The PCAOB is now issuing its own auditing standards, including establishing standards for audits of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. 2-10 The criticism of the 10 GAAS by some critics, is founded in the belief that by the GAAS being more specific, then they would thereby eliminate some difficult audit decisions provide a line of defense for a CPA firm charged with conducting an inadequate audit. However, highly specific requirements could turn auditing into mechanistic evidence gathering, devoid of professional judgement, from differing points of views, there is probably greater harm in defining authoritative guidelines too specifically than too broadly. 2-16 a. (1) b. (2) c. (3) d. (3) 2-20 a. Firstly, Rossi and Montgomery's primary ethical consideration is their professional competence to perform all of the audit work for filing with the SEC. In addition, if Rossi and Montgomery have performed bookkeeping services or certain consulting services for Mobile Home, they will not be independent under PCAOB and SEC independence requirements. The firm must also...
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...has an extraordinary ethics and compliance financial environment. Starbucks has implemented several procedures to ensure this ethical behavior is consistent throughout the organization. Financial Markets serve and important role within the United States and Starbucks has integrated the market techniques to further their fortune. In addition, Starbucks complies with SEC regulations. Team A has obtained Starbucks annual report and SEC filings for the past two years. Using financial ratios, such as current, debt, return on equity, and day’s receivable. Team A will determine and the trend for each ratio in conjunction with Starbucks financial health will be analyzed. Ethics and Compliance in Starbucks Financial Environment - Sergio * Assess the role of ethics and compliance in your organization’s financial environment. Procedures to Ensure Ethical Behavior * Describe procedures your organization has in place to ensure ethical behavior. They also have seasonal changes so be sure to mention those wherever they may fit in. * Financial Markets Work in the United States – The financial market is a place where buyers and sellers participate in the trade of assets such as equities, bonds, currencies and derivatives. Financial markets are typically defined by having transparent pricing, basic regulations on trading, fees and market forces determining the prices of securities that trade (Investopedia, 2013). Some financial markets only allow participants that meet...
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...Starbucks brand as a house-hold name and should also know that they are proud and committed to their coffee knowledge, customer service, and product expertise. They call their employees partners and offer Starbucks internal programs such as comprehensive health coverage and equity in the company. Every Starbuck’s employee knows he or she is a visual symbol of the company and needs to work as if each store was hid or her own. Starbucks also adheres to the requirements of the Security Exchange Commission (SEC), which is a publicly traded company known as SBUX. The aim of this paper is to discuss the roles of ethics and compliance of Starbucks, the procedures put in place to ensure ethical behavior, and identify the processes that Starbucks use to comply with SEC regulations. Additionally, this paper will include the evaluation of Starbucks’ financial performance over the past two years using financial ratios on the data analyzed in the last two annual reports and SEC filings to conclude its...
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...Homework Assignments 2-7 The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board was established through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to provide oversight over auditors for public companies audit, establishes auditing and quality control standards for public company audits, and performs inspections of the quality controls at audit firms performing those audits. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is responsible for issuing auditing, attestation, and quality control statements, standards and guidance to certified public accountants for private companies. 2-10 The criticism of the 10 GAAS by some critics, is founded in the belief that by the GAAS being more specific, then they would thereby eliminate some difficult audit decision and provide a line of defense for a CPA firm charged with conducting an inadequate audit. However, highly specific requirements could turn auditing into mechanistic evidence gathering, devoid of professional judgment. Therefore, from differing points of views, there is probably greater harm in defining authoritative guidelines too specifically than too broadly. 2-16. a. The first general standard, which states in part that the audit must be performed by a person or persons having adequate technical training, requires that an auditor have (1) education and experience in the field of auditing. b. Which of the following best describes what is meant by generally accepted auditing standards? (4) Audit...
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...Chapter 2, pp. 41-44: Problems 2-7, 2-10, 2-16, 2-20 Chapter 3, pp. 67-69: Problems 3-23, 3-25, 3-26 2-7 (Objectives 2-2, 2-4, 2-5) Who is responsible for establishing auditing standards for audits of public companies? Who is responsible for establishing auditing standards for private companies? Explain. A. For public companies, the standards are established by the PCAOB, whereas the standards for all non-public entities are set by the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA. The split between public and private entities occurred as a result of the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which set up the PCAOB. 2-10 (Objective 2-6) Generally accepted auditing standards have been criticized by different sources for failing to provide useful guidelines for conducting an audit. The critics believe the standards should be more specific to enable practitioners to improve the quality of their performance. As the standards are now stated, some critics believe that they provide little more than an excuse to conduct inadequate audits. Evaluate this criticism of the 10 generally accepted auditing standards. B. The standards are provided as a minimum standard, not a maximum, and auditors are encouraged to strive for more. The concern for more specificity in the standards is that it could turn into a mechanistic process of data gathering, removing all professional judgment from the audit. The standards also need to have the flexibility to fit into the specific situation of a company,...
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