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  • The Importance of Trust & Transparency: An Analysis of Enron, FTX, and Other Instances of Accounting Fraud

    Description:
    The following thesis emphasizes the importance of both trust and transparency in the American marketplace with respect to minimizing fraudulent activities through a thorough analysis of the Enron scandal, the FTX scandal, and other instances of accounting fraud. Moreover, this thesis ultimately serves as a means to educate others in such matters through an even more critical description of how such cases impact Americans from an economic regard. The thesis begins by describing the origins of Enron Corporation, in addition to Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling’s promotion of a belligerent work environment. This description further recounts how the many malpractices of Enron – such as its misuse of mark-to-market accounting techniques and special purpose entities – ultimately caused its own collapse. Continuing, the thesis relates this pattern of misconduct to FTX Trading Ltd, a cryptocurrency exchange that filed for bankruptcy after a series of reports concerning the company’s embezzlement of customer funds. This particular part of the thesis demonstrates the notably apparent role of fraud in contemporary society, as many other companies continue to exploit investors through a lack of transparency. The thesis then elaborates on the nature of fraud through an analysis of other cases like those of WorldCom, Waste Management, and Sunbeam Corporation. In reiterating the economic effects of these cases, the thesis also describes the overarching consequences of fraud with respect to investors, employees, creditors, and, most of all, the American public. Finally, the thesis elaborates on the contemporary importance of both trust and transparency by considering the implications of new industries, particularly those related to cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens. This includes an analysis of how companies may efficiently mitigate fraud by following regulatory standards and recognizing the socioeconomic responsibilities they have as institutions with vast influence.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Memmolo, Alessandro
    Contributor:
    Brigid D'Souza, MBA, CPA, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/13/2023
    Date Modified:
    06/13/2023
    Date Created:
    Spring 2023
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • Blockchain Technology: Applications, Limitations, and Implications of Adoption within Accounting

    Description:
    Blockchain technology is arguably one of the most significant technological innovations in recent memory. As a sophisticated digital record-keeping system, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct transactions and store data. In a world that demands greater transparency, effectiveness, efficiency, simplicity, and security, it is not surprising that technology is continuously evolving to meet these demands. From this, concepts such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, cyber security, and cryptocurrency have emerged. Many of us in our respective fields may know of concepts such as cryptocurrency via the media. However, some may not know the deeper details concerning cryptocurrency, especially the fact that blockchain technology serves as the basis for digital currencies like Bitcoin and the reason for their existence. Since blockchain’s inception in 2009, an immense appeal has been observed, and businesses are attempting to employ blockchain technology for a number of benefits. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate blockchain technology and its historical context, as well as provide a comprehensive analysis of its applications and limitations. This study will explore the potential of this transformative technology to bring benefits in a range of applications, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed in order to maximize its potential. Additionally, a brief overview of the possible implications of blockchain technology, if adopted within the accounting field, will be illustrated to outline what this means for the future and the business world.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Gallinaro-Gale, Nicholas Felice
    Contributor:
    Brigid D'Souza, MBA, CPA, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/13/2023
    Date Modified:
    06/13/2023
    Date Created:
    Spring 2023
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • The Difference Between Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion

    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Castro, Kersy
    Contributor:
    Professor Brigid D'Souza, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/14/2022
    Date Modified:
    06/14/2022
    Date Created:
    Spring 2022
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • The Effect of Corporate Taxation on Investment and Wages

    Description:
    In 2017, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress successfully enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This legislation slated the federal corporate tax rate to be reduced from 35 percent to 21 percent in addition to having some investments qualifying for immediate deduction as an expense (Auerbach 1). In passing this act, the White House Council of Economic Advisers predicted that reducing the corporate tax rate to 21 percent would lead to an increase in wages and it would “increase average household income in the United States by, very conservatively, $4,000 annually. … Moreover, the broad range of results in the literature suggests that over a decade, this effect could be much larger” (1). Some conservatives, such as Trump and the Republicans in Congress in 2017, have long argued that corporate tax rate cuts substantially benefit the economy by increasing investment, wages, and employment. On the other hand, opposers of corporate tax rate cuts have made the argument that these supposed benefits are not the reality of this economic policy and that what happens instead is corporations keep the money they save from these tax rate cuts, and wages and investment are not benefited in any sort of way (Hendricks 1). With my honors thesis, I will examine corporate tax rate cuts and their effects on investment and wages specifically. I will examine whether or not the benefits that Republicans and Donald Trump emphasized of increased investments and wages as a result of corporate tax rate reductions are true.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Apostolico, James
    Contributor:
    Professor Philip Sookram, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/14/2022
    Date Modified:
    06/14/2022
    Date Created:
    Spring 2022
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • The Paradox of Financial Literacy: An Obstacle & Pathway to Upward Social Mobility

    Description:
    This paper presents the case that financial literacy can promote upward social mobility and that a lack thereof contributes to growing poverty rates across the globe amongst various different population groups. In particular, this paper outlines the negative implications associated with financial illiteracy by focusing on soon-to-be-retirees, college students, beginning investors, African Americans, and women. The paper starts by providing definitions of financial literacy and social mobility. It then outlines the extent of how financially illiterate individuals across the world are. In this section, it is made evident that financial education correlated with wealth and that there are financial literacy disparities among minorities and women in society. This section also includes two surveys and a statistical interpretation of the data to demonstrate the extent of financial illiteracy amongst college students. For the surveys, one was of college students, and the other was of professionals in later stages of their careers. For both populations, the survey asked a set of questions to gauge the financial literacy of the individuals. Using a least squares regression analysis, this data suggests that age plays a role in how financially literate individuals are. Based on this information, it is concluded that older individuals are more financially literate as a result of learning from mistakes, not from formal education. After this, the paper explores the negative effects of financial illiteracy, followed by the benefits provided by financial literacy. At this point, it is concluded that financial illiteracy contributes to retirement insecurity, the growing student loan crisis, erratic trading behavior, racial and gender wealth inequality, the use of harmful loans, and poor spending decisions. It also is concluded that proper financial education can result in wealth accumulation through investing, a comfortable and potentially early retirement, healthy spending habits, individuals having a financial safety blanket, and tax savings for the federal government. Lastly, this paper offers suggestions to prevent financial illiteracy from persisting in the future, so more individuals can experience upward social mobility. The solutions suggested include the implementation of personal finance in high schools, encouraging interpersonal dialogues regarding finances, and making finance an enjoyable subject for individuals to follow.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Crincoli, Anthony
    Contributor:
    Dr. Samar Issa, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2021
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2021
    Date Created:
    Spring 2021
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds: An Overview of a Potentially Flawed Investment Vehicle

    Description:
    Bitcoin has generated much interest from the financial community throughout its life and utilization as a crypto-currency. In the continual advancement of the market, financiers and fund managers have explored the opportunities of developing investment vehicles utilizing Bitcoin, with multiple firms competing to develop a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund traded in the United States. However, under much speculation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has denied multiple requests for fund managers to develop a Bitcoin ETF for the financial market. The thesis essay explores the feasibility of utilizing Bitcoin in a fund investment vehicle such as a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The paper explores the qualitative and quantitative factors that may impact a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund and Exchange Traded Funds' history and structure and analyzing proposals by financial firms and SEC responses to those proposals, and analyzing the Bitcoin market and systemic risks. Finally, an analysis of historical data and potential market drivers is utilized to confirm claims by the financial firms and SEC. The findings indicated that Bitcoin would be challenging to generate return for fund managers. Its risk factors create extra constraints for Bitcoin funds to operate in with no signs of mitigation in the future. Moreover, the volatility and unpredictability of Bitcoin are also caused by the lack of market drivers for the fund. Essentially in its current state, its lack of remedies for its risk factors has caused Bitcoin to be unfeasible to be placed in an Exchange Traded Fund and would place financial firms and its investors at risks.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Shaw, Kagan
    Contributor:
    Dr. Devin Rafferty, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2021
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2021
    Date Created:
    Spring 2021
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • A Study on the Audit Busy Season: Manager and Employee Perspective and Retention Rates

    Description:
    The audit busy season is notorious for the long hours needed by audit employees, and the tremendous amount of work and effort is given to complete an audit on time. The thesis seeks to explain the manager and employee perspective of the audit busy season and examine the practice's turnover rate. The study wants to analyze the effects the busy season has on audit employees. Employee turnover rates are at 10.7% as of 2018 (Nickerson and Hall). Are more audit associates switching from public to private accounting? The thesis wants to dive into the employee and employer's perspective and analyze why turnover is high. The thesis also wants to give insight to students who are looking to start a career in accounting.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Ventura, Keven
    Contributor:
    Prof. Brigid D'Souza, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2021
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2021
    Date Created:
    Spring 2021
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • How Corporations Can Utilize the Tax Code to Better Their Community

    Description:
    Oftentimes, when the topic of taxes is discussed, it is opined that the rich and businesses, "never paid taxes," which certainly does not help the community in any way. Indeed, this is not usually the case; and in fact, I will be presenting the case on how businesses can have both a benefit of lowering their own tax liability while at the same time helping their community by utilizing the 6 general business tax credits offered to them by the tax code. Utilizing these tax credits does not only help lower their tax liability but also raises their social responsibility to their community! The tax credits to be discussed are going to revive the community by employing targeted groups of individuals who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment along with helping them with retirement by building new establishments, or facilities, or both for the community to use, and the environment by reducing the carbon footprint of the community.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Sadek, Nicolas
    Contributor:
    Lori Buza, J.D., Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2021
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2021
    Date Created:
    Spring 2021
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • Why Is There a Lack of Diversity at the Partnership Level in Accounting Firms?

    Description:
    Diversity is an important aspect of the workplace, but there is a discrepancy between leadership and entry-level employees in the accounting field. People do not have the proper mentors, encouragement, clients, or resources to move up at accounting firms. My thesis seeks to understand this issues by gathering data and proposing solutions. With the research conducted, there were many statistically significant results supporting the hypothesis that the above factors contribute to lack of diversity at the partnership level. Firms can help resolve these issues by fostering diverse talent, investing further into diversity initiatives, and changing accounting's reputation. Covid-19 has also had a significant impact on diversity, and companies should be mindful of this factor and try to keep the momentum going on their programs. Accountants need to realize that partnership is attainable and should be encouraged.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Ahmad, Zaheerah
    Contributor:
    Philip Sookram, CPA, MAcc, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2021
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2021
    Date Created:
    Spring 2021
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • The Past, Present, and Future of Accounting: Are We Headed in the Right Direction?

    Description:
    This study outlines the accounting profession and its progression throughout history in terms of methods, technology, fraud, and fraud prevention. The chapters are broken into early history, twentieth century, and twenty first century. The results show that, even though fraudulent activity has increased, all positive areas such as prevention technology, methods, and regulation have also increased to accommodate these mishaps and provide a better business environment.
    Subject:
    Accounting
    Creator:
    Salem, Salama
    Contributor:
    Prof. Andrew Pogogeff, CPA, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    10/14/2020
    Date Modified:
    10/14/2020
    Date Created:
    May 2012
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper