All Flashcards
What is the primary duty of the board of directors?
To monitor management behavior.
What is the responsibility of the Nominating or Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors?
Oversees the board
Responsible for hiring new CEO
Define Market Risk
The risk that a sluggish economy will affect the value of a debt instrument
What is Capital Budgeting? How is it used?
Managerial Accounting technique used to evaluate different investment options
Helps management make decisions
Uses both accounting and non-accounting information
Internal focus
GAAP is not mandatory
What is Cost Accounting?
Cost Accounting is a component of GAAP that records Ending Inventory on the Balance Sheet for o Direct Materials o Direct Labor o Work in Process o Finished Goods
Cost Accounting also records for the Income Statement
How does a price increase affect supply?
When the prices of an item increases supply increases- because more sellers are willing to sell.
What is the primary focus of working capital management?
Managing inventory & receivables (current assets & liabilities)
What is a Static Budget?
Budget targeted for a specific segment of a company.
Which IT personnel roles should always be segregated?
Operators
Programmers
Librarians
What four perspectives are included in Balanced Scorecard?
Financial - ROI- Revenue Growth- Profitability
Customer - Increase Customers- Increase Satisfaction
Internal Business Processes - Efficient and Effective Operations- Improve Quality- Reduce Defects
Learning & Growth - Training- Personnel Development
What is the responsibility of the audit committee of the board of directors?
The audit committee appoints and oversees the external auditor.
Define Sector Risk
The risk that an event in the investment’s business sector will harm the investment
For example- the banking sector is sluggish- so even stocks of healthy banks suffer
What values are used in Capital Budgeting?
Capital Budgeting ONLY uses Present Value tables.
Capital Budgeting NEVER uses Fair Value.
What is the difference between Cost Accounting and Managerial Accounting?
Cost Accounting - External Focus- GAAP
Managerial Accounting - Internal Focus- Not GAAP
What is a supply curve shift?
When supply changes due to something other than price.
How is Net Working Capital calculated?
NWC = Current Assets - Current Liabilities
What is a Master Budget?
Budget targeted for the company as a whole
Includes budgets for Operations and Cash Flows
Includes set of budgeted Financial Statements
What are the duties of a systems analyst?
Designs or purchases IT system
Responsible for flowcharts
Liaison between Users and Programmers
Note: Think IT Manager
Why was Balanced Scorecard created?
To measure Performance.
What is the duty of the compensation committee of the board of directors?
The compensation committee handles the CEO’s compensation package.
Define Credit/Default Risk
The risk that a debtor will be unable to make loan payments or pay back the principal
When is the Present Value of $1 table used?
For ONE payment- ONE time.
What are Product Costs (aka Inventory Costs)?
Prime Costs
Conversion Costs
What are the characteristics of a positive supply curve shift (shift right)?
Supply increases at each price point
Higher Equilibrium GDP
Number of sellers increases - market can get flooded
Examples: Government subsidies or technology improvements that decrease costs for suppliers
What are the characteristics of effective Working Capital Management?
Shorten the cash conversion cycle
Don’t negatively impact operations
How do Fixed Costs affect budgeting?
Costs independent of the level activity within the relevant range
Property Tax is the same whether you produce 100-000 units or zero units
However – Fixed Costs per unit vary given the amount of activity
If you produce fewer units- fixed costs per unit will be greater than if you produce more units – i.e. less units to spread the cost over
What is the primary duty of a Systems Administrator?
A Systems Administrator controls database access.
What are Strategy Maps?
Diagrams of Strategic Cause and Effect Relationships.
What does the NYSE and NASDAQ require of the board of directors?
They require the board to be independent.
Define Interest Rate Risk
The risk that a change in interest rates will adversely affect the value of the note
Example: Bond is for 10% but prevailing market rate is now 12%. If bondholder wants to sell it- they will have to sell it at a discount.
When is the Present Value of an Annuity Due used?
Multiple payments made over time- where the payments are made at the START of the period.
What are included in Prime Costs?
Direct Material USED - Have become part of the product or had a direct impact on the product
Direct Labor Used - Employees who worked on product and had direct impact
What are the characteristics of a negative supply curve shift (shift left)?
Supply decreases at each price point
Lower Equilibrium GDP
Cost of producing item increases
Examples: Shortage of gold- so less gold watches are made; wars or crises in rice-producing countries means there is less rice on the market
What is the Inventory Conversion Period?
Average time needed to convert materials into finished goods and sell them
Average Inventory = (BI + E) / 2
Inventory Conversion Period = Average Inventory / Sales Per Day
How do Variable Costs affect budgeting?
The more Direct Materials or Direct Labor used- the more Variable Costs per unit
However – Variable Costs per unit don’t change with the level of activity like Fixed Costs per unit
What are the duties of a Systems Programmer?
Writes- Updates- Maintains- & Tests software- systems- and compilers
What is a Strategic Initiative?
A plan to achieve goals.
What is the main goal in an executive compensation package?
The package should ensure that the goals of management should match those of the shareholders.
What does Standard Deviation measure?
It measures the volatility of an investment.
When is the Present Value of an Ordinary Annuity of $1 (PVOA) used?
Multiple payments over time- where payments are made at the END of the period.
Think A for Arrears.
What is Factory Overhead?
All factory costs except for DM and DL used in production- including Spoilage (except for abnormal spoilage- which is a period cost and not included in OH).
How does price affect the demand for an item?
When the prices of an item increases- demand for it decreases.
What is the Receivables Collection Period?
Average time needed to collect A/R
RCP = Average Receivables / Credit Sales Per Day
How are Material Variances calculated?
SAM:
Standard Material Costs
- Actual Material Costs
= Material Variance
Which duties should a Systems Programmer NOT have?
In order to maximize internal control- a Systems Programmer should NOT have application programming duties/abilities or be an Operator on the system.
What measures are used under Value-Based Management?
Return on Investment Residual Income Spread Economic Value Added Free Cash Flow
How can an executive compensation package ensure that goals of management align with those of shareholders?
Executive compensation should create an incentive for management to govern in a shareholder-friendly way that doesn’t sacrifice the long-term success of the enterprise for short-term gain.
What is Systematic Risk?
Risk that impacts the entire market and can’t be avoided or reduced through diversification
Example: Wars
What is the calculation for the Present Value of $1?
1 / (( 1+i )^n)
i = interest rate n = number of periods
What is included in Fixed Factory Overhead?
FFO = Estimated Costs / Normal Capacity
Uses Normal Activity
Examples of Fixed Factory OH: Depreciation (SL)- Utilities- Taxes
Under/Over-applied Fixed OH always goes to COGS
What is a Demand Curve Shift?
When demand changes due to something other than price.
What is the Payables Deferral Period?
Average time between materials and labor purchase and their A/P payment
Average Payables = (BP + EP) / 2
Payables Deferral Period = Average Payables / (COGS/365)
How are Labor Variances calculated?
SAL
Standard Labor Costs
- Actual Labor Costs
= Labor Variance
What are the duties of a Systems Operator?
Schedules and Monitors Jobs
Runs IT Help Desk
How is Return on Investment (ROI) calculated?
ROI = Return / Investment
Example: You Invest $100 to buy a machine that generates $60 in Operating Income
$60 / $100 = 60% ROI
Which influences help mold the direction that management takes?
They range from internal (Board of Directors- Audit Committee- Internal Control) to external (Creditors- SEC- IRS)
These influences should not be tainted by undue influence from management or have financial ties to management such as compensation-related duties
What is Unsystematic Risk?
Relates to a particular industry or company
Example: You own stocks in ethanol plants and an untimely freeze kills all of the corn in the Midwest
What is Net Present Value (NPV)?
A preferred method of evaluating profitability.
One of two methods that use the Time Value of Money
= PV of Future Cash Flows - Investment
What is included in Variable Overhead?
VO = Estimated Activity / Actual Activity
Uses Actual Activity
Examples of Variable Factory OH: Deprecation (Units of Prod)- Indirect materials (supplies & insignificant items)- Indirect labor (factory foreman- janitors- machine maintenance)
What is a Positive Demand Curve Shift (Shift Right)?
When demand increases at each price point
Price of substitutes go up - price of beef rises- so people buy more chicken
Future price increase is expected - War in Middle East- people go out and buy gas
Market expands - i.e. people get new free health care plan- demand at clinic rises
Expansion - more spending increases equilibrium GDP
What is the Cash Conversion Cycle?
Amount of time it takes to receive a cash inflow (Customers) after making a cash outflow (Vendors)
Inventory Conversion Period
+ Receivables Collection Period
– Payables Deferral Period
= Cash Conversion Cycle
(Inventory Really (-Pays) Cash)
How are Overhead Variances calculated?
OAT
Overhead Applied
- Actual Overhead Cost
= Total Overhead Variance
What duties should a System Operator NOT have?
For internal control purposes- they should not be a Programmer on the system.
How is Residual Income calculated?
Operating Income - (Required Rate of Return x Invested Capital) = Residual Income
What is shirking?
When management doesn’t act in the best interest of shareholders.
It can be alleviated by tying compensation to stock performance or company profit.
What does Beta measure?
Beta measures how volatile the investment is relative to the rest of the market.
In other words- how quickly (and in what amount) does the value of the stock change when the market sways?
How is NPV used to calculate future benefit?
NPV = PV Future Cash Flows - Investment
If NPV is Negative- Cost is greater than benefits (bad investment)
If NPV is Positive- Cost is less than benefit (good investment)
If NPV = 0- Cost = Benefit (Management is indifferent)
Where is Under/Over-applied Variable OH recorded?
If Immaterial – Goes to COGS
If Material – Goes to WIP- Finished Goods- or COGS- based on their Ending Balance
What is a Negative Demand Curve Shift (Shift Left)?
Demand decreases at each price point.
Price of complement goes up - price of beef goes up- less demand for ketchup
Boycott - Company commits social blunder- consumers boycott
Consumer income rises - Demand for inferior goods drops as people have more money to spend
Consumer tastes change
Contraction - less spending decreases equilibrium GDP
What traits should Cash and Short-Term Investments have?
Liquid
Safe
How does Absorption Costing compare to Variable Costing?
Absorption Costing - External Use- Cost of Sales- Gross Profit- SG&A
Variable Costing - Internal Use- Variable Costs- Contribution Margin- Fixed Costs
If it is not possible to segregate duties in an IT System- what actions should be taken to compensate for internal control purposes?
Include Computer Logs.
Control Group should review the logs.
What is another name for Required Rate of Return (RROR)?
RROR is also called ‘Cost of Capital’
What requirements are imposed on a public company under Sarbanes-Oxley?
Management must submit a report on the effectiveness of Internal Control in the 10K.
Management must disclose significant Internal Control deficiencies.
CEO/CFO must certify that the financial statements comply with securities laws and fairly present the financial condition of the company.
What is Variance?
It compares volatility of an investment to the market average.
Factors include both Systematic and Unsystematic Risk.
What is the rate of return on an investment called?
The Discount Rate.
Where is Under/Over-applied Fixed OH recorded?
It always goes to COGS
What is the Marginal Propensity to Consume?
How much you spend when your income increases
Calculate: Change in Spending / Change in Income
For what are Letters of Credit used?
Used for importing goods.
Issued by importer’s bank.
How is Contribution Margin calculated?
Sales Price (per unit)
- Variable Cost (per unit)
= Contribution Margin (per unit)
What is the purpose of a Management Information System (MIS)?
To assist with decision making.
What is Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)? How is it calculated?
Cost of Capital is the weighted average of the interest rates you pay for your Capital.
Includes Debt and the Rate of Return your Equity Shareholders expect
Example: 45% of your Capital is supported by debt and has an interest rate of 9%. 55% of your Capital is supported by equity and shareholders expect a ROR of 12%
Your Cost of Capital is: (.45 x .09) + (.55 x .12) = 10.65%
What characteristics are promoted by the COSO framework on internal control?
Reliable financial reporting
Effective and efficient operations
Compliance
What is a Derivative?
An asset whose value is DERIVED from the value of another asset.
Derivatives are measured at Fair Value.
What does the Discount Rate represent?
The rate of return on an investment used.
It represents the minimum rate of return required.
What is indicated by a Debit balance in Actual Factory Overhead? How is it corrected?
Under-applied overhead.
If it’s Fixed OH- under-applied goes to COGS.
If it’s Variable OH- under-applied goes to COGS if immaterial- but is allocated to WIP- FG or COGS based on ending balances.
What is the Marginal Propensity to Save?
How much you save when income increases
Calculate: Change in Savings / Change in Income
Also equals 1 - Marginal Propensity to Consume
What is the advantage of using Trade Credit?
No interest cost if paid timely.
How is Break-even Point (per unit) calculated?
Total Fixed Costs / Contribution Margin (per unit)
= Break-even Point Per Unit
Assumption: Total Costs & Total Revenues are LINEAR
What is an Accounting Information System (AIS)?
A type of Management Information System (MIS) that processes accounting transactions.
How is Spread calculated?
Spread = ROI - Cost of Capital
What are the elements of the control environment?
Integrity & Ethics Competence The Board of Directors & Audit Committee Management's Operating Style Organizational Structure Authority & Roles of Responsibilities HR Policies
How is an Option used?
Gives the buyer the option to buy or sell a financial derivative at a certain price
Traders use them to speculate where they think the price will be at a certain point and make a profit
Hedgers use them to offset risk
What are the strengths of the Net Present Value system?
Uses the Time Value of Money
Uses all cash flows- not just the cash flows to arrive at Payback
Takes risks into consideration
What is indicated by a Credit balance in Applied Factory Overhead? How is it corrected?
A credit balance indicates over-applied overhead.
If Fixed overhead- it is corrected from COGS.
If Variable overhead- it is corrected through COGS if immaterial- but if material overage is allocated to WIP- FG or COGS based on ending balances.
How is the multiplier effect calculated?
(1 / 1-MPC) x Change in Spending
What is a Lockbox System? What are the advantages?
Customer Payments are sent to a bank-managed PO box.
Employees don’t have access to cash.
Deposits are more timely.
Interest income from deposits should pay for the Lockbox fees (if they don’t- lockbox is not beneficial)
What is the focus in a Cost Center?
Management is concerned only with costs
What are the characteristics of an Executive Information System (EIS)?
Specialized for Company Executive needs
Assists with Strategy Only
No Decision-Making Capabilities
What is the primary point of Economic Value Added? How is it calculated?
Investments should exceed costs- with an emphasis on stockholder value.
Economic Value Added = Operating Income After Tax - (Net Assets x WACC)
What are control activities?
A component of internal control that includes actions being taken to promote the control environment.
What is a Future?
A Forward Contract with a future value.
They are sold and traded on the futures market.
What are the weaknesses of the Net Present Value system?
Not as simple as the Accounting Rate of Return.
Which variables are used to calculate Direct Material balances?
Beginning Balance
DR Net purchases (plus freight-in)
CR Direct Materials Used
= Ending balance (goes to BS)
How does increased spending by consumers and the government affect the demand curve?
As spending by consumers or the government increases- the demand curve increases (shifts right).
What is float?
Time it takes to mail a payment and have it clear your bank account
Maximize float on cash payments
Minimize float on cash receipts
What is the focus in a Profit Center?
Management is concerned with both costs and profits
What are the characteristics of an Expert System (ES)?
Computer uses reasoning
Structured
No human interpretation needed
How is Free Cash Flow calculated?
Operating Income After Tax \+ Depreciation & Amortization - Capital Expenditures - Change in Net Working Capital = Free Cash Flow
What are the basic elements of internal control?
Control Environment Risk Assessment Control Activities Information and Communication Monitoring
What is an Interest Rate Swap?
Forward Contract to swap payment agreements
They are highly liquid and often valued using the Zero-Coupon method.
Example: Steve pays Sally a fixed payment with a fixed interest rate. Sally pays Steve a variable payment tied to a benchmark such as LIBOR
How do Salvage Value and Depreciation affect Net Present Value?
NPV includes Salvage Value because it is a future cash inflow.
NPV does NOT include depreciation because it is non-cash.
Exception – If a CPA Exam question says to include tax considerations- then you have to include depreciation because of income tax savings generated by depreciation.
What variables are used to calculated Work in Process (WIP)?
Beginning Balance (End Bal of Previous WIP)
DR Direct Materials Used
DR Direct Labor Used (Conversion Cost)
CR COGM
DR Factory Overhead Applied (Conversion Cost)
= Ending Balance (Goes to BS)
How does spending change due to the multiplier effect?
The increase in demand ends up being larger than the amount of additional income spent in the economy due to the multiplier effect.
One consumer spends money- which:
- Increases the income of a business
- Increases the income of a vendor
- Increases income of employees
- Increases tax revenue
What are Zero Balance Accounts?
Regional bank sends enough cash to cover daily checks
Advantages:
Checks take longer to clear -more float
Low amounts of cash tied up for compensating (minimum) balances
What is the focus in an Investment Center?
Management is concerned with costs- profits- and assets
What are the characteristics of a Decision Support System (DSS)?
Computer provides data
Gives Interactive Support
Human interpretation needed
What is measured by Six Sigma?
It measures a product versus its quality goal.
What is the significance of the Information and Communication aspect of internal control?
Management must have access to relevant and timely information to make good decisions.
What is Legal Risk?
Risk that a law or regulation will void the derivative
If multiple potential rates of return are available- which is used to calculate Net Present Value?
The minimum rate of return is used.
What variables are included in Finished Goods calculations?
Beginning Balance DR COGM = COGAS (Cost of Goods Avail for Sale) CR COGS = Ending Balance (Goes to BS)
How is Price Elasticity of Demand calculated?
% Change in Quantity Demand / % Change in Price
What is the difference between Treasury Bills- Notes and Bonds?
Treasury Bills: Short term (less than one year) Think: $1 Bill
Treasury Notes: Medium term (less than 10 years- more than 1)
Treasury Bonds: Long term (greater than 10 years) Think: government is in long-term bondage to you; they owe you money
What is the Delphi technique?
Forecasting technique where Data is collected and analyzed
Requires judgement/consensus
What are the characteristics of an Ad Hoc computer report?
User initiates the report.
The report is created upon demand.
What is the Asset Turnover Ratio?
Sales / Average Assets
How does Monitoring affect internal control?
Internal Control activities must be constantly monitored and evaluated for effectiveness.
What is a Fair Value Hedge?
Hedge that protects against the value of an asset or liability changing.
Changes in value are reported in earnings.