L. Murphy Smith

Importance of and approaches to incorporating ethics into the accounting classroom

Accounting educators are being called on to provide a greater emphasis on ethics education. This paper examines three important issues concerning ethics education in accounting. First, the question of whether ethics can indeed be taught is examined. Next, several innovative approaches are presented which have been used by accounting educators to integrate ethics into the classroom. Finally, results of a survey of students concerning their perspectives of ethical issues in accounting education, the accounting profession, and society at large are presented and discussed. Survey results reveal that students consider a lack of ethics damaging to the accounting profession and society. Results also indicate that accounting students are seeking ethical and moral direction.

Using short stories to teach critical thinking and communication skills to tax students

Researchers and numerous groups stress the importance of incorporating communication skills development into accounting curricula. Although a number of formal and informal techniques are available to instructors to incorporate writing skills into the classroom, many students have both oral and writing communication apprehension (CA). Short stories are a flexible teaching tool to overcome boredom both inside and outside the classroom. This scenario approach combines education and entertainment to make learning easier and interesting. Students can be required to develop short stories where accountants are the key characters and heroes. The better short stories may be placed on the Internet for future students to review. What may be wearisome and unexciting information can become meaningful through mystery, intrigue, humour, and adventure.Researchers and numerous groups stress the importance of incorporating communication skills development into accounting curricula. Although a number of formal and informal techniques are available to instructors to incorporate writing skills into the classroom, many students have both oral and writing communication apprehension (CA). Short stories are a flexible teaching tool to overcome boredom both inside and outside the classroom. This scenario approach combines education and entertainment to make learning easier and interesting. Students can be required to develop short stories where accountants are the key characters and heroes. The better short stories may be placed on the Internet for future students to review. What may be wearisome and unexciting information can become meaningful through mystery, intrigue, humour, and adventure.

Implications of Web assurance services on e-commerce

Abstract The ongoing rapid growth in the popularity of the Internet is having a revolutionary impact on the way companies do business. Doing business online has become a necessity, not an option. However, some consumers are not completely comfortable using the Internet for transacting business because of concerns regarding security of their transactions. For these situations, consumer trust and confidence can be enhanced by a Web assurance service such as AICPA Trust Services. Building on prior studies, the study provides comprehensive information on current reporting requirements, differences among Web assurance services, and results of a recent consumer survey to obtain perceptions of Web assurance services. The theoretical foundation of the current study is based on the Assurance Gaps Model [Burke, K. G., Kovar, S. E., & Prenshaw, P. J. (2004). Unraveling the Expectations Gap: An Assurance Gaps Model and illustrative application. Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research, 7, 169–193]. E-business consumers (users of Web assurance services) can be dichotomized into older consumers and younger consumers, who have different expectations based on information asymmetries. Findings indicate that consumers value Web Assurance services, but younger consumers place greater value on these services than older consumers.

Microcomputer Applications for Teaching Microeconomic Concepts: Some Old and New Approaches

With the use of simple computer programs in BASIC, students can solve microeconomic problems involving demand and supply and profit maximization. The exercise is not mechanical but takes the student through the analytical process.

Teaching Microeconomics with Microcomputer Spreadsheets

The mastery of the spreadsheet technique has become almost universal in economics departments. The authors explain, step-by-step, how the spreadsheet can be used as an instructional aid to teach basic microeconomic concepts.

Industry Views on Content of the International Marketing Course

Recent studies point out the importance of, as well as the need for, improving the course in international marketing. The present study provides input from 225 of the largest U.S. corporations regarding their views on appropriate content in the international marketing course. Results indicate a preference for subject matter having the most direct impact on marketing activities.

Using an expert system to teach accounting for business combinations

Abstract This paper presents the results of using an expert system to teach business combinations accounting. Students who used the expert system, compared to those who did not, were more effective solving case problems and correctly answering exam questions. The learning performance of students significantly improved via the expert system assignment. A hands-on assignment using a new technology such as expert systems should help prepare students to be able to learn and use new technologies in their future careers.

ATTRIBUTES AND TECHNIQUES OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTING EDUCATORS: A MULTINATIONAL STUDY

Abstract Recently, many organizations and the general public have called for increased attention to, and improvements in, the effectiveness and quality of higher education. To this end, a multinational field study of the teaching techniques and attributes of master accounting educators was conducted, the findings of which are reported in this paper. Results of the study reveal that master accounting teachers in several nations employ interactive learning techniques extensively, exhibit genuine interest in and concern for students, and possess strong communication and organizational skills. Additional insight is provided into specific attributes of highly effective accounting educators, their lecturing and questioning techniques, techniques of enhancing student interest and participation, and syllabus and examination construction.

Validation of an accounting expert system for business combinations

Abstract This article presents the five stages involved in the construction of a knowledge-based system using VP-EXPERT, with emphasis on the final step, knowledge validation. The knowledge-based system, called PURPOOL, enables the user to determine the proper accounting treatment for a business combination. PURPOOL can be used effectively by educators as a pedagogical device to teach their students how to account for business combinations. PURPOOL also can be used by accounting practitioners in training inexperienced staff accountants or in determining the proper accounting treatment of actual problems encountered in practice. PURPOOL is one of the first GAAP-based expert systems reported in the accounting literature. A GAAP-based system relies upon the current authoritative accounting literature (Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements, Accounting Principles Board Opinions, etc.) for the knowledge base rules. PURPOOL captures the content of APB Opinion No. 16, Business Combinations in its knowledge base. The validation of PURPOOL utilized a framework consisting of nine elements. This process included interaction with a human expert, review of the accounting literature pertaining to business combinations, development of test cases, consultations with audit seniors from a regional accounting firm, and consultations with accounting information systems and advanced accounting professors. As a result of using the framework, a thorough validation of the system was accomplished, and that process is described in this article.

Financial analysis of companies concerned about human rights

Consumer demand for low prices juxtaposing with a companys need for profitability drives corporations to minimise the costs of goods within their supply chains. This has led some unethical business managers to engage in human exploitation within company supply chains. However, consumers also demand that human rights are not violated in the making of the goods they buy. Thus, corporations are being held accountable for monitoring human rights within their supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial performance of Fortune 500 companies that have shown concern over human rights within their supply chains. Since there is a financial cost in safeguarding human rights within supply chains, this paper seeks to determine if companies concerned about human rights suffer financial loss. The 92 concerned companies in the sample, compared to the average company in top industries, were found to have some significantly different financial performance ratios.