What are some of the implications (accounting implications, implications on corporate behavior, etc.) if corporate penalties (fines, settlements) were all deemed to be permanently non-deductible? Do you agree with the proposed legislations? Why or why not?
So the FASB changed the amortization period for callable debt investments that are purchased at a premium. Now the premium is amortized up to the call date, rather than up to the maturity date of the debt investment. What criteria do you think were used to determined that this was an issue that needed to be addressed?
So a hedge funder wants GM to split its shares into 2 types of equity to increase firm value. What do you think: will capital structure changes increase overall value? Why or why not?
The Supreme Court will hear a case involving disclosure of “known trends and uncertainties,” which is part of the overall MD&A disclosure guidelines. In your opinion, if you were a CFO, would you disclose such information, unless immaterial, or not disclose, unless material? Is there a difference?
Do you think it is possible that investing for social reasons will equal or exceed investing for business reasons?
If you were the Chair of the SEC, what would you do regarding Dodd-Frank? Do you agree with Senator Warren’s concerns about potential recusals and deadlocks, should Mr. Clayton be confirmed?
In your opinion, are CEO raises and pay levels justified? Are they “optimal”? How would you define an optimal pay package?
If you were part of management, what criteria would be included in your decision about share repurchases?
If you were CFO, would you consider such factors in which financial statement you place first in your 10-K? How would you determine the “geographical” position of your financial disclosures, including the note disclosures? Do you think it matters? If so, to whom and why?
If you were a research analysts on an earnings call, would you take part in the groveling? Why exactly? If you were the CFO on the call, would you purposely not take questions from “non-grovelers”?
Do you think that the proposed CHOICE act, if passed, would lead to an increase of financial fraud cases? Why or why not? If you were the CFO of a “smaller” company, would you still want your internal controls audited?
So Staples’ results were impacted by goodwill impairment and restructuring charges. What are the economic implications of these accounting charges? What are the recognition criteria for these accounting charges?
Does this issue (shortage of “technical accountants”) affect your career decision? Does this type of work appeal to you?
Does Snap’s share structure, in particular, no-voting rights, affect valuation of the stock? Why or why not?
Given the fast growth of “robo” investment advisers, is it worth a student’s time even to study so-called “financial statement analysis”?
Why shouldn’t firms be able to provide non-GAAP measures as long as they reconcile them to GAAP? Do you agree with the author’s opinion in the last sentence that criticizes the presentation of non-GAAP measures?
What are the costs of changing the threshold for a firm to have an audit of its internal control? What are the benefits? What do you think are some of the characteristics of firms that are more likely to have internal control weaknesses?
What is your opinion about the acting head of the SEC removing subpoena authority from some of the SEC’s senior enforcement officials? What to you perceive as being some of the potential benefits? Potential costs?
