In its non-GAAP EPS, Allergan removed “more than half of all operating expenses,” according to the SEC. If the non-GAAP EPS is reconciled to the GAAP EPS, does it matter what or how much they removed? Why or why not?

How can a write-down on oil reserves be beneficial to Exxon’s executives (i.e., “bail them out”)? How would you determine if a probe into accounting practice were “politically motivated”?

What would be your next move if you were CEO at Wholefoods? Cutting prices to compete better and appeal to wider base squeezes margins. So . . . what would you do?

Facebook had an accounting change that resulted in a $900 million boost to earnings. The FASB now requires “excess tax benefits” from stock options to flow through the income statement, rather than APIC. Does the change improve financial reporting? How?

In your opinion, should all shares of publicly traded companies have equal voting rights? Should all directors be voted on annually? Why do you think Google and other tech firms have dual class shares?

Why do you think Under Armour’s shares are down 40% from its high, given the growth? What is Wall Street wanting from UA? Do you think UA will be able to deliver? If you were CEO of UA, would you want to “manage” Wall Street’s expectations? If so, how?

So Yahoo is being investigated for the delay in disclosure re: the cybersecurity breach. If you were CEO, how would you determine, not only if you must disclose, but also by when?

Jay Clayton is the lead candidate for chair of the SEC. Do you think he is qualified? Do some of those same qualifications present a potential problem if he were to be confirmed as chair? What is the ideal candidate for the job? Does such a candidate exist?

So the SEC fined GM $1,000,000 for failing to disclose the ignition switch problem internally to its accountants so they could assess whether a loss contingency should have been booked. What is the purpose of this fine? Who will pay it? How do you think it was determined?

Do you think it is appropriate to hold individuals (such as a named CFO) liable for errors in financial reporting? Why or why not? What are the consequences for bringing talented individuals into CFO roles?

If you had the final say on who should be the head of the PCAOB, what criteria would you use? Are you for or against the proposed requirement that audit firms identify the lead partner on an audit engagement?

Given the SEC Chair’s promotion of IFRS, why do you suppose that movement on the issue continues to drag on so slowly?

Why is there a trend toward “de-equitizing” the capital markets? Do you believe (over) regulation of public companies plays a part? If you needed cash, what options are available and how would you choose?

Do you agree that Apple (and CEO Tim Cook in particular) had a “terrible” year? What performance metrics, such as financial ratios, would you personally use to judge Apple’s performance? How would you assess their prospects?

Can you connect the dots between exchange rates and goodwill impairments? Are the effects related to FX transactions or translations?

So VW may accrue another billion as a contingent liability. What is the threshold for balance sheet recognition of contingencies under US GAAP? Under IFRS? Do you believe these future costs have already been reflected into the firm’s stock price? How could you determine if they have?

Are share repurchases “investments” in a firm’s own stock? Are they a form of “financial engineering”? What do you think is the real reason for the surge?

Microsoft obtained SEC approval before disclosing non-GAAP revenue figures in its financial filings. What do you think the consequences would have been had Microsoft not received pre-clearance before announcing non-GAAP revenue?