Investigate the expectation of the users of financial statement from Dissertation - 1

Investigate the expectation of the users of financial statement from the auditors in case of Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example This is usually done through their authentication, reliability and the correctness of their financial reporting (Mautz and Sharaf 1961; Manson and Zaman 2001). The accountants and auditors play an important role as they manage the finances of the companies (Manson 2000; Galloway 2003). Unfortunately, a number of issues have significantly affected the said process. In fact, one of the most important consequences is related to the existence of the so-called audit expectation gap. The audit expectation gap is indeed, one of the most important issues related to the audited function as it has relatively affected the development of auditing standards and practices (Godsell 1992; Best, Buckby and Tan 2001; Fadzly and Ahmad 2004). Members of the profession even attributed the existence of this issue to the significant increases in the litigations and criticisms they face (Mednick 1986; Berry, Otahata and Saleh 2000). The audit expectation gap pertains to the difference between the expectatio ns of the public in relation to an audit. The importance of this factor to the auditing profession lies on the fact that it tends to lower the credibility of the latter as well as their earnings potential (Godsell 1992; Best, Buckby and Tan 2001; Lin and Chen 2004;). More significantly, the presence of this problem also lowers the prestige of the profession (Beck 1973; Berry, Otahat and Saleh 2000; Best, Buckby and Tan 2001). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Various literatures have already been published in relation to audit expectations gap between the auditors and the users of financial statements. These literatures all emphasize that the expectations gap is usually evident from two points of view: (1) the users of the financial statements and (2) the auditors. In addition, there are also four expectation issues connected with this; these are: (1) audit assurance which pertains to the role and functions that the auditors must fulfill, (2) the level of quality in relation to the perfo rmance of the audits, (3) structural issues and regulatory issues that significantly affect the independence of the accountants/auditors, and (4) the manner by which the said audits are reported, taking into consideration the inconsistencies in terms of the construction of the different meanings contained in the audit reports. Previous studies conducted in relation to the auditing experiences gap tend to focus on developed countries and at the same time, have significantly failed to give paramount importance to the political and historical contexts wherein the said expectations are formed. Aside from this, the common recommendation is to publish strict guidelines with respect to accounting and auditing to cater to the problem at hand. However, some of the said studies mention that the said recommendations do not usually apply to all countries, most especially the developing ones taking into consideration the differences as to the ideological and legal structures that govern it. The study focuses on the experiences and perceptions of the users of financial statements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition to this, it also seeks to determine the different factors affecting this to gain a better understanding of the auditing expe

Security and Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words - 1

Security and Justice - Essay Example Additionally realism beholds security studies as ‘the conditions that tend to employ force more likely, the ways that the application of force influences individuals, societies, state and the exclusive policies that states implement so as to get ready for, prevent or take part in war’ (Walt 1991: 212). The Welsh School approach considers security essentially different to traditional approaches. The School of thought describes security as emancipation (Booth 1991: 319; McDonald 2012: 43). Emancipation is understood as ‘the freeing of people (as individuals and groups) from those physical and human constraints which stop them carrying out what they would freely choose to do’ (Booth 1991: 319). These ‘physical and human constrains’ are not defined deterministically but are somewhat context-specific (McDonald 2012: 48). In comparison to a realist understanding of security, the Welsh School provides a standardized outline that people are supposed to be the referent objects of security established against the state because the moral intent of the state is to oblige a social contract and preserve its population. The two different conceptualizations of security stated above demonstrate how security is judged because there is no consensus on what the expression stands for. Both make convincing yet differing statements about what security means. Consequently, there is no available description of the term that is sensitive to the way security can be perceived or performed by all players. The Welsh School has expressly criticized the realist perception of security. Realists see the state as the principal player in world politics and hence comprehend security to be concerned with the defense of the state (Carnesale and Nacht 1976: 2; Walt 1991: 213). Welsh School scholars oppose this view, arguing that the fundamental role of the state is not to protect itself but to impose a social contract and shield its population especially since the state is offered

Paralanguage And Proxemics

Paralanguage And Proxemics Paralanguage, It refers to something that may be expressed consciously or unconsciously and it includes the pitch, volume and in some cases intonation of speech. Example: A teacher shouting after giving prior polite warning to a student misbehaving again and again in the school. The volume as well as the pitch can be seen changing from low (polite warning) to high (anger). Kinesics: Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expressions and gestures or, more formally, non-verbal behaviour related to movement, any part of the body. Example: A supervisor moving his head from left to right to his junior employee engaging in a argument situation with a customer at the till. Proxemics: It means the distance between people when they are interacting with each other. Example: Informal communication, between friends and peers is usually marked by lesser distance between them as compared to greater distance between delegates in a formal communication. Chronemics: It means that use of time, waiting or pausing etc. Chromatics is related to culture. It includes punctuality, willingness to wait, and interactions. Example: In the business world, peoples are living in western countries and Americans are expected to arrive to meetings on time and, usually, even early. On the other hand, Arabs give less preference to time. Haptics: is the means by which people communicate via touching. Touch is an extremely important sense for humans; as well as providing information about surfaces and textures it is a component of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships, and vital in conveying physical. Example: A doctor touching a patients wrist to measure the heartbeat rate. Oculesics: Oculesics is the study of eye-contact as a form of non-verbal communication. In my opinion, eye contact is one of the most important aspect of nonverbal communication. Example: A teacher expects direct eye contact with his students during lecture as a mark of attention. Environment: A good environment plays a great role to run the business. It is obvious that your personal space and environment affect the level of your comfort and your status and facilitate the communication process. Example: Wearing a proper uniform at workplace to suit the surrounding environment. ii) How did the use of them effect the communication? Processes in the situations explained in affect? Ans: Effects in accordance with the above stated examples: Paralanguage: The effect was the student feeling insulted and stopped doing what the teacher didn`t wants him to do. Kinesics: The result was the junior employee backing out of the argument and apologising to the customer. Proxemics: Close distance communications gives a sense of friendliness whereas greater distance as compared to informal communication creates a required formal environment. Chronemics: An Arab arriving late at a meeting with an American and the American feeling insulted as a result. Haptics: The effect is the doctor being able to assess the patient`s health. Oculesics: Effect is the teacher being able to assess as to who is paying attention and who is not. Environment: The effect is the creation of an ethical workplace environment. 2) QUES: Give two examples of when active listening skills were applied in a work/study situation to ensure was effective? In both instances first describe the situation and state who were involved? Ans: Example 1: (work related) When I got my first job. My manager addressed me in the organization as an orientation programme. Me and manger were involved in this situation. Manger told me about the history of the organization, introduced me to my fellow workers, addressed me about the job rules and regulations. Example 2: (study related) A business tycoon addressed us students in college sharing his strategies to success. He and the students were involved in this situation. He shared his personal life experience with the students and told them what to do and not to do in life. He also told them different strategies to adopt to be successful in life. (i) Explain what active listening skills you used in each situation and how you used them? Ans: Active listening skills used: Example 1: I listened to my manager with full attention while he was explaining me about my job description. I also used supportive eye contact and showed that I was listening to the speaker. Then I asked him questions to my queries and my manager gives me answers and then I was able to remove my queries. Example 2: Business tycoon addressed us and told us different things to do in life. We were listening effectively to him. We were raising questions on his speech and examples and satisfied ourselves by getting suitable answers from that experienced person. (ii)Describe what the outcomes were in each situation? Ans: Outcomes: Example 1: I was able to get a friendly environment as well as all the answers to my questions and lot more information regarding my work so that I could do my job effectively and efficiently. Example 2: We got a preview of what is ahead in our life as well as tips and success mantras to move on the road to success. 3)Ques: interview someone you know has a fulltime or part time job and find out what they like and dislike about job. Use a questionnaire with open, close and probing question to get the information required. I took an interview of my friend who is working as a Customer Service (Check out) Manager in WOOLWORTHS RETAIL STORE COUNTDOWN. Before starting the interview, I clarified him that this interview will be considered as part of my college assignment. 1. Describe about yourself? Ans: Myself Manav Sharma I have finished my study in business L-6. At the moment I am working here as a manager. 2. Why did u choose this field? Ans:Because of my versatile personality and good communication skills. 3. What are your responsibilities at work? Ans: Preparing rosters and handling customer grievance system. 4. Is there anything you dislike about the job? Ans: Though I am quite satisfied with my job except two things: When people engage in unethical activities like theft, stealing things etc. When people are drunk and misbehave with the staff (ii) In the report offer them suggestions on how might remove any of the dislikes they might have about the job. Ans:1) You should equip your security system with latest cameras. 2) There should be adequate security guards at the store and the staff should be advised to be more calm and composed. In case of a heated argument between the staff and the respective customer the case should be referred to a senior executive in charge. (iii) Obtain written feedback from the person you interviewed on how well you conducted the interview and how relevant or helpful your feedback of them was? Ans: I MANAV SHARMA am quite happy to talk about my job, responsibilities, likes and dislike etc. about my work. Having freely discussed my problems, likes and dislikes I also welcomed suggestions on the things that I disliked and it is also good to learn and gain knowledge from any source possible. After reading the suggestions I would like to mention that these are worth applying to my work related problems and reflect the interviewers maturity and knowledge sphere. I think I gave my best and real answer of my job and the interview has been well conducted by the interviewer. 4) Ques: Describe the situation at work / study in New Zealand where you had to be assertive in negotiate with your boss, another colleague, customer or client, or someone in a more senior position. 1) Describe the situation and who was involved? Ans: Having employed at MASALA RESTAURANT as a receptionist, one day I was on work and a customer complained my manager regarding the delivery of a wrong meal. The case was that he had ordered cheese chilly but the one that was actually delivered was chilly chicken. The people involved were me and the customer. 2) Explain the outcome you wanted? Ans: I wanted to make sure that the customer is satisfied at any cost because for us customer is the king. 3) Explain the outcome the other party wanted? Ans: The other party wanted what he had originally ordered. 4) Explain what steps you took in the negotiation to work towards your outcome? Ans: In order to rectify the mistake and Compensate for the same I made sure that the customer is made happy and retained for the future by providing the actual ordered dish and gave the wrong delivered dish as a complimentary one to compensate for the mistake plus 25% discount on the next dine in. 5) Explain the outcome i.e. whether you received all you wanted, some of it or none of all? Ans: Having taken the necessary corrective action the customer was again restored and thus my main motive of retaining the customer was fulfilled. 6) Explain the assertiveness techniques you made use of in your negotiation? Ans: Firstly, I felt sorry and tried to calm him down. Next I tried to bring the customer back on track by offering him a deal he couldnt refuse by providing him the wrongly delivered dish as a complimentary one as well as a 25% discount on the next dine in which he perceived as a beneficial one and agreed at last. 7) Use the experience you have gained from this exercise to draw up an action plan explaining how you might work towards further improving your negotiating and assertiveness skills? Ans: 1) Firstly, I need to improve my listening skills so that this won`t happen in future. 2) Write the order first on a piece of paper and confirm it twice and then put it in the order list. 3) Learn more and more from my seniors by asking them for suggestions from their experiences. 4) Improve my conflict handling skills by trying to be calm and flexible in every situation.

Macbeth Vs Hamlet :: essays research papers

Thesis: Shakespeare used the same definition of tragedy when he wrote Macbeth, and when he wrote Hamlet; Shakespearean tragedies use supernatural incidents to intrigue the reader's interest, and his plays consist of a hero that has a tragic flaw (sometimes the want for the supernatural) which causes him to make a fatal mistake.I. Introduction II. Spirits III. Comparison IV. Conclusion Shakespeare always used the same elements of tragedy when he wrote his tragedies. These tragedies can be compared easily, especially Macbet and Hamlet. Shakespearean tragedies use supernatural incidents to intrigue the reader's interest, and they consist of a hero that has a tragic flaw (sometimes the desire for the supernatural) which causes him to make a fatal mistake. Shakespeare followed this pattern in all of his tragedies; therefore the similarities between Macbeth and Hamlet can easily be defined and discussed.Shakespeare immediately started Macbeth with a supernatural scene. The three witches s et the somber and evil tone of the plot. In Hamlet, Shakespeare also presented a supernatural occurrence close to the opening. The ghost of Hamlet's father presented itself to Hamlet with a chilling story. In both situations, the tragic hero was not sure whether the spirits were good or evil. The presentation of the supernatural began to lead to the final downfall of each of the characters. In Macbeth, the three witches caused him to think and do evil deeds. If he had never met the witches, he would not have been tempted to murder the king; therefore, he would not have placed himself in the position that he felt he needed to kill everyone who crossed his path. If he hadn't been so treacherous, Macduff would not have called for war, and he would not have murdered him. In Hamlet, if he had not seen the ghost of his father, he would not have known that the reigning king had committed murder to gain the throne.

Why Do Managers Plan?

Why do Managers Plan 1 Why do Managers Plan? Management 301 Distance Learning December 07, 2011 Why do Managers Plan 2 Why do Managers Plan? Strategic Planning This seems like a very cut and dry topic to discuss, but there is no single reason that a manager makes plans in the work environment. I will cover several areas in which managers use planning, and why it is an essential part of accomplishing tasks, and how it streamlines processes necessary for an organization to be successful. First, I will discuss strategic planning: strategic planning can also be referred to as â€Å"charting the course† for a business or organization. A central part of strategic management is performance measurement (Public Administration Review, December 2010). Unlike private sector business organizations, many government and public agencies have developed performance measurements without developing strategic plans. I think that this is primarily due to the infrastructure that is set in place in most government or public agencies, and the amount of red-tape that accompanies government ran agencies. Regarding the private sector, I believe that having a strategic plan to guide managers and leaders in the decision making process allows them to identify alternative steps or measures to take in the event that something in the business process changes that they have no direct control over. Managers who develop a strategic plan also are likely to recognize that the end result cannot be their only concern, but they identify milestones that must be met along the ay, or during the process to use as a measurement tool to determine if they are making positive progress or if they need to examine â€Å"glitches† that will delay or have a negative impact on the business process. One tool to measure performance is a â€Å"Balanced Scorecard†. It is grounded in the idea that the measurement Why do Managers Plan 3 of an organization’s performance ought to take into account the processes and resources needed to produce outcomes, as well as the outcomes themselves. In some ways, its emphasis on inputs and outputs is a step back in performance measurement, but that step is designed to help organizations fulfill the results promised. (Public Administration Review, December 2010). I believe that this is a vital step, if not the first step in planning that will help ensure a business or organization has a set path that will enhance their possibilities of success. Knowledge Management in Organizational Planning is the next area that I want to discuss. When people talk about managers making plans for operations or processes in a business or organization it is likely that they are referring to plans that include forecasts. This type of planning is appropriate if the future of or in the business environment is stable; however, this is not always the case with many businesses because they face business environments that are complex and unstable (Knowledge Management in Organizational Planning, January 1987). With this being the case in most business environments today, the leadership of these businesses continue to pursue planning and forecasting tools and technology that will help them when they are developing strategic and organizational plans. Knowledge management might also be referred to as Management Information Systems (MIS). This is a computer program or network that was developed for management and leadership members to use for the purposes of planning and may have examples of past planning events or projects that the current managers can use to aid them in the planning and decision making process. One significant advantage of this type of system is that it can provide historical data that allows good planning to be done from the beginning, and this might improve the probability of success of a project or production process Why do Managers Plan 4 based on the past lessons learned that are taken into consideration when developing the current plan. The MIS was developed to assist managers in gathering information, generating ideas and alternatives and also for analyzing this information and choosing from among the competing alternatives. This MIS is just another tool to emphasize why managers plan. Another area that planning is important for managers is multi-project planning and resource control. This area is also related to the area of enterprise resource planning (ERP). Both of these areas require the use of business planning tools to make the manager’s job of planning for needed materials and resources much easier to manage through the use of technology and computer programs. One of the most challenging aspects of a manager’s job is to ensure that he/she effectively manages projects or production processes without exhausting the organization’s limited resources (Multiproject Planning and Resource Controls, December 2006). When we talk of managers, I think it is important to realize that managers are in all industries including retail, production, manufacturing, and construction to name a few, and the one common link that they all share is planning. Planning is the bedrock or foundation that managers must establish as a starting point no matter the industry which they work. The important parts of planning that are related to multi-project and ERP management are identifying the resources needed to start and sustain work processes to eliminate loss time due to a shortage of resources, and how the ERP system works together with other internal business systems to enhance the planning of management. An example of this could be that the ERP system interfaces the maintenance projects that are being actively worked with the supply or requisitioning process to ensure that needed resources such as materials and tools are being ordered to meet the project or job requirements. The ERP system Why do Managers Plan 5 can be programmed to recognized or identify items needed based on job number or serial numbers related to specific aspects of the job that were identified during the initial planning phase of the job or project. The items that would be ordered due to this planning would be added to what is commonly referred to as a â€Å"pick-list†. This part of the ERP system is known as the interaction between structure and human action and is called the â€Å"duality of structure, which simply means (in this case) the interaction between the ERP system (usually managed by a materials manager), the ordering of resources (between materials manager and vendors), and communication between the project or production manager and the system (actual input into the system) (business benefits from ERP systems, Staehr, 2008). The ERP systems ability to identify this process in only possible due to the initial planning that was performed by the manager in charge of the projects or processes, and communicated and planned with the materials manager to ensure the system was interfaced to the processes. I have actually used an ERP system called SAP, and these types of systems require a lot of training and â€Å"hands on† work because they can be very complex to use. Another extremely important and relevant planning tool that managers can use is the Production Planning Model. This PPM might also be referred to as Material Requirement Planning (MRP). The MRP is a vital tool for managers who work as maintenance managers, production managers, or operations managers. Managers use the MRP to identify the amount of spare parts that need to be either â€Å"on hand† or quickly procured to ensure there is limited or no equipment down-time due to the lack of parts to make needed repairs for process equipment. It is important that managers who work in these types of environments are the not just the process manager, but the planning manager. I make the Why do Managers Plan 6 previous statement because the manager who develops the operational or process plans should use the equipments historical data to identify operational and down-time trends. They should also use Bills of Materials (BOMs) to identify parts that will be more likely to fail due to the amount of use, or are more susceptible to wear from continuous use in the operation or process. This topic is important to discuss because many plants or facilities might have the capability to manufacture parts in their own machine shops, and this can be a cost savings measure as well as a time saving measure. This is why it is important that the planning manager identify this as a possibility or a preference during the planning phase of the job to be performed. Using MRP helps manufactures and managers determine precisely when and how much material to purchase and process based on a time phased analysis of sales orders, production orders, current inventory, and forecasts (Production planning model, April 2009). MRP determines material requirements based on master production and planning schedules which are used in conjunction with one another to ensure an efficient work process. A primary reason that managers use the production planning model is to reduce the levels of parts or goods on hand. In other words, if proper planning is performed prior to starting the job or production process the manager will be able to determine the parts needed/required from start to completion of the process and save inventory costs by only having the required parts on hand with no excess. Once it is determined how much product will be produced it makes it much easier to determine the amount of parts or spare parts that will be needed. When managers are planning for a production run it is important for them to be aware of any future product orders that might follow closely after the production Why do Managers Plan 7 process or run that they are planning for, so they can consider having more spare parts on hand to aid the planning process of the following project or product run. Good communication among the management team is crucial to the overall success in the planning phase of all work processes. The advantage of using the MRP to assist in the planning stage of projects or production processes is that it allows the planning manager to use historical equipment data, and maintenance data to develop a trend analysis and determine the appropriate amount of parts required during a specific production process. In summary, I have used several different examples to emphasize and support why managers plan. I know that some of the examples that I used to illustrate my points might be broad, and even complex with regards to using ERP and MRP as tools to aid in planning, but I feel they were essential elements for me to use to stress that planning is often difficult and requires the use of technology to properly forecast outcomes etcetera. I have worked as a manager in charge of maintenance planning processes in a manufacturing environment, so I know from firsthand experience the importance of planning. I have used a management information system program (SAP Plant Maintenance Module) to integrate and implement plans and procedures, and it can be very time consuming and complex, but if we had not used a system such as this to help develop plans we would not have been able to effectively perform maintenance procedures and the company could have suffered catastrophic equipment failures. I know that we have probably all heard the old saying that â€Å"failing to plan is like planning to fail†, well in the case of â€Å"Why do Managers Plan? I would have to say that I agree with that old Why do Managers Plan 8 saying, and that managers plan to ensure their efforts are successful, and to ensure the success of the organization as a whole. Why do Managers Plan 9 References: Professional Article: Strategic Planning and Balanced Scorecards: Charting the Course to Policy Destination, Edward T. Jennings, Jr. , University of Kentucky. Public Administration Review, dated: December 2010. Professional Article: Knowledge Management in Organizational Planning, Lynda M. Applegate, Tsung Teng Chen, Benn R. Konsynski, and Jay F. Nunamaker, Jr. Twentieth Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Honolulu, Dated: January 6-9,1987 Multiproject Planning and Resource Controls for Facility Management, E. William East and Liang Y. Liu, dated: December 2006. Understanding the role of managerial agency in business benefits from ERP systems, Lorraine Staehr, La Trobe University, Dated: 2008. Production planning model with simultaneous production of spare parts, P. Cyplik, L. Hadas, and M. Fertsch, Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland, Dated: April 2009.

Boyz in D Hood

A Stereotypical Black Woman: Single Mother’s Roles in Boyz in D Hood The movie chronicles the story of a Black American boy named Tre and his friends in an all Black community. He and his friends grew up aspiring to become someone in the society. Both are raised by single parents: Tre by his father and Ricky by his mother. While Tre’s father is portrayed in a positive way, the mothers (both Tre’s and Ricky’s) were portrayed in the most traditional ways as pointed out by Professor Michele Wallace.Women are portrayed in their traditional roles which are very limiting especially in an era where women empowerment has already been advocated. These traditional roles include being a housewife, taking care of children, cooking, cleaning the house, serving food for guests. In other words, women are still constrained in their domestic roles. For instance, Ricky’s mother is seen only inside the house. She occasionally goes outside but only on the front door to remind her children before they leave for school.In particular, she is seen in the party cooking, taking care of guests, and serving food. She is restricted to this kind of role and nothing else. At the same time, Tre’s mother is also portrayed as a stereotypical woman. Although she is not portrayed in her domestic roles, she is portrayed as someone who is a subordinate to her husband, Tre’s father Furious. This is because she had to surrender his son to him when she felt that she is not capable of raising him the right way.When she wanted to bring Tre back and Furious refused, she succumbed to that. She has to accept that it is Furious, the husband, who has the last say when it comes to their son. This means that the only role that a woman is allowed in this film is her domestic role. In any case that she defy this role, then she will be alienated with all her happiness such as the presence and love of a son in case of Tre’s mother.