GLG News by Stock Options Backdating Accounting Experts

Will President Bush's recent nomination of two Democrats to the SEC make it more investor friendly?  Not likely!

The subject article provides some interesting insights into the upward reversal in the number of securities class-action lawsuits filed during 2007.  Given such, I thought it might be fitting to offer my personal insights into what I continue to believe is the most common, yet rarely noticed, accounting...

The SEC recently gave its approval for foreign companies listed in the U.S. to present financials exclusively using the IASB's version of IFRS – with no reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.  The SEC is now seriously looking into the possibility of giving U.S. companies the option of using...

I came across an interesting article (link included in this post) on the topic of receivable securitization programs which gives a nice overview of these types of programs including the structure, economics and accounting for them.  The article essentially calls receivable securitizations as “debt...

The FASB issued a new standard last week within the area of accounting for acquisitions that is said to represent a major departure from the current accounting practices being used by companies.  Some are saying the new rule will be difficult to apply and will require companies and analysts to...

As was well publicized, VeriFone Holdings (PAY) issued a press release yesterday disclosing it overstated its pre-tax income by approximately $30 million during the first three quarters of F2007 (which ends in October).  Importantly, the overstatement represents 80% of the company’s pre-tax...

An interesting study was recently published on the accounting for gift cards – which demonstrated the wide disparities in accounting practices used among retailers and restaurants within this area.  The study, additional commentary and links in...

This post specifically discusses some key potential risks with payables on the balance sheet that are common across a broad base of companies. The "Analysis" section below gives several recommended tips and techniques for investors on how to analyze payables for these specific risks. A link to...

The FASB and IASB are in the early stages of a multi-year project which could potentially recognize more leases (historically recognized as operating) as assets and corresponding liabilities on corporate balance sheets.  The "Analysis" section below discusses an article and recent research study,...

This post specifically discusses the potential for significant distortions to operating cash flow due to material levels of extending or "stretching" of payables. The "Analysis" section below provides an actual public company example of how operating cash flow can be impacted and illustrates several...