#62 Financial Organization for 2010

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#61 Jill Biden

It makes me proud that Jill Biden is such a wonderful advocate for the role of community colleges in our system of higher education and that she continues to teach even with all of her duties as Second Lady!
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#60 Financial Reform Moving Forward

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#59 Errant Pilots At Odds Over Blame

For QMS, a Wall Street Journal article that reminds us that sometimes Six Sigma standards aren't tough enough. For some services, we aren't willing to accept any defects/errors.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126015544395079535.html?mod=djem_jiewr_OM

#58 Congressional Hearings on Financial Fraud

#57 Rethinking Holiday Perks

An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on how corporations are thinking creatively to reward employees in hard economic times.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704498804574562130603929854.html?mod=djem_jiewr_HR

#56 The Blind Side Surprises

Most movies spend lots of dollars before release on promotion as first weekend ticket sales are likely to provide the biggest source of box office revenue. Not so for The Blind Side as word of mouth helps this wonderful movie to a surge in ticket sales over Thanksgiving weekend. I saw it and it's a wonderful film.

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#55 The Cost of Dying

A provocative segment from 60 Minutes explains why health care costs have become so exorbitant.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

#54 New Accountant Magazine

Another resource for aspiring accountants:

http://www.newaccountantusa.com/

#53 More Shopping Advice

This segment from The Today Show reminds us that retailers budgeted to reduce inventory so that they won't be left in the red like last year.

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#52 Smart Shopping Tips

From Consumer Reports, some shopping tips for getting the most for your money.

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#51 A Serious Threat to Sarbanes-Oxley

A case for accountants to follow is detailed in this Business Week link:
These Men Could Kill Sarbanes-Oxley
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_48/b4157040803359.htm

#50 Boomers in Denial About Retirement Savings - Consumer Nation - CNBC.com

Boomers in Denial About Retirement Savings - Consumer Nation - CNBC.com

#49 The Wisdom of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates

#48 At Boeing, Dreamliner Fix Turns Up New Glitch

For ACC 202, think about how this news will force Boeing to revise their sales forecast/budget.

#47 Start Here, Go Places

A great resource for careers in accounting provided by the AICPA:
http://www.startheregoplaces.com/

#46 The Case Against Retirement

For Personal Finance, an interesting article on how the current economic crisis has impacted the ability to retire.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33891988/ns/business-personal_finance/

#45 Online Banking Popularity Grows

For Personal Finance:

#44 Starbucks Grinds Out a Profit

#43 Coca Cola - The Real Story Behind The Real Thing

Debuting November 11 on CNBC, this feature on Coca Cola's unsurpassed success in developing and maintaining a brand should be interesting and worth watching!
Visit this site to learn more:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33307309
or read this article from MSNBC:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33837392/ns/business-cnbc_tv/
Here's a preview:

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#42 Flu Vaccine Becomes Profitable

#41 Sesame Street Turns 40

It may not relate to the accounting, quality, or personal finance curriculum, but, for many of my students, Sesame Street is often one of the first learning experiences. Here's a little segment that celebrates all that Sesame Street has done for children over the past 40 years.

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#40 Magic Tricks on the Corporate Books

A great overview of the challenges in financial reporting in our current economy from the October 22nd issue of Business Week. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_44/b4153000349169.htm?chan=magazine+channel_new+business

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_44/b4153026857268.htm

#39 The DB(k): Pension of the Future - Kiplinger.com

The DB(k): Pension of the Future - Kiplinger.com

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#38 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer - US News and World Report

15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer - US News and World Report

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#37 Theory of Constraints at Work in Slow Supply of H1N1 Vaccine

For ACC 202 & QMS - note the theory of constraints issues in this WSJ article with regard to the supply of nasal spray vaccine.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125623425595101755.html?mod=djem_jiewr_AC

#36 Meredith Viera's Approach to Customer Service at McDonald's

Isn't it amazing what good sports most people are? I bet most of us couldn't get away with these stunts!

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#35 For QMS: Process Management - Baggage Tracking

An interesting segment on automated baggage tracking from The Today Show:

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#34 It's Halloween and Bernie Madoff is Definitely a Trickster

We knew Madoff was a trickster, but how about the SEC? What's their culpability in this whole mess?

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#33 Making a 777

Here's a quick visit to the Boeing factory, courtesy of the 2007 tour from the"Where in the World is Matt Lauer" series. Notice the discussion on when automation is appropriate and when customization is appropriate. Is this an option oriented product or a custom designed product? Also, notice the discussion on how Boeing benchmarked with Toyota

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#32 New Credit Card Fees Coming for Some

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#30 Debit Card Fees - Soon To End?

This article from Business Week makes the case for ending debit card processing fees as debit card transactions dominate the American payment system. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152073094833.htm?chan=magazine+channel_business+views

#29 Something For Everyone - Accounting, Personal Finance, and QMS

The Hard Sell theme is a series of articles on how retailers will be working to attract and retain customers while managing inventory, in the Oct. 26 issue of Business Week are both interesting and relevant to our subject matter.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152042033401.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152046038174.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152047039565.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152048040939.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152048040939.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152049042298.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_43/b4152051047769.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report

#28 Internal Control Failure

Reidland Boosters Bingo - clearly something went wrong here



Handling of bingo funds investigated
Written by Administrator
Thursday, October 22 2009
By Bill Bartleman This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '> bbartleman@paducahsun.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. --270.575.8651

An estimated $100,000 or more is unaccounted for in funds raised from charitable bingo to benefit Reidland High School, McCracken school board attorney Gorman Bradley said.


Bradley


Bradley said Wednesday that the discrepancy was discovered during a routine audit of high school funds and turned over to the Kentucky Department of Charitable Gaming.
Marty Hammons, deputy commissioner of charitable gaming, said the discrepancy is being investigated.

Bradley said the Reidland High School booster club maintains the account that held the unaccounted for funds.

"There were a large number of checks made out to 'cash' and we can't find any vouchers to document what it was used for," Bradley said. Little or no documentation of other expenses was found, he said.

Bradley said the unaccounted for funds are spread over at least three years. He said records prior to three years ago were reportedly destroyed in a fire at Jamestown Plazza in January 2006.

The first sign of a possible problem was the discovery of an unknown bank account in the school board's name that the boosters maintained, Bradley said. He said half of the bingo profits were placed in that account and the other half in the regular Reidland High School account. Also, a portion of the cash from each night's proceeds was paid to workers, rather than being deposited as is required.

Funds in the booster club account were shared with at least a half-dozen booster organizations representing athletic teams, the band and other groups, Bradley said.

Bradley said that all of the cash is now placed in the regular high school account, which has oversight and school officials control. Nothing indicates that anyone was stealing funds and problems may be because of poor recordkeeping, he said.

Leah Cooper Boggs, licensing and compliance director for the gaming commission, said she couldn't comment until the investigation is complete.

McCracken Commonwealth Attorney Dan Boaz wasn't aware of the questions about the funds but said he'll ask Sheriff Jon Hayden to also investigate.

Reidland sponsors bingo on Sunday and Tuesday nights at Jamestown Plazza on Clark's River Road. Bradley said profits from bingo and selling pull tabs average more than $5,000 per night, or more than $500,000 a year.

Bradley said that under new state regulations, the school board is required to audit all school accounts. Auditors discovered problems in September when reviewing Reidland's account for the first time. No problems were detected at other county schools.

Bradley said at least three possible violations of charitable gaming laws were found during the Reidland audit: Bingo profits were placed in two accounts when state regulations allow only one account; people were paid to work when state law said all bingo workers must be volunteers; and free bingo game cards were given to people celebrating birthdays and other special events.

Hammons said punishment for violations of gaming laws range from suspending the charitable gaming license to felony criminal charges if funds were misappropriated.

Contact Bill Bartleman, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8651.

School board to review practice

McCracken school Superintendent Tim Heller doesn't recall the school board ever being asked to approve charitable bingo as a method of raising funds.

"But we are aware that it is done by booster clubs," said Heller, superintendent for nearly 12 years.

In light of questions raised about the booster club at Reidland High School's handling of bingo funds, Heller said the school board will review the practice.

"Once the investigation is over, we'll make sure safeguards are in place to prevent problems," Heller said. "Every fundraising intended to benefit school children should come through the board."

State records show that Reidland and Lone Oak high schools have charitable gaming licenses that allow them to sponsor bingo games and sell pull tabs.

In McCracken County 87,028 people attended all bingo events in 2007, the latest year for which figures are available. That was 12th highest in the state.

Also in 2007, bingo players in McCracken County won $2.6 million from bingo and $7.2 million from pull tabs.

No records were available showing how much individual groups made.

--- Bill Bartleman

#27 Continuous Improvement at Microsoft ...

means a new version of Windows, Windows 7. Great segment that shows polished presentation of the new product by Microsoft CEO, Steve Balmer. Notice how he responds to Matt's comments about Apple's "cool factor" and asserts that this version of Windows is what is really cool. Also, he minimizes criticism of Vista, the predecessor product.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

#26 I Want to Go to the Audtostadt!

A VW Golf of German carmaker Volkswagen is lifted in a storage and loading tower in the so called "Autostadt" in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen AG has set an ambitious goal to become the world's top automaker.
This interesting article details VW's goal:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33398662/ns/business-the_drivers_seat//

#25 Scaling Back Justice?

This one is as much for my oldest child as my students. An interesting segment from CBS Sunday Morning that challenges the balance between the need for law to maintain an orderly society and the added cost of a litigious society to the products and services we buy on a regular basis.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/18/sunday/main5394108.shtml?tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE

#24 Capitalism - A Love Story

Okay, I need to eat my words about Cinemark. They do sometimes offer things that are more sophisticated than Paul Blart, Mall Cop. Coming to our local Cinemark this Friday, October 23rd - Capitalism - A Love Story

#23 Another Segment on Airline Pricing

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#22 The Oprah Effect

I know many say that success is a small part inspiration and lots of perspiration, but sometimes it's a little luck as well. See how catching the attention of America's most influential woman can add to your bottom line.

#21 Nickel and Dimed When You Fly

I guess the airlines are practicing Activity Based Costing with these pricing structures.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/13/pf/airline_fees/index.htm?postversion=2009101412

#20 The Smartest Guys in the Room

I won't pretend I'm ever going to completely understand the Enron failure and the world of derivative swaps, but watching this documentary, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2006, certainly helps explain what happened in what most consider the most famous financial failure of our day. Here's the trailer.

#19 Turning Denied Into Paid

For BA 120, here's a segment from The Today Show on what to do when your health insurance claims are initially denied.

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#18 Neiman Marcus earnings slide 84% | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas Business News

Neiman Marcus earnings slide 84% |
News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
| Dallas Business News


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Walmart may be thriving, but high end retailers are suffering and they will be counting heavily on holiday sales for an improvement in performance. In case some of you were wondering what to buy me for Christmas, here are a few ideas! Seriously, when you watch this video, you'll get a sense of how Neiman Marcus is staying true to their roots with the legendary fantasy gifts, but they have planned for plenty of gifts at a lower price point than their usual fare.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

#17 Mickey Drexler, CEO of JCrew

This article recaps a video segment that appeared on CBS's Sunday Morning show which featured the leadership skills and style of Mickey Drexler, currently CEO of JCrew (a store where I seem to spend a lot of money with college aged children!) and formerly CEO of The Gap.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/12/sunday/main5153538.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

#16 The Lost Generation

From the Oct. 19th issue of Business Week, here's a link that will access both the print version of the cover story and a video segment discussing the problems of the 18-24 demographic and the high unemployment rate associated with their generation. This phenomena affects us all as those of us in the older generation will count on these workers and their ability to contribute financially through FICA withholdings for our future well-being. I had the video segment embedded, but it started playing immediately when the blog was accessed and was proving to be more than just a little annoying!

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_42/b4151032038302.htm?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories

#15 Continuous Improvement!!!

For QMS 101 - here's a great example of the concept of continuous improvement. The next level of improvement will come when they are able to sell enough of them to experience economies of scale and lower the price. At up to $300, these are pricey fans, but I think they will be successful due to the safety features. We'll see!

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#14 Some Interesting Thoughts on the Pink Movement

This article suggests that corporate donations to the breast cancer cause do more to help the corporate sponsor than they do the cause. Interesting perspective on how corporations may be exploiting this cause for marketing purposes.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/10/13/seeing-red-in-pink-products-one-woman-s-fight-against-breast-cancer-consumerism.aspx

#13 How Do College Students Build Credit History As Rules Change?

Check out this article from USA Today to see how new rules will impact college students. The days of being pre-approved as a college student with no income are done!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2009-09-07-credit-cards-college-students_N.htm

#12 Washington - First in War, Peace - and Accounting

From The Washington Post, a new look at our first President:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/11/AR2009101101933.html?nav=rss_email/components

#11 Recession Forces Career Changes for Many

An interesting article from USA Today:
For Some, Hard Times Are a Gateway to New Careers
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-10-11-profiting_N.htm

#10 Ford's Changing Face

For ACC 202, watch this and give thought to how Ford is returning to profitability through cost cutting. Most companies are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to generate new revenue growth, so the only way to improve the bottom line is through cost reduction.
For QMS 101, a perfect example of continuous improvement through both new products and through new processes.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

#9 So What Do All Those Financial Results Mean to Our Economy?

Third quarter results are set to hit the news this week and analysts will be examining the bottom lines as compared to previous quarters for signs of improvement.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33267433/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

#8 Can You Profit If You Give Your Product Away for Free?

Free for All, Profit for Some was the title of this Sunday Morning segment on the CBS show.
Here's the link to a recap:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/11/sunday/main5376986.shtml?tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE

#7 Saturday Mail Delivery Soon To Be a Thing of the Past

Is it a process improvement, a cost cutting measure, or both?

#6 Top Execs From Big Four Accounting Firms Comment on the Role of Accountants in the Current Financial Climate

This segment highlights the views of the CEO of Ernst & Young and the Senior Partner of Price Waterhouse Coopers. They offer their views on the current complexity of accounting standards and the likelihood of a move to IFRS.

#5 Southwest Airlines

The airline industry has faced many challenges in the last few years. However, Southwest Airlines continues to do well by committing to a culture of valuing both customers and employees. This video illustrates their commitment to excellence.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

#4 i.o.u.s.a.

Although it takes 30 minutes, I think you'll find the following video on You Tube interesting. The settings don't allow me to embed it, but here is the link to i.o.u.s.a., a documentary that examines the potential effects of the substantial debt that our government has incurred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_TjBNjc9Bo

This Wall Street Journal segment gives a more recent update on the federal government's projections for the current year's budget deficit.

#3 The New Age of Walmart

This is an excellent program and is so important to understanding our nation's most significant retailer and largest employer. They absolutely have an impact on you even if you never shop there! Here's the information on upcoming airings of the show:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/18803817/

Here's a link to the original program, The Age of Walmart, from 2004:

#2 Breaking Even

For ACC 202:

Theater makes a good example for the concept of break even. This recent news tidbit noted that the revival of West Side Story had recently recovered its initial investment $14 million. I recently enjoyed this show at The Palace theater and while many other shows sell discounted tickets, the producers of WSS have elected not to do so. In their case, they have obviously elected to not set that precedent and count on the fact that demand will provide for adequate crowds to break even.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/30/arts/AP-US-Theater-West-Side-Story.html

#1 General Motors as Going Concern?

For ACC 201, a great example of how the going concern assumption is applied.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29525238/from/ET/
A related video from NBC Nightly News, March 2009:

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