Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) Essay

Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) - Essay Example ements are prepared in accordance with the accounting standards with a view to provide reliable, comparable and very useful information to various stakeholders, but also they are duly audited fairly and reported properly. Given the multiplicity of transactions involved, it is not easy for the ultimate owners to go through each and every entry so as to safeguard their interests. Auditors normally perform such functions. In the United States, the American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants have prescribed Generally Accepted Auditing Standards in order to facilitate fair auditing procedures. These Auditing standards mostly deal with what auditors should be performing, how they should do the fieldwork and what they should report. These auditing standards specify that audition function should be done by qualified auditors with appropriate technical skills and proficiency, free from such mental attitude that may obstruct auditing process and should have the capability of giving independent opinion on the books of accounts and accounting practices followed. Further, the auditing standards discuss the importance of checks and balances to be instituted by auditors in the fieldwork not only concerning auditing and accounting procedures but supervising assistants. And, finally, the standards provides a very good description of the meaning of independence that needs to be exercised by auditors while providing opinion. It has to be fair on the issue of comprehensiveness of accounting procedures, their sufficiency, transparency and ability to provide such opinions. Given the institutional feature of corporate America, there is a need to understand the meaning of corporate governance. Though the subject attracted a wider interest with formulation of Cadbury Code by London Stock Exchange in the early 1990s, the collapse of giant organizations like Enron and Worldcom attracted wider interest in United States and elsewhere internationally. The fall of various public

Marketing Plan for a New Fair Trade Coffee Company Coursework

Marketing Plan for a New Fair Trade Coffee Company - Coursework Example The price fixing mechanisms in fair trade, meanwhile, involve setting up floor prices to be market prices, with buyers agreeing not to purchase products lower than those market prices, in the name of providing fair prices to the producers of agricultural produce and derivatives from the developing world (Fair Trade Foundation 2011). The name of the company is Freeflowing Coffee Inc, and the fair trade product for this marketing plan is coffee. This marketing plan takes note that in the UK, there is a wide range of product choices available to the UK customer that all fall within the category of fair trade coffee, and this paper presents a marketing plan to introduce a fair trade coffee brand, FreeFlowing Coffee, into the UK market (Fair Trade Foundation 2011; Global Exchange 2011). II. Situation Analysis A. External Analysis- PESTLE A.1. Political The level of political integration with the rest of Europe is high. That said, the UK has remained separate from the EU's monetary policy and union, choosing instead to engage the EU nations in trade. The UK engages the world politically as a major western power, and its stature is confirmed by its being part of the UN Security Council. Politically, therefore, the country has clout and some stability that allows its citizens to engage the world in trade on positive terms (Central Intelligence Agency 2013; CIPD 2013). A.2. Economic The UK economy is strong and resilient, one of the biggest in Europe. Recent financial crises have spun government measures to tighten its spending. The previous year was also marked by a contraction of the economy, as the UK continues to reel from the economic crisis of the past several years. That said, the economy remains relatively large and resilient... This article approves that the level of political integration with the rest of Europe is high. That said, the UK has remained separate from the EU's monetary policy and union, choosing instead to engage the EU nations in trade. The UK engages the world politically as a major western power, and its stature is confirmed by its being part of the UN Security Council. Politically, therefore, the country has clout and some stability that allows its citizens to engage the world in trade on positive terms. This paper makes a conclusion that there are many ways to segment the market for fair trade coffee consumers in the UK, the most obvious of which relates to certain demographic characteristics relating to level of education and level of income. Income levels are implicit in the way fair trade coffee discussions center on providing fair prices plus a premium to existing players in the space. This means that the income demographic for the potential target market is also those who have middle class income levels. In terms of educational attainment, it is clear from the level of sophistication of existing customers of fair trade coffee that the level of education of the target market is tertiary or higher. Looking at the existing players for fair trade coffee in the UK market, one sees that with the exception of Starbucks, which as a high price and high quality positioning the rest of the market is impliedly located in the high price and low quality as well as low price and high quality quadrants. Decidedly, the positioning for FreeFlowing Coffee is high price, to position it as a premium brand.

South Africa’s Peaceful Social Change Essay Example for Free

South Africa’s Peaceful Social Change Essay An integrated society or methodological system on resolving certain conflicts is perhaps one of the key factors in buoying up peace within the post-settlement environment. The ideological milieu to such a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion is divulged by traversing over the key figures and conceptual entities such as the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole and post-settlement context. Moreover, notions with regard to civilizations, community concepts, resolving conflicts, and building peace and order are also acknowledged in contributing essential benefits to these key figures. Given the explication above, vestiges that are relying on experience and/or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory, are shown through an excerpt from Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy. Such contemporary issues concerning methodological systems of community development and/or resolving certain conflicts have led the people, particularly South Africa’s communities, into struggling to address the needs of every citizen, motivating the entire community to fight for their rights and privileges, and acknowledging the importance of democracy to the whole country. Hence, this paper unfolds how social change takes place in a successful manner along the way where a nation struggles against the end of racial segregation—a former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa. Contemporary Issues and Challenges in South Africa Various countries around the world have admired South Africa’s strong transition to democracy. Many of them believed that the nation would gain its victory upon observing the number of African people struggling over apartheid. Therefore, numerous countries from across the world learned that the nation’s previous form of government would have led the entire country to a certain revolution. Susan Collin Marks, one of the thousands of South Africans, has committed herself to making the strategic system of obtaining the real freedom peacefully (â€Å"Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy†). Many of her compatriots believed that if they aim to create a peaceful world, which was free from unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power (which has been marked by cynicism and rancor, prejudiced hostility or animosity, battles and impending wars), they need to find ways to resolve the conflicts in democratic means. Therefore, South Africa has garnered invaluable insights toward the course of democracy. Apartheid, which has been the mode or form of government in South Africa, unleashed a state or period of time that was marked by violence often committed by those in power that produces widespread terror. Such a royal authority prolonged for over forty years and put the number of people to imprisonment. Hence, numerous countries have considered such event as cruel and merciless regime that the entire world has ever seen subsequently to the time of Hitler in Germany (â€Å"Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy†). Indeed, it has been an extremely outstanding or unusual event that South Africa was still able to obtain a peaceful transition to democracy despite the fact that the nation has suffered such ruthless circumstances. Marks’s Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy is truly a more compelling and inspiring book that unfolds the systematic ways, which have been used by Africans in order to obtain a peaceful change in their society—from apartheid to democracy. The history of such a racial discrimination against the native inhabitants of South Africa has begun when the first Europeans from Holland arrived in the country. A former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa has become outrageous during the rule of Dutch and British (â€Å"Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy†). A number of laws and acts have been passed, which undermined the position of non-white population; however, rampant discrimination has been acknowledged in the entire country. In the midst of 1980s, the United States of America and other democratic nations in Europe have merged their authorities in order to impose approbation against South Africa’s government leaders (Marks). Thus, the president was convinced to eradicate such a form of government in the country. When Frederik Willem de Klerk, the last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, too over the position of the late president, he continued working on a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body to end the apartheid. In addition, he ended a 30-year ban of the African National Congress (ANC) members who have tried leading the Africans into a non-racial democracy and to the propagation of the black South Africans’ rights and privileges in the country. Moreover, he has not just freed the ANC members but also given their leader, Nelson Mandela, of freedom to be one of the key figures in the new South African government and negotiate with the United Nations for the peaceful implementation of democracy. Conflict Resolution during South Africas Transition to Democracy Marks’s book Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy is considered as the key figure, which has been used by the author in order to represent a vigorous effort to attain an end of the apartheid and begin living under democratic government and non-racial discrimination society. As an analysis of the entire conceptualization of her book, contemporary issues were dealing with a methodological system of obtaining the liberty or freedom without racial discrimination in South Africa. A number of African citizens have suffered the first heartless and ruthless government, which has seen by numerous countries from across the world. Marks, based on her book, experienced a variety of circumstances that have led her to gathering different stories concerning the upper levels of South African society’s movements on the implementation of 1991 National Peace Accord. Her book written with just the right mix of empathy and sensitivity, she then represented every life and work of the key people attempting to obtain the peace in which they put themselves in risk only to achieve South Africa’s change of society in a peaceful manner. They have made this happened through their courage and hope of peace. Activists have sat in line of the negotiating table of their torturers. They have made the negotiation in such a way in order for them to show their trust and hope for the liberty or freedom without attempting to declare the civil war. Most of their compatriots have put themselves in intermediate relation to wrathful group of people and police officers who were too eager to fight or contend. Moreover, every group of people attempting to end the apartheid and freedom has worked desperately for the change of their society. Therefore, as an analysis of the entire conceptualization and view of Marks’s Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy, it becomes quite easy for every individual to learn the fact from such stories, which have been unfolded by the author. For a better comprehension, it explicates and shows the world about the methodological and/or strategic ways that South African society used in order to end apartheid and give birth to the real democracy. Such a systematic process of resolving the conflict represents the great promise of John Burton’s view of the Basic Human Needs Theory in which he believes that such a theory will stipulate material basis that determines the sources of conflict and working on the process of resolving the conflict. Works Cited Marks, Susan. Watching the Wind: Conflict Resolution During South Africa’s Transition to Democracy. New York: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2000. 256pp. Rubenstein, Richard. â€Å"Basic Human Needs: The Next Steps in Theory Development. † The International Journal of Peace Studies. Published by George Mason University Press, 2009. 1-2

Frequency Response of Electrode Materials in EIS Measurement

Frequency Response of Electrode Materials in EIS Measurement Furthermore, complementary information about the frequency response of electrode materials is provided by EIS measurements and one can estimate the capacitance changes with the operating frequency.64-65 It is well know that the complex form of capacitance is dependent on frequency, which is defined as follow:66-67 (6) where C(ω) is the real part of the complex capacitance and C(ω) is the imaginary part of the complex capacitance C(ω) and they are expressed as formulas (7) and (8):66-67 (7) (8) where Z(ω) and Z(ω) are the respective real and imaginary part of the complex impedance Z(ω). ω is the angular frequency and it is given by ω =2Ï€f. At low frequency, C(ω) corresponds to the capacitance of the electrode material and C(ω) is ascribed to the energy dissipation by an irreversible process that leads to a hysteresis.66-67 Fig. 15 shows the real and imaginary part capacitance as a function of frequency for Li-POAP/ERG/GC, POAP/ERG/GC and ERG/GC electrodes. It can be clearly observed that C(ω) gradually decrease with the increase of scan rates for each electrode as shown in Fig. 12F, however, the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode exhibits slow deterioration of capacitance due to fast ion diffusion and transport (Fig. 15A). In addition, the C(ω) of the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode approaches saturation at a frequency below ~ 0.01 Hz whereas the C(ω) of POAP/ERG/GC electrode does not show any sign of saturation as low as 0.01 Hz, indicating slow diffusion of electrolyte ions (Figs. 15A and B). Importantly, the relaxation time constant (Ï„0), which is also known as the dielectric relaxation time of the supercapacitor,66, 68 is a figure of merit of a supercapacitor. This parameter represents one of its discharge characteristics. It has been studied for each electrode based on the analysis of complex capacitance. The relaxation time constant, Ï„0 (=1/2Ï€f0) can be calculated from the plots of C(ω) and C(ω) vs. frequency. From the frequency corresponding to the half of the maximum value of C(ω), the relaxation time constant (Ï„0) can be determined. The change in the imaginary part of the complex capacitance C(ω) with frequency goes through a maximum at a frequency, f0, from which the value of Ï„0 can be calculated. From Figs. 15A and B, it can be noted that the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode shows a clear peak formation while the POAP/ERG/GC electrode has not reached the maximum even at the lowest frequ ency used in this study. The f0 value of Li-POAP/ERG nanocomposite is 3.98Ãâ€"10-2 Hz, corresponding to the characteristic relaxation time constant Ï„0 = 3998 ms, which is much lower than that of POAP/ERG nanocomposite, revealing fast accessibility of the electrolyte ions for the former nanocomposite. The smaller Ï„0 of the nanocomposite correlates with the better capacitance retention at high scan rates in the CV measurements. Therefore, lithium intercalated POAP/ERG nanocomposite is a potential promising electrode material for delivering high power and energy. In addition, investigation of the complex capacitance form of the ERG/GC electrode reveals that the C'(ω) of this electrode approaches saturation at a frequency below 15.8 Hz, which means that equilibrium ion adsorption can be achieved in 63.3 ms, suggesting most of the electrolyte ions reach the adsorption sites (Fig. 15C). In comparison to Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode, the smaller value of relaxation time constant ( Ï„0 = 2.5 ms) correlates with very ultra-fast accessibility of the electrolyte ions for the ERG/GC electrode and the better capacitance retention at high scan rates in the CV measurements which is in good agreement with results obtained from cyclic voltammetric measurements (Fig. 12F, green line). In order to investigate the effects of different types of anions on the specific capacitance of POAP/ERG nanocomposite, the modification of the ERG/GC electrodes has been carried out in different acidic solutions containing HNO3, HClO4 and HCl and corresponding lithium salts as supporting electrolyte and subsequently, have been evaluated in the corresponding monomer free solutions. The cyclic voltammograms of the modified electrodes in presence of different anions are shown in Fig. 16A. Qualitative analysis of total charges associated with the voltammograms recorded in the presence of different anions reveals that the specific capacitance for anions decreases in the direction of K+. In addition, the values of specific capacitance derived from the cyclic voltammetric (Fig. 16D) and impedance spectroscopic measurements (Figs. 16E and F) do indeed coincide as tabulated in Table 3. Although one can expect the smaller size of Li+ ion to provide facile insertion/expulsion to/from the elec troactive film, the greater specific capacitance has been obtained in the presence of Na+. As for studied anions, it has been noted that the trends in direction of ionic mobility and ionic radius are going the same way.69-70 Possessing the greatest mobility and the smallest radius have led to estimation of the greater specific capacitance would be obtained as a consequence of more being intercalated into the POAP/ERG nanocomposite, which is in good agreement with experimental results. On the contrary, the trends in ionic mobility 69 and ionic radius 71 contrast with those in hydration enthalpy 70 and hydration number 71 for the studied cations. These inconsistencies have hindered prediction of which cation would be incorporated into the POAP/ERG nanocomposite easily. The obtained specific capacitance values (Table 3) decrease in the order of Na+ > Li+ > K+ which confirms the facile incorporation of Na+ into the POAP/ERG is more than likely. Along the lines of evaluating of effects of different types of cations and anions on the POAP/ERG nanocomposite, we have examined the extent to which the incorporation of different cations and anions has affected each of components of the POAP/ERG nanocomposite. In this case, ERG/GC electrodes have been investigated in different solutions containing different cations and anions. The capacitive behavior of ERG/GC electrodes in the presence of different cations and anions have been evaluated at 50 mV s-1 as shown in Figs. 17A and B, respectively. The electrodes have presented negligible difference in their current response while have shown typical rectangular shape indicating an excellent capacitive behavior. Therefore, it can be concluded that graphene sheets in the POAP/ERG nanocomposite act as numerous ion-buffering reservoirs and provide for ions shortened diffusion path into the composite which results in the superior electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite.

Political And Economic Changes In Bulgaria :: essays research papers

Political and Economic Changes In Bulgaria Over the course of the past two months, January and February 1997, Bulgaria has undergone some sweeping political changes and its economy has deteriorated into further collapse. The following is an attempt to describe the events which took place in Bulgaria in January and February of 1997. This is somewhat of a difficult task given the current rate of political, economical and social changes which are occurring in Bulgaria. What follows is an account of the events which have taken place in Bulgaria over the last two months i.e. January and February of 1997, subject to the news material which was available to me and to the time constraints of this project. Bulgaria's economic crisis exploded into popular outrage at the beginning of January 1997, when previously quiescent Bulgarians poured into the streets to demand that the governing BSP, leave power now rather than when their four-year term expires at the end of 1998. After a month of mostly peaceful daily protests that paralysed Sofia and brought much of the country's business to a halt, the Socialists, who lack the kind of fiercely loyal police and media that have sustained President Slobodan Milosevic in neighbouring Serbia, submitted to the protesters demands on Wednesday, February 5th 1997. They agreed to hand over power to a caretaker government until new elections in mid-April, which they are unlikely to win, when recent polls conclude that only 10% of the population currently support the BSP. "We'd better celebrate now, because we have very hard days ahead," said Ivan Kostov, leader of the opposition United Democratic Forces. ( Source : OMRI Daily Digest, 18th February 1997. ). The newly elected Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov named an interim cabinet headed by Sofia Mayor Stefan Sofianski to oversee the country and its collapsing economy until a new parliament is chosen in general elections scheduled for April 19. The appointment means that the mass protests forced the leaders of the Socialist majority in parliament to agree to a new ballot 20 months before the end of their elective term. Sofianski's caretaker cabinet includes strong critics of the BSP and has announced it will abolish the economic development portfolio created by them. This new caretaker government has already begun to dismantle the large number of government Ministries which were set up by the former Communists, the BSP. Literally thousands of Civil Servants are being made redundant, as the caretaker government attempts to pave the way for Administrative Reform in both the Central and Local Governments of Bulgaria. Just before this project went to press, on Thursday, the 27th of

Stephen King’s Biography Essay -- american authors, the stand

Stephen King was one most of the popular American authors in history. He was born in Portland, Marine on Sept 21, 1947. He was raised by his mother, Nellie Pillsbury, and his father, Donald King. Today, Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha King, are living in Florida. â€Å"He and Tabitha Spruce married in January of 1971. He met Tabitha in the stacks of the Fog Library at the University of Maine at Orono, where they both worked as students.† (King) He published his first horror novel while study at the University. â€Å"While at college, King supported his education and family’s hard pressed finance by taking small jobs and selling stories to various magazines.† During his early career, he was famous for a series of horror novel called, â€Å"Dark Tower Stories†. In the late 1990s, he was injured by a car crash which resulted in a very bad condition in his leg and lung, too (â€Å"Stephen Edwin King†). Now, he and his wife support local community charities and a scholarship for local high school students in Florida (King). Stephen King show of his life where it has influences of his writing and how it did impact many people. King’s fascination with honor of fact his writing throughout his career. The first evidence of Stephen King being very interest in horror showed in his work in his early education (â€Å"Stephen Edwin King†). He read a scary comic book which affected how he wrote (â€Å"Biography of Stephen King†). â€Å"Much of King’s early works were science fiction based, but because he lacked the scientific grounding, they tended to be a bit thin on detail, but still excellent for someone of his age.† Later, he combined science fiction and fantasy in his writing to have more eff... ...21006/Top- ten-Stephen-King-books.html>. King, Stephen. "The Stand." www.goodreads.com. Goodreads Inc, 11 Feb 2014. Web. 11 Feb 2014. . King, Tabitha. "The Author." http://www.stephenking.com/. Stephen King, 06 Feb 2014. Web. 6 Feb 2014. . "Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition." www.stephenking.com. Stephen King , 23 Apr 2012. Web. 9 Feb 2014. /stand:_the_complete__uncut_edition_the.html>. "Stephen Edwin King." www.thefamouspeople.com. FAMOUS PEOPLE, 06 Feb 2014. Web. 6 Feb 2014. edwin-king-34.php>. "Stephen King." http://www.greatamericanwriter.webs.com. N.p., 14 Feb 2014. Web. 14 Feb 2014. .

IKEA Looks to Further Penetrate the U.S. Market

Given the SWOT analysis presented in the case, what are IKEA’s key competitive advantages? What strategic focus should the company take as it looks to further expand into the U. S. market? * IKEA’s low cost structure has been the very core of its success. It’s low-cost and high-quality strategy fits with the current state of the economy. Offering convenience factors within IKEA’s stores would fit well with IKEA’s low cost structure. It maintains its low-cost business model by creating a different furniture shopping experience. IKEA supplies customers with all possible materials needed to complete their shopping when they enter the store (that are, measuring tape, paper, pencils, catalogs, strollers, and shopping bags). Although IKEA is not set up as a traditional furniture store, the company does provide several added amenities. There is no denying that brand image is a key strength for IKEA. IKEA considers the environmental impact of every step in its business processes by making products that are environmentally conscientious and cost-effective. * To further expand into U. S. arket, IKEA must address two key issues. The first is the overwhelming individuality of U. S. consumers. Further expansion into the U. S. market will require IKEA to adapt its offerings and stores to local tastes. The second key issue is quality. Although American consumers are increasingly value-driven, they also demand quality products. Many Americans view self-assembled furniture as being lower in quality, and similar to the type s of furniture one might buy at Walmart or Target. 2. What factor is the biggest reason for IKEA’s growth and popularity: value or image? What can IKEA do to sustain growth after it loses some cache? * There is no denying that brand image is a key strength for IKEA. Even if they have not been in a store, most people around the globe recognize the blue and yellow logo as a symbolic representation of trendy, modern, and fashionable furniture which have been based on Swedish home-based clean and efficient service. * Diversification can be a good way that IKEA does to sustain growth after it loses some cache. Product innovation and market development such as IKEA’s expanding goal in U. S. market. It is a risky strategy but with careful selection of the right kind of businesses, considerable improvements in profitability can be experienced. To try and maintain growth, IKEA is considering diversification outside of the furniture market. 3. What strategic alternatives would you suggest IKEA employ to further penetrate the U. S. market? * Add more services to enhance customers’ experience, and implement a customer relationship management system to track current customers and communicate with them. Keep IKEA’s brand image and focus on correct placement of stores. Expand product lines to flank the budget line with a higher-priced line. Clever advertising and promotion. 4. Speculate on what will happen at IKEA stores as they are adapted to fit local tastes. Is the company’s trade-off of service for low cost sustainable in the long term? * IKEA’s management philosophy; â€Å"Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea is to offer a wide range of well-designed, functional, home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. and all its activities is founded on its mission of offering wide variety of functional furniture for the house, of a quality and at a price affordable by a majority of people. This mission shows IKEA’s competitive advantage, positioning strategy and marketing mix. Tailoring IKEA’s stores and product to local tastes will cause IKEA to change its mission, to lose its competitive advantage and to redesign its positioning strategy and marketing mix.