Audit and assurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Audit and assurance - Essay Example iples and standards allowed the management of corporations to manipulate their accounts easily and according to their own desires leaving behind misery for shareholders and a whole lot of mess for the regulators and the government to manage. This discussion paper will examine the arguments targeting the auditing profession that blamed auditors for not performing their responsibilities and for not doing enough to detect and prevent these cases of fraudulent activities of major corporations in the US. This discussion is supported by presenting details of five important accounting fraud cases which made the headlines and in some cases where auditors were also involved in assisting management in their malpractices. The auditors’ role is primarily viewed as that of verification of financial statements prepared by businesses. However, traditional view of it remained that auditors are responsible for detecting and preventing accounting frauds. The transition from this view to that of independent verification of financial statements was led by emergence of huge conglomerates where shareholdings are dispersed and the concentration of auditors’ investigation is not on the management’s honesty in preparing their accounts (Singh 2003). ISA 200 provides details of overall responsibilities of independent auditor and sets out the scope and nature of audit activities to be performed in accordance with international auditing standards. It states that the auditors’ role is to increase the confidence of users of financial statements by making a presentation on all material aspects of information disclosed in financial statements. However, it emphasizes that auditors do not relieve management from their role in corporate governance and ensuring the correctness of information provided in financial statement. The auditors are required to provide reasonable or high assurance regarding that financial statements are free from material misstatement. However, it is not in anyways an

Touch screen applications

Touch screen applications Touch Screen and the meaning of Multi-Touch Nowadays, we all can frequently see the Touch Screen applications around our environment. Starting from our pocket games to ATMs, Service counter applications to Information displays, touch screen technology have been widely used and applied. So why did we call the name of Touch Screen? It was clear that we can refer to touch or contact to the display of the device by a figure or hand or a stylus. By theory, the touch screen has two main attributes [1]. First, it enables one to interact with what is displayed directly on the screen, where it is displayed, rather than indirectly with a mouse or touchpad. Secondly, it lets one do so without requiring any intermediate device, again, such as a stylus that needs to be held in the hand. Such displays can be attached to computers, terminals to networks and also can use such as the personal digital assistant (PDA), satellite navigation devices, mobile phones, and video games. The good beginning of first commercial touch screen computer HP-15 0 [1] had inspired for further development of touch screen technology and its applications. Here are a number of types of touch screen technology as known as Resistive Using electrical conductive layers Surface acoustic wave using ultrasonic waves that pass over the touch screen panel Capacitive classified in two types as surface capacitive and projected capacitive and Optical imaging for large units of touch screen application. There are many ways to create or build a touch screen. Most of the key goals are to recognize one or more fingers touching on a screen to effectively interact with the command of the appropriate applications. Even though touch screen technology patents were filed during the 1970s and 1980s, within the short time they had been expired [1]. Touch screen components manufacturing and product design are no longer in encumbered with regard to patents and the manufacturing of touch screen-enabled displays were widespread. At beginning, touch screen technology started with single-touch. But in later time, have been developed to dual-touch and then now popular article â€Å"Multi-Touch†. The meaning and development of Multi-Touch screens facilitated the tracking of more than one finger on the screen, thus operations that require more than one finger are possible. These devices also allow multiple users to interact with the touch screen simultaneously at the same time. Multi-Touch can explain as a set of interaction techniques which allow users to control the graphical interface with more than one finger at either application or system levels of computers or touch screen displays or mobile phones [2]. It can consists of a touch screen (possible in wall, overlay, table, etc) and the application software that recognizes multiple simultaneous touch points, it would oppose to the single-touch screen which only recognizes single touch point. The actual research development of Multi-Touch had started from since 1982 when the University of Toronto developed the first finger pressure Multi-Touch display [2]. When the time came to 1983 after a long of a year, Murray hay from Bell labs published a comprehensive discussion of touch screen based interfaces. In 1984, Bell labs created a touch screen that could change images with more than one hand. So the University of Toronto have stopped for hardware research and specialized in software and interface development expecting that they would have access to Bell labs work. A breakthrough occurred in 1991 that when Pierre Wellner published a paper on his multi-touch â€Å"Digital Desk†, which supported multi-finger and pinching, motions [2]. But after that time, there were no further widely acceptance or popularity in this field except on special interested groups or research labs. When coming out of the evolutional product from Apple, â€Å"iPhone†, interesting of Mul ti-Touch technology has emerged again to the stage. The iPhone in particular has spawned a wave of interest in multi-touch computing, since it permits greatly increased user interaction on a small scale. And also the introduction of Microsoft Surface from Microsoft Cooperation in 2007 had got many attentions and interesting from publics. Recent years, the use of Multi-Touch technology is expected to rapidly become common place and will stand as one of the innovative techniques. The evolution of human input â€Å"touch† to computer and other devices The most basic fundamental concepts of Multi-Touch Technology are branching out from the concepts of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). To control everything with your hand or fingers are not so as easy as our expected. The good implementation of user interface and the consumption of processing time in application software are most critical saturation and would be needed to consider as first priority. Along side with history, people did endeavor the more moderated techniques in HCI for both hardware and software to useful and friendly than of the previous discoveries. So, nowadays we can see the different versions of computer monitors, mouse, game joysticks and application software that all are more advanced and suited with users requirements and flexibilities. And also in Multi-Touch, it had been for the long way in research and development regarding for HCI, product design and technically improvements. Here are some facts and time lines that have been roughly annotated as a Chronolo gy of Multi-Touch and Related Works. The beginning: Typing N-Key Rollover (IBM and other researchers) It may seem a long way to become a Multi-Touch screen, because the starting story of Multi-Touch had begun with keyboards. They were mechanical devices, hard type rather than of soft. But they did involve a sort of Multi-Touch. First, we can see the sequences of such as the SHIFT, Control, Fn or ALT keys in combination with others. These were the cases where we want Multi-Touch. Second, there were also the cases of unintentional, but inevitable, multiple simultaneous key presses which we want to make proper sense of, the so-called question of n-key rollover (where you can push the next key before releasing the previous one) [3]. Electro acoustic Music: The Early Days of Electronic Touch Sensors (Hugh LeCaine, Don Buchla Bob Moog) It was the early type of touch-sensitive control device, used touch-sensitive capacitance-sensors to control the sound and music being made. It could say touch pads rather than to say touch screen. 1972: PLATO IV Touch Screen Terminal (Computer-based Education Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) It was the early work done by IBM, the University of Illinois, and Ottawa Canada [4]. All were single touch and there were nothing for pressure sensitive. As well as its use of touch, it was remarkable for its use of real-time random-access audio playback, and the invention of the flat panel plasma display. 1981: Tactile Array Sensor for Robotics (Jack Rebman, Lord Corporation) A multi-touch sensor designed for robotics to enable sensing of shape, orientation, etc [5]. 1982: Flexible Machine Interface (Nimish Mehta, University of Toronto) The first multi-touch system that had been aware of designed for human input to a computer system [6]. It was consisted of a frosted-glass panel whose local optical properties were such that when viewed behind with a camera a black spot whose size depended on finger pressure appeared on white background. This with simple image processing allowed multi touch input picture drawing, etc. At the time we discussed the notion of a projector for defining the context both for the camera and the human viewer. 1983: Video Place / Video Desk (Myron Krueger) The vision based system that tracked the hand and enabled multi fingers, hands, and people to interact using a rich set of gestures. It can implement in a number of configurations, including table and wall. 1985: Multi-Touch Tablet (Input Research Group, University of Toronto)

The Effect of High Frequency Trading Systems on Financial Markets Essay

Whilst liquidity plays a central role in the functioning of financial markets, it is volatility that can be truly detrimental. Despite almost universal agreement among academics that HFT improves prices for investors and dampens volatility in equity markets, since the 6th of May 2010 the sector has come under intense scrutiny from regulators. On a day described as the ‘Flash Crash’, the U.S stock market experienced one of the most severe price drops in its history. In the matter of five minutes, the Dow Jones Industrial Index declined by 900 points, and then recouped the balk of those losses within the next 15 minutes. This unprecedented and unexplained volatility has fired public debate ever since. In the aftermath of the US ‘Flash Crash’, regulators were quick to pin blame on HFT. Within a week the chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission determined there was evidence that â€Å"professional liquidity providers† pulled out of the market when shares started declining exacerbating the fall. Perhaps irrationally, policymakers without any significant evidence believe HFTs pull out of markets at signs of stress, contributing to a sudden loss of liquidity and promoting volatility (Grant, 2011).Moreover, Andrew Haldane points to the ‘flash crash’ whens he determines that the ever increasing speed of trading is amplifying volatility. In my opinion, in the aftermath of the financial crisis when regulators received so much criticism, I believe they feel they must act immediately, even if they don’t know the true problem. I consider this evident from calls for increased HFT regulation from US Senator Charles Schumer, who bases his opinion on recent news reports (Zerohedge. 2010), rather than academic research or scientific re... ...ttp://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/12/08/volcker-praises-the-atm-blasts-finance-execs-experts/. Last accessed 04/12/11. Jones, R. (2010). Institutional Investor: Flash Crash and CyberWar. Available: http://hftsecurityrisk.com/category/flash-crash-specific/. Last accessed 04/12/11. Pagnotta, E & Philippon, T. (2010). The Welfare Effects of Financial Innovation: High Frequency Trading in Equity Markets. Available: https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db_name=SED2011&paper_id=1246. Last accessed 04/12/11. Mackenzie, M & Demos, T. (2011). Fears linger of new ‘flash crash’. Available: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d18f3d28-7735-11e0-aed6-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1fPJAVyJm. Last accessed 04/12/11. Geithner, T. (2007). Liquidity and Financial Markets. Available: http://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/speeches/2007/gei070228.html. Last accessed 05/12/11.

Mobile ESPN response questions

(1)  Ã‚   Mobile ESPN’s launch into the wireless market was definitely the innovative, out-of-the-box idea that the marketing executives at ESPN are known for, and the principle behind it—one more way in which to deliver up-to-the-minute sports information to sports fans anywhere, anytime—was very much on the right track.   I think what Mobile ESPN suffered from the most was the fact that it was basically nothing more than a shadow service provider. Without having a wireless infrastructure of its own, Mobile ESPN found itself dependent on Sprint for all of the technological and logistical implementation of the product.   Whatever may or may not have been going on within Sprint internally, for Mobile ESPN to launch without any real autonomy of its own, completely dependent on its host carrier, and with no real knowledge or experience in the wireless world, Mobile ESPN was a good idea at a good time that was perhaps not thought through entirely.   Also, there is a lot to be said of consumers’ reluctance to switch wireless carriers due to high penalties, and many phones have Internet access which allow people to have access to ESPN’s website for that same up-to-the-minute information, making it unnecessary for them to have the special phone. (2)  Ã‚   When Mobile ESPN was launched, in order to attract a greater number of users it would have been helpful if they had offered a great deal of incentives for switching over to the Sprint service, host of Mobile ESPN. Perhaps they could have partnered up with Sprint and offered some sort of contract buy-out option, where they would pay for the pre-existing contract termination of new subscribers (at the cost of a 2-year agreement with Sprint and an astronomical cancellation penalty, to ensure that there would not be a great deal of money lost).   This is probably one of the biggest reasons why there wasn’t an initial mass attraction to the product because of the stringent rules of wireless carriers, and so to offer some incentive to attract these people and make it worth their time and money to make that switch would be beneficial. ESPN right now just needs to focus on its various television, print, and Internet presence for people to access its branded content, and really spend a great deal of time formulating a well-thought-out strategy to re-launch Mobile ESPN, something that not only appeals to the customers who want all sports all the time but who also want a great deal with wireless service. (3)  Ã‚   I don’t believe Mobile ESPN affected the image or brand of ESPN in either direction.   Presumably the 50,000 subscribers to Mobile ESPN were upset at the decision to cancel the program, but out of the millions of ESPN viewers that number is largely insignificant.   Mobile ESPN was simply an example of a company breeching into territory it wasn’t yet quite ready to break into—something which happens all the time, not all creative ideas are successful.   Because the presence of Mobile ESPN was so small, the repercussions of its failure simply could not be on a large scale. (4)  Ã‚   Honestly, I still believe Mobile ESPN was a great idea, just perhaps at the wrong time or poorly planned and executed.   If I worked with one of ESPN’s competitors, I would have viewed Mobile ESPN as a highly unique, creative, out-of-the-box idea that would be a threat to my own company, and demand from my Marketing team that they provide me with ideas as cutting-edge as that.   Despite its failure, Mobile ESPN is still a great example of how ESPN constantly strives to be on top, the best of the best, offering the most content with the most accessibility.   Mobile ESPN further demonstrated that, and as a competitor I would want to do something that would allow me to reach the same audience base.

Tattos

English 105 Instructor Jim Higuera Tattoos A tattoo is a mark (a person or a part of the body) with an indelible design by inserting pigment into punctures in the skin. There is so many opinion and arguments upon tattoos. Yes tattoo is permanent life can change, and so can your tastes. The thing is, most of those things can be changed, but a tattoo can’t. Yes I do have tattoos but each tattoo has a special meaning I wouldn’t get a pointless thing tag on me for life it has everyone gets a certain tattoo for they own personal reasons.I love my tattoos ( I have 6 myself) but before you get any, you need to think about the fact that getting a tattoo is a big deal. It might come out looking terrible, you might hate it, you might be allergic to the ink they use, your parents may never speak to you again, you may become unemployable (depending on what you get & where) & YOU WILL HAVE IT FOREVER. Unless you can afford laser removal which, I understand, is very expensive. There are lots of good reasons for getting a tattoo. There are also a lot of bad ones.For example you want to piss off your parents, you want to look tough, All your friends have them and you feel left out. You want to profess your undying love to your significant other with ink on your skin. You want to be cool. You’re drunk. Your friend needs someone to practice on etcetera. I have seen so many bad tattoos so bad they make me cringe when I think about them. I know a guy who went somewhere â€Å"cheap† to get it done he went to a guy who did tattoos at his house and he ended up with a tattoo that is crooked and not dark enough. The point is its so embarrassing and a waste of money.My point is, getting a tattoo which doesn’t suck isn’t that easy. The proliferation of ugly tattoos on the shoulders of the great unwashed is proof of that. These days tattoos are more common than ever. Tattoos have grown in popularity quite a bit over the years, giving people the ab ility to stand out and display their individuality. Both men and women both have them on display – some with them covering the whole body! The choice is totally up to you, of course, as you can get a tattoo in virtually any size you want. Most of the general public who get tattoos get them for the symbolic value.Of course, some get them as part of a trend, but such people usually end up regretting their tattoo later on in life. Tattoos are great for showing off, though this depends a lot on the pattern of course. There are a variety of motifs and colors to take your pick from, which adds to the positive benefits you can get from your tattoo. You can check out the many different designs at your tattoo parlor or through magazines, or over the Internet. The Internet in particular can yield an intense supply of tattoo patterns, as there are literally thousands to look at.You can also look at pictures of those who have been tattooed already, so as to get an idea as to what a parti cular style will look like, once it has been finished. Why do we get a tattoo when we know that although tattoos can be removed by lasers, surgery and other methods, they are altogether permanent. Many people have very distinctive reasons for these lifelong marks and some even have stories attached to every one One plain reason for a typical tattoo is just for looks. The tattoo may be one that resembles another seen on a public figure.It may also be a background detail that is merely pleasing to the eye. Maybe the tattoo has bright colors or neat shapes. Aesthetics are one typical reason for many tattoos. Another rationalization why one might get a tattoo is as a memorial. Friends and family who may have passed away are often memorialized with tattoos. These memorial tattoos are also often created in the memory of a particular public figure or celebrity. These might be designed with flowers, crosses and other shapes and dates of birth, names and death dates.They might embody specifi c sayings that were important to the deceased. They may also involve complicated tattoos that have been copied from an actual photograph. These might be designed with flowers, crosses and other shapes and dates of birth, names and death dates. They might embody specific sayings that were important to the deceased. They may also involve complicated tattoos that have been copied from an actual photograph. Very many individuals will get tattoos designed to commemorate specific events experienced during their lifetimes.Achievements, difficult times and other unique events are usually displayed as a lifetime reminder of a significant time in one's life. Tattoos also represent spiritual status for some cultures. They can also sometimes be a symbol for social ranking. Some social groups are known for particular tattoos which would require a member to display the same. Others are known for having tattoos in general, the designs being unimportant. Expressing individuality and personality are often the reasons for getting a tattoo. If an individual likes butterflies, they might get a single tattoo or multiple tattoos flaunting butterflies.If someone else enjoys a particular field in which they worked, they may have tattoos representing what they do for a living. There are other ways to pore over expressing individuality around tattoos, however. Numerous tattoos are designed to reflect heritage. Ancient designs that are associated with the history of some cultures are routinely displayed on those who are of a particular culture's descent. As an example, someone of Irish descent may choose a tattoo depicting the Claddaugh background while another of Egyptian descent might lean towards one similar to their ancient ancestors.On the other hand, very many people choose designs from other cultures just for aesthetics Regardless of where you crave having your tattoo applied on the body or where you get the procedure done, it's important to understand why you really love the tat too. Unlike many other forms of body art tattoos are enduring. So why do we get a tattoo done? Having a tattoo created for the right reasons, and reasons that are truly important to you will help to increase the joy of the design for many years to come.