Abstract
This paper addresses measures being taken in light of the recent financial events with several major U.S. corporations. In addition, recommendations are made to promote the increased ethical actions of those individuals, who are in positions that have a major influence on the U.S. economy.

From the Paper
"The list of offenders seems to be growing daily. Enron, Merrill Lynch, WorldCom and now Johnson & Johnson have come under increased scrutiny and criminal charges. The actions of the personnel in positions of financial authority at these companies have had an extremely negative impact on the employees, investors, lenders and the economy in general. Employees of these companies lost most, if not all of their pension benefits. Investors lost a large portion of the money they invested. Lenders are faced with the companies filing for bankruptcy and the economy in general is experiencing extreme levels of suspicion, as indicated by the faltering stock market."

Tags:accounting, business, ethics, management, standards, minoruty, financial, business

Abstract
Wal-Mart is constantly heralded as one of the country's most substantial businesses, where both its stock and its retail sales remain constant despite an otherwise bearish economy. Yet is this perception of Wal-Mart as an untouchable industry leader accurate? This paper provides a SWOT analysis / TOWS matrix assessment in order to better address Wal-Mart's status as a business. A series of questions based upon this assessment are then answered according to the results.

Abstract
This paper explores the accounting malpractices within the Andersen Firm. The paper discusses the functions and duties of the firm and the history of the company. The writer describes recent events including the Enron case and a myriad of other cases, accusing Andersen of misleading investors. The paper also examines whether or not the Author Andersen auditing firm is a trustworthy firm to do business with.

From the Paper
"Anderson contracted with the Enron Corporation to perform its audits and provide the audit opinion. The firm performed this task for over ten years and charged Enron almost $48 million in fees in the year 2000 alone. It is believed that Andersen hid the fact the Enron used questionable accounting practices to hide huge losses that Enron had incurred. Andersen has admitted that employees destroyed evidence that exposed the shotty accounting practices."

Tags:auditing, malpractice, enron, consulting, negligence, investors, financial

Abstract
An in-depth analysis of a Fortune 500 company - Allstate Insurance. A management case analysis which includes: historical background, swot analysis( strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) , financial performance, management strategies, proposed solutions, implementation of solutions, costs, evaluation and control.

Table of Contents
History of the company
Mission statement and analysis
Objectives and analysis
Business Structure
Financial Analysis
Threats and Opportunities
Strengths and Weaknesses
Salient Problem
Strategic Alternative #1
Strategic Alternative #2
Strategic Alternative #3
Recommendation
Plan of Implementation
Evaluation and Control

From the Paper
"Today's largest carrier of personal lines insurance originated over a friendly game of Bridge played in 1930 on a Chicago area commuter train. Sears president Robert Wood and a friend, insurance broker Carl Odell, joined forces after the insurance man suggested Sears sell auto insurance through the mail. Wood liked the idea, financed the company, and in 1931, put Odell in charge of the operation. The company, named Allstate, was named after one of the Sears' tire brands. Allstate got its beginning just as Sears was starting its push into retailing. As Sears grew, Allstate grew with it, selling insurance out of all of the new stores."

Tags:analysis, company, consult, control, evaluation, financial, implementation, insurance, opportunities, plan, stategic, strength, threats, weakness

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that education and enforcement in the markets are the two primary global roles of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission's (SEC) at the national level. The writer notes that a key vision of the SEC is to set the highest standards and be a model to other federal agencies. This vision is complemented with the pristine mission to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. Working with numerous agencies the SEC has numerous roles that are discussed below emphasizing the importance of an effective and efficient regulator of the securities markets. This paper shows the SEC has adapted to market changes throughout the years. The writer concludes that market legislation is constantly evolving and only the SEC has the ability as the primary federal securities regulator to find the right balances in the U.S. economy to produce wealth and prosperity through investor confidence.

Outline:
Introduction
Priorities
How the SEC Was Created
The Four Divisions of the SEC
Agencies that Work with the SEC
Evolving Laws of the SEC
ENRON
Conclusion

From the Paper
"An utmost priority of the SEC is to maintain the integrity of the U.S. markets. Investors simply will not participate in an economy that allows fraud and corruption to prevail. Average citizens rely on investments for children's education, retirement and general savings necessities. A leading example is set by the SEC as the primary regulator of the U.S. securities markets. Creating common laws, regulations and procedures are vital roles.
"Trickle-down economics, a term used during the Reagan-Bush era coincided with deregulation and created havoc in the markets. Many businesses prospered however, regulatory bodies became ineffective due to the government's deregulating motives. Fraud, corruption, bankruptcies and other criminal acts forced the government to reconsider deregulation and give the SEC more strength. Regulation, deregulation, rules, laws and other principles are created, developed and modified by the SEC to protect the markets."

Tags:markets, investors, regulations, capital, growth

Abstract
This paper describes the JICAN Fund investment project, explaining the overall investment strategy, the primary factors considered when formulating the investment strategy, and the approach taken to accurately assess the performance of the Fund. The paper also discusses total risk and recommendations if JICAN Fund is being considered as a sole investment or as part of a bigger portfolio of investments. Lastly, the paper discusses the key lessons learned from the project which include that diversification is crucial for successful portfolio management and that asset allocation plays the primary role in determining the portfolio return when compared to securities selection or market timing.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Portfolio Investment Strategy
Investment Strategy
Strategic Asset Allocation
Systematic Security Selection and Market Timing
Risk Controls and Realization Guidelines
Sector Analysis and Execution
North American Equities
Energy
Financials
Materials
Retail
Telecom/Technology
Emerging Market Equities
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Portfolio Performance Measurements
Overview
Performance Analysis
After-thoughts and Lessons Learned
Appendix 1: Stock Selection Criteria
Appendix 2: Economic Outlook
Appendix 3: Additional Selection Criteria
Appendix 4: Performance Measurement

From the Paper
"AMX is a provider of wireless telecommunications services in Latin America. As of December 31, 2007, it had 153.4 million subscribers in 17 countries which include 50 million subscribers in Mexico through Telcel. Also, AMX operates through Americel in Brazil and through Comcel in Colombia. Furthermore, it provides wireless services in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. It provides fixed-line and wireless services in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. We believe that AMX's domination of the Mexican wireless telecom market and other markets such as the Brazilian's and Colombian's will position AMX in a strong position to take advantage of its investments in the 3G technology."

Tags:diversification, asset allocation, security selection, market-timing, systematic risk

Abstract
This paper contains an analysis of factors, both internal and external, that caused the financial crisis in Russia in 1988. The main argument of the paper is that the main causes of the crisis originated from inside. The monetary system that the Russian government created after the fall of the USSR failed to provide a stable channel for the implementation of an adequate monetary policy. The paper shows that the banking system was ill-designed and corrupt, mainly serving as a channel for government funds to favored industries. Finally, the paper shows that the extreme usage of government debt (often for the personal benefit of the Russian officials) was the factor that shut the whole economy down. Bonds were printed like paper, which is unsustainable even in the short-run.

Table of Contents:

A Self-made Crisis
Fake Monetary System
The Banks that Weren't
Russian FIGs
A Pyramid of Bonds
The Fall of the Babylon
The Responsibility
Works Cited

From the Paper
"In 1998 Russia was hit by a large-scale financial crisis. The bad news of Russian default (or payment suspension) in August 1998 was one of the primary concerns of almost all Russian and western media. The events and outcomes of the crisis were relatively similar to the ones that took place in Asia in 1997 or, more recently, in Argentina (the latter has recently defaulted on the largest government debt in history). These amounted, but were not limited to: national currency being largely devaluated, collapse of the banking system, and political unrest resulting in dramatic changes in the government."

Tags:bank, central, government, mismanagement, dollar

Abstract
The paper is an example of a proposed personal financial plan of a couple. The paper opens up a review of the current situation of a certain Ryan and Sarah Reynolds which includes a balance sheet and income statement and a review of their net worth. The paper states that from the analysis, it appears as though they are in good financial shape, and with the proper planning, they should be able to accomplish all of their goals. The paper with, diagrams, graphs and tables, illustrates the elements taken into consideration when setting up a financial plan.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Asset Management
Property Ownership
Cash Flow
Retirement Planning
Risk Management
Estate Planning

From the Paper
"We highly recommend that both of you see a lawyer and prepare your wills immediately (see Appendix 20). We feel the key issues for you in estate planning will be taxation and beneficiary designation. Without wills, if one of you passes suddenly, half of the house belonging to the deceased spouse will pass in ownership to the children, if you own such properties as tenants in common. As they are quite young, this means that any decisions regarding the house will have to be dealt with through a trustee. We suggest registering legal ownership of assets such as the house as "joint tenants" so that the entire asset passes to the surviving spouse. In case of a common disaster, it is imperative that you appoint both a guardian and trustee for your children; it is extremely important to choose people whom you trust and not to assign both responsibilities to one person. The guardian should share the same values as you and the trustee should be adept at managing money. It should be stipulated in your wills that if you both die before the children reach a certain age (i.e. 25) all assets left to them be held in trust so they can become mature enough to handle such large sums of money."

Tags:financial, plan, cash, flow, retirement

Abstract
This paper examines how choosing which financing vehicle is best for a company is very important and how equity and debt financing are financial mechanisms by which a firm can raise financial capital. It looks at how the characteristics of each of these two groups depend on three variables: investors' claims on future cash flow, their right to participate in company decisions and their claims on company assets in liquidation. The paper examines the benefits and disadvantages of both.
Outline
Introduction
Characteristics of Equity Financing
Advantages of Equity Financing
Disadvantages of Equity Financing
Characteristics of Debt Financing
Advantages of Debt Financing
Disadvantages of Debt Financing
Contrast Between Equity and Debt Financing
The Capital Structure Decision
The Irrelevance Proposition
Conclusion
References
Appendix

From the Paper
"Equity financing is the act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation. Equity (or common stock) offers residual claims. On a balance sheet, equity equals total assets less all liabilities. Equity financing is generally recommended for a business that's experiencing very high growth with high investment risk. The major sources of equity financing include individuals starting the business, friends and family, angel investors, venture capitalists, and public equity markets. Equity can take several forms including preferred stock, common stock, limited partnership interest, and project equity."

Tags:assets, money, liquidation, capital

Abstract
This paper is a personal research project about online banking in the United Kingdom. It describes its history, how it works, security issues and its advantages and it introduces online banking facilities. It provides an appendix summarizing the services of each of the main British banks.

Table of Contents
What is online banking?
How online banking works
The security of online banking
The advantages of online banking
The disadvantages of online banking
Prediction of the prospects of online banking.

From the Paper
"The online banking will be a step to a new stage in the future. By that time, the banks will definitely offering more attractive services online and the competition of online banking will be complicated because more banks will have online banking services. Another progression is the development of wireless banking such as Digital TV and Mobile banking or so called WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). Nowadays, mobile phones are used everywhere, and many leading telecom companies and software companies have joined the WAP forum. Such as Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola."

Tags:banking, britain, hsbc, natwest, online, database, download