Discussion 1: "Accounting Valuation and Ethics"

Please respond to the following:

• As a CFO of a publically traded company, suggest how you would create an ethical environment to ensure account balances are correctly valued and reported so that information is reliable for users. Provide support for your rationale.

• Assess the ethical requirements as outlined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, indicating whether or not you believe the requirements are adequate to ensure integrity in financial accounting and reporting activities. Suggest improvements that may be needed while providing support for your rationale.

Discussion 2: "Managing Earnings"

Please respond to the following:

• In today's business environment where publicly traded companies feel pressure to meet short-term earnings expectations, management may be tempted to "manage earnings". Assess how a financial statement user may be able to detect managed earnings when reviewing the firm's balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow statement. Indicate how a potential investor might interpret these "red-flags". Provide support for your rationale.

• Assess how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the concern of corporate "managed earnings", indicating whether or not you believe the requirements within the Act are sufficient to minimize these concerns. Provide support for your rationale.