In Arthur Levitt’s speech, referred to in the opening quote, he also said, “I fear that we are witnessing an erosion in the quality of earnings, and therefore, the quality of financial reporting. Managing may be giving way to manipulation; integrity may be losing out to illusion.” Explain what you think Levitt meant by this statement. What role do financial analysts’ earnings expectations play in the quality of earnings?

Which of the following best describes why the predicted incremental earnings arising from a given decision are not sufficient in and of themselves to determine whether that decision is worthwhile? ... O A. They do not tell how the decision affects the firm's reported profits from an accounting perspective. O B. They are not easily predicted from historical financial statements of a firm and its competitors. O C. They do not show how the firm's earnings are expected to change as the result of a particular decision. O D. These earnings are not actual cash flows.

81) Inadequacies of the existing system of financial ratios signify a need for a different approach to monitoring business performance. Of the following statements, which is NOT a shortcoming of financial ratios? a) financial measures are lagging indicators of business performance. b) financial ratios have a short-term orientation and emphasize the cash flow rather than the processes that contribute to cash flow. c) Financial ratios focus equally on the stockholders as on the customers, suppliers and employees. d) A and B e) A and B and C

What is a financial market? What is the role of a financial market? 3-2 What would happen to the standard of living in the United States if people lost faith in our financial markets? Why? 3-3 How does a cost-efficient capital market help to reduce the prices of goods and services? 3-4 The SEC attempts to protect investors who are purchasing newly issued securities by requiring issuers to provide relevant financial information to prospective investors. The SEC does not provide an opinion about the real value of the securities. Hence, an unwise investor might pay too much for some stocks and consequently lose heavily. Do you think the SEC should, as a part of every new stock or bond offering, render an opinion to investors on the proper value of the securities being offered? Explain.