This value may not be immediately apparent, however, as investments are long-term projects, and expected to grow over time, hence a new factory is allowed to be accounted for differently than say, a new box of paperclips. But under WorldCom's accounting system, a new ream of computer paper was just as much as a 'investment project' as introducing a new computer operating system designed to increase efficiency.
From an accounting perspective, this meant that WorldCom could spread the costs of such fictional investment expenses over a number of years, instead of having to account for these outlays on a regular basis as expenditures that detracted from its profit margin. This made WorldCom's profits look much greater than they were in comparison to its telecommunications rivals, had the figures been computed accurately, like other, competitor firms. Thus, the company seemed much more attractive to investors, because of this artificially inflated profit margin. In fact, instead of making a $1.3 billion profit, as it claimed in 2002, WorldCom was actually in the red rather than in the black, if its sales figures and company expenditures were computed by legal, conventional methods of accounting. ("WorldCom: Why it matters," 2002, BBC News)
What where the influences, the people behind the fraud?
The rapacious, 'must make money now' climate of the telecommunications boom is often cited as the atmosphere...
WorldCom Prior to the corporate financial scandal, WorldCom was one of the largest long distance telephone companies (Reuters, 2003). Initially headquartered in Mississippi it later moved to Virginia. The company grew fast by acquiring other companies such as MCI Communications in 1998 and UUNET technology in 1996. Other companies acquired included, Metromedia in 1992, Resurgens Communications Group in 1993. In the course of this acquisition spree, WorldCom undertook two complex
Financial Scandals and Management Financial Management Management Financial Actions, Controls, and Decisions Financial Scandals and Management Following the rise of financial scandals in the recent past, external and internal audits are carried out to review the management's financial controls and actions, and keep tab of the outside and internal auditors. However, despite the best efforts, accounting scandals like the Cendant Corporation's $300 million bogus revenue indicate that external auditors and managers are not doing
WorldCom: The Ethics of Whistle-Blowing In recent years, it has not been easy for employees to completely trust the corporations for which they work. Accounting scandals have made the average employee question business practices unlike before. The large corporate American framework built in culture; vision, core values, accountability and self-worth seem to have gone out the window with a certain degree of worry. Is it risky to work for a big
First, the decreasing subscription of land-line telephone service due to the proliferation of cellular technology. Since 2001, there has been a steady decline in market share of land-line telephones as more and more users chose to use cell phones as their permanent phone provider. WorldCom, with its specific focus still on land-line services has created a multitiered strategy to promote land-line use. They emphasize new packages that are more
Worldcom financial disaster provided many substantial learning points while helping expose the importance of accuracy and integrity in accounting procedures and standards. Eight years ago, when the true nature of the rise and fall of this telecommunications giant became public, many in the financial sectors of the world demonstrated shock and disbelief at the remarkable scope of corruption seemingly stemming from this agency. The purpose of this essay is to
The first three organizations in line to recuperate their funds were Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and General Electric Group. They had been offering financial solutions and encouragement to purchase the WorldCom stock based on a favorable business relationship. However, at the time when bankruptcy procedures were commenced, the three organizations recognized their losses and intended to recuperate them. A succinct presentation of the period surrounding the crisis could be reveled by
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now