¶ … Shift to Activity-Based Accounting
Discuss the Information Systems implications of this case. How do the business processes and the Information Systems relate to solve the problems encountered?
The devolution and dissolution of the corporation known as WorldCom, due to accounting fraud rocked the business world. However, there is at least one potential solution for what is left of the company. The company has shifted from spreadsheet accounting to using activity-based software that measures corporate productivity according to business units in a more accountable fashion.
Partly to prevent future accounting abuses and partly as damage control, the former company known as WorldCom, now re-christened with its old name MCI, has adopted this new cost-analysis software. MCI is attempting to use information systems innovation, combined with more conscientious managers, to correct its old problems of insufficient accountability of the financial staff. Tom Spengler, author of the article "Back in Control," notes that, lost amidst the hype, one of the most extraordinary features about the WorldCom scandal is that the executives at the company "didn't really know" what the company's costs were for each line of business when it filed...
The first was the motivation on the part of Ebbers and Sullivan. The second was the complicity of employees within WorldCom's accounting department. The third was the complicity of the external auditor, Arthur Andersen. In order to prevent such frauds from occurring, these different factors should be addressed. With respect tot Ebbers and Sullivan, two problems occurred that should be prevented in future. The first is the heavy emphasis on
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
Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) committed one of the greatest financial frauds in U.S. history. Investigations revealed that Mr. Madoff operated an elaborate "Ponzi Scheme" that started operating in 1980s.Even though Madoff was initially supposed to invest all of his clients' money in the securities markets, he never did so. Instead, he deposited the whole amount in a certain bank account that he held with the Chase Manhattan Bank.
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
SWISSAIR'S (EX NATIONAL SWISS AIRLINES) BANKRUPTCY On October 2, 2001, dozens of aircraft stood grounded at Zurich Unique Airport. Flights could not take off due to the simple lack of cash flow. Swissair, the airline that flew the flag and pride of the Swiss people, had declared bankruptcy. While many people knew that Swissair was ill, maybe even very ill, no one ever thought it could reach this level of gross
Audit Quality and Agency Cost Since the advent of industrialization, there has been the presence of a bond between the people who invest and the people who manage those investments, forming a vital relationship amongst the two groups. Although with the rise of such relationships, the soaring issues of trust and confidence have been a hindrance in economic growth. Viewing the high percentage of the capital of investors or shareholders in
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