Auditor independence and nonaudit services: Director views and their policy implications

The external auditor's role and relationship with an audit client are not purely matters of private concern between the two parties. The rationale for the external auditor's work—indeed a primary justification for the existence of the public accounting profession—arises from the need for reliable financial information in order for our economy to operate smoothly. Thus the auditor, in certifying financial statements, performs a quasi-public function. The necessary relationship between auditor and client is one of complete independence. In recent years public policymakers including the U.S. Congress have questioned the propriety of auditors' performing nonaudit services for their clients. This paper reports the results of an empirical study of U.S. corporate directors who considered the propriety of allowing a firm's auditors to perform various nonaudit service engagements.The results show, especially in the case of systems design, increasing director concern and a lack of overall consensus as nonaudit services approach 40 percent of the firm's audit fee. Policy implications of the findings are considered.     

Bayesian and mixed estimators of time varying betas

Based on the random coefficient model, Vasicek's static Bayesian beta coefficient adjustment model is extended to a dynamic model. It is shown that the time-varying security beta model can be used to identify and resolve the existence of nonstationary (weak stationary) beta coefficient over time. The implication of a random beta coefficient on th standard Bayesian adjustment is also explored. The usefulness of employing time-varying security beta estimates in forecasting the future beta in terms of Box and Jenkins' ARIMA model is also empirically demonstrated.     

Segmenting high technology adopters

This article highlights a link between the innovative behavior of high technology firms and their buying. An empirical indepth study of 16 firms manufacturing electrical and electronic measuring instruments shows how components are bought by different types of firms. The findings suggest a useful basis for segmenting high technology industrial markets.     

Of lessees,lessors, and discount rates and whether pigs have wings

Recent articles on leasing suggest five principles that should aid analysts to understand this durable, much misunderstood financial instrument. The principles are 1) the lessor must be happy too, 2) the operating inflows have nothing to do with the case, 3) financial, like physical, matter tends to be preserved, 4) debt is a function of after-tax flows, and 5) inability to use tax shelters cuts two ways. In this paper we illustrate these principles and use illustrations to demonstrate that each of these principles has merit. We argue as well that the impression, often left by the principles, that leasing seldom benefits all parties to the transaction is incorrect.     

Tax reform: Analyzing a comprehensive income tax

This paper includes an analysis of the general costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a comprehensive income tax. The introduction of a comprehensive income tax may result in such benefits as simplicity, horizontal equity, and neutrality that may, in turn, be offset by the costs in vertical equity, implementation losses, and efficiency losses. The solution to the question of the desirability of the comprehensive income tax may turn upon the nature of these costs and benefits as well as the philosophy of tax reform that is adopted.     

Customer service as a marketing strategy

Customer service in distribution is increasingly becoming a requirement for an integral part of marketing strategies for physical distribution. Customer services, many of which herefore were considered ancillary in allowing shippers and other transportation users to differentiate product/service offerings, are now necessary in order to compete successfully in the marketplace. This trend should gain considerable momentum as prices become higher and use of discretionary prices decreases. Therefore, it is imperative for marketing and distribution managers to accurately appraise and reevaluate the role of customer services.     

The costs of complying with a government data collection program: the FTC's Line of Business Report

The Federal Trade Commission's Line of Business Report Program requires some 440 of the largest U.S. corporations to gather and report detailed data. The program's compliance costs were and are a major issue between the reluctant respondents and the FTC. Analysis of the estimates made by the parties reveals why and how a government agency tends to underestimate costs severely. Principally, the agency does not recognize that a company must prepare data that can withstand hostile scrutiny: inexpensively prepared estimates will not do. The analysis reveals that the estimates used by the FTC are based on very questionable procedures and evidence. A procedure is suggested to avoid or resolve differences in cost estimates claimed by the parties.