Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Financial Reporting and Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Financial Reporting and Analysis - Essay Example This principle can also be termed as accrual basis accounting. c) Purchase for store equipment or office equipment for less than $25 are entered in miscellaneous expenses. The matching principle is followed here. Expenses and revenues have to be matched if it becomes reasonable to do so. Expenses should be recognized when a particular work or product contributes to revenue. It is not when the work is done or when the product is produced. Income is recognized the same way with the expenses whether it is earned, incurred and received or spent. Consistency is enhanced through this principle. f) Land purchased 15 years ago for $40500 and now worth $346 000 is still carried in the books at $40500 on the basis of the historical cost principle. Land is a long term asset and should be reported in the balance sheet at its purchase cost rather than its current market value. This principle is based It should be based on the cost of acqusation. The information provided by this principle is reliable although lacks relevance and that the reason why Debts and Securities are now being reported at their market values. g) Zero corporation reports the possible loss of $1 million after it was sued for breach of contract in accordance with the principle of full disclosure. This principle ensures that all the important financial information is fully included in financial statements. This principle is important since it ensures that a company reflects even negative information and also highlighting positive impacts (Gibson, 2008). When the financial statements are audited, an opinion is expressed, the opinion of the auditor should be expressed on the opinion that generally accepted accounting principles are followed and applied on the basis of consistency as they were applied in the preceding year (Ramos, 2006). Unqualified opinion –this type of an opinion has no financial statements

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Construction of Identity Through Photography

Construction of Identity Through Photography This essay the researcher will attempt to document the use of fashion photography namely two sets of fashion photographers with very different styles, Guy bourdain, Helmut Newton who worked predominantly in the 70s and 80s and Richard Avedon and Irving Penn who worked predominately in the 50s and 60s. the essay attempt to show if fashion photography contributes to promoting a positive influence in constructing identity of the female viewer. To do this the essay will define the use of semiotics fashion photography, he will show techniques and models that are used to create and sell an idea to the viewer. And determine whether the majority of the ridership of editorial fashion photography are influenced positively or negatively. The average readership for Britains most popular and renowned fashion publication is Vogue Britain is 646 thousand people, the parentage age of the ridership is as followed from 17 to 19 =15 % 20 to 24 25 % 25 to 34 26 % 35 to 44 17% and 44% to above 17%, 84 % of these readers are female, there for 81 % or 523,260 readers of the publication are females between the age of 17 and 34 (Vivacom, July, 2009 [online]). The process of developing identity begins with the infants discovery of self, and becomes the focus of adolescence. Erik Erikson, identified the goal of adolescence as achieving a coherent identity and avoiding identity confusion. Identity is multidimensional and may include physical and sexual identity, and usually make commitments to their identity as they move into early adulthood. Adults may revaluate and alter certain aspects of their identity as life circumstances Change.(http://social.jrank.org/ 2006 [online]). The physical, cognitive, and social changes of adolescence allows teenagers to develop there identity that will serve as a basis for their adult lives. The emergence of abstract reasoning abilities allows adolescents to think about the future and experiment with different identities. James Marcia hypothesized that identity development involves two steps. Step one, the adolescent must break away from childhood beliefs to explore alternatives for identity in a particular area i.e. clothing. (http://social.jrank.org/ 2006 [online]). The Second step, marcoa states that the adolescent makes a commitment as to their individual identity in that area. Often adolescents begin to question their ideas and beliefs and enter a moratorium. The moratorium status is characterized by exploration of alternatives. Identity may occur at different times. For females, an important component of their identity is related to their physical appearance. Identity achievement during adolescence serves as a basis for our adult expectations and goals for ourselves. As individuals enter early adulthood they use their understanding of whom they are to develop a life span construct a link between the identity developed in adolescence and the adult self. (http://social.jrank.org [2006]). As the st atement above suggests people predominantly woman are at there most influenced at there adolescence and young adults stages. As stated a large percentage of readers of magazines such as vogue fall with in this age group of adolescent to young adult. The two main types of fashion photography in fashion magazines such as Vogue are advertising and editorial, both of these photography forms use the use of signs or semiotics, in communicating the fashion to the reader mainly a woman between the age of 17 and 34. Fashion photography speaks both the reality and illusion of garments and of bodies, and in deconstructing how these elements are organized and presented, a new language and system emerges from the photographic work (Roland bath) A sign as anything which is so determined by something else, called its Object, and so determines an effect upon a person, a sign is constructed of three inter-related parts: a sign, an object, and an interpretation, in fashion photography the sign is the photograph, this doesnt necessarily mean the focus of the image i.e. the clothing it could be the entire scene and the narrative behind it. The object might be the clothing or the jewellery but it may also be the model and the interpretation. A reading of both the previous factors, take for example the photograph below by renowned fashion photography Corrine day. Plate 1 Corrine Day, 2007 Stem Golden Years, Vogue UK This is an example of an editorial fashion photograph. If this image were to be red as a sign first of all the image must be broken down first of all the sign the two dimensional object of a three dimensional seen, in the image the reader can see facts, the location is the London tube system it is between the hours of 7 am and 12 pm as we can see the train in the background and the train only runs between this time we can tell even with out knowing about the photographer we can tell that the image was taken between the 20th century and present day as this is when the tube was made. We can also see that the image included strobe flash as the models movement has been frozen yet the trains movement is blurred this also suggests that the image was taken between this time as the electronic flash was also created in this time. All these facts start to tell as story a narrative and sets up the stage for The object being the clothes and the model. Models play a key part in selling the item as well as the ideal, and research shown in; The influence of fashion magazines on the body image satisfaction of college women: an exploratory analysis by Sherry L. Turner,  Heather Hamilton,  Meija Jacobs,  Laurie M. Angood,  Deanne Hovde Dwyer has sets out to find if women are influenced negatively by fashion magazines. The research shows work by Sheldon and Stevens done in the 1940s; the research found that ectomorphic (having a build with little fat or muscle but with long limbs) individuals were perceived negatively. By the late 1980s, the perception had shifted. Ectomorphics were considered to be the most sexually appealing. The research states that in 1978, mean weight of models has dropped to 84% of the population mean, and among the Miss America Pageant contestants: Prior to 1970, mean weight of the contestants was approximately 88% of the population norm The research shows that these figures are consistent with the courage ousness of models appearing in Vogue from 1901 to 1981. A study done in this research proves that adolescent to young women are influenced by fashion magazines, the experiment took 49 undergraduate females enrolled in a psychology course at a New England womens college. 24 were assigned to the fashion magazine group, and 25 were assigned to the news magazine group. tests revealed no significant differences in the mean height, weight, or age of the two groups .Eight magazines were chose on the basis of its popularity and availability Four that had reputations of fashion and models Vogue, Bazaar, Elle, and Allure. And four news magazines used in the control Time, News week, News World Report, and Business Week. The participants were then assessed on perceptions of their bodies and their dieting attitudes. Examples of these questions are: I am very frustrated about my weight; I am afraid of getting fat; and I diet to improve my looks. Participants were then asked to indicate which of the eight magazines they read prior to completing the questionnaire. A three-part, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess womens body image satisfaction. The first portion of the questionnaire consisted of adult figure drawings designed and illustrated by Stunkard, Sorenson, and Schulsinger (1980). Each participant was asked to examine nine female silhouettes of varying size and to indicate the figure that most clearly reflected her perceptions of her own body type, her ideal body type, and the body type considered to be most ideal by society. A nine-point scale was used, with the lowest numbers corresponding to the thinnest silhouettes. The applicants were then asked to wait in a waiting room one at a time four magazines were placed in front of them. For half of the participants, the waiting room contained news magazines and for the half, there were fashion magazines. After 13 minutes, participants were given the questionnaire to complete. Unlimited time was given for completion. Ten participants indicated on their questionnaire that they did not read a magazine while waiting. These students were eliminated from the data analyses. The resulting sample consisted of 18 (37%) participants in the fashion magazine condition and 21 (43%) in the news magazine condition. The research results prove what they hypothesised. Ideal weight differed for the two groups. Women who viewed fashion magazines perceived a lower ideal weight than did women who viewed news magazines. Women who viewed fashion magazines reported more frequently feeling very frustrated about their weight, weighing themselves more than once a week, exercising only to lose weight feeling guilty while eating, feeling guilty after eating, being preoccupied with the desire to be thinner and being afraid of getting fat, Similarly, when compared to women who viewed news magazines, those who viewed fashion magazines less frequently reported being pleased about their bodies, and feeling satisfied with the shape of their bodies. This research has proven that the media has is influential to adolescent and young women it shows that the fashion magazine show and ideal rather than a reflection of societies perception of the female form. These results shows that the models in the photographs have a philological effect on the women that view and therefore read them, this leads to the interpretation the interpretation is a reading of both the previous factors the sign and the object, if the target audience i.e. woman 17 to 30 years of age Weston hemisphere middle income, feels jealousy for the shape and figure of the woman they will associate the clothes she is wearing with the model her self i.e. (if I want to be like her I have to get those clothes) or in other fashion photographs like the one below by renowned British fashion photographer Norman Parkinson, the images often show a glamorous location i.e. beaches far away cities such as New York Paris etc this adds another layer to the sign if people associate the object with the sign or the model and clothing with the location there interpretation may be that if I want to be like that model and have that life style then I have to get the clothes. Plate 2 Norman Parkinson, 1980, Pilar Crespi As the research earlier stated by the late 1980s, the perception had shifted ectomorphics were now considered to be the most sexually appealing, the research shows that fashion magazines changed from using larger models to thinner ones during two prominent fashion photographer working in this time were Guy bourdin and Helmut Newton. Guy Bourdin, Gaby wood from the observer says trailblazing image-maker of the Seventies and eighties, doyen of photographic perversion, godfather of countless images we see in magazines and advertising today. Bourdin pioneered what might be called the new soft porn the acceptable face of sex to sell anything, an aesthetic too knowing, too caught up in unveiling the world of the fetish, to be actually pornographic. (The Observer, 2003) Gaby reiterates the point that this photographer although giving a lot of new ideas and style to the fashion photography industry, is somewhat responsible for the change of models in fashion photography and along with other photographers of the 80s set the theme of models getting thinner in fashion photography. Plate 3 Guy Bourdin (1983) The Guy Bourdin Estate, 2003 The image above is a prime example of guy bourdin image, typically containing naked or semi naked women and featuring shoes the main focus of the image is the body, bourdin heavily crops a large amount of his work focusing on the body rather than the persons (models) face. When looking at this photograph it is hard to concentrate on any thing but the vivid colours of the objet the fashion and the purposely lit models, the back ground has been lit but with a much lower ratio than the models again drawing the focus to the body. Helmut Newton was another renowned fashion photographer that worked in the 60s 70s and 1980s Newtons work like bourdins in controversial and provocative. More than often the images contained naked females, His works appeared in magazines including, most significantly, French Vogue. Plate 4 Helmut Newton (1998) Mugler Above is a prime example of Newtons work often shot in black and white in high contrast the female is presented square on and the clothing has a relation to sadomasochistic and the fetish. The model is corseted witch exemplifies the narrow thin shape of the model. SM is a fashion statement today because of him (Independent on Sunday,  May 2001). Although a lot is wrote about Helmuts work being sexist, exploitative and misogynist but Helmuts wife renowned photographer Alice springs whom edited and curate Helmuts books and exhibitions says that he gives women power. The chains, whips and handcuffs are jokes, These women are no victims (Independent on Sunday,  May, 2001) further more The Barbican curator Tomoko Sato, who collaborated on the exhibition with June, its Guest Curator, says they define the role of women as commanding partner rather than passive object(Independent on Sunday,  May, 2001) in contrast to the work of guy bourdin and Helmut Newton the researcher will now show and discus how the work of fashion photographers who worked primarily in the 1940s and 1950 features models and signs and themes much different to the ones of the 70s and 80s the photographer that will be discussed are Richard Avedon and Irvin Penn. Richard Avedon shot the Paris collections for almost 40 years, and was staff photographer for  Vogue  from 1966 until 1990, Known for bringing the fashion models of the day, including and Sunny Harnett, to life, Richard Avedon injected a previously unseen vibrancy into the medium of fashion photography.  (JO CRAVEN 22 April, 2008) Plate 5 Richard Avedon (1950s) Above is an image by Avedon taken in 1957 of model Carmen DellOrefice. The image following the style of the time features the model looking curvy and not stick thin confirming the results of the tests of the students. Avedon used models like this through his carrier. Irvin Penn was another photographer working in fashion photography industry during the 50s and 60s Penn was 26 when he began working for vogue, photographic covers for the fashion magazine  Vogue. He began photographing his own ideas for covers and soon established himself as a fashion photographer. His austere fashion images communicated elegance and luxury through compositional refinement and clarity of line rather than through the use of elaborate props and backdrops. (1994-2010 Encyclopaedia Britannica,) Andy Gruenberg wrights in the New York times one of the 20th centurys most prolific and influential photographers of fashion and the famous, whose signature blend of classical elegance and cool minimalism was recognizable to magazine readers and museum goers worldwide. Plate 6 Irving Penn. 1950, Vogue America Cover Above is an example of Penns fashion work, again notice the size and shape of the model this image taken in the 1950 for a American vogue cover. Reiterating the point made in the studies and again contrasting the work and change in model shape by the 1980s Conclusion It would apeer that there was a shift in the way that the media fashion photography in particular presenter and advertised an ideal towards it main demographic the research has shown the effects of this change with studys. It has also suggested ways in with this is achieved i.e. semiotics the researcher then applied these rules in semiotics to fashion photography works. Noted fashion photographers were then selected and shown and compared for their noted works in the decades witch they predominantly worked. Over all I believe that the essay proves and highlights the point that it set out to do but more research to reiterate the findings would have been preferred to give the argument more definition. Also more research in to other metered of philology towards the model and advertising could have strengthened the argument more so.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Hidden Horrors in Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essay -- Shirley Jacks

Hidden Horrors in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" presents conflict on more than one level. The most important conflict in the story is between the subject matter and the way the story is told. From the beginning Jackson takes great pains to present her short story as a folksy piece of Americana. Slowly it dawns on us, the terrible outcome of what she describes. From the first sentence of the story, The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. We are given the feeling of being in an idyllic, rural world. She enhances this feeling with little vignettes that are almost cliched in their banality: the little boys guarding their pile of stones in the town square; the towns-people gathering and interacting with each other as if they were at a country fair; Mrs. Hutchinson arriving late because she hadn't finished the dishes; even the good-natured complaining of Old Man Warner. All of these scenes and vignettes are used effectively to put us at our ease and to distract us from the horror that is to come. In depicting this home-spun American scene with its horrible underlying secret Shirley Jackson is commenting on the hidden horrors of our every day life. It is no coincidence that the victim of the stoning is a woman. Jackson uses this character, Tessie Hutchinson, to comment on the sacrificial role that women play in American society. We first meet Tessie Hutchinson when she arrives late for the lottery. It is significant that she has just come from washing her dishes. This is one of the most basic jobs of housework. Wiping her hands on her apron and apologizin... ...iety that Shirley Jackson belonged to, and commented on in her writing, was one that depended on women for their work. It also demanded that a woman sacrifice herself and her ambitions, if they included anything besides raising a family, to the god of domesticity. Jackson starkly portrays the sacrifice that has been a part of the lives of all women. Tessie Hutchinson screams, "It isn't fair. It isn't right," just before she is killed. This could be said, and has been said, about the lot of women in post-world war II America. In 1948, when Jackson wrote this story, Americans were listening about as much as the townspeople listened to Tessie Hutchinson before stoning her to death. Works Cited Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 5th ed. Ed. Laurence Perrine. San Diego: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Publishers 1998. 180-186

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Differences Between Gaap & Ifrs in Accounting

Income Tax Memorandum 10/18/2012 Over the past few years, there has been a push to adopt a single international accounting standard in order to simplify commerce in the global economy we live in today. However, this is more easily said than done because of some very notable differences between U. S. GAAP and IFRS standards. One of the most significant differences between GAAP and IFRS arises when accounting for income taxes.The first issue that arises when accounting for income taxes is determining the tax basis of an asset or liability. Under IFRS standards, tax basis is based on the expected manner of recovery. These standards define the tax base of an asset as the amount that will be deductible for tax purposes against any taxable economic benefits that will be received in the future. Similarly, the tax base of a liability is defined as its carrying amount, less any amount that will be deductible for tax purposes in the future.Under U. S. GAAP standards, tax basis is a question of fact under the tax law, which means the tax basis of an asset or liability is the amount used for tax purposes. For example, in the case of an asset, tax basis includes the amounts that are deductible for deprecation, as well as any amounts that would be deductible upon sale or liquidation of the asset under tax law. Another key difference between IFRS and GAAP is how income tax expense (benefit) is allocated to financial statement components.IFRS allows for a full â€Å"backwards tracing† approach to be used. In this approach, income tax expense is recognized in the income statement regardless of the period in which the tax expense or benefit is recognized. Under GAAP standards, â€Å"backwards tracing† is prohibited, and income tax is allocated to the financial statement category where the pre-tax item was recorded. A further difference between IFRS and GAAP arises when dealing with Deferred Tax Assets (DTA’s) and Deferred Tax Liabilities (DTL’s).The f irst difference between the two standards is how DTA’s and DTL’s are classified. Under IFRS, DTA’s and DTL’s are always classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. GAAP requires that DTA’s and DTL’s be classified as either current or noncurrent, based on the classification of the asset or liability generating the temporary difference. IFRS and GAAP also differ on how a Deferred Tax Asset is recognized. IFRS uses the Net Approach, where assets are not recognized unless it is probable (greater than 50%) that they will be realized.Whereas GAAP calls for the Gross Approach, in which the full DTA is recorded and then reduced by a valuation allowance if it is not likely to be realized. One of the last key differences between IFRS and GAAP in accounting for income taxes is each standard’s guidance for uncertain tax positions. Under IFRS, there is no specific guidance given, and a company can record the liability as either a single best es timate, or a weighted-average probability of the possible outcomes. GAAP however, gives clear guidance on how to account for uncertain tax positions.Under these standards, if an uncertain tax position meets the â€Å"more likely than not† recognition threshold, the benefit is measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. In summary, the differences between IFRS and GAAP accounting standards are vast, and each difference has a real effect on a company’s financial statements. IFRS tends to have less strict guidelines, and each individual company is allowed to use their own judgment on certain matters. GAAP takes a stricter approach, and most accounting issues have set guidelines and standards that a company must adhere to.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Rana Shoaib Essay

Rapid change in prices of fuel and gas increase the production cost, which directly effect the buying power of consumer. ? Political instability and shortage of gas affecting the organization, production capacity depends upon the availability of gas. †¢? Heavy duties on import of machinery results in low efficiency. Economical Factors: †¢? Playing role in economic development by providing hundreds of jobs. †¢? Loses a huge amount of raw material while mining due to poor economical infrastructure. †¢? Government does not pay much attention on the development of the industry , which really affects the efficiency of Tiles industry. In Pakistan demographic factors like income level of people is increasing. †¢? Construction increase due to increase in population which also results in the increase in demand of tiles in the country. †¢? Living standard is increasing due to decorative and innovative styles of tiles. Technological Factors: †¢? Master Tiles use Italian manufacturing plant for producing good quality products at affordable prices. †¢? Master Tiles use latest technological to produce more innovative products efficiently and effectively. †¢? Master Tiles is using latest means of communication to communicate with customer to keep them up to date. The PESTEL Framework Environment: †¢? To minimize to effect of harmful gases Master Tiles is using environment friendly production plant equipped with latest technology. †¢? Master Tiles claims that they do not pollute the environment during the manufacturing process of the tiles. †¢? The wastage is managed in sophisticated manner that it does not pollute the environment. Legal: †¢? Master Tiles is the first tile manufacturer in Pakistan, which submits the application to National Tariff Commission against the dumping of Chinese tiles manufacturers. †¢? It strictly follows Health and Safety Laws, they protect the health of their employees; integrate labour protection into operating structures and processes. Competitors & Market ? Sonex ? National Tiles ? Imported Brands These are the major competitors of Master Tiles in local market but they are far behind because of production capacity and product quality. No doubt tiles industry is growing because of increase in living standards, and Tile market has opportunities to attract new investments and expansion in the running business. Porter’s Five Forces Threat of New Entrants: Customer Power: The entry barriers in this industry are low, There are few manufacturers of tile in so there is always threat of new entrance. the industry, Tiles are imported here due This industry has a growing potential in to this the bargaining power of future, which makes it an customer is high. Moreover attractive industry to the cheap substitute Degree of Rivalry start business are also available Few manufacturers of tiles, So in the market. degree of Rivalry is not high. There is huge demand for tiles in the market. Supplier Power: Threats of substitutes: fast growth in the market There are a number of If the prices of raw decrease the level of degree the suppliers in the material increases or the rivalry. industry, Master Tiles tax rates increase people does not dependent on automatically will switch single supplier, so the to marble tiles or chips bargaining power of floors and threats of supplier is low. substitute will increase. SWOT Analysis Strengths: Master Tiles have state of the art production plant. It can produce more that 25000 Sq. / meter per day. They have a big distribution network all over the Pakistan. Weaknesses: Master tiles is that networking system because there whole internal communication based on networking. The maintenance and repairing of its manufacturing plant. Opportunity: The growing rate of construction, which increases the demand for tiles. Government imposed anti dumping duties on Chinese Tiles, which restrict Chinese manufacturers to export the tiles in Pakistani market with low prices. Threats: Low entry barrier in the industry. Huge amount of tiles supply from unorganized local manufacturers. This is a threat for reduction in market share of Master Tiles. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix Threshold Competences Best Quality Ceramic and Granite tiles Provide a number of Series and Sizes of tiles Capabilities for competitive Advantage Threshold Capabilities Unique Resources Tangible: State of the Art Production Plant Intangible: Innovative and Creative Worker Core Competences Texture Designs Strategic Business Units (SBU) A strategic business unit (SBU) is a part of an organization for which there is a distinct external market for goods or services that is different from another SBU. Currently Master Tiles is operating with two SBU’s on the basis of Capability based Criteria, we can identity those as distribution channels. The following diagram illustrate the concept: Distributor Retailer Customers Master Tiles Retailer Customers Strategy Clock Strategic Clock Price Based Strategy (Rout 1,2): Ceramic Tile Series Wall/Floor: Special (SP) (8*10) (8*12) is sing low price strategy because its perceived benefits are low. The Hybrid Strategy (Rout 4): Following tiles are being introduced with the hybrid strategies because these products provide some benefits with low price as compared to competitors ? Granite Floor Tile Series: SPM-110 (16*16) ? Ceramic Wall Tile Series Glossy/Matt: EBL (10*13) ?