The topic offers a brief discussion on investment banking and its relationship with the research division. Investment banking acts as an intermediary between investors and corporate issuance firms during initial public offerings (IPO’s). It also performs various functions such as aiding firms in mergers and acquisitions. In addition, investment banking relies heavily on information regarding market intelligence. This necessitates the importance of a research department that performs the duty of carrying out research on the market conditions. However, there is a conflict of interest since investment banking relies on this research to capitalize their gains. As a result, the Global Research Analyst Settlement found it necessary to formalize separation of these two departments in order to prevent exchange of information (Morrison and Foerster 2).
There is importance in separating research from other investment banking activities (Thornton, 72). To start with, research analysts are supposed to represent the interests of investors and the investment banking during a corporate issuance, for example. Issuance of securities, for example, is a case where the analysts represent interests of two parties whose aims diverge. On one hand, the investors rely on the information given by analysts to make decisions on whether or not to buy securities issued by corporate. The investment bankers also seek to capitalize their gains through underwriting of these securities.
In support of this, evidence has shown that analysts utilize much of their time in research related to investment banking (Sirri 24). Analysts usually receive commissions from the banks in which they help acquire new underwriting deals. The method of compensating research personn...
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...le, in order to reduce fraud or errors. In this case different people are involved in indicating cash inflows and outflows, verification of the cash flow and the actions that translated to such cash flows. For example, the authorization function requires a supervisor to authorize a purchase order. Then the recording function involves an accounts receivable clerk to match the order before billing clients. The teller takes custody of the money whether directly or indirectly, that is, receipts of cash, checks and credit cards. The internal audit department then conducts reconciliation to establish whether fraud has been committed. This chain of information separation in an organization reduces chances where conflict of interest may arise. For instance, if the audit team handles cash and/or assets and at the same time conduct audits, a conflict of interest may arise.
Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J.F., & Roberts, G.S (2001) Corporate Finance. 3 th ed.Toronto, McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
To achieve this, “banking firms provide [them] with a way to maintain [their] elite status in society by providing avenues to wealth and power that other professions do not” (179). They leave them unconsciously with an ultimatum, to either continue living their prestigious lifestyle and be the in the top with the elites, or settle for lower than what they’ve worked for, which is any other career path. Students who attend Princeton and Harvard who aspire to become teachers or writers are told they are settling for less than what they deserve and will be “more happy” with an investment banking career. There is a subtle form of manipulation being acted upon prospective students from investment bankers which is hidden by all of the positive, glamorous stigmas of Wall Street. To fully understand Wall Street as a whole, someone must know the small components that make it come together as a whole. This is shown through Karen Ho’s observations such as learning that students at Princeton and Harvard do not need to hold a finance degree to obtain a job on Wall Street. Whereas, Yale and Brown students must have a finance degree and are forced to show their abilities at a higher level than Princeton and Harvard students. Underneath all the dashing appearances and smart conversations on Wall Street, there is a hidden bias and a constant manipulation system in order for them to get what they want. The small components of Wall Street consist of their “small” priorities,
Treynor, Jack L and Dean LeBaron. "Insider Trading: Two Comments." Financial Analysts Journal May/June 2004: 10-12.
Berk, J., & DeMarzo, P. (2011). Corporate finance: The core, second edition. (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Prentice Hall.
On September 28, 1998, Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Arthur Levitt sounded the call to arms in the financial community. Levitt asked for, "immediate and coordinated action… to assure credibility and transparency" of financial reporting. Levitt’s speech emphasized the importance of clear financial reporting to those gathered at New York University. Reporting which has bowed to the pressures and tricks of earnings management. Levitt specifically addresses five of the most popular tricks used by firms to smooth earnings. Secondly, Levitt outlines an eight part action plan to recover the integrity of financial reporting in the U.S. market place. What are the basic objectives of financial reporting? Generally accepted accounting principles provide information that identifies, measures, and communicates financial information about economic entities to reasonably knowledgeable users. Information that is a source of decision making for a wide array of users, most importantly, by investors and creditors. Investors and creditors who are responsible for effective allocation of capital in our economy. If financial reporting becomes obscure and indecipherable, society loses the benefits of effective capital allocation. Nothing illustrates the importance of transparent information better than the pre-1930’s era of anything goes accounting. An era that left a chasm of misinformation in the market. A chasm that was a contributing factor to the market collapse of 1929 and the years of economic depression. An entire society suffered the repercussions of misinformation. Families, and retirees depend on the credibility of financial reporting for their futures and livelihoods. Levitt describes financial reporting as, a bond between the company and the investor which if damaged can have disastrous, long-lasting consequences. Once again, the bond is being tested. Tested by a financial community fixated on consensus earnings estimates. The pressure to achieve consensus estimates has never been so intense. The market demands consistency and punishes those who come up short. Eric Benhamou, former CEO of 3COM Corporation, learned this hard lesson over a few short weeks in 1996. Benhamou and shareholders lost $7 billion in market value when 3COM failed to achieve expectations. The pressures are a tangled web of expectations, and conflicts of interest which Levitt describes as "almost self-perpetuating." With pressures mounting, the answer from U.S. managers has been earnings management with a mix of managed expectations. March of 1997 Fortune magazine reported that for an unprecedented sixteen consecutive quarters, more S&P 500 companies have beat the consensus earnings estimate than missed them.
2a. The conceptual framework identifies the primary users of accounting information as investors, creditors, and those who advise them. It also assumes a “prudent” investor; that is, an investor who takes the time to become reasonably well informed with respect to accounting theory and practice. Discuss this concept with respect to the current economic environment. Are different groups of investors “prudent?”
...t embrace change as the world around them continues to change at different speeds. It will be necessary for the company to utilize both primary and secondary research and various research methods to gain an overall analysis of the target market. They will need market research to aid in the decision making that will drive their business to the next level with the intent of maximizing the company’s returns.
High school seniors takes deep breaths and parade onto the stage. The beginning of a new chapter awaits as they make the journey from one point of the stage to the end. They reflect on what they have been taught in those many years of high school. The most terrifying fact while graduating high school is the next step: making it on their own. Because they have taken part in the appropriate classes, the students are certain that they have gained the correct knowledge to begin making their mark on the world. In high school, it is crucial to achieve the appropriate classes in order to feel ready to take on the world ahead as an adult. However, many students lack proper education. One key example is financial literacy. Financial literacy is the
Finance is a field that had always fascinated me right from my undergraduate college days. What make me interested in this particular field of study are the art of finance and the complexity of investment market which would allow me to employ my personal skills, such as analytical and communication skills, along with my personal characteristics such as dedication and compassion for what I do. As one of the most important sector in the world, I believe it would provide me with a broad range of career options.
... the public and private sector. It uses both the weak form and semi strong from to make decisions. When an investor is given both public and private information the investor would not be able to profit about the average investor even if he was provided with new information at any given time. These investors are given name such as insiders, exchange specialist, analyst and money mangers. Insiders are senior managers that have access to inside information of that company. The security exchange commission prohibits that allow of inside information use to achieve abnormal returns on investments. An exchange specialist can achieve above average returns with specific order information on a specific equity. Analysts can analyze whether an analyst opinion can help an investor achieve above average returns. Institutional money mangers work handle mutual funds and pensions.
Accounting aids the government and organisations in decision making for their financial stability. This numerical data helps solve real life problems and contributes to how the economy and businesses perform.
A few sources of finance are short term and ought to be paid back within a year. Other sources of finance are long term and can be paid back over several years.
It is a known fact that the banking industry plays a huge role in today’s society, the industry has grown rapidly of many decades and still growing. The banking sector is that sector of the society that is actually responsible for the handling of financial assets for other sector of the economy, they do this by investing the financial assets in order to create more wealth in the society while regulating all the activities involved in the process. (What is the banking Sector 2015)
Krum, J. R. (1969). Perceptions and evaluation of the role of the corporate marketing research department. Journal of Marketing Research, 6(4), 459-464.
Studying Banking and Finance at University of St.Gallen will help me further increase my proficiency of corporate finance and financial markets. The in-depth research of specific topics, as well as a comprehensive curriculum, is a possibility for me to focus on my topic of interest ...