School of Business

Chicago Campus

Syllabus

International Accounting and Taxation B7252

Fall I 2007

Term I: September 4th to October 24th

TBA 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Room TBA

Bob Castaneda, DBA, CPA, Instructor


COURSE INFORMATION

Fall I 2007

September 4th to October 24th

Course Credit: 3 hours

Meeting Time: TBA 6PM to 10PM

In Class Meetings Week ending

Session DATES TIMES

Session 1 09/04 6 PM to 10PM

Session 2 09/11 6 PM to 10PM

Session 3 09/18 6 PM to 10PM

Session 4 09/25 6 PM to 10PM

Session 5 10/02 6 PM to 10PM

Session 6 10/09 6 PM to 10PM

Session 7 10/16 6 PM to 10PM

Classroom: TBA

Instructor: Bob Castaneda, DBA, CPA

Office Hours & Telephone:

Daytime 8am – 5pm Office: 312-498-2028

Evening 6pm – 9pm Office: 312-945-3168

FAX: 312-945-3169

Email:

ABOUT the PROFESSOR

Roberto Castaneda received his graduate degree (DBA) in Accounting from Argosy University; (MM/MBA) in Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University, and his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Marketing from DePaul University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

I am usually available from 9AM-9PM Central Time on most days, but attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. If you find you need to communicate with me at another time please let me know and I will try to accommodate your schedule if at all possible. I provide you with these times to make it easier to communicate with me, not to limit our contact and want you to know that, should you have an urgent need to contact me outside these time frames, you should not hesitate to do so.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Learning is a life long process to be cherished whether you are a part-time or full-time student. Obtaining a degree helps one to standout from the crowd for that next job, promotion, or to further personal enrichment.

Course Description

This advanced course explores an in-depth review and analysis of the latest theories and research on accounting and taxation issues from an international perspective. Study includes how and why accounting and taxation topics differ from country to country, the impact of these issues on the international organization, problems related to the differences and the organizations that have developed to resolve ethical and operational problems. Written projects will focus on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and information literacy. The class includes independent research into the development, implementation and regulation issues for global organizations.

Phone Number/Email

Instructor: Roberto (Bob) Castaneda, MM/MBA, DBA, CPA

Email:

ABOUT the PROFESSOR

Roberto Castaneda received his graduate degree (DBA) in accounting from Argosy University, (MM/MBA) in marketing and finance from Northwestern University, and his undergraduate degree in accounting and marketing from DePaul University (BSC). He is also a certified public accountant.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Learning is a life long process to be cherished whether you’re a part-time or full-time student. Obtaining a degree helps one to standout from the crowd for that next job, promotion, or to further personal enrichment.

Office Hours:

Daytime 8am – 5pm Office: 312-498-2028

Evening 6pm – 9pm Office: 312-945-3168

Required Text and Readings and outline of assignments

International Financial Management, Eun/ResnickPublisher: McGraw Hill,

4th Edition ISBN: 007-2996-869


Students are asked to come prepared with the following class readings-

In Class (Chicago Campus)

DATE CHAPTER TOPIC(S) READ ASSIGNMENT(S)

1 / Globalization and the Multinational Firm / Chapter 1 / Mini Case Nike and sweatshop Labor
Questions 7 and 8
2 / Corporate governance around the world / Chapter 4 / Mini Case Parmalat: Europe’s Enron
Questions 9 and 10
3 / Management of translation exposure / Chapter 10 / Mini Case Sundance Sporting Goods
Problems 1, 2 and 3
4 / Foreign direct investment and cross-border acquisitions / Chapter 16 / Mini Case Enron vs Bombay Politicians
Questions 1, 2 and 4
Midterm Exam / Concepts covered in the previous weeks
5 / International capital structure and the cost of capital. / Chapter 17 / Questions 1, 2 and 11
6 / International capital budgeting / Chapter 18 / Mini Case Dorchester Ltd
Problems 1, 2 nd 5
7 / Multinational cash management / Chapter 19 / Mini Case Eastern Trading Company’s Optimal Transfer Pricing Strategy
Problems 1 and 2
8 / International tax environment / Chapter 21 / Mini Case Sigma Corp’s Location Decision
Question 5
Problem 1
Final Exam / Comprehensive Exam
Case Study / See below for specific discussions on the final paper due on the last day of class. Be sure to begin this assignment as soon as you can as it will require in-depth research and analysis.
One report in APA style (10 pages) will be due at the end of class along with presenting your findings to the class.
1.  During 2004 through 2005 a number of US multinational corporations repatriated dividends back to the US under the American Jobs Creation Act. Research this act and its potential impact to the US economy and to companies complying with this Act.
2.  What were the advantages and disadvantages of repatriating these earnings back to the US on the part of corporations, the local market where the funds were located, and the US government?
3.  Select a public company and research its 10K and/or 10Q on the complying with this Act. How did the company disclose the impact of complying with this Act? What type of balance sheet and/or income statement impact did this have on the company’s financial position?
4.  In your own opinion, did this Act have the desired impact on the part of the company and the US government? What type of reprisals existed on the part of the foreign government?

Course objectives.

Overall objective-

Students will be able to understand some of the accounting theory in terms of theory formulation in the past and the FASB Conceptual Framework and the standard setting in the past and present; along with selected contemporary issues in accounting.

Specific objectives of this course include-

1.  Be able to research international accounting and tax issues and the related positions of the various stakeholders including government, authoritative accounting bodies, and companies.

2.  Critically analyze a multi-national’s financial statements and position on its foreign holdings and the risk associated with this investment.

3.  Identify and research promulgated accounting literature on international accounting standards that multi-nationals need to comply.

4.  Understand how multi-national companies comply with both foreign and US governmental regulations along with their disclosure requirements

5.  Make informed recommendations on the probable outcomes of international accounting issues

COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCE MATERIALS

JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS

The Wall Street Journal Value Line

Barrons The Investor’s Dictionary

Business Week Standard & Poore’s Industry Surveys

Lexus Nexus Standard & Poore’s Stock Reports C

Moody’s Handbook of Common Stocks

WORLD WIDE WEB

CNNFN CNBC

www.cnnfn.com www.cnbc.wsj.com

Chicago Federal Reserve Bank U.S. Treasury Department

www.frbchi.org www.ustreas.gov

New York Stock Exchange Chicago Board of Options Exchange

www.nyse.com www.cboe.com

Nasdaq Public Registrar’s Annual Report

www.nasdaq.com www.prars.com

Earnings Whispers Dow Jones Current and Historical Stocks

www.earningwhispers.com www.dowjones.com

Yahoo Finance Bond Markets

http://quote.yahoo.com www.bondmarket.com

Financial Center Bank Rate Monitor

www.financenter.com www.bankrate.com

instructional technique

30% classroom teaching techniques (e.g., lecture, discussion, cooperative learning, audio-

visuals), accompanied by a short rationale for why they are being used.

60% required text and/or other reading sources (e.g., reserved readings, teacher-

constructed handouts, or other written materials distributed to students in class).

10% case study in applying methods learned

Course assessment / Examinations

15% Class Participation (assessed with objective 1 through 5 above)

10% Case Study (to be provided on first day of class and due last day of class) assessment of

objective 2 and 3 above)

20% Midterm Exam will occur on week 3 (assessment of objectives 1, 2 and 3)

10% Homework (assessment of objective 3 and 4 above)

45% Final Exam (assessment of overall course objective above) will occur on last day of class

(make up allowed at discretion of the teacher)

100%

Grading Criteria:

The grading scale is as follows:

Percentage / Letter Grade
93-100 / = / A
90-92.9 / = / A-
87-89.9 / = / B+
83-86.9 / = / B
80-82.9 / = / B-
77-79.9 / = / C+
73-76.9 / = / C
70-72.9 / = / C-
67-69.9 / = / D+
63-66.9 / = / D
60-62.9 / = / D-
<60 / = / F

Criteria for Term Paper:

Grade
A = 90+ / Paper is in appropriate APA format, well thought out and provides excellent coverage of material
B = 80 – 89 / Paper is well thought out, but is missing one component of APA format OR coverage of material is only adequate
C = 70 – 79 / Insufficient number of references provided AND limited coverage
D = 60 - 69 / Paper is disorganized AND coverage is not adequate AND does not conform to APA format
F = <60 / Evidence of plagiarism OR paper not submitted
Criteria for Class Presentation
Grade
A = 90+ / Presentation is well organized and provides excellent coverage of the topic area; informative handouts provided to the instructor and classmates
B = 80 – 89 / Presentation is well organized and provides good coverage of the topic area
C = 70 – 79 / Coverage of material is marginal; presentation is slightly disorganized
D = 60 - 69 / Presentation is disorganized and does not provide adequate coverage of the topic area
F = <60 / Presentation was not completed by student
Criteria for Class Participation
Grade
A = 90+ / Student actively participated in discussions in >80% of class sessions; nearly all comments were thought provoking and incorporated material from the assigned readings
B = 80 – 89 / Student actively participated in discussions in >80% of class sessions; most of the comments were thought provoking and incorporated material from the assigned readings
C = 70 – 79 / Student participated in discussions in >70% of class sessions; comments/questions demonstrate a surface level understanding of course topics
D = 60 - 69 / Student participated in <70% of class sessions; comments/questions did not demonstrate an understanding of course topics
F = <60 / Student did not participate in class discussions

Grading Criteria

A = surpasses expectations

B = exceeds expectations

C = meets expectations

D = misses expectations

F = requirements not met

Mission Statement - School of Business

The Argosy School of Business is committed to the goal of providing quality graduate and undergraduate business education in a manner that fulfills both the personal and professional goals of the working adult learner and the expected needs of the local, national and international business community. While recognizing the significance of technology in modern business practice, the Argosy School of Business is distinctive in its behavioral approach to the challenges of managing both people and processes.

The School of Business seeks to achieve this mission through:

1) the recruitment, development, and maintenance of highly-skilled and motivated faculty who teach their fields of specialty from professional experience as well as theoretical knowledge; and 2) through the provision of student learning experiences that link theory with practice and reflect the multidisciplinary demands of a workplace that is increasingly global, diverse, and technologically-oriented.

Disability Statement:

It is the policy of Argosy University/Chicago to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations to complete the instructor’s course requirements, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedure for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodation will be provided to students upon request.

Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. It is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the instructor in order to receive the requested accommodation in class. In an effort to protect student privacy, Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with instructors.

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism Statement:

The University seeks to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity. Any work submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student. Any source used by a student must be documented through normal scholarly references and citations, and the extent to which any sources have been used must be apparent to the reader. The University further considers resubmission of a work produced for one course in a subsequent course or the submission of work done partially or entirely by another to be academic dishonesty. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification from the course instructor about how much help may be received in completing an assignment or exam or project and what sources may be used. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty or plagiarism shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University.

If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, visit the following web site: http://www.turnitin.com/research_site/e_home.html. Argosy University routinely submits student papers to Turnitin.com for Originality Reports. Papers submitted to Turnitin are checked against published works, content on the Internet, and every other paper submitted to Turnitin.

Statement Concerning the Use of Technology In The Class

Argosy University encourages the use of technology throughout the curriculum. This course uses the following: computer discussion threads, overheads, video tapes, on line syllabus and assignments, etc. Programmable calculators will be allowed for use during the class and exams by the students.

  1. Every student MUST have access to a computer and an email address
  2. Email will be used for instructor communication to students
  3. Class handout materials may be emailed to students at the instructors discretion
  4. Software for text documents will be Microsoft Word or Excel
  5. Software for presentation documents will be Microsoft PowerPoint
  6. Access to a fax machine will be a useful option
  7. Students will be expected to review course material on the textbook CD-ROM
  8. Students will be expected to review the course website for:
  9. Learning objectives
  10. Chapter summaries and definition of terms
  11. Web links for learning and research resources
  12. Chapter exercises
  13. Use of AU library Internet resources is a requirement for research papers
  14. The course will make use of text related videos

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