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(b) Compare and contrast Gray, Owen and Adams’s ‘pristine capitalist’ position with the ‘social contractarian’position. Explain how these positions would affect responses to stakeholder concerns in the new stadiumproject. (8 marks)

题目

(b) Compare and contrast Gray, Owen and Adams’s ‘pristine capitalist’ position with the ‘social contractarian’

position. Explain how these positions would affect responses to stakeholder concerns in the new stadium

project. (8 marks)


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  • 第1题:

    4 When a prominent football club, whose shares were listed, announced that it was to build a new stadium on land

    near to its old stadium, opinion was divided. Many of the club’s fans thought it a good idea because it would be more

    comfortable for them when watching games. A number of problems arose, however, when it was pointed out that the

    construction of the new stadium and its car parking would have a number of local implications. The local government

    authority said that building the stadium would involve diverting roads and changing local traffic flow, but that it would

    grant permission to build the stadium if those issues could be successfully addressed. A number of nearby residents

    complained that the new stadium would be too near their homes and that it would destroy the view from their gardens.

    Helen Yusri, who spoke on behalf of the local residents, said that the residents would fight the planning application

    through legal means if necessary. A nearby local inner-city wildlife reservation centre said that the stadium’s

    construction might impact on local water levels and therefore upset the delicate balance of animals and plants in the

    wildlife centre. A local school, whose pupils often visited the wildlife centre, joined in the opposition, saying that whilst

    the school supported the building of a new stadium in principle, it had concerns about disruption to the wildlife centre.

    The football club’s board was alarmed by the opposition to its planned new stadium as it had assumed that it would

    be welcomed because the club had always considered itself a part of the local community. The club chairman said

    that he wanted to maintain good relations with all local people if possible, but at the same time he owed it to the fans

    and the club’s investors to proceed with the building of the new stadium despite local concerns.

    Required:

    (a) Define ‘stakeholder’ and explain the importance of identifying all the stakeholders in the stadium project.

    (10 marks)


    正确答案:
    4 (a) Stakeholders
    Definition
    There are a number of definitions of a stakeholder. Freeman (1984), for example, defined a stakeholder in terms of any
    organisation or person that can affect or be affected by the policies or activities of an entity. Hence stakeholding can result
    from one of two directions: being able to affect and possibly influence an organisation or, conversely, being influenced by it.
    Any engagement with an organisation in whom a stake is held may be voluntary or involuntary in nature.
    Tutorial note: any definition of a stakeholder that identifies bi-directional influence will be equally valid.
    Importance of identifying all stakeholders
    Knowledge of the stakeholders in the stadium project is important for a number of reasons. This will involve surveying
    stakeholders that can either affect or be affected by the building of the stadium. In some cases, stakeholders will be
    bi-directional in their stakeholding (claim) upon the stadium project. Stakeholders in the stadium project include the local
    government authority, the local residents, the wildlife centre, the local school and the football club’s fans.
    Stakeholder identification is necessary to gain an understanding of the sources of risks and disruption. Some external
    stakeholders, such as the local government authority, offer a risk to the project and knowledge of the nature of the claim made
    upon the football club by the stakeholder will be important in risk assessment.
    Stakeholder identification is important in terms of assessing the sources of influence over the objectives and outcomes for the
    project (such as identified in the Mendelow model). In strategic analysis, stakeholder influence is assessed in terms of each
    stakeholder’s power and interest, with higher power and higher interest combining to generate the highest influence. In the
    case, it is likely that the fans are more influential on the club’s objectives than, say, the local wildlife centre, as they have
    more economic power over the club.
    It is necessary in order to identify areas of conflict and tension between stakeholders, especially relevant when it is likely that
    stakeholders of influence will be in disagreement over the outcomes for the project. In this case, for example, the claims of
    the football club board and the local residents are in conflict.
    There is a moral case for knowledge of how decisions affect people both inside the organisation or (as is the case with the
    stadium project) externally.

  • 第2题:

    (b) ‘Strategic positioning’ is about the way that a company as a whole is placed in its environment and concerns its

    ‘fit’ with the factors in its environment.

    With reference to the case as appropriate, explain how a code of ethics can be used as part of a company’s

    overall strategic positioning. (7 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) Code of ethics and strategic positioning
    Strategic positioning is about the way that a whole company is placed in its environment as opposed to the operational level,
    which considers the individual parts of the organisation.
    Ethical reputation and practice can be a key part of environmental ‘fit’, along with other strategic issues such as generic
    strategy, quality and product range.
    The ‘fit’ enables the company to more fully meet the expectations, needs and demands of its relevant stakeholders – in this
    case, European customers.
    The ‘quality’ of the strategic ‘fit’ is one of the major determinants of business performance and so is vital to the success of
    the business.
    HPC has carefully manoeuvred itself to have the strategic position of being the highest ethical performer locally and has won
    orders on that basis.
    It sees its strategic position as being the ethical ‘benchmark’ in its industry locally and protects this position against its parent
    company seeking to impose a new code of ethics.
    The ethical principles are highly internalised in Mr Hogg and in the company generally, which is essential for effective strategic
    implementation.

  • 第3题:

    2 (a) Explain the term ‘backflush accounting’ and the circumstances in which its use would be appropriate.

    (6 marks)


    正确答案:
    (a) Backflush accounting focuses upon output of an organisation and then works backwards when allocating costs between cost
    of goods sold and inventories. It can be argued that backflush accounting simplifies costing since it ignores both labour
    variances and work-in-progress. Whilst in a perfect just-in-time environment there would be no work-in-progress at all, there
    will in practice be a small amount of work-in-progress in the system at any point in time. This amount, however, is likely to
    be negligible in quantity and therefore not significant in terms of value. Thus, a backflush accounting system simplifies the
    accounting records by avoiding the need to follow the movement of materials and work-in-progress through the manufacturing
    process within the organisation.
    The backflush accounting system is likely to involve the maintenance of a raw materials and work-in–progress account
    together with a finished goods account. The use of standard costs and variances is likely to be incorporated into the
    accounting entries. Transfers from raw materials and work-in-progress account to finished goods (or cost of sales) will probably
    be made at standard cost. The difference between the actual inputs and the standard charges from the raw materials and
    work-in-progress account will be recorded as a residual variance, which will be recorded in the profit and loss account. Thus,
    it is essential that standard costs are a good surrogate for actual costs if large variances are to be avoided. Backflush
    accounting is ideally suited to a just-in-time philosophy and is employed where the overall cycle time is relatively short and
    inventory levels are low. Naturally, management will still be eager to ascertain the cause of any variances that arise from the
    inefficient usage of materials, labour and overhead. However investigations are far more likely to be undertaken using nonfinancial
    performance indicators as opposed to detailed cost variances.

  • 第4题:

    (b) Explain how the use of SWOT analysis may be of assistance to the management of Diverse Holdings Plc.

    (3 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) The use of SWOT analysis will focus management attention on current strengths and weaknesses of each subsidiary company
    which will be of assistance in the formulating of the business strategy of Diverse Holdings Plc. It will also enable management
    to monitor trends and developments in the constantly changing environments of their subsidiaries. Each trend or development
    may be classified as an opportunity or a threat that will provide a stimulus for an appropriate management response.
    Management can make an assessment of the feasibility of required actions in order that the company may capitalise upon
    opportunities whilst considering how best to negate or minimise the effect of any threats.
    A SWOT analysis should assist the management of Diverse Holdings Plc as they must identify their strengths, weaknesses,
    opportunities and threats. These may be classified as follows:
    Strengths which appear to include both OFL and HTL.
    Weaknesses which must include PSL and its limited outlets, which generate little growth and could collapse overnight. KAL
    is also a weakness due to its declining profitability.
    Opportunities where OFT, HTL and OPL are operating in growth markets.
    Threats from which KAL is suffering.
    If these four categories are identified and analysed then the group should be strengthened.

  • 第5题:

    (ii) Explain how the existing product range and the actions per Note (3) would feature in Ansoff’s

    product-market matrix. (7 marks)


    正确答案:
    (ii) Market Penetration
    With regard to existing products it would appear that a strategy of market penetration is being followed, whereby attempts
    are made to sell existing products into existing markets. This is a low risk strategy which is most unlikely to lead to high
    rates of growth, reflected in the forecast increase of 2% per annum in the years ending 30 November 2008 and 2009.
    Management seeks here to increase its market share with the current product range. In pursuing a penetration strategy
    the management of Vision plc may to some extent be able to exploit opportunities including the following:
    – Encouraging existing customers to buy more of their brand
    – Encouraging customers who are buying a competitor’s brand to switch to their brand
    – Encouraging non-users within the segment to buy their brand
    ‘Strengths’ within the current portfolio will need to be consolidated and any areas of weakness addressed with remedial
    action.
    Market Development
    The purchase of the retail outlets will enable management to sell existing products via new channels of distribution. The
    products of both the Astronomy and Outdoor Pursuits divisions could be sold via the retail outlets. Very often new
    markets can be established in geographical terms. Management could, for example, look to promote the sale of
    microscopes and associated equipment to overseas hospitals.
    Product Development
    The launch of the Birdcam-V is an example of a product development strategy whereby new products are targeted at
    existing markets. Very often, existing products can be improved, or if an organisation possesses adequate resources,
    completely new products can be developed to meet existing market needs. Some of the main risks here lie in the ‘time
    to market’ and product development costs which frequently go well beyond initial estimates.
    Diversification
    The purchase of Racquets Ltd is an example of diversification on the part of Vision plc since the products and markets
    of Racquets Ltd bear no relationship to the existing products and markets of the company. In this regard the
    diversification is said to be unrelated.
    The establishment of the Oceanic division could be regarded as a related diversification since existing technology will be
    used to develop new products for new markets. The success of this strategy will very much depend on the strength of
    the Vision brand.

  • 第6题:

    (b) Briefly discuss how stakeholder groups (other than management and employees) may be rewarded for ‘good’

    performance. (4 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) Good performance should result in improved profitability and therefore other stakeholder groups may be rewarded for ‘good
    performance’ as follows:
    – Shareholders may receive increased returns on equity in the form. of increased dividends and /or capital growth.
    – Customers may benefit from improved quality of products and services, and possibly lower prices.
    – Suppliers may benefit from increased volumes of purchases.
    – Government will benefit from increased amounts of taxation.

  • 第7题:

    (c) Explain how the introduction of an ERPS could impact on the role of management accountants. (5 marks)


    正确答案:
    (c) The introduction of ERPS has the potential to have a significant impact on the work of management accountants. The use of
    ERPS causes a substantial reduction in the gathering and processing of routine information by management accountants.
    Instead of relying on management accountants to provide them with information, managers are able to access the system to
    obtain the information they require directly via a suitable electronic access medium.
    ERPS integrate separate business functions in one system for the entire organisation and therefore co-ordination is usually
    undertaken centrally by information management specialists who have a dual responsibility for the implementation and
    operation of the system.
    ERPS perform. routine tasks that not so long ago were seen as an essential part of the daily routines of management
    accountants, for example perpetual inventory valuation. Therefore if the value of the role of management accountants is not
    to be diminished then it is of necessity that management accountants should seek to expand their roles within their
    organisations.
    The management accountant will also control and audit the ERPS data input and analysis. Hence the implementation of ERPS
    provides the management accountant with an opportunity to change the emphasis of their role from information gathering
    and processing to that of the role of advisers and internal consultants to their organisations. This new role will require
    management accountants to be involved in interpreting the information generated from the ERPS and to provide business
    support for all levels of management within an organisation.

  • 第8题:

    (ii) Explain the income tax (IT), national insurance (NIC) and capital gains tax (CGT) implications arising on

    the grant to and exercise by an employee of an option to buy shares in an unapproved share option

    scheme and on the subsequent sale of these shares. State clearly how these would apply in Henry’s

    case. (8 marks)


    正确答案:
    (ii) Exercising of share options
    The share option is not part of an approved scheme, and will not therefore enjoy the benefits of such a scheme. There
    are three events with tax consequences – grant, exercise and sale.
    Grant. If shares or options over shares are sold or granted at less than market value, an income tax charge can arise on
    the difference between the price paid and the market value. [Weight v Salmon]. In addition, if options can be exercised
    more than 10 years after the date of the grant, an employment income charge can arise. This is based on the market
    value at the date of grant less the grant and exercise priced.
    In Henry’s case, the options were issued with an exercise price equal to the then market value, and cannot be exercised
    more than 10 years from the grant. No income tax charge therefore arises on grant.
    Exercise. On exercise, the individual pays the agreed amount in return for a number of shares in the company. The price
    paid is compared with the open market value at that time, and if less, the difference is charged to income tax. National
    insurance also applies, and the company has to pay Class 1 NIC. If the company and shareholder agree, the national
    insurance can be passed onto the individual, and the liability becomes a deductible expense in calculating the income
    tax charge.
    In Henry’s case on exercise, the difference between market value (£14) and the price paid (£1) per share will be taxed
    as income. Therefore, £130,000 (10,000 x (£14 – £1)) will be taxed as income. In addition, national insurance will
    be chargeable on the company at 12·8% (£16,640) and on Henry at the rate of 1% (£1,300).
    Sale. The base cost of the shares is taken to be the market value at the time of exercise. On the sale of the shares, any
    gain or loss arising falls under the capital gains tax rules, and CGT will be payable on any gain. Business asset taper
    relief will be available as the company is an unquoted trading company, but the relief will only run from the time that
    the share options are exercised – i.e. from the time when the shares were acquired.
    In Henry’s case, the sale of the shares will immediately follow the exercise of the option (6 days later). The sale proceeds
    and the market value at the time of exercise are likely to be similar; thus little to no gain is likely to arise.

  • 第9题:

    (c) Calculate and explain the amount of income tax relief that Gerard will obtain in respect of the pension

    contributions he proposes to make in the tax year 2007/08 and contrast this with how his position could be

    improved by delaying some of the contributions that he could have made in 2007/08 until 2008/09. You

    should include relevant supporting calculations and quantify the additional tax savings arising as a result of

    your advice.

    You should ignore the proposed changes to the bonus scheme for this part of this question and assume that

    Gerard’s income will not change in 2008/09. (12 marks)


    正确答案:

     

  • 第10题:

    (ii) Explain how the inclusion of rental income in Coral’s UK income tax computation could affect the

    income tax due on her dividend income. (2 marks)

    You are not required to prepare calculations for part (b) of this question.

    Note: you should assume that the tax rates and allowances for the tax year 2006/07 and for the financial year to

    31 March 2007 will continue to apply for the foreseeable future.


    正确答案:
    (ii) The effect of taxable rental income on the tax due on Coral’s dividend income
    Remitting rental income to the UK may cause some of Coral’s dividend income currently falling within the basic rate
    band to fall within the higher rate band. The effect of this would be to increase the tax on the gross dividend income
    from 0% (10% less the 10% tax credit) to 221/2% (321/2% less 10%).
    Tutorial note
    It would be equally acceptable to state that the effective rate of tax on the dividend income would increase from 0%
    to 25%.

  • 第11题:

    6 The explosive growth of investing and raising capital in the global markets has put new emphasis on the development

    of international accounting, auditing and ethical standards. The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has

    been at the forefront of the development of the worldwide accountancy profession through its activities in ethics,

    auditing and education.

    Required:

    Explain the developments in each of the following areas and indicate how they affect Chartered Certified

    Accountants:

    (a) IFAC’s ‘Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants’; (5 marks)


    正确答案:
    6 DEVELOPMENTS AND CERTIFIED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
    Tutorial note: The answer which follows is indicative of the range of points which might be made. Other relevant material will
    be given suitable credit.
    (a) IFAC’s ‘Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants’
    Since its issue in 1996, IFAC’s ‘Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants’ (‘The Code’) has undergone several revisions
    (1996, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005). IFAC holds the view that due to national differences (of culture, language, legal and
    social systems) the task of preparing detailed ethical requirements is primarily that of the member bodies in each country
    concerned (and that they also have the responsibility to implement and enforce such requirements).
    In recognizing the responsibilities of the accountancy profession, IFAC considers its own role to be in providing guidance and
    promoting harmonization. IFAC has established ‘The Code’ to provide a basis on which the ethical requirements for
    professional accountants in each country should be founded.
    IFAC’s conceptual approach is principles-based. It provides a route to convergence that emphasises the profession’s integrity.
    This approach may be summarised as:
    ■ identifying and evaluating circumstances and relationships that create threats (e.g. to independence); and
    ■ taking appropriate action to:
    – eliminate these threats; or
    – reduce them to an acceptable level by the application of safeguards.
    If no safeguards are available to reduce a threat to an acceptable level an assurance engagement must be refused or
    discontinued.
    This approach was first introduced to Section 8 of The Code, on independence, and is applicable to assurance engagements
    when the assurance report is dated on or after 31 December 2004.
    Further to the cases of Enron, Worldcom and Parmalat, IFAC issued a revised Code in July 2005 that applies to all professional
    accountants, whether in public practice, business, industry or government2.
    A member body of IFAC may not apply less stringent standards than those stated in the Code. The Code is effective from
    30 June 2006.
    Practicing accountants and members in business must maintain the high standards of professional ethics that are expected
    by their professional bodies (such as ACCA). These developments codify current best practice in the wake of the
    aforementioned recent corporate scandals.
    The developments in The Code have wider application in that it:
    ■ applies to all assurance services (not just audit);
    ■ considers the standpoints of the firm and of the assurance team.
    Since ACCA is a member-body of IFAC the elevation of The Code to a standard will affect all Chartered Certified Accountants.
    .

  • 第12题:

    单选题
    What is the primary purpose of the passage?
    A

    To compare and contrast two theories on the origin of the caste system in India

    B

    To shed some light on an aspect of Indian society that can be confusing to outsiders

    C

    To highlight the social injustices still faced by the Untouchable caste in India today

    D

    To discredit the theory that the’Arvan Invasio n, ‘brought an end to the Harappan civilization

    E

    To explain to the reader the distinction between the Brahman and Kshatriya castes


    正确答案: E
    解析:
    主旨题。文章主要对印度社会中社会团体的几个基本要素进行了介绍,故本题应选B项。

  • 第13题:

    (c) Mr Cobar, the chief executive of SHC, has decided to draft two alternative statements to explain both possible

    outcomes of the secrecy/licensing decision to shareholders. Once the board has decided which one to pursue,

    the relevant draft will be included in a voluntary section of the next corporate annual report.

    Required:

    (i) Draft a statement in the event that the board chooses the secrecy option. It should make a convincing

    business case and put forward ethical arguments for the secrecy option. The ethical arguments should

    be made from the stockholder (or pristine capitalist) perspective. (8 marks)

    (ii) Draft a statement in the event that the board chooses the licensing option. It should make a convincing

    business case and put forward ethical arguments for the licensing option. The ethical arguments should

    be made from the wider stakeholder perspective. (8 marks)

    (iii) Professional marks for the persuasiveness and logical flow of arguments: two marks per statement.

    (4 marks)


    正确答案:

    (c) (i) For the secrecy option
    Important developments at SHC
    This is an exciting time for the management and shareholders of Swan Hill Company. The research and development
    staff at SHC have made a groundbreaking discovery (called the ‘sink method’) that will enable your company to produce
    its major product at lower cost, in higher volumes and at a much higher quality than our competitors will be able to
    using, as they do, the existing production technology. The sink process also produces at a lower rate of environmental
    emissions which, as I’m sure shareholders will agree, is a very welcome development.
    When considering the options following the discovery, your board decided that we should press ahead with the
    investment needed to transform. the production facilities without offering the use of the technology to competitors under
    a licensing arrangement. This means that once the new sink production comes on stream, SHC shareholders can, your
    board believes, look forward to a significant strengthening of our competitive position.
    The business case for this option is overwhelming. By pushing ahead with the investment needed to implement the sink
    method, the possibility exists to gain a substantial competitive advantage over all of SHC’s competitors. It will place SHC
    in a near monopolist position in the short term and in a dominant position long term. This will, in turn, give the company
    pricing power in the industry and the likelihood of superior profits for many years to come. We would expect SHC to
    experience substantial ‘overnight’ growth and the returns from this will reward shareholders’ loyalty and significantly
    increase the value of the company. Existing shareholders can reasonably expect a significant increase in the value of
    their holdings over the very short term and also over the longer term.
    Ethical implications of the secrecy option
    In addition to the overwhelming business case, however, there is a strong ethical case for the secrecy option. SHC
    recognises that it is the moral purpose of SHC to make profits in order to reward those who have risked their own money
    to support it over many years. Whilst some companies pursue costly programmes intended to serve multiple stakeholder
    interests, SHC recognises that it is required to comply with the demands of its legal owners, its shareholders, and not
    to dilute those demands with other concerns that will reduce shareholder returns. This is an important part of the agency
    relationship: the SHC board will always serve the best economic interests of its shareholders: its legal owners. The SHC
    board believes that any action taken that renders shareholder returns suboptimal is a threat to shareholder value and an
    abuse of the agency position. Your board will always seek to maximise shareholder wealth; hence our decision to pursue
    the secrecy option in this case. The secrecy option offers the possibility of optimal shareholder value and because
    shareholders invest in SHC to maximise returns, that is the only ethical action for the board to pursue. Happily, this
    option will also protect the employees’ welfare in SHC’s hometown of Swan Hill and demonstrate its commitment to the
    locality. This, in turn, will help to manage two of the key value-adding resources in the company, its employees and its
    reputation. This will help in local recruitment and staff retention in future years.
    (ii) For the licensing option
    Important developments at SHC
    Your board was recently faced with a very difficult business and ethical decision. After the discovery by SHC scientists
    of the groundbreaking sink production method, we had a choice of keeping the new production technology secret or
    sharing the breakthrough under a licensing arrangement with our competitors. After a lengthy discussion, your board
    decided that we should pursue the licensing option and I would like to explain our reasons for this on both business and
    ethical grounds.
    In terms of the business case for licensing, I would like shareholders to understand that although the secrecy option may
    have offered SHC the possibility of an unassailable competitive advantage, in reality, it would have incurred a number
    of risks. Because of the speed with which we would have needed to have acted, it would have necessitated a large
    increase in our borrowing, bringing about a substantial change in our financial structure. This would, in turn, increase
    liquidity pressures and make us more vulnerable to rising interest rates. A second risk with the secrecy option would
    involve the security of the sink technology ‘secret’. If the sink process was leaked or discovered by competitors and
    subsequently copied, our lack of a legally binding patent would mean we would have no legal way to stop them
    proceeding with their own version of the sink process.
    As well as avoiding the risks, however, the licensing option offers a number of specific business advantages. The royalties
    from the licences granted to competitors are expected to be very large indeed. These will be used over the coming years
    to extend our existing competitive advantage in the future. Finally, the ‘improvement sharing’ clause in the licensing
    contract will ensure that the sink process will be improved and perfected with several manufacturers using the
    technology at the same time. SHC’s sink production may, in consequence, improve at a faster rate than would have
    been the case were we to have pursued the secrecy option.
    Ethical implications of the licensing option
    In addition to the business case, there is also a powerful ethical case for the decision we have taken. As a good,
    responsible corporate citizen, Swan Hill Company acknowledges its many stakeholders and recognises the impacts that
    a business decision has on others. Your board recognises that in addition to external stakeholders having influence over
    our operations, our decisions can also affect others. In this case, we have carefully considered the likelihood that keeping
    the new technology a secret from our competitors would radically reshape the industry. The superior environmental
    performance of the sink process over existing methods will also mean that when fully adopted, the environmental
    emissions of the entire industry will be reduced. SHC is very proud of this contribution to this reduction in overall
    environmental impact.
    There seems little doubt that the secrecy option would have had far-reaching and unfortunate effects upon our industry
    and our competitors. The licensing option will allow competitors, and their employees and shareholders, to survive. It
    is a compassionate act on our part and shows mercy to the other competitors in the industry. It recognises the number
    of impacts that a business decision has and would be the fairest (and most just) option given the number of people
    affected.

  • 第14题:

    (c) Explain how absolutist (dogmatic) and relativist (pragmatic) ethical assumptions would affect the outcome

    of Anne’s decision. (6 marks)


    正确答案:
    (c) Absolutism and relativism
    Absolutism and relativism represent two extreme positions of ethical assumptions.
    Definitions
    An absolutist assumption is one that believes that there are ‘eternal’ rules that should guide all ethical and moral decision
    making in all situations. Accordingly, in any given situation, there is likely to be one right course of action regardless of the
    outcome. An absolutist believes that this should be chosen regardless of the consequences or the cost. A dogmatic approach
    to morality is an example of an absolutist approach to ethics. A dogmatic assumption is one that is accepted without
    discussion or debate.
    Relativist assumptions are ‘situational’ in nature. Rather than arguing that there is a single right choice, a relativist will tend
    to adopt a pragmatic approach and decide, in the light of the situation being considered, which is the best outcome. This will
    involve a decision on what outcome is the most favourable and that is a matter of personal judgment.
    Outcomes
    If Anne were to adopt absolutist/dogmatic assumptions, she would be likely to decide that she would need to pursue what
    she perceives is the right course of action regardless of cost to herself or the relationship with the client or her manager. Given
    that she unearthed a suspect and unaccounted-for payment, and that she received an inadequate explanation from the client,
    she would probably recommend extension to the audit beyond the weekend.
    If Ann were to adopt relativist or pragmatic assumptions, she would have a potentially much more complicated decision to
    make. She would have to decide whether it was more important, ethically, to yield to the pressure from Zachary in the
    interests of her short-term career interests or ‘hold out’ to protect the interests of the shareholders. Anne could recommend
    sign off and trust the FD’s explanation but she is more likely to seek further evidence or assurance from the company before
    she does so.

  • 第15题:

    (c) Identify TWO QUALITATIVE benefits that might arise as a consequence of the investment in a new IT system

    and explain how you would attempt to assess them. (4 marks)


    正确答案:
    (c) One of the main qualitative benefits that may arise from an investment in a new IT system by Moffat Ltd is the improved level
    of service to its customers in the form. of reduced waiting times which may arise as a consequence of better scheduling of
    appointments, inventory management etc. This could be assessed via the introduction of a questionnaire requiring customers
    to rate the service that they have received from their recent visit to a location within Moffat Ltd according to specific criteria
    such as adherence to appointment times, time taken to service the vehicle, cleanliness of the vehicle, attitude of staff etc.
    Alternatively a follow-up telephone call from a centralised customer services department may be made by Moffat Ltd
    personnel in order to gather such information.
    Another qualitative benefit of the proposed investment may arise in the form. of competitive advantage. Improvements in
    customer specific information and service levels may give Moffat Ltd a competitive advantage. Likewise, improved inventory
    management may enable costs to be reduced thereby enabling a ‘win-win’ relationship to be enjoyed with its customers.

  • 第16题:

    (b) (i) Explain how the use of Ansoff’s product-market matrix might assist the management of Vision plc to

    reduce the profit-gap that is forecast to exist at 30 November 2009. (3 marks)


    正确答案:

  • 第17题:

    (c) Explain the term ‘target costing’ and how it may be applied by GWCC. Briefly discuss any potential

    limitations in its application. (8 marks)


    正确答案:
    (c) Target costing should be viewed as an integral part of a strategic profit management system. The initial consideration in target
    costing is the determination of an estimate of the selling price for a new product which will enable a firm to capture its required
    share of the market. In this particular example, Superstores plc, which on the face of it looks a powerful commercial
    organisation, wishes to apply a 35% mark-up on the purchase price of each cake from GWCC. Since Superstores plc has
    already decided on a launch price of £20·25 then it follows that the maximum selling price that can be charged by GWCC
    is (100/135) x £20·25 which is £15·00.
    This is clearly a situation which lends itself to the application of target costing/pricing techniques as in essence GWCC can
    see the extent to which they fall short of the required level of return with regard to a contract with Superstores plc which ends
    after twelve months. Thus it is necessary to reduce the total costs by £556,029 to this figure in order to achieve the desired
    level of profit, having regard to the rate of return required on new capital investment. The deduction of required profit from
    the proposed selling price will produce a target price that must be met in order to ensure that the desired rate of return is
    obtained. Thus the main theme that underpins target costing can be seen to be ‘what should a product cost in order to achieve
    the desired level of return’.
    Target costing will necessitate comparison of current estimated cost levels against the target level which must be achieved if
    the desired levels of profitability, and hence return on investment, are to be achieved. Thus where a gap exists between the
    current estimated cost levels and the target cost, it is essential that this gap be closed.
    The Directors of GWCC plc should be aware of the fact that it is far easier to ‘design out’ cost during the pre-production phase
    than to ‘control out’ cost during the production phase. Thus cost reduction at this stage of a product’s life cycle is of critical
    significance to business success.
    A number of techniques may be employed in order to help in the achievement and maintenance of the desired level of target
    cost. Attention should be focussed upon the identification of value added and non-value added activities with the aim of the
    elimination of the latter. The product should be developed in an atmosphere of ‘continuous improvement’. In this regard, total
    quality techniques such as the use of Quality circles may be used in attempting to find ways of achieving reductions in product
    cost.
    Value engineering techniques can be used to evaluate necessary product features such as the quality of materials used. It is
    essential that a collaborative approach is taken by the management of GWCC and that all interested parties such as suppliers
    and customers are closely involved in order to engineer product enhancements at reduced cost.
    The degree of success that will be achieved by GWCC via the application of target costing principles will be very much
    dependent on the extent of ‘flexibility’ in variable costs. Also the accuracy of information gathered by GWCC will assume
    critical importance because the use of inaccurate information will produce calculated ‘cost gaps’ which are meaningless and
    render the application of target costing principles of little value.

  • 第18题:

    (b) Explain how growth may be assessed, and critically discuss the advantages and issues that might arise as a

    result of a decision by the directors of CSG to pursue the objective of growth. (8 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) Growth may be measured in a number of ways which are as follows:
    Cash flow
    This is a very important measure of growth as it ultimately determines the amount of funds available for re-investment by any
    business.
    Sales revenue
    Growth in sales revenues generated is only of real value to investors if it precipitates growth in profits.
    Profitability
    There are many measures relating to profit which include sales margin, earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and
    amortisation (EBITDA) and earnings per share. More sophisticated measures such as return on capital employed and residual
    income consider the size of the investment relative to the level of profits earned. In general terms, measures of profitability
    are only meaningful if they are used as a basis for comparisons over time or in conjunction with other measures of
    performance. Growth rate in profitability are useful when compared with other companies and also with other industries.
    Return on investment
    A growing return upon invested capital suggests that capital is being used more and more productively. Indicators of a growing
    return would be measured by reference to dividend payment and capital growth.
    Market share
    Growth in market share is generally seen as positive as it can generate economies of scale.
    Number of products/service offerings
    Growth is only regarded as useful if products and services are profitable.
    Number of employees
    Measures of productivity such as value added per employee and profit per employee are often used by shareholders in
    assessing growth. Very often an increased headcount is a measure of success in circumstances where more people are
    needed in order to deliver a service to a required standard. However it is incumbent on management to ensure that all
    employees are utilised in an effective manner.
    It is a widely held belief that growth requires profits and that growth produces profits. Profits are essential in order to prevent
    a company which has achieved growth from becoming a target for a take-over or in a worse case scenario goes into
    liquidation. Hence it is fundamental that a business is profitable throughout its existence. Growth accompanied by growth in
    profits is also likely to aid the long-term survival of an organisation. CSG operates in Swingland which experiences fluctuations
    in its economic climate and in this respect the exploitation of profitable growth opportunities will help CSG to survive at the
    expense of its competitors who do not exploit such opportunities.
    Note: Alternative relevant discussion and examples would be accepted.

  • 第19题:

    (c) Explain the reasons for the concerns of the government of Happyland with companies such as TMC and

    advise the directors of a strategy that might be considered in order to avoid being subject to any forthcoming

    legislation concerning the environment. (5 marks)


    正确答案:
    (c) The government of Happyland will be concerned by the negative impact on the environment. The growth in the number of
    children born in Happyland will have raised the demand for disposable nappies as is evidenced from the market size data
    contained in the question. In some countries disposable nappies make up around 4% of all household waste and can take
    up to five hundred years to decompose! The government will be concerned by the fact that trees are being destroyed in order
    to keep babies and infant children in nappies. The disposal costs incurred by the government in terms of landfill etc will be
    very high, hence its green paper on the effect of non-biodegradable products in Happyland. The costs of such operations as
    the landfill for such products will need to be funded out of increased taxation.
    It might be beneficial for the directors of TMC to develop more eco-friendly products such as washable nappies which, by
    definition, are recyclable many times over during the life of the ‘product’. Many parents are now changing to ‘real nappies’
    because they work out cheaper and better for the environment than disposables.

  • 第20题:

    (b) Explain by reference to Hira Ltd’s loss position why it may be beneficial for it not to claim any capital

    allowances for the year ending 31 March 2007. Support your explanation with relevant calculations.

    (6 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) The advantage of Hira Ltd not claiming any capital allowances
    In the year ending 31 March 2007 Hira Ltd expects to make a tax adjusted trading loss, before deduction of capital
    allowances, of £55,000 and to surrender the maximum amount possible of trading losses to Belgrove Ltd and Dovedale Ltd.
    For the first nine months of the year from 1 April 2006 to 31 December 2006 Hira Ltd is in a loss relief group with Belgrove
    Ltd. The maximum surrender to Belgrove Ltd for this period is the lower of:
    – the available loss of £41,250 (£55,000 x 9/12); and
    – the profits chargeable to corporation tax of Belgrove of £28,500 (£38,000 x 9/12).
    i.e. £28,500. This leaves losses of £12,750 (£41,250 – £28,500) unrelieved.
    For the remaining three months from 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2007 Hira Ltd is a consortium company because at least
    75% of its share capital is owned by companies, each of which own at least 5%. It can surrender £8,938 (£55,000 x 3/12
    x 65%) to Dovedale Ltd and £4,812 (£55,000 x 3/12 x 35%) to Belgrove Ltd as both companies have sufficient taxable
    profits to offset the losses. Accordingly, there are no losses remaining from the three-month period.
    The unrelieved losses from the first nine months must be carried forward as Hira Ltd has no income or gains in that year or
    the previous year. However, the losses cannot be carried forward beyond 1 January 2007 (the date of the change of
    ownership of Hira Ltd) if there is a major change in the nature or conduct of the trade of Hira Ltd. Even if the losses can be
    carried forward, the earliest year in which they can be relieved is the year ending 31 March 2009 as Hira Ltd is expected to
    make a trading loss in the year ending 31 March 2008.
    Any capital allowances claimed by Hira Ltd in the year ending 31 March 2007 would increase the tax adjusted trading loss
    for that year and consequently the unrelieved losses arising in the first nine months.
    If the capital allowances are not claimed, the whole of the tax written down value brought forward of £96,000 would be
    carried forward to the year ending 31 March 2008 thus increasing the capital allowances and the tax adjusted trading loss,
    for that year. By not claiming any capital allowances, Hira Ltd can effectively transfer a current period trading loss, which
    would be created by capital allowances, of £24,000 (25% x £96,000) from the year ending 31 March 2007 to the following
    year where it can be surrendered to the two consortium members.

  • 第21题:

    (b) (i) Explain, by reference to Coral’s residence, ordinary residence and domicile position, how the rental

    income arising in respect of the property in the country of Kalania will be taxed in the UK in the tax year

    2007/08. State the strategy that Coral should adopt in order to minimise the total income tax suffered

    on the rental income. (7 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) (i) UK tax on the rental income
    Coral is UK resident in 2007/08 because she is present in the UK for more than 182 days. Accordingly, she will be
    subject to UK income tax on her Kalanian rental income.
    Coral is ordinarily resident in the UK in 2007/08 as she is habitually resident in the UK.
    Coral will have acquired a domicile of origin in Kalania from her father. She has not acquired a domicile of choice in the
    UK as she has not severed her ties with Kalania and does not intend to make her permanent home in the UK.
    Accordingly, the rental income will be taxed in the UK on the remittance basis.
    Any rental income remitted to the UK will fall into the basic rate band and will be subject to income tax at 22% on the
    gross amount (before deduction of Kalanian tax). Unilateral double tax relief will be available in respect of the 8% tax
    suffered in Kalania such that the effective rate of tax suffered by Coral in the UK on the grossed up amount of income
    remitted will be 14%.
    In order to minimise the total income tax suffered on the rental income Coral should ensure that it is not brought into or
    used in the UK such that it will not be subject to income tax in the UK.
    Coral should retain evidence, for example bank statements, to show that the rental income has not been removed from
    Kalania. Coral can use the money whilst she is on holiday in Kalania with no UK tax implications.

  • 第22题:

    (b) Calculate the amount of input tax that will be recovered by Vostok Ltd in respect of the new premises in the

    year ending 31 March 2009 and explain, using illustrative calculations, how any additional recoverable input

    tax will be calculated in future years. (5 marks)


    正确答案:
    (b) Recoverable input tax in respect of new premises
    Vostok Ltd will recover £47,880 (£446,500 x 7/47 x 72%) in the year ending 31 March 2009.
    The capital goods scheme will apply to the purchase of the building because it is to cost more than £250,000. Under the
    scheme, the total amount of input tax recovered reflects the use of the building over the period of ownership, up to a maximum
    of ten years, rather than merely the year of purchase.
    Further input tax will be recovered in future years as the percentage of exempt supplies falls. (If the percentage of exempt
    supplies were to rise, Vostok Ltd would have to repay input tax to HMRC.)
    The additional recoverable input tax will be computed by reference to the percentage of taxable supplies in each year including
    the year of sale. For example, if the percentage of taxable supplies in a particular subsequent year were to be 80%, the
    additional recoverable input tax would be computed as follows.
    £446,500 x 7/47 x 1/10 x (80% – 72%) = £532.
    Further input tax will be recovered in the year of sale as if Vostok Ltd’s supplies in the remaining years of the ten-year period
    are fully vatable. For example, if the building is sold in year seven, the additional recoverable amount for the remaining three
    years will be calculated as follows.
    £446,500 x 7/47 x 1/10 x (100% – 72%) x 3 = £5,586.

  • 第23题:

    5 (a) Compare and contrast the responsibilities of management, and of auditors, in relation to the assessment of

    going concern. You should include a description of the procedures used in this assessment where relevant.

    (7 marks)


    正确答案:
    5 Dexter Co
    (a) Responsibilities of management and auditors
    Responsibilities
    ISA 570 Going Concern provides a clear framework for the assessment of the going concern status of an entity, and
    differentiates between the responsibilities of management and of auditors. Management should assess going concern in order
    to decide on the most appropriate basis for the preparation of the financial statements. IAS 1 Presentation of Financial
    Statements (revised) requires that where there is significant doubt over an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, the
    uncertainties should be disclosed in a note to the financial statements. Where the directors intend to cease trading, or have
    no realistic alternative but to do so, the financial statements should be prepared on a ‘break up’ basis.
    Thus the main focus of the management’s assessment of going concern is to ensure that relevant disclosures are made where
    necessary, and that the correct basis of preparation is used.
    The auditor’s responsibility is to consider the appropriateness of the management’s use of the going concern assumption in
    the preparation of the financial statements and to consider whether there are material uncertainties about the entity’s ability
    to continue as a going concern that need to be disclosed in a note.
    The auditor should also consider the length of the time period that management have looked at in their assessment of going
    concern.
    The auditor will therefore need to come to an opinion as to the going concern status of an entity but the focus of the auditor’s
    evaluation of going concern is to see whether they agree with the assessment made by the management. Therefore whether
    they agree with the basis of preparation of the financial statements, or the inclusion in a note to the financial statements, as
    required by IAS 1, of any material uncertainty.
    Evaluation techniques
    In carrying out the going concern assessment, management will evaluate a wide variety of indicators, including operational
    and financial. An entity employing good principles of corporate governance should be carrying out such an assessment as
    part of the on-going management of the business.
    Auditors will use a similar assessment technique in order to come to their own opinion as to the going concern status of an
    entity. They will carry out an operational review of the business in order to confirm business understanding, and will conduct
    a financial review as part of analytical procedures. Thus both management and auditors will use similar business risk
    assessment techniques to discover any threats to the going concern status of the business.
    Auditors should not see going concern as a ‘completion issue’, but be alert to issues affecting going concern throughout the
    audit. In the same way that management should continually be managing risk (therefore minimising going concern risk),
    auditors should be continually be alert to going concern problems throughout the duration of the audit.
    However, one difference is that when going concern problems are discovered, the auditor is required by IAS 570 to carry out
    additional procedures. Examples of such procedures would include:
    – Analysing and discussing cash flow, profit and other relevant forecasts with management
    – Analysing and discussing the entity’s latest available interim financial statements
    – Reviewing events after the period end to identify those that either mitigate or otherwise affect the entity’s ability to
    continue as a going concern, and
    – Reading minutes of meetings of shareholders, those charged with governance and relevant committees for reference to
    financing difficulties.
    Management are not explicitly required to gather specific evidence about going concern, but as part of good governance would
    be likely to investigate and react to problems discovered.