In each dropdown that follows, select the correct sign [less than ( <), greater than (> ), or equal (=)] for each comparison, assuming periods of rising prices. 1. FIFO inventory LIFO inventory 2. FIFO cost of goods sold LIFO cost of goods sold 3. FIFO net income LIFO net income 4. FIFO income taxes LIFO income taxes b. Why would management prefer to use LIFO over FIFO in periods of rising prices? Income shown on the company’s tax return would be lower if LIFO rather than FIFO is used. Income shown on the company’s tax return would be higher if LIFO rather than FIFO is used. Cost of goods sold shown on the company’s income statement would be lower if LIFO rather than FIFO is used. Dividends shown on the company’s financial statements would be higher if LIFO rather than FIFO is used.

Each of the following scenarios is based on facts in anactual fraud. categorize each scenario as primarily indicating (1) anincentive to commit fraud, (2) an opportunity to commit fraud, or(3) a rationalization for committing fraud. also state your reasoningfor each scenario.a. there was intense pressure to keep the corporation ' stock from declining further. this pressure came from investors, analysts,and the ceo, whose financial well-being was significantly dependent on the corporation ' s stock price.b. a group of top-level management was compensated (mostly in the form of stock-options) well in excess of what would be considered normal for their positions in this industry.c. top management of the company closely guards internal financial information, to the extent that even some employees on a “need-to-know basis” are denied full access.d. managing specific financial ratios is very important to the company, and both management and analysts are keenly observant of variability in key ratios. key ratios for the company changed very little even though the ratios for the overall industry were quite volatile during the time period.e. in an effort to reduce certain accrued expenses to meet budget targets, the cfo directs the general accounting department to reallocate a division’s expenses by a significant amount. the general accounting department refuses to acquiesce to the request, but the journal entry is made trough the corporate office. an accountant in the general accounting department is uncomfortable with the journal entries required to reallocate divisional expenses. he brings his concerns to the cfo, who assures him that everything will be fine and that the entries are necessary. the accountant considers resigning, but he does not have another job lined up and is worried about supporting his family. therefore, he never voices his concerns to either the internal or external auditors.f. accounting records were either nonexistent or in a state of such disorganization that significant effort was required to locate or compile them.

Suppose that xtel currently is selling at $40 per share. you buy 500 shares using $15,000 of your own money, borrowing the remainder of the purchase price from your broker. the rate on the margin loan is 8%. a. what is the percentage increase in the net worth of your brokerage account if the price of xtel immediately changes to (a) $44; (b) $40; (c) $36? (leave no cells blank - be certain to enter "0" wherever required. negative values should be indicated by a minus sign. round your answers to 2 decimal places.) b. if the maintenance margin is 25%, how low can xtel’s price fall before you get a margin call? (round your answer to 2 decimal places.) c. how would your answer to requirement 2 would change if you had financed the initial purchase with only $10,000 of your own money? (round your answer to 2 decimal places.) d. what is the rate of return on your margined position (assuming again that you invest $15,000 of your own money) if xtel is selling after one year at (a) $44; (b) $40; (c) $36? (negative values should be indicated by a minus sign. round your answers to 2 decimal places.) e. continue to assume that a year has passed. how low can xtel’s price fall before you get a margin call? (round your answer to 2 decimal places.)

The stock of grommet corporation, a u.s. company, is publicly traded, with no single shareholder owning more than 5 percent of its outstanding stock. grommet owns 95 percent of the outstanding stock of staple inc., also a u.s. company. staple owns 100 percent of the outstanding stock of clip corporation, a canadian company. grommet and clip each own 50 percent of the outstanding stock of fastener inc., a u.s. company. grommet and staple each own 50 percent of the outstanding stock of binder corporation, a u.s. company. which of these corporations form an affiliated group eligible to file a consolidated tax return?