If a seller can create switching costs for its product, then: a. customers will find it more costly to stay with the company than to switch to another seller.
b. it increases its costs by producing several versions of the product so customers can switch between versions.
c. it is difficult or costly for the seller to switch to producing a different product.
d. it is difficult or costly for customers to switch to another seller of the product.

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.

The treasurer for pittsburgh iron works wishes to use financial futures to hedge her interest rate exposure. she will sell five treasury futures contracts at $139,000 per contract. it is july and the contracts must be closed out in december of this year. long-term interest rates are currently 7.30 percent. if they increase to 9.50 percent, assume the value of the contracts will go down by 20 percent. also if interest rates do increase by 2.2 percent, assume the firm will have additional interest expense on its business loans and other commitments of $149,000. this expense, of course, will be separate from the futures contracts. a. what will be the profit or loss on the futures contract if interest rates increase to 9.50 percent by december when the contract is closed out

Calculate riverside’s financial ratios for 2014. assume that riverside had $1,000,000 in lease payments and $1,400,000 in debt principal repayments in 2014. (hint: use the book discussion to identify the applicable ratios.)