Problem with Human Resource Accounting and A Possible Solution

The idea of Human Resource Accounting (HRA) has been a debatable issue by academicians, accountants and standards setters universally. This study critically assesses the concept of HRA in order to unveil its strengths and weaknesses. Descriptive and content analyses were used in collecting data through documented texts, journal articles and other publications. The existing models proffered under the HRA were adequately reviewed and objectively criticized so that more comprehensive could be developed. The study revealed that the conceptualization of HRA, the ideas incorporated therein, and arguments are good for the accounting profession and corporate financial reporting. But the existing models yet proposed are not in a state to implement HRA practice worldwide. Hence this paper proposes a solution in line with existing framework of accounting that could be adopted by the standard setters. The study, however, recommends that more interest should be accorded to the concept of HRA in order to stimulate more comprehensive researches aimed at simplifying the concept and boosting its applicability. Key Words: Human Resource Accounting (HRA), Human Capital, Intellectual Capital, Matching principle, IAS, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS

The first complete mitogenome of Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) was characterized having 16,446 bp nucleotides encoding 37 genes in circular orientation comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 973 bp and 1600 bp. A non-coding control region (D-Loop) of 966 bp was identified between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe having seven interrupted tandem repeats. A single A + 1 frameshift insertion in the ND3 gene (ND3-174) was also discovered. The complete mitogenome of G. elegans would contribute in deeper understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and conservation effort of vulnerable testudine families

Hematological and biochemical reference values of Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus) in Bangladesh

Background and Aim: Determining reference values for hematological and biochemical parameters of Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus) is important for wildlife research to protect human health in surrounding communities. This study aimed to establish the reference values for selected hematology and serum clinical chemistry analyses that may contribute to research on shrew in future. Materials and Methods: Blood samples (n=51) were collected from shrews between July and December 2015, Bangladesh, to estimate the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), total erythrocyte count (TEC), lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, calcium, phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), urea, glucose, total protein (TP), creatinine, and alanine transaminase (ALT). Results: Although the values did not differ significantly among sexes, age was found to be a significant factor. Hb, PCV, TEC, glucose, and P were higher in males; eosinophil, Na, Cl, TP, and ALT were higher among females. Adults had significantly greater urea and glucose (p<0.05) while juveniles had insignificantly higher values for TLC, PCV, neutrophil, P, and TP. Conclusion: This study provides the first reference values for this species in Bangladesh and can be used to guide wildlife research studies. Keywords: Asian house shrew, hematology, reference interval, serum chemistry, Suncus murinus

Implications of recent reforms to auditor reporting requirements in Australia

Theoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 70-89.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Overview and Literature Review -- Chapter 3. Relevant Literature and Hypotheses Development -- Chapter 4. Methodology -- Chapter 5. Empirical Results and Discussions -- Chapter 6. Conclusions, Implications, Limitations and Avenues for Future Research.Past corporate scams and failure to convey valuable information to financial information users have cultivated severe criticism of the audit report. The long-lasting debate culminated in introduction of the new ISA 701 and revision of some extant auditing standards to enhance the quality of audit reports while providing transparent and entity-specific information. Of all the changes to audit reporting, the disclosure of key audit matters (KAMs) in a new separate section of the audit report is one of the most significant and has attracted the most controversy. There still exists polemics among standard-setters, academics, investors, and other stakeholders regarding the merits of the new reporting requirements . Motivated by continuous debate and the lack of prior research, this study investigates the degree of conformity with the new audit or reporting requirements in Australia and the extent of variations in the reporting of KAMs by companies within and across industries. The results indicate that there is a high degree of conformity with the new reporting framework, yet significant variations in the contents of the report, particularly in KAM disclosures. We observe that the number of KAMs, the types of KAMs presented, and their extent of disclosure generally varies both within and across industries. We further provide evidence that auditors do not disclose negative KAMs, rather they tend to avoid negative wordings when describing KAMs. Overall, we provide evidence that auditors are reactive in the innovative KAM disclosure; however, we still report some discrepancies in their reporting. In addition, we reveal significant differences in the pre-and post-ISA 701 audit reports in terms of its length; therefore, disclosures contained in the post-ISA 701 audit reports are much more comprehensive. These findings have important policy implications for the standard-setters, regulators, auditors, and users of financial reports on the adequacy of the new audit or reporting framework.1 online resource (x, 92 pages

How do board features and auditor characteristics shape key audit matters disclosures? Evidence from emerging economies

This study examines how corporate board features and auditor characteristics in Bangladesh influence the disclosure of key audit matters (KAM) in annual reports from 2018 to 2021. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions, the study finds that factors such as chair gender, the presence of women on the board, audit committee (AC) size, auditor tenure, and client-auditor relationship significantly affect KAM disclosure. However, AC expertise, family CEO succession, and board political connections do not have significant effects. Notably, having a family member CEO with a long-tenured auditor has a negative association with KAM disclosure, while a politically connected family CEO has a positive association with such disclosures. Additionally, Big-4 auditors of important clients are negatively associated with KAM disclosure

Covid-19 corruption in the public health sector - emerging evidence from Bangladesh

This paper explores Covid-19-related corruption in Bangladesh. Specifically, we analyse the issue of Covid-19-related corruption in the health sector of Bangladesh. We also explore how denial strategies adapted by government officials have worsened the problem. Using Cohen\u27s notion of denial strategies (Cohen 2001. States of Denial. Cambridge: Polity), we analyse media reports during the pandemic that highlighted Covid-19-related corruption occurring in the Bangladeshi health sector. Our analyses reveal that the Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to a new wave of corruption, particularly in the procurement of testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the issuance of false Covid-19 certificates. We call for an in-depth investigation of Covid-19-related corruption in Bangladesh and other developing countries that follows similar social, contextual and cultural values via interviews with policymakers and health professionals. Our paper extends the ongoing debate on Covid-19-related corruption and its impacts on public health sectors

A remote and cost‐optimized voting system using blockchain and smart contract

Abstract Traditional voting procedures are non‐remote, time‐consuming, and less secure. While the voter believes their vote was submitted successfully, the authority does not provide evidence that the vote was counted and tallied. In most cases, the anonymity of a voter is also not sure, as the voter's details are included in the ballot papers. Many voters consider this voting system untrustworthy and manipulative, discouraging them from voting, and consequently, an election loses a significant number of participants. Although the inclusion of electronic voting systems (EVS) has increased efficiency; however, it has raised concerns over security, legitimacy, and transparency. To mitigate these problems, blockchain technology has been leveraged and smart contract facilities with a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) to propose a remote voting system that makes the overall voting procedure transparent, semi‐decentralized, and secure. In addition, a system that aids in boosting the number of turnouts in an election through an incentivization policy for the voters have also developed. Through the proposed virtual campaigning feature, the authority can generate a decent amount of revenue, which downsizes the overall cost of an election. To reduce the associated cost of transactions using smart contracts, this system implements a hybrid storage system where only a few cardinal data are stored in the blockchain network