David R. and Ella M. Cole (ages 39 and 38, respectively) are husband and wife who live at 1820 Elk Avenue, Denver, CO 80202. David is a regional sales manager for Wren Industries, a national wholesaler of plumbing and heating supplies, and Ella is a part-time dental hygienist for a chain of dental clinics.

David is classified by Wren as a statutory employee with compensation for 2016 (based on commissions) of $95,000. He is expected to maintain his own office and pay for all business expenses from this amount. Wren does not require him to render any accounting as to the use of these funds. It does not withhold Federal and state income taxes but does withhold and account for the payroll taxes incurred (e.g., Social Security and Medicare). The Coles are adequately covered by Wren's noncontributory medical plan but have chosen not to participate in its § 401(k) retirement plan.

David's employment-related expenses for 2016 are summarized below.

The entertainment involved business meals for purchasing agents, store owners, and building contractors. The business gifts consisted of $50 gift certificates to a national restaurant. These were sent by David during the Christmas holidays to 18 of his major customers.

In addition, David drove his 2014 Ford Expedition 11,000 miles for business and 3,000 for personal use during 2016. He purchased the Expedition on August 15, 2013, and has always used the automatic (standard) mileage method for tax purposes. Parking and tolls relating to business use total $340 in 2016.

When the Coles purchased their present residence in April 2013, they devoted 450 of the 3,000 square feet of living space to an office for David. The property cost $440,000 ($40,000 of which is attributable to the land) and has since appreciated in value. Expenses relating to the residence in 2016 (except for mortgage interest and property taxes; see below) are as follows:

In terms of depreciation, the Coles use the MACRS percentage tables applicable to 39-year nonresidential real property. As to depreciable property (e.g., office furniture), David tries to avoid capitalization and uses whatever method provides the fastest write-off for tax purposes.

Ella works part-time as a substitute for whichever hygienist is ill or on vacation or when one of the clinics is particularly busy (e.g., prior to the beginning of the school year). Assumed that Ella is an employee (not an independent contractor). Besides her transportation, she must provide and maintain her own uniforms. Her expenses for 2016 appear below.

Ella's salary for the year is $42,000, and her Form W–2 for the year shows income tax withholdings of $4,000 (Federal) and $1,000 (state) and the proper amount of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Because Ella is a part-time employee, she is not included in her employer's medical or retirement plans.

Besides the items already mentioned, the Coles had the following receipts during 2016.

For several years, the Coles' household has included David's divorced mother, Sarah, who has been claimed as their dependent. In late November 2016, Sarah unexpectedly died of coronary arrest in her sleep. Unknown to Ella and David, Sarah had a life insurance policy and a savings account (with David as the designated beneficiary of each). In 2015, the Coles purchased two ATVs for $14,050. After several near mishaps, they decided that the sport was too dangerous. In 2016, they sold the ATVs to their neighbor.

Additional expenditures for 2016 include:

In 2016, the Coles made quarterly estimated tax payments of $1,400 (Federal) and $500 (state) for a total of $5,600 (Federal) and $2,000 (state).

Relevant Social Security numbers are:

Required:

Using the appropriate forms and schedules, compute the Coles' Federal income tax for 2016. Disregard the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and the various education credits

Conch Republic Electronics Part 1

Conch Republic Electronics is a midsized electronics manufacturer located in Key West, Florida. The company president is Shelley Couts, who inherited the company. When it was founded over 70 years ago, the company originally repaired radios and other household appliances. Over the years, the company expanded into manufacturing and is now a reputable manufacturer of various electronic items. Jay McCanless, a recent MBA graduate, has been hired by the company's finance department.

One of the major revenue-producing items manufactured by Conch Republic is a smart phone. Conch Republic currently has one smart phone model on the market, and sales have been excellent. The smart phone is a unique item in that it comes in a variety of tropical colors and is preprogrammed to play Jimmy Buffett music. However, as with any electronic item, technology changes rapidly, and the current smart phone has limited features in comparison with newer models. Conch Republic spent $750,000 to develop a prototype for a new smart phone that has all the features of the existing smart phone but adds new features such as WiFi tethering. The company has spent a further $200,000 for a marketing study to determine the expected sales figures for the new smart phone.

Conch Republic can manufacture the new smart phones for $215 each in variable costs. Fixed costs for the operation are estimated to run $6.1 million per year. The estimated sales volume is 155,000, 165,000, 125,000, 95,000, and 75,000 per year for the next five years, respectively. The unit price of the new smart phone will be $520. The necessary equipment can be purchased for $40.5 million and will be depreciated on a seven-year MACRS schedule. It is believed the value of the equipment in five years will be $6.1 million.

As previously stated, Conch Republic currently manufactures a smart phone. Production of the existing model is expected to be terminated in two years. If Conch Republic does not introduce the new smart phone, sales will be 95,000 units and 65,000 units for the next two years, respectively. The price of the existing smart phone is $380 per unit, with variable costs of $145 each and fixed costs of $4.3 million per year. If Conch Republic does introduce the new smart phone, sales of the existing smart phone will fall by 30,000 units per year, and the price of the existing units will have to be lowered to $210 each. Net working capital for the smart phones will be 20 percent of sales and will occur with the timing of the cash flows for the year; for example, there is no initial outlay for NWC, but changes in NWC will first occur in Year 1 with the first year's sales. Conch Republic has a 35 percent corporate tax rate and a required return of 12 percent.

Shelley has asked Jay to prepare a report that answers the following questions.

Conch Republic Electronics Part 2

Shelley Couts, the owner of Conch Republic Electronics, had received the capital budgeting analysis from Jay McCanless for the new smart phone the company is considering. Shelley was pleased with the results, but she still had concerns about the new smart phone. Conch Republic had used a small market research firm for the past 20 years, but recently the founder of that firm retired. Because of this, she was not convinced the sales projections presented by the market research firm were entirely accurate. Additionally, because of rapid changes in technology, she was concerned that a competitor could enter the market. This would likely force Conch Republic to lower the sales price of its new smart phone. For these reasons, she has asked Jay to analyze how changes in the price of the new smart phone and changes in the quantity sold will affect the NPV of the project.

Shelley has asked Jay to prepare a memo answering the following questions.

QUESTIONS

5.How sensitive is the NPV to changes in the price of the new smart phone?

6.How sensitive is the NPV to changes in the quantity sold of the new smart phone?

Evaluation and testing of controls at Hales Ltd

Tyrone has provided a narrative of controls over inventory at Hales Ltd and would like you to provide some advice on making the preliminary control risk assessment. Hales is a distributor of haircare products, including shampoos, conditioners and styling products throughout Australia. Hales uses an on-line ordering system. Hales does not manufacture any goods in house, instead, an inventory of raw materials is kept, with manufacturing being outsourced to other companies. Hales has around 35 suppliers and 15 manufacturers. These companies have proven to be reliable in the past. Tyrone has made the following notes about three particular elements of the inventory system.

Purchase of raw materials

Purchase orders are generated by the computer when the inventory level of a particular material falls below 75% of what was used in the previous month. Purchase orders include the date, the suppliers name and the raw material required. Three copies of the purchase order are created. The first copy goes to the warehouse where it is used to enable the following up of overdue orders. The second copy is filed by the accounts clerk by order of date and the third copy goes to the supplier. Upon receipt of materials, barcodes on the delivery packages are scanned into the computer system. A two part receiving report is then generated. The first part is matched to the purchase order by the warehouse manager. The second is sent to the accounts clerk who files it. If the scanning of barcodes does not match data on the master file then the process is stopped.

Procedures for finished goods

When finished goods fall below 65% of the previous months sales, production orders are triggered. Production orders include a date, the manufacturers name, the raw materials needed and the volume of finished goods required. Two copies of the production order are generated. The first copy is sent to the raw materials warehouse where it is used as a picking slip by the warehouse staff. It is then included with materials which are sent to the manufacturer. The second copy is filed by the production manager by order of date. When finished goods arrive at Hales, barcodes on the delivery packets are scanned. A two part receiving report is generated, with the first copy being matched to the production order by the production manager and the second copy being filed by the accounts clerk. As with materials purchases, if the scanning of barcodes does not match the codes on the master file then the process is stopped.

Changes to the master file

The inventory master file contains information on the volumes of inventory on hand including barcode information and locations within the warehouse. The master file also has details of approved suppliers and manufacturers. Orders can only be made to suppliers and manufacturers on the master file. Changes to the master file can be made by the production manager. This applies to both raw materials and finished goods. To make changes the production manager completes an amendment form which is then kept as a record of any changes made.

Other information

There are separate warehouses, staff and procedures in place for the raw materials and finished goods. The selection of suppliers of raw materials and manufacturers is done automatically by the computer based on the latest price as per the last invoice and delivery time. Password access to the computer permits the following:

• Raw materials store staff have access to purchase order printing and goods received notes printing for materials.

• Finished goods store staff have access to goods received notes printing for finished goods.

• The production manager has access to production order printing and master file changes.

• The acounts clerk has access to master file changes.

Question 4

In relation to Hales Ltd:

• The weaknesses in the internal controls for each of the three aspects of the inventory system identified (raw materials, finished goods and changes to the master file).

• An assessment of the implications of each of the weaknesses you have identified.

• Three tests of control JDM’s IT audit division could perform to assist Tyrone with verifying the effectiveness of the internal controls (assuming that JDM will be performing tests of control).

• Two Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) that Tyrone could request the IT auditors run to assist him in testing the valuation of inventory.

1. When establishing your competence in your online communication, which of the following is most important?

   		What would be an acceptable level of expertise for journalistic or academic writing
   		What your audience believes makes for high competence
   		What you believe makes for a competent speaker
   		What other online influencers believe makes for a competent speaker

3 points   

QUESTION 38

1. What does your audience need to know about sources you use or cite in your online communication?

   		Name of the author, publisher, and year published
   		Name of the source and how you found the information
   		Author, title of the article or book, and year published
   		Name of the source and the source’s credibility

3 points   

QUESTION 39

1. If I say that eating a particular vegetable decreases your risk of cancer by 5%, which of the following is required to understand the actual percentage change in your risk?

   		Whether the risk has an estimated or unknown base.
   		Whether the percentage decrease is a relative or an absolute change.
   		Whether it is a rate or base formula percentage.
   		What the relative standard deviation is.

3 points   

QUESTION 40

1. What is the key element to a successful argument from example?

   		The audience must believe that the examples are representative of the larger group
   		Your examples must come from strong, reputable sources
   		That your examples are modern and not from before the invention of the internet
   		You must have randomly sampled your examples

Directions: Use the Crosstabs option in the Descriptives menu to answer the questions based on the following scenario. (Be sure to select Chi-square from the Statistics submenu and Observed, Expected, Row, and Column in the Cells submenu. Assume a level of significance of .05) The school district recently adopted the use of e-textbooks, and the superintendent is interested in determining the level of satisfaction with e-textbooks among students and if there is a relationship between the level of satisfaction and student classification. The superintendent selected a sample of students from one high school and asked them how satisfied they were with the use of e-textbooks.

The data that were collected are presented

Student Classification (N = 128)

Satisfied Yes Freshman 20; Sophomore 21; Junior 11; Senior 13

No Freshman 11: Sophomore 7; Junior 23; Senior 22

1. Of the students that were satisfied, what percent were Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior? (Round your final answer to 1 decimal place).

2. State an appropriate null hypothesis for this analysis.

3. What is the value of the chi-square statistic?

4. What are the reported degrees of freedom?

5. What is the reported level of significance?

6. Based on the results of the chi-square test of independence, is there an association between e-textbook satisfaction and academic classification?

7. Present the results as they might appear in an article.

Review the following course materials:

Rational Emotive Behavior

Cognitive Therapy

In this assignment, you will review and respond to a therapy session conducted by professional counselors using one of the following theoretical frameworks: cognitive or rational emotive behavior.

Select on therapy session (rational emotive behavior or cognitive therapy).

Utilize the course material, in addition to the textbook, for the theoretical framework selected. Think about the techniques being used in the therapy session.

Create a 7-10-slide presentation about the selected session. Include or address the following in your presentation:

A title slide

The therapeutic techniques, used by the counselor

Was the approach successful and why?

A reference slide with a minimum of two scholarly resources.

Include speaker notes below each content-related slide that represent what would be said if giving the presentation in person. Expand upon the information included in the slide and do not simply restate it. Please ensure the speaker notes include a minimum of 50 words.

While GCU style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Kyle and Tess Water are married, file a joint return, and have two dependent children in college, Luke and Taylor. Luke attends a State University in a neighboring state, and Taylor attends a State University in their home state. Neither receives any type of financial assistance. The Water modified AGI in 2017 is $119,000. The children's classifications and expenses are as follows:

Spring Semester

(paid in January 2017) (paid in July 2017)

Luke: Senior Master's candidate

Tuition $7,400 $8,200

Laboratory fees 550 550

Student activity fees 300 300

Course materials (books) 450 500

Room and board 3,000 3,000

Taylor: Sophomore Junior

Tuition $1,550 $1,650

Student activity fees 300 300

Course materials (books) 150 275

Room and board 3,300 3,900

a. Compute any education credits that the Waters may claim in 2017.

(Assume that both Luke and Taylor qualify as eligible students for the American Opportunity Tax Credit.)

b. How would your answer in Part a change if Luke received an academic scholarship of $2,600 (excluded from gross income) for each semester?

c. How would your answer in Part a change if Kyle and Tess's modified AGI for

2017 was $172,000?

d. How would your answer in Part a change if Luke had been a junior during Spring semester and a senior during Fall semester?

From what you've learnt so far, write a report on the agile development methodology from the point of view of a programmer trying to argue the case for management of Academic City College to adopt a specific methodology for internal system development and contracted (procured) system development. You can assume the organisation has no experience in agile development processes at all so you will need to provide detailed arguments (this is not true but for the purposes of the assignment you should assume it is true).

Your report should be structured as follows:

1. An overview of Agile processes

2. An explanation of your specific proposed framework

3. Arguments for and against the adoption of your proposed framework. You will need to reference authoritative sources to convince your management

4. Clearly identify what sorts of projects would benefit and what sorts of projects will not benefit . This can be part of your point 3 arguments.

5. An explanation of two aspects of Agile methodologies (XP, SCRUM or other processes) that could be adopted across the organisation, even if some systems were not appropriate for your proposed framework. Explain why this is a good idea.

The report should not be more than 1500 words. You will not be penalised for going over the limit but it may indicate you have too much detail or your writing is not precise. Feel free to use the above items as major headings in your report/essay, a bit more concise of course. You should add a brief Executive Summary and a brief Conclusion.

Directions: Use the crosstabe option in the Descriptives menu to answer the questions based on the following scenario. ( Be sure to select Chi-square from the sStatistics submenu and Observed, Expected, Row, and Column in the Cell submenu. Assume a level of significance of .05)

The school district recently adopted the use of e-textbooks, and superintendent is interested in determining the level of satisfaction with e-textbooks among students classification. The superintendent selected a sample of students from one high school and asked them how satisified they were with the use of e-textbooks. The data that were collected are presented in the following table.

1. Of the students that were satisfied, what percent were Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior? (Round your final answer to 1 decimal place.

2. State an appropriate null hypothesis for this analysis.

3. What is the value of the chi-square statistic?

4. What are the reported degrees of freedom?

5. What is the reported level of significance?

6. Based on the results of the chi-square test of independence is there an association between e-textbook satisfaction and academic classification?

7 Present the results as they might appear in an article. This must include a table and narrative statement that reports and interprets the results of the analysis.

Note: The table must be created using your word processing program. Tables that are copied and pasted from SPSS are not acceptable.