An Exploration of Bank Confirmation Process Automation: A Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Caster ◽  
Randal J. Elder ◽  
Diane J. Janvrin
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Process Automation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Bank Employees ◽  
The U.S

This exploratory study examines automation of the bank confirmation process using longitudinal data set from the largest third-party U.S. confirmation service provider supplemented with informal interviews with practitioners. We find a significant increase in electronic confirmation use in the U.S. and internationally. Errors requiring reconfirmation were less than two percent of all electronic confirmations. Errors made by auditors were almost five times more likely than errors by bank employees. Most auditor errors involved use of an invalid account number, although invalid client contact, invalid request, and invalid company name errors increased recently. Big 4 auditors made significantly more confirmation errors than did auditors at non-Big 4 national firms. Error rates and error types do not vary between confirmations initiated in the U.S. and those initiated internationally. Three themes emerged for future research: authentication of evidence, global differences in technology use, and technology adoption across firms of different sizes.

Big 4 Firms as Legal Service Providers: Implications for Audit Practice and Future Research Directions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Herda ◽  
Jonathan H. Grenier ◽  
Billy E. Brewster ◽  
Mary E Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Legal Services ◽  
Legal Service ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Rule Changes ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The U.S

The Big 4 accounting firms have expanded their legal service arms to historic proportions over the last decade, employing thousands of lawyers around the world. Although most of the Big 4's revenue from legal services is presently generated outside the U.S., they are now making inroads into the U.S. legal market, and rule changes are being considered that would further allow the Big 4 to offer legal services in the U.S. This essay summarizes the current status of Big 4 firms as legal service providers, discusses potential implications of legal offerings for their U.S. audit practices, and suggests directions for future research. Our proposed research questions are informed by several literatures, interviews with former Big 4 partners and practicing attorneys, and a survey of the general public. They center on the fundamental difference between audit and law practices, brand equity considerations, and culture changes within the Big 4.

The Efficacy of the Trafficking in Persons Report

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alese Wooditch
Keyword(s):  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Policy Initiative ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Trafficking In Persons ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
The U.S

Anti-trafficking efforts have been adopted globally to curb human trafficking, yet many nations have failed to put initiatives into practice. As a consequence, the U.S. Department of State implemented the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report to monitor and increase efforts worldwide and serve as a guide to funding anti-trafficking programs aboard. This exploratory study investigates the efficacy of this policy initiative by means of a longitudinal assessment of the TIP Report’s tier classifications, a system that grades countries based on anti-trafficking initiatives, and determines if U.S. funded anti-trafficking initiatives internationally target those countries in need. The findings suggest that tier ranking has not improved over time, and the United States has failed to systematically allocate funds based on the recommendations of the tier classification system. Policy recommendations and implications for future research are discussed.

Perceptions of Robotic Process Automation in Big 4 Public Accounting Firms: Do Firm Leaders and Lower-Level Employees Agree?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Cooper ◽  
D. Kip Holderness ◽  
Trevor L. Sorensen ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Process Automation ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Robotic Process Automation ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Recent Innovation

The use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a recent innovation in the public accounting industry, and the Big 4 firms are at the forefront of its implementation. This paper examines how the adoption and use of RPA is affecting the perceived work experience of firm leaders and lower-level employees at Big 4 accounting firms. We interview 14 RPA leaders, survey 139 lower-level employees, and compare and contrast their responses. We find that the two groups generally agree that RPA is having a positive influence on the profession. Both groups believe that RPA is positively changing the work employees perform and improving employee career prospects. However, while firm leaders believe RPA will improve work satisfaction, lower-level employees report no such improvements. Our insights provide direction for the accounting profession as it increases the use of RPA and for future research studies examining related issues.

A Preliminary Investigation of the Intersection of Race and Disabilities among Inmates in the U.S. State Prison System

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-609
Author(s):  
Natasha A. Baloch ◽  
Wesley G. Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Prison Population ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Prison System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Disabilities ◽  
Data Set ◽  
State Prison ◽  
Inmate Population ◽  
Rehabilitation Services Administration ◽  
The U.S

The American prison system is overcrowded with minorities in general, and African Americans, in particular. The Department of Justice notes that more than 50% of the prison population have some type of mental disability. In this study, we examine the intersection between race and disabilities in the U.S. State prison system. Using the Rehabilitation Services Administration data set, the study highlights the prevalence and type of disabilities in the prison inmate population. Results demonstrate that African American inmates are overrepresented among inmates with disabilities, are more likely to have mental disabilities relative to physical disabilities, and these results hold for various types of mental disabilities including cognitive, psychosocial, and other mental disabilities. Study limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

Robotic Process Automation in Public Accounting

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Cooper ◽  
D. Kip Holderness ◽  
Trevor L. Sorensen ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Process Automation ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Robotic Process Automation ◽  
Input Processing ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Assurance Services ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Head Count

SYNOPSIS We investigate the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software in public accounting by interviewing RPA leaders at Big 4 firms. RPA software automates the input, processing, and output of data to streamline repetitive, mundane tasks. Many of our findings are unique to accounting. For instance, participants report tax services are furthest along in RPA adoption, followed by advisory and assurance services. Furthermore, RPA has not impacted fees, but there is concern that clients may desire fee reductions due to decreased employee hours. Finally, unlike other technology implementations, RPA adoption is driven primarily by lower-level employees. Similar to other domains, our results indicate massive efficiency and effectiveness gains from RPA implementation. Also, interviewees do not expect reduced head count to result from RPA use. This study is the first to discuss the benefits, opportunities, and challenges to implementing RPA in accounting and serves as a catalyst for future research.

scholarly journals Anti-poverty policy and health: Attributes and diffusion of state earned income tax credits across U.S. states from 1980 to 2020

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242514
Author(s):  
Kelli A. Komro ◽  
Phenesse Dunlap ◽  
Nolan Sroczynski ◽  
Melvin D. Livingston ◽  
Megan A. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Income Tax ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Earned Income ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Policy Analysts ◽  
The U.S

Purpose The U.S. federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is often considered the most effective antipoverty program for families in the U.S., leading to a variety of improved outcomes such as educational attainment, work incentives, economic activity, income, and health benefits for mothers, infants and children. State EITC supplements to the federal credit can significantly enhance the magnitude of this intervention. In this paper we advance EITC and health research by: 1) describing the diffusion of state EITC policies over 40 years, 2) presenting patterns in important EITC policy dimensions across space and time, and 3) disseminating a robust data set to advance future research by policy analysts and scientists. Methods We used current public health law research methods to systematically collect, conduct textual legal analysis, and numerically code all EITC legislative changes from 1980 through 2020 in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Results First, the pattern of diffusion across states and time shows initial introductions during the 1990s in the Midwest, then spreading to the Northeast, with more recent expansions in the West and South. Second, differences by state and time of important policy dimensions are evident, including size of credit and refundability. Third, state EITC benefits vary considerably by household structure. Conclusion Continued research on health outcomes is warranted to capture the full range of potential beneficial effects of EITCs on family and child wellbeing. Lawyers and policy analysts can collaborate with epidemiologists and economists on other high-quality empirical studies to assess the many dimensions of policy and law that potentially affect the social determinants of health.

Technology in the Classroom: Teachers’ Technology Choices in Relation to Content Creation and Distribution

10.28945/4201 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Private School ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Educational Experience ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Creation ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Prime Concern

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the 2019 issue of the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Volume 16] Aim/Purpose: Teachers are being asked to integrate mobile technologies into their content creation and distribution tasks. This research aims to provide an understanding of teachers taking on this process and whether the use of technology has influenced their content creation and distribution in the classroom. Background: Many claim that the use of technology for content creation and distribution can only enhance and improve the educational experience. However, for teachers it is not simply the integration of technology that is of prime concern. As teachers are ultimately responsible for the success of technology integration, it is essential to understand teachers’ viewpoints and lived technology experiences. Methodology: The Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model was used to guide interpretive case study research. Six teachers were purposively sampled and interviewed from a private school where a digital strategy is already in place. Data was then analysed using directed content analysis in relation to TTF. Contribution: This paper provides an understanding of teachers’ mobile technology choices in relation to content creation and distribution tasks. Findings: Findings indicate that teachers fit technology into their tasks if they perceive the technology has a high level of benefit to the teaching task. In addition, the age of learners and the subject being taught are major influencers. Recommendations for Practitioners: Provides a more nuanced and in-depth understanding of teachers’ technology choices, which is necessary for the technology augmented educational experience of the future. Recommendations for Researchers: Provides an unbiased and theoretically guided view of mobile technology use with content creation and distribution tasks. Impact on Society: Teachers do not appear to use technology as a de facto standard, but specifically select technology which will save them time, reduce costs, and improve the educational experiences of their learners. Future Research: A mixed-method approach, including several diverse schools as well as learners would enrich the findings. Furthermore, consideration of hardware limitations and lack of software features are needed.

Questions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Gibson ◽  
Michael J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Public Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
The U.S

We have investigated the differences in support for the U.S. Supreme Court among black, Hispanic, and white Americans, catalogued the variation in African Americans’ group attachments and experiences with legal authorities, and examined how those latter two factors shape individuals’ support for the U.S. Supreme Court, that Court’s decisions, and for their local legal system. We take this opportunity to weave our findings together, taking stock of what we have learned from our analyses and what seem like fruitful paths for future research. In the process, we revisit Positivity Theory. We present a modified version of the theory that we hope will guide future inquiry on public support for courts, both in the United States and abroad.

scholarly journals The Roles of Labor and Profitability in Choosing a Grazing Strategy for Beef Production in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Gillespie ◽  
Wayne Wyatt ◽  
Brad Venuto ◽  
David Blouin ◽  
Robert Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Labor Requirements ◽  
Gulf Coast Region ◽  
Coast Region ◽  
The U.S

Comparisons are made concerning labor required and profitability associated with continuous grazing at three stocking rates and rotational grazing at a high stocking rate in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A unique data set was collected using a time and motion study method to determine labor requirements. Profits are lowest for low stocking rate–continuous grazing and high stocking rate–rotational grazing. Total labor and labor in three specific categories are greater on per acre and/or per cow bases with rotational-grazing than with continuous-grazing strategies. These results help to explain relatively low adoption rates of rotational grazing in the region.

scholarly journals The COVID Connection: Pandemic Anxiety, COVID-19 Comprehension, and Digital Confidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110031
Author(s):  
Laura Robinson ◽  
Jeremy Schulz ◽  
Øyvind N. Wiborg ◽  
Elisha Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Digital Inequality ◽  
Partner Status ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Nationally Representative

This article presents logistic models examining how pandemic anxiety and COVID-19 comprehension vary with digital confidence among adults in the United States during the first wave of the pandemic. As we demonstrate statistically with a nationally representative data set, the digitally confident have lower probability of experiencing physical manifestations of pandemic anxiety and higher probability of adequately comprehending critical information on COVID-19. The effects of digital confidence on both pandemic anxiety and COVID-19 comprehension persist, even after a broad range of potentially confounding factors are taken into account, including sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, metropolitan status, and partner status. They also remain discernable after the introduction of general anxiety, as well as income and education. These results offer evidence that the digitally disadvantaged experience greater vulnerability to the secondary effects of the pandemic in the form of increased somatized stress and decreased COVID-19 comprehension. Going forward, future research and policy must make an effort to address digital confidence and digital inequality writ large as crucial factors mediating individuals’ responses to the pandemic and future crises.

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