...Diamond Foods Financial Fraud Scandal Adrienne M Somers David F McCormick Acct 320 February 27 2012 In April 2011, Diamond Food Inc (DMND), the nation's largest walnut processor and maker of Emerald nuts announced plans to buy Pringles from Proctor and Gamble for $1.5 billion in stock (Reuters, 2012). This move was part of the company's aggressive growth strategy to become a leader of the snack food industry. Former chief executive officer, Michael Mendes, and former chief financial officer, Steven Neil, spearheaded this effort. However, plans were postponed as questions arose about two large payments that were made to walnut growers in August of 2010 and September 2011 for $20 million and $60 million respectively. An internal audit of the financial records found that these payments were improperly booked into the wrong accounting period, which artificially reduced the company's costs, and boosted earnings in that period making the company look more profitable than it actually was. It is a technique known as earnings management. Because of the probe, Michael Mendes and Steven Neil were removed from their positions as CEO and CFO (Dalai, 2012). The financial records for 2010 and 2011 were found to be unreliable meaning that would have to restate their financial results for both these years. This scandal caused Diamond Foods Inc shares to fall by 40 percent. It seriously damaged the reputation of the company and the trust of their shareholders. It also ruined any chance...
Words: 2374 - Pages: 10
...Diamond Foods Accounting Scandal BACKGROUND: Founded in 1912 as a walnut grower cooperative, Diamond Food’s primary business involved buying walnuts from local California growers, processing the product, and reselling it. The San Francisco-based company converted from a cooperative to a public corporation in July of 2005, issuing its initial shares for $17. By 2010, Diamond Foods (DMND) had expanded and acquired a number of snack food companies including Kettle Brand® Chips and Pop Secret® popcorn and was negotiating the acquisition of the Pringles brand from the Procter & Gamble Company (Diamond Foods, 2014). The addition of the Pringles brand would make Diamond the second-largest global snack foods company behind PepsiCo, Inc., owner of the Frito-Lay brand (Byron & Ziobro, 2011). Although the new ventures took precedence, Diamond’s walnut business remained the highest commodity cost to the company. In order to maintain relations with the growers, Diamond had to assure they offered a competitive price for the product; however any recorded increase in walnut price would decrease both the company’s reported earnings and their reported earnings per share (EPS). Despite rising walnut prices, the company consistently posted EPS that defied analyst projections. Between the 2010 SEC Form 10-Q second quarter filing and the SEC Form 10-K of FY 2011, the price of Diamond stock jumped from $39 dollars per share to $90 per share (SEC, 2014). On January 9, 2014, the Securities and...
Words: 3150 - Pages: 13
...Diamond Food Case Project Requirement 1 1. Manipulation of commodity cost. As a common practice in the company, management would instruct related accounting employee to decrease the commodity costs by a small incremental at a time, until the desired earning numbers for that period was achieved. 2. Special accounting treatment of grower payments. Diamond made “continuity payment” and “momentum payment” to manipulate cost to growers. These payments were claimed to be advances for multi-year supply from growers, hence the company delay the recognition of these amounts as costs in later periods. However, payments to growers were actually for the crop in prior year although Diamond insisted the payments were for current year; and growers who already cancelled their contracts with Diamond still received this payment, which suggested that these payments, in substance, should have been for previous periods. Diamond used this controversial accounting method to continuously defer part of its payments to later periods, which reduced current costs and increased net income. Conversely, Diamond also increased its current cost by making more payment, when its EPS exceeded the expectation. The “continuity payment” method was continuously applied, and it created a cost pool in future period, which gave the company room to adjust costs and expenses in accordance with the management’s goals. Requirement 2 No, both recording of “continuity” payments and “momentum” payments did not...
Words: 3870 - Pages: 16
...ISSUES IN ACCOUNTING EDUCATION Vol. 30, No. 1 2015 pp. 47–69 American Accounting Association DOI: 10.2308/iace-50948 Diamond Foods, Inc.: Anatomy and Motivations of Earnings Manipulation Mahendra R. Gujarathi ABSTRACT: Diamond Foods is America’s largest walnut processor specializing in processing, marketing, and distributing nuts and snack products. This real-world case presents financial reporting issues around the commodities cost shifting strategy used by Diamond’s management to falsify earnings. By delaying the recognition of a portion of the cost of walnuts acquired into later accounting periods, Diamond Foods materially underreported the cost of sales and overstated earnings in fiscal 2010 and 2011. The primary learning goal of the case is to help students understand the anatomy and motivations of earnings manipulation. Specifically, students will have the opportunity to (1) apply the FASB’s Conceptual Framework to a real-world context, (2) determine the nature of errors and compute their numerical effects on financial statements, (3) understand motivations for earnings management and actions needed for managing earnings of future years, (4) explain the anatomy of financial reporting fraud by reconstructing journal entries, (5) prepare comparative financial statements for retroactive restatements, (6) explain the rationale for clawback provisions in compensation contracts, and (7) understand the difference between the real and accrual-based earnings management. Keywords:...
Words: 6598 - Pages: 27
...Diamonds Foods: Accounting Fraud Diamond foods CEO Michael Mendes and former CFO were both accused of accounting fraud, they misled investors by lying about walnut costs to boost earnings. In addition to the settlement with the company, Diamond's former Chief Executive Officer Michael Mendes also agreed to pay a $125,000 penalty and settle without admitting or denying the charges, the Securities and Exchange Commission said. The finding of a two-year investigation into payment schemes involving walnut suppliers designed to "falsify costs ... boost earnings and meet estimates by stock analysts." It's just the latest shoe to drop for a company that was once close to becoming one of the biggest snack food retailers in the world. Interesting how these companies commit accounting fraud and only have to pay back the money but I see no mention of any jail time. I see why the big company CEO and CFO all continue doing it. It’s like a high roller taking risks they love the thrill of the excitement, the taking chases, the how far can I go before getting caught, because you know they are going to get caught. They will have to pay back a couples of millions dollars back and lose their jobs. Think about it, is it or was it all worth it, at the end. Because in this case, I think that we the consumers are paying the consequences paying the high price of the walnuts. They steal the money and we the consumers pay the price before anyone realizes that the money was taken....
Words: 275 - Pages: 2
...narrower Nonstore Retailers (Subsector 454) category because of the e-commerce component of the business model. The United States Census Bureau comments that “industries in the Nonstore Retailers subsector retail merchandise using methods, such as the broadcasting of infomercials, the broadcasting and publishing of direct-response advertising, the publishing of paper and electronic catalogs, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, selling from portable stalls and distribution through vending machines. Establishments in this subsector include mail-order houses, vending machine operators, home delivery sales, door-to-door sales, party plan sales, electronic shopping, and sales through portable stalls (e.g., street vendors, except food). Establishments engaged in the direct sale (i.e., nonstore) of products, such as home heating oil dealers and newspaper delivery service providers are included in this subsector” (United States Census Bureau, Nonstore Industry Definition 2008). To fully understand the factors that weigh on...
Words: 10869 - Pages: 44
...branded jewellery and non branded jwellery… 12276 views * A project on consumer preference over branded jewellery and non branded jwellery… 4494 views * Final print out 1958 views * Gems and jewellery 1917 views * Tanishq the turnaround story 934 views * Consumer Buying Behaviour & Perception About Tanishq - The Jeweller 15609 views * Final ppt of marketing research on jwellery industry 2419 views * 542170 634210229644275000 241 views * tanishq 7413 views * Market review for tanishq presentation 7967 views * Trends In Jewellery 4955 views * Strategic Management 847 views * Glistening upturn in branded luxury jewellery 944 views * Copy of tanishq presentation 381 views * Diamond retailers 1467 views * Jems and jwellery.. 128 views * Ibef Jewellery 06 1902 views * consumer buying behaviour of branded and non branded jewellery 1399 views * GITANJALI BRAND BOOKLET 2012 170 views * Indian Jewelry Market: Trends & Opportunities (2012- 2017) 86 views * Jp tanishq imc 749 views * Titan Industries Limited 2463 views * Titan Industries Limited 3133 views * Titan Industries Limited 1275 views * Titan Industries Limited 2569 views * Tanishq Brand Analysis - By Anand 6797 views * Gems And Jewellery Industry 6249 views * Gitanjali Brand Booklet - 2010 6228 views...
Words: 48971 - Pages: 196
...JUNIOR 1 S Y 2000 - 2 0 0 1 V o l . 20 N o . 1 C O N T E N FOR LOVE OF DIAMONDS These brilliant gems are not only for fashion but find many uses in other industries as well. CHEMISTRY: BUILDING BLOCKS OF MODERN CIVILIZATION Understand the significance of chemistry throughout man’s history. NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY: TOWARDS A SAFE ENERGY SOURCE Is nuclear technology a boon or bane of science? Read on. T S ib er s, De ar BB su bs cr ng ga zin e is ma ki Ba to Ba la ni ma e ma ga zin e. to yo ur fa vo rit lled so me ch an ge s a new section ca c g the changes is Amon s wi th sc ie nt ifi .” It de al “P se ud os ci en ce pt io ns th at an d mi sc on ce ve no tio ns , my th s, e. Al so , we ha pu la r at on e tim we re po ” se ct io n to “C yb er wo rld ex pa nd ed ou r ac tiv ity se ct io n. e a we b- lin ke d in cl ud wi ll th es e ch an ge s We ho pe th at re nc e stu di es mo ur sc ie he lp ma ke yo jo y! re fu n! En re le va nt an d mo Th e Ed ito r MEDICINE’S POTENT MIXTURES AND SOLUTIONS Chemistry plays a major role in our existence through important medical applications. R E G U L A R F E AT U R E S 3 Science & Technology News 5 Filipino Scientists and Inventors BOARD OF ADVISERS Violeta Arciaga, Jaime F. Bucoy Jose C. Calderon, Victoria V. Cervantes, Juanita M. Cruz, Belen P. Dayauon Medical Facts and Fallacies 9 Livelihood Technology / I’d Like to Know 10 Cyber World CONSULTANT ...
Words: 8787 - Pages: 36
...Explication: Diamonds, Development, and Democracy Nicky Oppenheimer is the chairman of the De Beers Group in Gabrone, Botswana. She has written an article on the successes of her company and the path it can give for the remaining countries in Africa. In her article “Diamonds, Development, and Democracy”, Oppenheimer strongly believes that, “..my argument on the role natural resources can and must play in Africa’s future development.”(212). The continent of Africa has been known for it’s corruption and lack of government structure for the majority of their 54 countries. But today Botswana is one of the most successful economies in Africa which once was ranked the poorest country in the World. The De Beers Company is an $83 Million facility that has precise technology to correctly maintaing Botswana’s most prized resource, being Gem Diamonds. These Gem diamonds are not only for the well known polished stones but can also be used for; eating food, building shelter, or running your car. De Beers Company is not only about the production of income they receive but they make sure that they give back to the people of their country. Oppenheimer states, “In the past 40 years, the government’s diamond revenues have been used, through prudent and wise stewardship, to create the country’s physical and financial infrastructure, to build its transport system, to educate its citizens, and to create a proper healthcare system, which includes free access to anti-retroviral drugs to counter...
Words: 270 - Pages: 2
...With expansion into global and foreign markets, Blue Nile is constantly seeking ways to expand out market share, creating more value for our shareholders. Mission Statement To build a premier specialty retailer of jewelry by offering consumers high quality products at compelling values through empowering the shopping experience. Strategic Objectives Our objective, at Blue Nile, is to maximize our revenue and profitability and increase market share both domestically and internationally by offering exceptional value to our customers through a high quality customer experience that leverages supply chain efficiencies and an efficient cost structure. We have two core elements to attract customers; the first is offering high quality diamonds and fine jewelry at competitively attractive prices. The second entails providing jewelry shoppers with a host of useful information and trusted guidance throughout their purchasing process. We are able to follow these core elements through our competitive pricing, our lean costs and our supply chain...
Words: 6224 - Pages: 25
...well as researchers. However, views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Bank. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure authenticity of information and data, EXIM Bank accepts no responsibility for authenticity, accuracy or completeness of such items. © Export-Import Bank of India Published by Quest Publications February 2010 CONTENTS Page No. List of Tables List of Exhibits List of Boxes Executive Summary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction Raw Material Base: Global scenario International Trade in Precious Metals, Gems and Jewellery Profile of Select Countries Status of Precious Metals, Gems and Jewellery Industry in India Market Analysis Challenges and Strategies World Gold Demand Production of Diamond in the World and in India World Exports and Imports (2007) of Select Precious Metals, Gems and Jewellery India’s Major Export Destinations and Import Source Countries of Precious Metals, Gems and Jewellery (2008-09) Members of Kimberley Process 5 7 9 11 30 32 41 47 61 84 93 108 109 110 113 116 Annexure Project Team: Mr. S. Prahalathan, General Manager, Research & Planning Group Ms. Renuka Vijay, Manager, Research & Planning Group 3 List of Tables Table No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Title Consumer Demand for Gold in the World Major Producers of Gold in the World Major Producers of Silver in the World Major Producers of Gemstones in the World Major Producers...
Words: 35353 - Pages: 142
...narrower Nonstore Retailers (Subsector 454) category because of the e-commerce component of the business model. The United States Census Bureau comments that “industries in the Nonstore Retailers subsector retail merchandise using methods, such as the broadcasting of infomercials, the broadcasting and publishing of direct-response advertising, the publishing of paper and electronic catalogs, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, selling from portable stalls and distribution through vending machines. Establishments in this subsector include mail-order houses, vending machine operators, home delivery sales, door-to-door sales, party plan sales, electronic shopping, and sales through portable stalls (e.g., street vendors, except food). Establishments engaged in the direct sale (i.e., nonstore) of products, such as home heating oil dealers and newspaper delivery service providers are included in this subsector” (United States Census Bureau, Nonstore Industry Definition 2008). To fully understand the factors that weigh on...
Words: 10869 - Pages: 44
...儿都不值钱。 Diamonds are not such high in value and rare in amount. On the contrary, diamond mine are one of the common minerals. In fact, in European and American areas, there are even more cut- diamonds than vehicles. They are valuable, however, they could not be exchanged freely like other products as the prices for second-hand diamonds are far below its origin. Besides, the natural diamonds can now be replaced by rhinestones. Actually, diamond might be worthless without its traditional image of romance. 钻石市场供大于求。世界上钻石的供给量，一直都超过它的需求，按照经济学供需规律，钻石应该会跌价，变得很便宜才对。但是，戴比尔斯通过持续买进市场上多余的钻石，来维持它的高价，估计到目前为止，戴比尔斯已囤积了价值超过百亿美元的钻石了。戴比尔斯还能支撑多久，还能持续买进多少市场上的钻石，没人能回答。 In diamond market, supply always exceeds demand. According to economic rules, the price will finally drop. However, De Beers have controlled and manipulated the price by continuously purchasing the stockpiles of diamond that come from other competitors. The price of which, has amounted to more than $10 billion up till now. How long can De Beers last and how much diamonds can they buy? No one knows. 天价打造的“浪漫形象”。戴比尔斯在世界钻石市场的成功，可以说是一个近乎达到垄断的完美范例。它一方面总能刺激市场对钻石的需求，另一方面则减少钻石供给，即使在1955年通用公司（GE）研究实验室宣布发明了人造钻石后，戴比尔斯公司仍能成功维持钻石的高价完美形象。事实上，戴比尔斯公司每年花在广告上的费用多达1.6亿美元，不断传递着“Diamonds are Forever”的信息，持续钻石浪漫的传奇。 They has put much emphasis as well as financial resources on preserving the romantic image of diamonds. To be frank, De Beers spends as high as $160million in advertising every year, continuously conveying the idea of ‘Diamonds are Forever’...
Words: 1909 - Pages: 8
...Until the beginning of the eighteenth century all known diamonds came from the Golconda region near Hyderabad in India. Pliny wrote an incredible account of how diamonds were found in an inaccessible valley. The locals threw meat into the valley and the diamonds stuck to it. Eagles carried off the meat to their nests from which the diamonds were recovered. At their peak the Golconda diamond fields probably supported many thousands of workers but were practically exhausted by the late seventeenth century. In 1844 diamonds were discovered in Brazil and for a while the Chapada Diamantina, or Diamond Highlands, in the state of Bahia, became the diamond capital of the world attracting prospectors and adventurers in the same way that the California Gold Rush did. A series of major diamond finds in South Africa from 1867 onwards, coinciding with a decline in production in Brazil, soon made it by far the biggest source of diamonds. As in Brazil and Indian the first finds were alluvial but by 1869 diamonds were being mined in South Africa. Their value depended on their rarity and Cecil Rhodes realised that if suppliers competed against each other that would be threatened. By the end of his short life Rhodes had gained control of the diamond mines and extended British rule over much of southern Africa. Mark Twain said of him that when he stands upon the Cape of Good Hope, his shadow falls to the Zambesi (Twain, 1904). One area that was not under British rule was South-West Africa...
Words: 380 - Pages: 2
...company’s competence? Who is the company? What’s their background? What do they know about buying and selling diamonds? Established in 1989, Rare Investment is proud to be one of Canada’s leading authentic Rare Jewel Diamond Houses with unrivalled expertise in the sales and service of natural fancy colored diamonds and rare jewel investments. Through our 30-year history in the industry and our long-standing reputation with the industry’s leading mining and polishing companies, we provide investors with direct access to the world’s rarest diamonds with the greatest potential for appreciation. CREDIBILITY In any organization ‘credibility’ is paramount. When looking to invest in diamonds, we encourage investors to learn about a company’s leadership and credibility. Rare Investment's strategic operations are overseen by an executive team with expertise and experience in rare diamond valuation, diamond education, brand management, as well as significant expertise in the diamond trade. Rare Investment is backed by a sophisticated team of industry experts, GIA certified diamond advisors, highly-educated market researchers and the long-standing reputation of Rare Investment. Our brokers of rare jewels are highly skilled in valuing rare diamonds and have world renowned experience searching the world’s most coveted mines for the rarest and finest natural fancy colored diamonds with the greatest potential for appreciation. COST Has the company made money for investors? What kind...
Words: 423 - Pages: 2
