Links to comments I have left on other blogs

Also links to some comments on Moodle . Does not include comments I have left on my own blog or those that aren't particularly insightful in regards to the coursework.

• http://andreadavis21.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/three-assets-liabilities-and-equity.html?showComment=1394354698732#c6437171465256764995
  Hi Andrea,
  Not sure if you figured out the current, non current situation in the balance sheet yet, but if not I hope this helps.
  Assets and liabilities are usually listed in your balance sheet as current or non current and for assets under those headings they are in order of liquidity. Or in other words, how easy it is to convert them to cash to pay the bills if everything goes pear shaped.
  Current assets are usually expected to be converted to cash, sold (inventory), or, with consumables used in the operations of the business, consumed within 12 months of acquiring them. 
  Non current assets (fixed assets) are things like plant, equipment, land and buildings, furniture or investments etc that the business expects to hold onto for the long term.
  Current liabilities are often expected to be paid within a year with cash or or the inventory/services of the business. e.g salaries, accounts payable, interest on bills owed.
  Non current liabilities are those expected to be paid after one year possibly in installments. e.g a mortgage. this years mortgage payments are current liabilities, the rest are non current.  
  If anyone thinks I have explained this wrongly please let me know.
  Cheers,
  Ben
  http://bensassignment1blog.blogspot.com.au/
•  My KCQs for Asciano on moodle
• http://melodycarbarns.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/key-concepts-questions.html?showComment=1394800355653#c2489056270244434397
  Hi Melody,
  Regarding "5. The company is looking to outsource more and use contractors so as not to be ‘fixed’ long term to wages or salaries (in particular operations). Is this to warrant future issues?"
  I can't be certain about Downers case of course but as an example - Sometimes a company such has Downer will have a service contract with a client that lasts for a number of years (eg 3yrs), however there is not necessarily work for them the entire duration of the contract. The work is on an as needed basis over the 3yrs.
  So Downer would have maybe one or two full time staff working for the client and will bring in extra staff for the busy periods. Companies will often use contractors as the extra staff during the busy times, this way they don't need to keep them employed when work is scarce and the companies wages expense is kept low.
  This happens a lot in heavy industry with companies that have contracts for maintenance or planning at a refinery for an example which would have regular overhauls on parts of the plant requiring a large labour force for a short amount of time.
  
  Hope this helps,
  Ben
  http://bensassignment1blog.blogspot.com.au/ 
• http://evedelange.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/kcqs-annual-report.html?showComment=1394803136719#c2612395505872093716
  Hi Evelyn,
  Asciano also has deferred tax assets of $66.6m. From what i can gather they are assets that can be used to reduce future tax expenses. If the company is carrying over a net loss the asset can be written off to reduce the tax payable if the company is more than 50% likely to be profitable in the next accounting period.
  This site explains it better than i can - http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-a-deferred-tax-asset
  
  Regarding 4. Why wouldn't safety figures be reported more efficiently in reports?
  My guess is there is no law making a company do it so they will give the least amount of safety statistics away as possible in an annual report in case it turns off some potential investors (assuming their record is not good of course). Mind you if they have an exemplary record it may be a selling point.
  Cheers,
  Ben
  http://bensassignment1blog.blogspot.com.au/ 
• http://ymelly85.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/kcqs.html?showComment=1394805532849#c3746654867627673399
  Hi all,
  Check the back of your annual reports, there is often a glossary there that explains what those terms mean in relation to that company. I also had trouble understanding it all but I started keeping a copy of the glossary beside me when going through the financial reports and now I find it a lot easier.
  
  Cheers,
  Ben
  http://bensassignment1blog.blogspot.com.au/