Reviews the book "High-Speed Data Processing," by C.C. Gotlieb and J.N.P. Hume.

Abstract This article discusses the nature and treatment of dividends under a entity concept of corporate residual equity. It was hypothesized that the main objective of the corporation after its inception is to survive, and that the corporation strives to maintain both economic and financial competence in implementing this objective. It was argued that the only significant representation made by the corporation in soliciting stockholders' capital contributions was its agreement to pay dividends when and if declared, and that capital thus contributed becomes the corporation's equity. It was advanced that the treatment of several persistent problems in corporation accounting might be rendered more consistent if the nature of corporate residual equity as thus analyzed were accepted. The corporation, in soliciting stockholders' capital contributions, agrees to pay dividends when and if declared. This suggests that both the timing and the amount of dividends are at the corporation's discretion, and that stockholders cannot force the corporation to pay dividends even though earnings are ample.

Abstract Data processing can be defined as treating or preparing data by some particular method to obtain desired facts and to produce reports. Business data processing is much broader than computing alone and the requisite equipment for it involves the people, procedures, and communication network to cover the gamut from data origination to report utilization. Accounting instruction in data processing should deal with existing problems rather than futuristic problems and rely upon an evolutionary approach. The instructional objectives of a course in business data processing are to define and delineate the area; to show what is possible; to give an awareness of the problems involved; to describe the experience of others in systems analysis, design and installation and to develop skills in computer programming including the use of programs prepared by others, if well understood. The committee recommends that accounting departments introduce courses dealing with business data processing and new equipment developments.

Abstract ABSTRACT: A 1978 survey of undergraduate tax courses offered at U.S. universities and colleges provides information about course content, instructional materials, and teaching methods for accounting professors involved with the design and implementation of the tax curriculum.