Business intelligence (BI) refers to the procedural and technical infrastructure that collects, stores, and analyzes the data produced by a company’s activities. BI is a broad term that encompasses data mining, process analysis, performance benchmarking, and descriptive analytics. BI parses all the data generated by a business and presents easy-to-digest reports, performance measures, and trends that inform management decisions.
Original cost is the total price associated with the purchase of an asset. The original cost of an asset takes into consideration all of the items that can be attributed to its purchase and to putting the asset to use. These costs include the purchase price and such factors as commissions, transportation, appraisals, warranties and installation and testing. Original cost can be used to value an asset type, including equipment, real estate and security instruments.
Video conferencing is a technology that allows users in different locations to hold face-to-face meetings without having to move to a single location together. This technology is particularly convenient for business users in different cities or even different countries because it saves time, expenses, and hassles associated with business travel. Uses for video conferencing include holding routine meetings, negotiating business deals, and interviewing job candidates.
An obligor, also known as a debtor, is a person or entity who is legally or contractually obliged to provide a benefit or payment to another. In a financial context, the term obligor refers to a bond issuer who is contractually bound to make all principal repayments and interest payments on outstanding debt. The recipient of the benefit or payment is known as the obligee.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) refers to a tax credit for qualified education expenses for a student for the first four years of post-secondary education for American taxpayers. The AOTC also applies to taxpayers who claim the students as dependents.
Price sensitivity is the degree to which the price of a product affects consumers’ purchasing behaviors. Generally speaking, it’s how demand changes with the change in the cost of products.
A social audit is a formal review of a company’s endeavors, procedures, and code of conduct regarding social responsibility and the company’s impact on society. A social audit is an assessment of how well the company is achieving its goals or benchmarks for social responsibility.
Off-balance sheet (OBS) items is a term for assets or liabilities that do not appear on a company’s balance sheet. Although not recorded on the balance sheet, they are still assets and liabilities of the company. Off-balance sheet items are typically those not owned by or are a direct obligation of the company. For example, when loans are securitized and sold off as investments, the secured debt is often kept off the bank’s books. An operating lease is one of the most common off-balance items.
A social audit is a formal review of a company’s endeavors, procedures, and code of conduct regarding social responsibility and the company’s impact on society. A social audit is an assessment of how well the company is achieving its goals or benchmarks for social responsibility.
Off-balance sheet (OBS) items is a term for assets or liabilities that do not appear on a company’s balance sheet. Although not recorded on the balance sheet, they are still assets and liabilities of the company. Off-balance sheet items are typically those not owned by or are a direct obligation of the company. For example, when loans are securitized and sold off as investments, the secured debt is often kept off the bank’s books. An operating lease is one of the most common off-balance items.