Introduction
How a company conducts business is important. The U.S. Security and Exchange commission has established guidelines for publicly traded companies so investors and creditors have easy access to the information they need to evaluate the risk to invest or extend credit to a company (Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2007). In this paper Hewlett Packard’s ethics policy, U.S. Security and Exchange compliance, financial ratios reported in their 2006 and 2007 annual reports, and filing with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission are examined.
HO Ethical Behavior
According to Mark Hurd, Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard the company wants to be known for ethical leadership so that employees can be proud to work for them, and customers and partners that will continue to do business (2008). Hewlett Packard considers it important to focus and understand the financial aspects of their business. To be successful and grow, Hewlett Packard must be on the right path to financial performance and at the same time focus on proper business ethics. Hewlett Packard must comply with federal, state,and local laws, regulation, and ordinances. Hewlett Packard must conduct business with complete honestly and integrity and in such a way that best serves the interests of the business, employees,and customers. Employees should avoid any situation that benefits, or appears to benefit the employees, such action could be in a form of a business transaction, gift, or favor. Hewlett Packard’s Standard of Business Conduct (SBC) embodies the fundamental principles that govern the ethical and legal obligations of Hewlett Packard. They pertain not only to the conduct within the company but also to conduct involving customers, channel partners, suppliers,and competitors. (Hewlett Packard, 2008) Some of the business ethics proved by Hewlett Packard are: We are passionate
References: AccountingCoach.com (2008). What is the days’ sales in accounts receivable ratio? Retrieved October 4, 2008, from http://blog.acountingcoach.com/days-sales-accounts-receivables/ Friedman, J. P. (2000). Dictionary of Business Terms (3rd ed.). Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Hewlett Packard (2008) Business Ethics. Retrieved October 5, 2008 from: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/ethics/index.html Hewlett Packard (2006) Annual Report. Retrived September 30, 2008 from: http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&pirol-sec Hewlett Packard (2006) Annual Report. Retrived September 30, 2008 from: http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&pirol-sec Hewlett Packard (2006) Security and Exchange Commission filings. Retrieved September 30, 2008 from: http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&pirol-sec Hewlett Packard (2007) Security and Exchange Commission filings. Retrieved September 30, 2008 from: http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&pirol-sec Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso (2007) Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc. Hoboken, NJ. Mayo, H. B. (2007). Basic Finance, An Introduction to Financial Institutions, Investments, & Management (9th Ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson Higher Education Security and Exchange Commission (2008) Security Exchange Act of 1934. Retrieved October 5, 2008 from: http://www.sec.gov/about/laws.shtml#secexact1934