Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read Chapter 3 of your course text. Review the Chapter 3: The Reporting Entity and Consolidation of Less-Than-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries with no Differential PowerPoint presentation and the weekly lecture.

Variable Interest Annuities (VIEs) have gained wide attention due to the company Enron. Based on this weeks reading and weekly lecture:

• Explain what VIEs are and what part did VIEs play in the collapse of Enron?
• Does the Walt Disney Company have any VIEs? Who are they, where are they located and how does the company account for the VIEs?
• Review the following company VIEs and comment on the accounting application of the entity:
  • General Electric
  • ConAgra Foods
  • Time Warner
  • Allegheny Energy