Taxation and Finance

Howard F. Seligman

Tuesdays, 7:45pm - 9:45pm

8 sessions, beginning May 3rd

Tuition: $88 – $115, sliding scale

The course will begin with a brief tutorial on conventional accounting, bookkeeping and financial theory.  This will involve some hands on practical training, although the main emphasis will be on the history of the evolution of the theory from its original conception to the current methodologies.

This will be followed by an examination of basic economics (price theory) and its use and abuse of (accounting/finance) statistics.  Again, the history of the theory from its roots in philosophy and the social sciences to its current state of being applied mathematical models will be scrutinized.

We will then survey the U.S. Income Tax System beginning with its history and moving on to its current state (of change) today.  The focus will be on the behavioral implications of changes in the tax code and alternate systems being used in other countries (and being proposed by Congress today.)

Applying the building blocks of finance and taxation, we will then look at the American financial markets and the culture of the corporation.  Particular attention will be paid to 'Wall Street' and the 'entertainment industry' due to their growing influence in our everyday lives via the 'information society.'

Emphasis will be placed on economic and non-economic forces that drive the markets and facilitate manipulation by the use of abstract numerical concepts.  Finally, the natural symbiosis of private industry and governments will be the subject of specific anecdotes and case studies.

No requirements other than potential enthusiasm/interest.

Syllabus

Howard F. Seligman has been a self employed financial and tax consultant since 1984. Howard’s practice specializes in the arts and entertainment fields, and he serves as the treasurer to more than fifteen arts and cultural organizations. Howard has taught accounting and finance at The Pratt Institute. His hobbies include playing Howie Solo, a singer and stand up comedian who can host your local fundraising event. He is currently researching a book on the history of the Jewish gangster in America.

 

 

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