Thanks to Jr. Deputy Accountant for this tip.
On December 04, 2009, Fox News aired the following graphic:
pic credit: Fox News
The arithmetically inclined reader will be surprised to learn that 15% “not sure” responses are not shown.
This snafu reminds me of an humorless accounting joke. Responding to a question during a job interview about the sum of 2 + 2, the aspiring accountant replied, “Whatever you wish it to be.” Of course, a large firm auditor would have provided a similar answer, especially if it was interviewing for a multi-million dollar audit engagement.
A correct graphic for Fox New would read:
- 35% very likely
- 24% somewhat likely
- 26% not very likely
- 15% not sure
By the way, the use of “not very likely” is confusing. Although it is possible that the pollster for Fox News think “not very likely” means either “very unlikely” or simply “unlikely”, there are some that think “not very likely” means “somewhat likely”.
In conclusion, it appears that Fox News could have been done in by accountants. The arithmetic looks like the work product of an accountant, and the wording looks like the work of an IASB standard setter or a Big 4 audit opinion writer.
Debit and credit – - David Albrecht
I can’t believe they aired this graphic!!! First off, the simple Math equals up to 120% and not 100%. Where’s the logic in that!? I got a minor in Math when I was in college and I majored in Meteorology (Yes…according to some people, I got paid to lie). When I see these kinds of things, it just makes me want to scream.
Garrett Gwiazda
CPA Site Solutions
Account Manager/Web Designer
“Websites for Accountants”