Question & Answer

Harrisburg Company is considering changing its inventory valuation method from FIFO to LIFO because of the potential tax savings. However, management wishes to consider all of the effects on the company, including its reported performance, before making the final decision. The inventory account, currently valued on the FIFO basis, consists of 1,000,000 units at $8 per unit on January 1, 2014. There are 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 1, 2014, and the cash balance is $400,000. The company has made the following forecasts for the period 2014–2016. 2014 2015 2016 Unit sales (in millions of units) 1.1 1.0 1.3 Sales price per unit $10 $12 $12 Unit purchases (in millions of units) 1.0 1.1 1.2 Purchase price per unit $8 $9 $10 Annual depreciation (in thousands of dollars) $300 $300 $300 Cash dividends per share $0.15 $0.15 $0.15 Cash payments for additions to and replacement of plant and equipment (in thousands of dollars) $350 $350 $350 Income tax rate 40% 40% 40% Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation) as a percent of sales 15% 15% 15% Common shares outstanding (in millions) 1 1 1 Instructions (a) Prepare a schedule that illustrates and compares the following data for Harrisburg Company under the FIFO and the LIFO inventory method for 2014–2016. Assume the company would begin LIFO at the beginning of 2014. (1) Year-end inventory balances. (3) Earnings per share. (2) Annual net income after taxes. (4) Cash balance. Assume all sales are collected in the year of sale and all purchases, operating expenses, and taxes are paid during the year incurred. (b) Using the data above, your answer to (a), and any additional issues you believe need to be considered, prepare a report that recommends whether or not Harrisburg Company should change to the LIFO inventory method. Support your conclusions with appropriate arguments.

Absent any special elections, what effect does a sale of partnership interest have on the partnership?

Stephanie began her consulting business this year, and on April 1 Stephanie received a $9,000 payment for full payment on a three-year service contract (under the contract, Stephanie is obligated to provide advisory services for the next three years). Stephanie has elected to use the accrual method of accounting for her business.  a) What is the minimum amount of income should Stephanie recognize for tax purposes this year if she recognizes $2,250 of income from the for financial accounting purposes?  b) What is the minimum amount of income will Stephanie recognize next year for tax purposes?

Broussard Company reported net income of $3.5 million in 2014. Depreciation for the year was $520,000; accounts receivable increased $500,000; and accounts payable increased $300,000. Compute net cash flow from operating activities using the indirect method.

An investment newsletter suggests that because the prevailing stock market conditions are subject to much uncertainty, investors should purchase call options on the CBOE volatility index (VIX). Write a short essay on the logic behind how the valuation of VIX is influenced by market uncertainty. Also support or refute the advice provided by the newsletter and offer a strategy for investing in call options on the VIX based on expectations of changes in market uncertainty.

What is the normal procedure for handling the collection of accounts receivable previously written off using the direct write-off method? The allowance method?

This year BPS billed clients for $86,700 and collected $61,000 in cash for golf lessons completed during the year. In addition, BPS collected an additional $14,500 in cash for lessons that will commence after year-end. Binu hopes to collect about half of the outstanding billings next year, but the rest will likely be written off.  Besides providing private golf lessons, BPS also contracted with the country club to staff the driving range. This year, BPS billed the country club $27,200 for the service. The club paid $17,000 of the amount but disputed the remainder. By year-end, the dispute had not been resolved, and while Binu believes BPS is entitled to the money, the remaining $10,200 has not been paid. BPS has accrued the following expenses (explained below): Advertising (in the clubhouse)$ 13,150 Pro golf teachers’ membership fees860 Supplies (golf tees, balls, etc.)4,720 Club rental6,800 Malpractice insurance2,400 Accounting fees8,820 The expenditures were all paid for this calendar year, with several exceptions. First, Binu initiated his golfer’s malpractice insurance on June 1 of this year. The $2,400 insurance bill covers the last six months of this calendar year and the first six months of next year. At year-end, Binu had only paid $600, but has assured the insurance agent the remaining $1,800 will be paid early next year. Second, the amount paid for club rental ($100 per week) represents rental charges for the last 6 weeks of the previous year, the 52 weeks in this calendar year, and the first 10 weeks of next year. Binu has also mentioned that BPS only pays for supplies that are used at the club. Although BPS could buy the supplies for half the cost elsewhere, Binu likes to “throw some business” to the golf pro shop because it is operated by his brother. Complete a draft of Parts I and II on the front page of a Schedule C for BPS.

Go through each of the determinants we have identified so far and show how the respective elasticity of demand makes the problem of traffic congestion a difficult one to tackle.

What is the difference between the nominal interest rate and real interest rate? What is the logic behind the implied positive relationship between expected inflation and nominal interest rates? (LO2)

Stock splits and stock dividends may be used by a corporation to change the number of shares of its stock outstanding. (a) What is meant by a stock split effected in the form of a dividend? (b) From an accounting viewpoint, explain how the stock split effected in the form of a dividend differs from an ordinary stock dividend. (c) How should a stock dividend that has been declared but not yet issued be classified in a balance sheet? Why?

Using the data shown on the pie charts in Figure 11.1, construct two Lorenz curves (on the same diagram), corresponding to the before- and after-tax income figures. Interpret and comment on the diagram you have drawn.

Kohlbeck Corporation, a manufacturer of steel products, began operations on October 1, 2013. The accounting department of Kohlbeck has started the fixed-asset and depreciation schedule presented on page 632. You have been asked to assist in completing this schedule. In addition to ascertaining that the data already on the schedule are correct, you have obtained the following information from the company’s records and personnel. 1. Depreciation is computed from the first of the month of acquisition to the first of the month of disposition. 2. Land A and Building A were acquired from a predecessor corporation. Kohlbeck paid $800,000 for the land and building together. At the time of acquisition, the land had an appraised value of $90,000, and the building had an appraised value of $810,000. 3. Land B was acquired on October 2, 2013, in exchange for 2,500 newly issued shares of Kohlbeck’s common stock. At the date of acquisition, the stock had a par value of $5 per share and a fair value of $30 per share. During October 2013, Kohlbeck paid $16,000 to demolish an existing building on this land so it could construct a new building. 4. Construction of Building B on the newly acquired land began on October 1, 2014. By September 30, 2015, Kohlbeck had paid $320,000 of the estimated total construction costs of $450,000. It is estimated that the building will be completed and occupied by July 2016. 5. Certain equipment was donated to the corporation by a local university. An independent appraisal of the equipment when donated placed the fair value at $40,000 and the salvage value at $3,000. 6. Machinery A’s total cost of $182,900 includes installation expense of $600 and normal repairs and maintenance of $14,900. Salvage value is estimated at $6,000. Machinery A was sold on February 1, 2015. 7. On October 1, 2014, Machinery B was acquired with a down payment of $5,740 and the remaining payments to be made in 11 annual installments of $6,000 each beginning October 1, 2014. The prevailing interest rate was 8%. The following data were abstracted from present value tables (rounded). Present value of $1.00 at 8% Present value of an ordinary annuity of $1.00 at 8% 10 years .463 10 years 6.710 11 years .429 11 years 7.139 15 years .315 15 years 8.559   Instructions For each numbered item on the schedule above, supply the correct amount. (Round each answer to the nearest

Jackson Company adopts acceptable accounting for its defined benefit pension plan on January 1, 2013, with the following beginning balances: plan assets $200,000; projected benefit obligation $250,000. Other data relating to 3 years’ operation of the plan are as follows. 2013 2014 2015 Annual service cost $16,000 $ 19,000 $ 26,000 Settlement rate and expected rate of return 10% 10% 10% Actual return on plan assets 18,000 22,000 24,000 Annual funding (contributions) 16,000 40,000 48,000 Benefi ts paid 14,000 16,400 21,000 Prior service cost (plan amended, 1/1/14) 160,000 Amortization of prior service cost 54,400 41,600 Change in actuarial assumptions establishes a December 31, 2015, projected benefi t obligation of: 520,000 Instructions (a) Prepare a pension worksheet presenting all 3 years’ pension balances and activities. (b) Prepare the journal entries (from the worksheet) to reflect all pension plan transactions and events at December 31 of each year. (c) Indicate the pension-related amounts reported in the financial statements for 2015.

If everyone’s incomes rose in line with inflation, would it matter if inflation were 100 per cent or even 1000 per cent per annum?

Explain why financial institutions are highly exposed to systemic risk during a financial crisis. (LO4)

What hurdles (or limitations) must partners overcome before they can ultimately deduct partnership losses on their tax returns?

In a complete JW model, what else would cause the JW curve (a) to shift to the right: (b) to shift to the left?

What are the reporting issues in a sale and buyback agreement?

Caplets are used to support a sand core inside a sand mold cavity. The design of the caplets and the manner in which they are placed in the mold cavity surface allows each caplet to sustain a force of 10 lb. Several caplets are located beneath the core to support it before pouring; and several other caplets are placed above the core to resist the buoyancy force during pouring. If the volume of the core = 325 in.3 , and the metal poured is brass, determine the minimum number of caplets that should be placed (a) beneath the core, and (b) above the co

Describe the related-person limitation on accrued deductions. What tax savings strategy is this limitation designed to thwart?

On January 1, 2013, Dagwood Company purchased at par 12% bonds having a maturity value of $300,000. They are dated January 1, 2013, and mature January 1, 2018, with interest receivable December 31 of each year. The bonds are classified in the held-to-maturity category. Instructions (a) Prepare the journal entry at the date of the bond purchase. (b) Prepare the journal entry to record the interest received for 2013. (c) Prepare the journal entry to record the interest received for 2014.

Explain why the failure of Lehman Brothers caused prices on credit default swap contracts to increase. (LO7)

The financial statements of Marks and Spencer plc (M&S) are available at the book’s companion website or can be accessed at http://annualreport.marksandspencer.com/_assets/downloads/Marksand- Spencer-Annual-report-and-financial-statements-2012.pdf. Instructions Refer to M&S’s financial statements and the accompanying notes to answer the following questions. (a) What alternative formats could M&S have adopted for its statement of financial position? Whichformat did it adopt? (b) Identify the various techniques of disclosure M&S might have used to disclose additional pertinentfinancial information. Which technique does it use in its financials? (c) In what classifications are M&S’s investments reported? What valuation basis does M&S use to report its investments? How much working capital did M&S have on 31 March 2012? On 2 April 2011? (d) What were M&S’s cash flows from its operating, investing, and financing activities for 2012? What were its trends in net cash provided by operating activities over the period 2011 to 2012? Explain why the change in accounts payable and in accrued and other liabilities is added to net income to arrive at net cash provided by operating activities. (e) Compute M&S’s (1) current cash debt coverage, (2) cash debt coverage, and (3) free cash flow for 2012. What do these ratios indicate about M&S’s financial conditions?

Relevant information; recommendation Frank owns a caravan and loves to visit national parks with his family. However, the family only takes two one-week trips in the caravan each year. Frank’s wife would rather stay in motels than the caravan. She presented him with the following itemisation of the cost per trip, hoping that he will sell the caravan and use motels instead. Required (a)          What are the relevant costs for deciding whether the family should go on one more camping trip this year? (b)          What are the relevant costs for deciding whether Frank should sell the caravan? Assume the family will take the same vacations but stay in motels if the caravan is sold. (c)           What factors other than costs might influence the decision to sell the caravan? List as many as you can. (d)          Consider your own preferences for this problem. Do you expect Frank’s preferences to be the same as yours? How can you control for your biases and consider this problem from Frank’s point of view? (e)           Frank asks you to help him decide what to do. Do you think he should sell the caravan? Why?             (LO1, 2 and 3)

Ramirez Company has a held-for-collection investment in the 6%, 20-year bonds of Soto Company. The investment was originally purchased for $1,200,000 in 2013. Early in 2014, Ramirez recorded an impairment of $300,000 on the Soto investment, due to Soto’s financial distress. In 2015, Soto returned toprofitability and the Soto investment was no longer impaired. What entry does Ramirez make in 2015 under (a) GAAP and (b) IFRS?