Question & Answer

Bradburn Corporation was formed 5 years ago through a public subscription of common stock. Daniel Brown, who owns 15% of the common stock, was one of the organizers of Bradburn and is its current president. The company has been successful, but it currently is experiencing a shortage of funds. On June 10, 2014, Daniel Brown approached the Topeka National Bank, asking for a 24-month extension on two $35,000 notes, which are due on June 30, 2015, and September 30, 2015. Another note of $6,000 is due on March 31, 2016, but he expects no difficulty in paying this note on its due date. Brown explained that Bradburn’s cash flow problems are due primarily to the company’s desire to finance a $300,000 plant expansion over the next 2 fiscal years through internally generated funds. The commercial loan officer of Topeka National Bank requested the following financial reports for the last 2 fiscal years.   Instructions (a) Compute the following items for Bradburn Corporation. (1) Current ratio for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. (2) Acid-test (quick) ratio for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. (3) Inventory turnover for fiscal year 2015. (4) Return on assets for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. (Assume total assets were $1,688,500 at 3/31/13.) (5) Percentage change in sales, cost of goods sold, gross margin, and net income after taxes from fiscal year 2014 to 2015. (b) Identify and explain what other financial reports and/or financial analyses might be helpful to the commercial loan officer of Topeka National Bank in evaluating Daniel Brown’s request for a time extension on Bradburn’s notes. (c) Assume that the percentage changes experienced in fiscal year 2015 as compared with fiscal year 2014 for sales and cost of goods sold will be repeated in each of the next 2 years. Is Bradburn’s desire to finance the plant expansion from internally generated funds realistic? Discuss. (d) Should Topeka National Bank grant the extension on Bradburn’s notes considering Daniel Brown’s statement about financing the plant expansion through internally generated funds? Discuss.

Explain the government’s dilemma regarding whether it should rescue American International Group (AIG) during the credit crisis. (LO5)

Who are the owners of credit unions? Explain the tax status of CUs and the reason for that status. Why are CUs typically smaller than commercial banks or savings institutions? (LO7)

The credit crisis was caused by the mortgage market, yet it had a serious impact on bond markets. Write a short essay on how the bond market was affected and offer your opinion on how the bond market may attempt to insulate itself from a credit crisis in the future.

dentify three ways taxpayers can pay their income taxes to the government.

Evaluating a proposal for measuring performance Benerux Industries has been in business for 30 years. The entity’s major product is a control unit for elevators. The entity has a reputation for manufacturing products of exceptionally high quality, resulting in higher prices for its units than competitors charge. Higher prices, in turn, have meant that the entity has been comfortably profitable. A major reason for the high product quality is a loyal and conscientious workforce. Production employees have been with the entity for an average of 18 years.   Recently the entity hired a cost accountant from the local university. After a few months at the entity, the new accountant proposed a performance measurement report consisting of two parts. The first part will report the actual number of units started during each month, the target number of units that should have been started, and a variance. The second part will calculate an actual cost per good unit completed during each month, the target cost per unit, and a variance.   The new accountant provided the following additional information concerning the performance report: The first part of the report concentrates on units started because many units are scrapped in the manufacturing process (to maintain high quality). Therefore, the best measure of effort expended is the number of units on which work was begun. The target number of units to be begun in a month is the number of units started in the corresponding month last year plus 5 per cent. In the second part of the report, actual costs per unit will be calculated by dividing total production cost incurred during the month by the number of good units completed during the month. The target cost per unit is the average cost for manufacturing this kind of product as determined from industry newsletters.   The proposal concluded with the following comments: ‘This report should be prepared and distributed quarterly. For maximum benefit I suggest that a bonus be awarded whenever units started exceeds target and costs are below target. This system will result in substantially improved profits for the entity. It should be implemented immediately.’   Required (a)     Is it possible to develop a perfect system for monitoring and motivating worker performance? Why? (b)     Explain what the managers might learn by monitoring each of the variances in the proposed performance measurement system. (c)     Discuss possible reasons why the entity did not previously use a variance system to monitor and motivate worker performance. (d)     Describe weaknesses in the proposed performance measurement system. (e)     If you were the CFO of Benerux Industries, how would you respond to the new cost accountant’s proposal? Discuss whether you agree with the proposal and explain how you would communicate your response.

3. Why will marginal social benefit not equal marginal social costs in the labour market if there exists (a) union monopoly power and/or (b) firms with monopsony power?

Toro Co. has equipment with a carrying amount of $700,000. The expected future net cash flows from the equipment are $705,000, and its fair value is $590,000. The equipment is expected to be used in operations in the future. What amount (if any) should Toro report as an impairment to its equipment?

Omar is a huge college football fan.  In the past, he has always bought football tickets on the street from ticket scalpers.  This year, he decided to join the university’s ticket program, which requires a $2,000 contribution to the university for the “right” to purchase tickets.  Omar will then pay $400 per season ticket.  Omar understands that the price paid for the season tickets is not tax deductible as a charitable contribution.  However, contributions to a university are typically tax deductible.     a.  Use an available tax service to determine how much, if any, of Omar’s $2,000 contribution for the right to purchase tickets is tax deductible.   b. Write a letter to Omar communicating the results of your research.

In 2013, Austin Powers Corporation developed a new product that will be marketed in 2014. In connection with the development of this product, the following costs were incurred in 2013: research and development costs $400,000; materials and supplies consumed $60,000; and compensation paid to research consultants $125,000. It is anticipated that these costs will be recovered in 2016. What is the amount of research and development costs that Austin Powers should record in 2013 as a charge to expense?

Travel Inc. sells tickets for a Caribbean cruise to Carmel Company employees. The total cruise package costs Carmel $70,000 from ShipAway cruise liner. Travel Inc. receives a commission of 6% of the total price. Travel Inc. therefore remits $65,800 to ShipAway. Prepare the entry to record the revenue recognized by Travel Inc. on this transaction.

Illiad Inc. has decided to raise additional capital by issuing $170,000 face value of bonds with a coupon rate of 10%. In discussions with investment bankers, it was determined that to help the sale of the bonds, detachable stock warrants should be issued at the rate of  ne warrant for each $100 bond sold. The value of the bonds without the warrants is considered to be $136,000, and the value of the warrants in the market is $24,000. The bonds sold in the market at issuance for $152,000. Instructions (a) What entry should be made at the time of the issuance of the bonds and warrants? (b) If the warrants were nondetachable, would the entries be different? Discuss.

Carrie D’Lake, Reed A. Green, and Doug A. Divot share a passion for golf and decide to go into the golf club manufacturing business together. On January 2, 2024, D’Lake, Green, and Divot form the Slicenhook Partnership, a general partnership. Slicenhook’s main product will be a perimeter-weighted titanium driver with a patented graphite shaft. All three partners plan to actively participate in the business. The partners contribute the following property to form Slicenhook: Partner Contribution Carrie D’Lake Land, FMV $460,000 Basis $460,000, Mortgage $60,000 Reed A. Green $400,000 Doug A. Divot $400,000 Carrie had recently acquired the land with the idea that she would contribute it to the newly formed partnership. The partners agree to share in profits and losses equally. Slicenhook elects a calendar year-end and the accrual method of accounting. In addition, Slicenhook received a $1,500,000 recourse loan from Big Bank at the time the contributions were made. Slicenhook uses the proceeds from the loan and the cash contributions to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ($1,200,000), purchase equipment ($600,000), and produce inventory ($400,000). With the remaining cash, Slicenhook invests $45,000 in the stock of a privately owned graphite research company and retains $55,000 as working cash. Slicenhook operates on a just-in-time inventory system, so it sells all inventory and collects all sales immediately. That means that at the end of the year, Slicenhook does not carry any inventory or accounts receivable balances. During 2024, Slicenhook has the following operating results: Sales $ 1,126,000 Cost of goods sold 400,000 Interest income from tax-exempt bonds 900 Qualified dividend income from stock 1,500 Operating expenses 126,000 Depreciation (tax) §179 on equipment $39,000 Equipment 81,000 Building 24,000 144,000 Interest expense on debt 120,000 The partnership is very successful in its first year. The success allows Slicenhook to use excess cash from operations to purchase $15,000 of tax-exempt bonds (you can see the interest income already reflected in the operating results). The partnership also makes a principal payment on its loan from Big Bank in the amount of $300,000 and a distribution of $100,000 to each of the partners on December 31, 2024. The partnership continues its success in 2025 with the following operating results: Sales $ 1,200,000 Cost of goods sold 420,000 Interest income from tax-exempt bonds 900 Qualified dividend income from stock 1,500 Operating expenses 132,000 Depreciation (tax) Equipment $147,000 Building 30,000 177,000 Interest expense on debt 96,000 The operating expenses include a $1,800 trucking fine that one of their drivers incurred for reckless driving and speeding and meals expense of $6,000. By the end of 2025, Reed has had a falling out with Carrie and Doug and has decided to leave the partnership. He has located a potential buyer for his partnership interest, Indie Ruff. Indie has agreed to purchase Reed’s interest in Slicenhook for $730,000 in cash and the assumption of Reed’s share of Slicenhook’s debt. Carrie and Doug, however, are not certain that admitting Indie to the partnership is such a good idea. They want to consider having Slicenhook liquidate Reed’s interest on January 1, 2026. As of January 1, 2026, Slicenhook has the following assets: Tax Basis FMV   Cash $ 876,800 $ 876,800  Investment - tax Exempts 15,000 18,000  Investment Stock 45,000 45,000  Equipment - net of dep. 333,000 600,000  Building - net of dep. 1,146,000 1,440,000  Land 460,000 510,000    Total $ 2,875,800 $ 3,489,800   Carrie and Doug propose that Slicenhook distribute the following to Reed in complete liquidation of his partnership interest: Tax Basis FMV   Cash $ 485,000 $ 485,000  Investment Stock 45,000 45,000  Equipment - $200,000 cost, net of dep. 111,000 200,000     Total $ 641,000 $ 730,000 Slicenhook has not purchased or sold any equipment since its original purchase just after formation. a. Determine each partner’s recognized gain or loss upon formation of Slicenhook. b. What is each partner’s initial tax basis in Slicenhook on January 2, 2024? c. Prepare Slicenhook’s opening tax basis balance sheet as of January 2, 2024. d. Using the operating results, what are Slicenhook’s ordinary income and separately stated items for 2024 and 2025? What amount of Slicenhook’s income for each period would each of the partners report? e. Using the information provided, prepare Slicenhook’s page 1 and Schedule K to be included with its Form 1065 for 2024. Also, prepare a Schedule K-1 for Carrie. f. What are Carrie’s, Reed’s, and Doug’s outside bases in their partnership interest at the end of 2024 and 2025? g. If Reed sells his interest in Slicenhook to Indie Ruff, what are the amount and character of his recognized gain or loss? What is Indie’s outside basis in the partnership interest? h. What is Indie’s inside basis in Slicenhook? What effect would a §754 election have on Indie’s inside basis? i. If Slicenhook distributes the assets proposed by Carrie and Doug in complete liquidation of Reed’s partnership interest, what are the amount and character of Reed’s recognized gain or loss? What is Reed’s basis in the distributed assets? j. Compare and contrast Reed’s options for terminating his partnership interest. Assume that Reed’s marginal tax rate is 35 percent and his capital gains rate is 15 percent.

Briefly explain the accounting requirements for stock compensation plans under GAAP.

A partial adjusted trial balance of Piper Company at January 31, 2014, shows the following.   Instructions Answer the following questions, assuming the year begins January 1. (a) If the amount in Supplies Expense is the January 31 adjusting entry, and $850 of supplies was purchased in January, what was the balance in Supplies on January 1? (b) If the amount in Insurance Expense is the January 31 adjusting entry, and the original insurance premium was for one year, what was the total premium and when was the policy purchased? (c) If $2,500 of salaries was paid in January, what was the balance in Salaries and Wages Payable at December 31, 2013? (d) If $1,600 was received in January for services pe

Presented below is the balance sheet for Tomkins plc, a British company.     Instructions (a) Identify at least three differences in balance sheet reporting between British and U.S. firms, as shown in Tomkins’ balance sheet. (b) Review Tomkins’ balance sheet and identify how the format of this financial statement provides useful information, as illustrated in the chapter.

When does the Fed use a stimulative monetary policy, and when does it use a restrictive monetary policy? What is a criticism of a stimulative monetary policy? What is the risk of using a monetary policy that is too restrictive? (LO2; LO3)

Explain the role of credit rating agencies in facilitating the flow of funds from investors into the mortgage market (through mortgage-backed securities). (LO4)

How do taxpayers determine whether they should deduct their itemized deductions or utilize the standard deduction?

Alice Foyle, M.D. (lessee), has a noncancelable 20-year lease with Brownback Realty, Inc. (lessor) for the use of a medical building. Taxes, insurance, and maintenance are paid by the lessee in addition to the fixed annual payments, of which the present value is equal to the fair value of the leased property. At the end of the lease period, title becomes the lessee’s at a nominal price. Considering the terms of the lease described above, comment on the nature of the lease transaction and the accounting treatment that should be accorded it by the lessee.

Bourne Guitars, a corporation, reported a $157,000 net §1231 gain for year 6. a. Assuming Bourne reported $50,000 of nonrecaptured net §1231 losses during years 1–5, what amount of Bourne’s net §1231 gain for year 6, if any, is treated as ordinary income? b. Assuming Bourne’s nonrecaptured net §1231 losses from years 1–5 were $200,000, what amount of Bourne’s net §1231 gain for year 6, if any, is treated as ordinary income?

Presented below is the December 31 trial balance of New York Boutique.   Instructions (a) Construct T-accounts and enter the balances shown. (b) Prepare adjusting journal entries for the following and post to the T-accounts. (Omit explanations.) Open additional T-accounts as necessary. (The books are closed yearly on December 31.) (1) Bad debt expense is estimated to be $1,400. (2) Equipment is depreciated based on a 7-year life (no salvage value). (3) Insurance expired during the year $2,550. (4) Interest accrued on notes payable $3,360. (5) Sales salaries and wages earned but not paid $2,400. (6) Advertising paid in advance $700. (7) Office supplies on hand $1,500, charged to Supplies Expense when purchased. (c) Prepare closing entries and post to the accounts.

Simms Corp. controlled four domestic subsidiaries and one foreign subsidiary. Prior to the current year, Simms Corp. had excluded the foreign subsidiary from consolidation. During the current year, the foreign subsidiary was included in the financial statements. How should this change in accounting entity be reflected in the financial statements?

Why is the profit-maximising price under monopoly greater than marginal cost? In what way can this be seen as inefficient?

Explain how the income generated by a mutual fund is taxed when the fund distributes at least 90 percent of its taxable income to shareholders. (LO1)