9-1 Final Project

docx

School

Southern New Hampshire University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

610

Subject

Accounting

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

14

Uploaded by sherrybabe96

Report
1 Final Project 9-1 Final Project Sherry Gerges Southern New Hampshire University ACC 610: Financial Reporting 1 Professor: Dr. Stephen Weiss February 11 th , 2024
2 Final Project Costco Wholesale is a company known for its memberships and for having items sold in bulk at a discounted price to customers. The company was founded in 1976 under a different name “Price Club” and focused on selling products to small businesses. Since then it has grown into an insanely successful corporation with hundreds of locations worldwide. Section I: Conceptual Framework Costco Wholesale aligns its financial statements with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as dictated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which is widely recognized as the leading authority for setting accounting standards in the corporate sphere. However, transitioning to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) could offer Costco numerous benefits. IFRS facilitates seamless global business expansion and shares many practices with GAAP, simplifying the transition process. Creditors Creditors typically concentrate on various indicators such as cash flows, equity, capital structure, outstanding loans, and others to assess a company's risks and uncertainties. Hence, disclosures like cash flows from operating activities, net receivables, and capital resources play a crucial role for creditors. In addition to financial statements, companies provide these disclosures to aid creditors and investors in making well-informed investment decisions. Therefore, ensuring that such disclosures are easily accessible in Costco's financial statements is essential for the convenience of creditors. Investors Costco ensures that its financial statements cater to both investors and creditors by including crucial details such as cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, liquidity, and capital resources. These disclosures are especially significant for investors, who prioritize
3 Final Project information like positive cash flows, debt levels, business models, and competitive advantages. Despite similarities with creditors, investors have distinct preferences for the information they consider essential. Hence, Costco's efforts in providing comprehensive disclosures benefit investors as well. Section II: Analysis of Financial Statements Financial Ratios From 2019 to 2023, Costco’s net earnings per share increased significantly. In 2019, their EPS was $8.26 and as of 2023, it went up to $14.16, which is a $5.90 increase (Costco EPS - Earnings per Share 2010-2023 | COST, n.d.). This indicated a growth in profitability for each share of stock. On the other hand, their gross margin from 2019 was 13.05% and in 2023 it was 12.37% (Costco EPS - Earnings per Share 2010-2023 | COST, n.d.). This decrease implies that there may have been a change in the costs of sales for Costco. Cash Based on the cash flow statements I have analyzed we can see that there has been an increase in Costco’s net cash flow throughout the years. In 2019, Costco had a net cash flow of $2,329 million and in 2023 they have $3,497 million in cash flow (Costco EPS - Earnings per Share 2010-2023 | COST, n.d.). This shows that they have been able to increase their cash flow through the years which suggests that liquid assets have increased. This means that the company is thriving and based on these trends we can see that Costco will continue to succeed. Account Balance Although Costco hit one of the lowest amounts in their 2019 accounts receivable, $1.535 billion, Costco hit one of their highest amounts in 2023, $2.542 billion (The Complete Toolbox
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
4 Final Project for Investors | Finbox.com, n.d.). This increase indicates that more people used credit to pay for their goods which could negatively impact the cash flow for the company. Valuation Method Costco uses the just-in-time (JIT) inventory valuation method “which minimizes excess inventory and reduces carrying costs. JIT allows the company to keep inventory levels low while maintaining high product availability” (Haghdadeh, 2023). With this method, Costco can see what the sales trends are and adjust their inventory, accordingly, allowing for the inventory to arrive just in time for the demand of the customers. There are a few benefits to using this method for Costco including reducing warehouse space requirements, lowering holding costs, and minimizing the risk of inventory uselessness (Haghdadeh, 2023). Also, by using the just-in-time inventory valuation method, Costco can “respond quickly to changing market demands and optimize its inventory turnover rate” (Haghdadeh, 2023). All of this is important to be able to meet the demands of the customers as well as keep the company moving in the right direction. Predict Based on the industry trends, plans of Costco, and the information I have gathered, I believe there is a bright future ahead for Costco. Costco has been booming in sales compared to its competitors because of the prices they offer to its customers as well as the many services available to them. This year, 2024, we will continue to see an increase in their cash flow, just as there has been from 2019-2023. The financial statements that I reviewed, shows that the just-in- time inventory valuation method is the best method for Costco to be using for the market they are working with.
5 Final Project Section III: GAAP vs. IFRS To transition from GAAP to IFRS is not an easy undertaking for any company. This transition would require a lot of research and tools to be able to ensure that it is the right move for the specific company. GAAP is considered rule based while IFRS is considered principle based. The transition wouldn’t be an easy one and would require a lot of training and teaching for those currently in the company as well as those planning to join the company the future. This type of transition can cause a lot of accounting mistakes and confusion because the U.S. is the only country at this time using GAAP while over 140 other countries are using IFRS. “This creates inconsistencies for both investors and lenders. Investors may come across issues when they consider funding capital-seeking companies that follow the accounting standards and financial reporting of the country in which they do business” (Pologeorgis, 2023). Not only would these changes take an extensive amount of time, but they would also cost a lot for the company to take on this transition. The transition from GAAP to IFRS would be beneficial in the long run for all companies because it would allow for a standard system between the US and all the international companies. The company that will be discussed in this report is Costco and this report will explain the steps that Costco needs to take to transition from GAAP to IFRS as well as how their financial statements would differ and how it would remain the same. This report will also give examples on how the statements would look for Costco once this transition is put into place. Balance Sheet IFRS and GAAP companies have some differences when it comes to their balance sheets. Some of the differences include what is listed first and the order that is followed on for each of the companies. “For example, current assets are displayed first in GAAP, while IFRS reports begin with non-current assets” (Malhotra, 2023). Some other differences are that GAAP focuses
6 Final Project a lot on liquidity of the assets while IFRS lists them from least to most liquid (Malhotra, 2023). Based on this information, Costco would need to start by updating their current balance sheets to match those of an IFRS company by starting with the non-current assets and working their way down. They would also change how they would prioritize their liquid assets from least to most liquid. Cash Flow Statement For the cash flow statement, there are some differences when it comes to preparing it. Those differences depend on whether the company is a GAAP company or an IFRS company. “According to GAAP, interest paid and received should be part of operating activities. Conversely, IFRS offers organizations the flexibility to classify interest however they feel is appropriate” (Malhotra, 2023). To be able to make this a smooth transition, Costco would need to determine what categories would be included in the IFRS cash flow statement. After determining that information, Costco would be able to prepare a cash flow statement using the IFRS principles. Transition for Costco When completing this transition from IFRS to GAAP, Costco will need to ensure that it is properly prepared for the transition prior to announcing the change. They will need to ensure that their staff is well informed and trained on what the transition entails and the accounting department understands the changes that need to be made to the different statements. Costco would also have to ensure that there is a section that is checking the work of the transition to ensure that no mistakes are made since that is highly likely. It is close to impossible to make sure the transition is perfect, but Costco can definitely try to make sure that there is very minimal mistakes. In conclusion, although the transition will be difficult it will be very beneficial because
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
7 Final Project it will allow the company to follow the same standard system that over 140 countries are currently using today. Section IV: Adjusting Entries In this paper, I will be discussing the type of depreciation method that Costco Wholesale uses and why they use that method. I will also identify an example of an adjusting entry and discuss whether Costco Wholesale has this account/entry listed on its balance sheet. Depreciation Method Costco Wholesale utilizes the straight-line depreciation method which is approved by both GAAP and IFRS. This method evenly distributes the cost to the depreciation expense for fixed assets, considering the asset's life cycle. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of this approach offer advantages, assuming the asset consistently depreciates in alignment with its anticipated life cycle. Due to Costco's substantial asset inventory, choosing the straight-line method proves to be a time-efficient strategy. This decision significantly simplifies their financial reporting, as they can stick to a single depreciation method. The elimination of the necessity for various methods corresponding to different aspects streamlines the depreciation process for their quarterly or annual financial reporting. To maintain a balance between assets and liabilities at the close of an accounting period, a company must ensure the adjustment of entries, correcting discrepancies in journals that are not current. An illustration of this practice involves accrued expenses, such as salaries and benefits for employees, representing earned payment for labor not yet disbursed by the business. Given that many businesses follow specific payment schedules for labor, accrued labor on financial
8 Final Project reports reflects the amount employees have earned up to a certain date but will be paid in future paychecks. In Costco's 2022 balance sheet, Accrued Salaries and Benefits are duly listed among their current liabilities. In 2021, this account was recorded at $4,090, experiencing a 1.7% increase to $4,381 in 2022 (Costco Wholesale 2022 Annual Report, 2022). Potential reasons for this uptick could be attributed to new hires during the year and/or salary increases for existing employees. Indeed, Costco's Annual Report for 2022 explicitly acknowledges the implementation of wage and benefit increases that had an impact on their Accrued Salaries and Benefits for the year. Section V: Financial Analysis Financial Ratios Ratio Costco Industry Average P/E Ratio 49.25 48.04 Price to Sales 1.31 2.52 Price to Cash Flow 24.71 20.66 Price to Book 12.28 8.83 Return on Equity 27.37 21.37 Return on Investment 20.12 11.58 Quick Ratio 0.55 0.72 Current Ratio 1.09 1.09 Total Debt to Equity 35.75 81.06 Asset Turnover 3.52 1.57 Inventory Turnover 11.75 9.08 The information for these financial ratios was gathered from investing.com (Costco (COST) Financial Ratios, n.d.). we can see from this table that for the P/E ratio, Costo is currently higher than the industry average. The table also shows that it is higher than the industry average for many other ratios, such as price to cash flow, price to book, return on equity, return on investment, asset turnover, and inventory turnover. That means that Costco is ranking a lot higher than its competitors. With the return on equity and return on investment being higher than
9 Final Project the industry average, that means that shareholders are receiving higher returns which means that it is currently profitable for its shareholders.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
10 Final Project Section VI: Communication Memorandum: Transitioning from GAAP to IFRS To: Ron Vachris, President, CEO and Director From: Sherry Gerges, Controller Date: February 3 rd , 2024 Subject: Transitioning from GAAP to IFRS In this memo, I will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of transitioning from GAAP to IFRS. Advantages Two of the advantages of transitioning from GAAP to IFRS are a globally harmonized system and greater transparency of information and better communication. “The purpose of standardization is to establish common rules with the dual aim of standardization and rationalizing the presentation of accounting information likely to meet the presumed needs of multiple users” (Oanh, 2022). GAAP is utilized within the United States, whereas IFRS is recognized on a broader international scale. This difference proves advantageous for expanding business operations and establishing connections with potential foreign partners. By aligning with IFRS, Costco creates more significant opportunities for attracting foreign investors. If Costco Wholesale decided to transition from GAAP to IFRS they would be able to have greater transparency of information and better communication with international companies. “Its mission is to regulate financial communication but also to increase transparency and comparability of information intended for investors, firms, financial markets, and supervisory authorities” (Oanh, 2022).
11 Final Project Disadvantages Two of the disadvantages of transitioning from GAAP to IFRS is lack of detail and signification adoption costs. IFRS is considered less detailed compared to GAAP and “GAAP is considered the gold standard for financial reporting” (Oanh, 2022). The transition is also very costly to implement because of the need to reeducate and train all accounting employees on the new standards.
12 Final Project Memorandum: Bankruptcy To: Ron Vachris, President, CEO and Director From: Sherry Gerges, Controller Date: February 3 rd , 2024 Subject: Bankruptcy In this memo, I will be discussing the issue at hand with our biggest customer who has just gone bankrupt. From our knowledge, their accounts receivable balance is at least $100,000. Since there is an amount owed by the customer, it is unlikely that we will receive this amount. I am working with our teams to see the options we can take to ensure that this situation is handled. Although this was something out of our control, we do have funds in our doubtful accounts for issues like this one. We are working on finding a way to ensure that this doesn’t affect us as badly as we believe it has. We are waiting for the banks to see what the assets of the customer are so we can collect as much as we can from them to try and resolve this issue. At this time, I do not have any more information to provide to you regarding this matter, but I will be sure to inform you of an update every step of the way. Once the issue is finalized, I will get in contact with you to inform you of the progress and the steps that were taken to resolve this matter. This was very unexpected but are doing the best we can to make sure that this is handled properly and smoothly. Thank you for your time and patience in this matter.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
13 Final Project Section VII: Financial Report Recently, an oil spill has caused significant environmental damage, impacting not only the environment but also the global economy. Costco faces a high risk to its financial stability due to this crisis, necessitating an analysis of its potential effects on financial statements and the development of strategies to mitigate any negative impacts. The organization must prepare for a substantial decrease in oil and gas supplies, leading to increased demand and potentially prompting global leaders to raise gas prices. This could raise production costs for Costco, leading to considerations of increasing the cost of goods sold to offset higher transportation expenses. However, such actions may lead to decreased customer purchases, requiring careful evaluation of the balance between price increases and customer numbers. Anticipated repercussions from the oil spill could adversely affect Costco's income statements, with inflation in gas and oil costs expected to reduce accounts receivable and potentially increase bad debt expense. Additionally, a decline in Investment Income is likely due to the anticipated poor financial performance of Costco Wholesale. Given the likelihood of these negative changes, it is crucial for Costco to devise strategies to manage and offset impending losses while upholding its core values, particularly its mission of providing quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Instead of immediately increasing the cost of goods, Costco may prioritize acquiring inventory at reduced costs to accommodate decreased customer demand and minimize product waste. Implementing cost- cutting measures through inventory management can also help avoid the need for workforce reductions or benefit cuts to manage the budget.
14 Final Project References Costco EPS - Earnings per share 2010-2023 | COST . (n.d.). MacroTrends.  https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/COST/costco/eps-earnings-per- share-diluted#:~:text=Costco%202023%20annual%20EPS%20was,a %2024.94%25%20increase%20from%202020 . Costco (COST) Financial Ratios . (n.d.). Investing.com. https://www.investing.com/equities/costco-whsl-corp-new-ratios Costco Wholesale 2022 Annual Report . (2022, December 7). Retrieved February 3, 2024, from https://s201.q4cdn.com/287523651/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/Costco-2022- Annual-Report.pdf Haghdadeh, P. (2023, October 11). Costco Supply Chain: Efficiency, and Sustainability 2023.  DFreight . https://dfreight.org/blog/costco-supply-chain-efficiency-sustainability/ #:~:text=reducing%20lead%20times.-,Just%2Din%2DTime%20Inventory %20Management,while%20maintaining%20high%20product%20availability. Malhotra, A. (2023, May 15).  GAAP vs IFRS: Key Definition, Differences & Similarities . Replicon.  https://www.replicon.com/blog/gaap-vs-ifrs/ Oanh, N. (2022, January 19).  Advantages and Disadvantages of International Accounting Standards IFRS . appvizer.co.uk. https://www.appvizer.co.uk/magazine/accounting- finance/accounting/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-international-accounting-standards Pologeorgis, N. A. (2023, November 29).  Gauging the impact of combining GAAP and IFRS . Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/12/impact-gaap-ifrs- convergence.asp The complete toolbox for investors | Finbox.com . (n.d.). https://finbox.com/NASDAQGS:COST/explorer/ar/#:~:text=Costco %20Wholesale%27s%20accounts%20receivable%2C%20net%20decreased%20in %202019%20(1.535%20billion,2.285%20billion%2C%20%2B2.0%25).