1. What is a contingent liability? 2. What are the three potential accounting treatments for a contingent liability? 3. In your opinion, how do you think 3M will treat this contingent liability

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
10th Edition
ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
Publisher:Libby
Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1Q
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
Answer questions 1 through 3
How would 3M account for the
contingent liability arising from
an environmental lawsuit?
The State of Minnesota is suing 3M (NYSE:MMM)
for $5 billion in damages, alleging that 3M
dumped chemicals it produced into landfills from
the 1940s through the 1970s. The State asserts
that those chemicals have now leached into local
groundwater, affecting about 60,000 residents.
3M's attorneys have responded that the chemicals
have not been proven to have any negative effects
on humans.
Questions
1. What is a contingent liability?
2. What are the three potential accounting
treatments for a contingent liability?
3. In your opinion, how do you think 3M will
treat this contingent liability
Transcribed Image Text:How would 3M account for the contingent liability arising from an environmental lawsuit? The State of Minnesota is suing 3M (NYSE:MMM) for $5 billion in damages, alleging that 3M dumped chemicals it produced into landfills from the 1940s through the 1970s. The State asserts that those chemicals have now leached into local groundwater, affecting about 60,000 residents. 3M's attorneys have responded that the chemicals have not been proven to have any negative effects on humans. Questions 1. What is a contingent liability? 2. What are the three potential accounting treatments for a contingent liability? 3. In your opinion, how do you think 3M will treat this contingent liability
Expert Solution
Step 1: Explanation

1) Contingent liability:

This is an uncertain obligation which might be incurred on a future date as a result of any past transaction. So, the companies should provide provision for such uncertain liabilities in the financial statements.

trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Completing the Accounting Cycle
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259964947
Author:
Libby
Publisher:
MCG
Accounting
Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337272094
Author:
WARREN, Carl S., Reeve, James M., Duchac, Jonathan E.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting
ISBN:
9781337619202
Author:
Hall, James A.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Horngren's Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis…
Accounting
ISBN:
9780134475585
Author:
Srikant M. Datar, Madhav V. Rajan
Publisher:
PEARSON
Intermediate Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259722660
Author:
J. David Spiceland, Mark W. Nelson, Wayne M Thomas
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Accounting
ISBN:
9781259726705
Author:
John J Wild, Ken W. Shaw, Barbara Chiappetta Fundamental Accounting Principles
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education