Methods to Amortize Prior Service Cost Wolz Company, a small business, has had a defined benefit pension plan for its employees for several years. At the beginning of 2016, Wolz amended the pension plan; this amendment provides for increased benefits based on services rendered by certain employees in prior periods. Wolz's actuary has determined that the related prior service cost amounts to $140,000. Wolz has four participating employees who are expected to receive the increased benefits. The following is a schedule identifying the employees and their expected years of future service: Employee Expected Years of Numbers Future Service 3. 4 Required: 1 a. Using the straight-line method, compute the average remaining service life. If required, round your answer to one decimal place. years 1 b. Using the straight-line method, prepare a schedule to amortize the prior service cost. Enter all amounts as positive numbers. WOLZ COMPANY Prior Service Cost Amortization 2016 - 2019 Total Remaining Prior Service Amortization Prior Service Cost Cost 2016 s 2017 2018 2019

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
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Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
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**Methods to Amortize Prior Service Cost**

Wolz Company, a small business, has had a defined benefit pension plan for its employees for several years. At the beginning of 2016, Wolz amended the pension plan; this amendment provides for increased benefits based on services rendered by certain employees in prior periods. Wolz’s actuary has determined that the related prior service cost amounts to $140,000. Wolz has four participating employees who are expected to receive the increased benefits. The following is a schedule identifying the employees and their expected years of future service:

| Employee Numbers | Expected Years of Future Service |
|------------------|---------------------------------|
| 1                | 2                               |
| 2                | 3                               |
| 3                | 4                               |
| 4                | 5                               |

**Required:**

1. **a.** Using the straight-line method, compute the average remaining service life. If required, round your answer to one decimal place.

   **Answer: \_\_\_\_ years**

2. **b.** Using the straight-line method, prepare a schedule to amortize the prior service cost. Enter all amounts as positive numbers.

**WOLZ COMPANY**  
*Prior Service Cost Amortization*  
*2016 – 2019*

| Year | Total Prior Service Cost | Amortization | Remaining Prior Service Cost |
|------|--------------------------|--------------|------------------------------|
| 2016 |                          | $            | $                            |
| 2017 |                          |              |                              |
| 2018 |                          |              |                              |
| 2019 |                          |              |                              |

*Graph/Diagram Explanation:*

The schedule above outlines the anticipated amortization of the prior service cost of $140,000 over the period from 2016 to 2019, using the straight-line method. The table will require calculation and input of the amortization amount for each year and the corresponding remaining prior service cost balance.
Transcribed Image Text:**Methods to Amortize Prior Service Cost** Wolz Company, a small business, has had a defined benefit pension plan for its employees for several years. At the beginning of 2016, Wolz amended the pension plan; this amendment provides for increased benefits based on services rendered by certain employees in prior periods. Wolz’s actuary has determined that the related prior service cost amounts to $140,000. Wolz has four participating employees who are expected to receive the increased benefits. The following is a schedule identifying the employees and their expected years of future service: | Employee Numbers | Expected Years of Future Service | |------------------|---------------------------------| | 1 | 2 | | 2 | 3 | | 3 | 4 | | 4 | 5 | **Required:** 1. **a.** Using the straight-line method, compute the average remaining service life. If required, round your answer to one decimal place. **Answer: \_\_\_\_ years** 2. **b.** Using the straight-line method, prepare a schedule to amortize the prior service cost. Enter all amounts as positive numbers. **WOLZ COMPANY** *Prior Service Cost Amortization* *2016 – 2019* | Year | Total Prior Service Cost | Amortization | Remaining Prior Service Cost | |------|--------------------------|--------------|------------------------------| | 2016 | | $ | $ | | 2017 | | | | | 2018 | | | | | 2019 | | | | *Graph/Diagram Explanation:* The schedule above outlines the anticipated amortization of the prior service cost of $140,000 over the period from 2016 to 2019, using the straight-line method. The table will require calculation and input of the amortization amount for each year and the corresponding remaining prior service cost balance.
**Title: Understanding Amortization Fractions and Prior Service Cost Amortization Using the Years-of-Future-Service Method**

### 2a. Amortization Fractions

The WOLZ COMPANY Years of Future Service Amortization Fractions table is designed to help calculate the amortization fraction for each year, based on the expected years of future service and how many service years are rendered each year.

- **Columns**: Expected Years of Future Service (rows 1-4), with columns for the Number of Service Years Rendered from 2016 to 2020.
- **Total**: Calculated by aggregating the figures from all columns for each row.
- **Amortization Fraction**: To be noted as a fraction (e.g., 3/10) for each year.

### 2b. Prior Service Cost Amortization

The WOLZ COMPANY's Years of Future Service Prior Service Cost Amortization table records the amortization of prior service costs.

- **Columns**:
  - **Total Prior Service Cost**: An entry field for the overall cost for each year from 2016 to 2020.
  - **Amortization Fraction**: Required for each year; this fraction is used to determine amortization.
  - **Amortization Prior Service Cost**: Calculates the amortized cost by applying the amortization fraction to the total prior service cost.
  - **Remaining Prior Service Cost**: Indicates the remaining service cost after amortization for each year.

**Usage**: This schedule aids in accurately determining the annual amortization of service costs, essential for financial planning and allocation in businesses. All values should be entered as positive numbers to ensure accurate calculations.
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Understanding Amortization Fractions and Prior Service Cost Amortization Using the Years-of-Future-Service Method** ### 2a. Amortization Fractions The WOLZ COMPANY Years of Future Service Amortization Fractions table is designed to help calculate the amortization fraction for each year, based on the expected years of future service and how many service years are rendered each year. - **Columns**: Expected Years of Future Service (rows 1-4), with columns for the Number of Service Years Rendered from 2016 to 2020. - **Total**: Calculated by aggregating the figures from all columns for each row. - **Amortization Fraction**: To be noted as a fraction (e.g., 3/10) for each year. ### 2b. Prior Service Cost Amortization The WOLZ COMPANY's Years of Future Service Prior Service Cost Amortization table records the amortization of prior service costs. - **Columns**: - **Total Prior Service Cost**: An entry field for the overall cost for each year from 2016 to 2020. - **Amortization Fraction**: Required for each year; this fraction is used to determine amortization. - **Amortization Prior Service Cost**: Calculates the amortized cost by applying the amortization fraction to the total prior service cost. - **Remaining Prior Service Cost**: Indicates the remaining service cost after amortization for each year. **Usage**: This schedule aids in accurately determining the annual amortization of service costs, essential for financial planning and allocation in businesses. All values should be entered as positive numbers to ensure accurate calculations.
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