EBK CORNERSTONES OF COST MANAGEMENT
EBK CORNERSTONES OF COST MANAGEMENT
4th Edition
ISBN: 8220103648561
Author: MOWEN
Publisher: Cengage Learning US
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 1, Problem 4E

Consider the following thoughts of a manager at the end of the company’s third quarter:

If I can increase my reported profit by $2 million, the actual earnings per share will exceed analysts’ expectations, and stock prices will increase. The stock options that I am holding will become more valuable. The extra income will also make me eligible to receive a significant bonus. With a son headed to college, it would be good if I could cash in some of these options to help pay his expenses. However, my vice president of finance indicates that such an increase is unlikely. The projected profit for the fourth quarter will just about meet the expected earnings per share. There may be ways, though, that I can achieve the desired outcome. First, I can instruct all divisional managers that their preventive maintenance budgets are reduced by 25 percent for the fourth quarter. That should reduce maintenance expenses by approximately $1 million. Second, I can increase the estimated life of the existing equipment, producing a reduction of depreciation by another $500,000. Third, I can reduce the salary increases for those being promoted by 50 percent. And that should easily put us over the needed increase of $2 million.

Required:

Comment on the ethical content of the earnings management being considered by the manager. Is there an ethical dilemma? What is the right choice for the manager to make? Is there any way to redesign the accounting reporting system to discourage the type of behavior the manager is contemplating?

Blurred answer
Students have asked these similar questions
Question 4Waterfront Inc. wishes to borrow on a short-term basis withoutreducing its current ratio below 1.25. At present its current assetsand current liabilities are $1,600 and $1,000 respectively. How muchcan Waterfront Inc. borrow?
Question 6During 2019, Bitsincoins Corporation had EBIT of $100,000, a changein net fixed assets of $400,000, an increase in net current assets of$100,000, an increase in spontaneous current liabilities of $400,000,a depreciation expense of $50,000, and a tax rate of 30%. Based onthis information, what is Bitsincoin’s free cash flow?
Cariveh Co sells automotive supplies from 25 different locations in one country. Each branch has up to 30 staff working there, although most of the accounting systems are designed and implemented from the company's head office. All accounting systems, apart from petty cash, are computerised, with the internal audit department frequently advising and implementing controls within those systems.Cariveh has an internal audit department of six staff, all of whom have been employed at Cariveh for a minimum of five years and some for as long as 15 years. In the past, the chief internal auditor appoints staff within the internal audit department, although the chief executive officer (CEO) is responsible for appointing the chief internal auditor.The chief internal auditor reports directly to the finance director. The finance director also assists the chief internal auditor in deciding on the scope of work of the internal audit department.You are an audit manager in the internal audit department…
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Accounting
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.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser...
Accounting
ISBN:9781305970663
Author:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Accounting for Derivatives Comprehensive Guide; Author: WallStreetMojo;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D-0LoM4dy4;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY
Option Trading Basics-Simplest Explanation; Author: Sky View Trading;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joJ8mbwuYW8;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY