Chapter 15, Problem 27E

Evaluate Transfer Pricing System

Carmen Seville and Don Turco jointly own Bright Green Temp Services (BGTS). Carmen owns 60 percent and Don owns 40 percent. The company provides temporary clerical services at a rate of $40 per hour. During the past year, its clients used 14,000 hours of temporary services.

Big City Developers purchased 2,800 hours of temporary services from BGTS last year. Carmen has a 20 percent interest in Big City Developers, and Don has a 60 percent interest in it. At the end of the year, Don suggested that BGTS give Big City Developers a 10 percent reduction in the hourly rate charged next year in recognition of its large purchases and desirability as a client.

Required

Assuming that Big City Developers purchases the same number of hours and that all other costs and activities remain the same in the coming year, what effect would the price reduction have on BGTS’s operating profits that accrue to Carmen and to Don for the coming year?