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State some of the more serious problems encountered in seeking to achieve the ideal measurement of periodic net income. Explain what accountants do as a practical alternative.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The problems encountered by the accountants are associated with the determination of revenues and expenses and other facts linked with the same.

Step by step solution

01

Step-by-Step-SolutionStep 1: Meaning of Accountant

The term accountant refers to an individual appointed by an organization’s managementto maintain and record its accounting activities. An accountant keeps track of all financial transactions associated with the business concern.

02

Problems in achieving ideal measurement of periodic net income

  • The problem occurs from both sides, i.e.,revenues and expenses. It is often noticed that revenues are not recognized according to the standard rules of therevenue recognition principle.
  • In addition, the most critical issue is the determination of costs expired in the process of generatingrevenues.
  • Further, it is difficult to determine the expiry of the costs, the benefit of which may last for future years.
03

Practical alternative

In resolve and minimize such problems the accounts must bifurcate the expenses and costs in such a manner that same can be expensed in the appropriate fiscal year.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Presented below are changes in all the account balances of Fritz Mayhew Furniture Co. during the current year, except for retained earnings.

Increase Increase

(Decrease) (Decrease)

Cash \(79,000 Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable (net) \)45,000 Bonds Payable \(82,000

Inventory \)127,000 Common Stock \(125,000

Investments (47,000) Paid-In Capital in Excess of Par \)13,000

Instructions

Compute the net income for the current year, assuming that there were no entries in the Retained Earnings account except for net income and a dividend declaration of $19,000 which was paid in the current year.

(Multiple-Step and Single-Step Statements) The accountant of Latifa Shoe Co. has piled the following information from the company’s records as a basis for an income statement for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Rent revenue \(29,000

Interest expense 18,000

Market appreciation on land above cost 31,000

Salaries and wages expense (selling) 114,800

Supplies (selling) 17,600

Income tax 37,400

Salaries and wages expense (administrative) \)135,900

Other administrative expenses 51,700

Cost of goods sold 496,000

Net sales 980,000

Depreciation on plant assets (70% selling, 30% administrative) 65,000

Cash dividends declared 16,000

There were 20,000 shares of common stock outstanding during the year.

Instructions

  1. Prepare a multiple-step income statement.
  2. Prepare a single-step income statement.
  3. (c) Which format do you prefer? Discuss.

(Multiple-Step Statement) The following balances were taken from the books of Alonzo Corp. on December 31, 2017.

Interest revenue \(86,000 Accumulated depreciation equipment \)40,000

Cash \(51,000 Accumulated depreciation—buildings \)28,000

Sales revenue \(1,380,000 Notes receivable \)155,000

Accounts receivable \(150,000 Selling expenses \)194,000

Prepaid insurance \(20,000 Accounts payable \)170,000

Sales returns and allowances \(150,000 Bonds payable \)100,000

Allowance for doubtful accounts \(7,000 Administrative and general expense \)97,000

Sales discounts \(45,000 Accrued liabilities \)32,000

Land \(100,000 Interest expense \)60,000

Equipment \(200,000 Notes payable \)100,000

Buildings \(140,000 Loss from earthquake damage \)150,000

Cost of goods sold \(621,000 Common stock \)500,000

Retained earnings $21,000

Assume the total effective tax rate on all items is 34%.

Instructions

Prepare a multiple-step income statement; 100,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during the year.

Simpson Corp. is an entertainment firm that derives approximately 30% of its income from the Casino Knights Division, which manages gambling facilities. As an auditor for Simpson Corp., you have recently overheard the following discussion between the controller and financial vice president.

Vice President: If we sell the Casino Knights Division, it seems ridiculous to segregate the results of the sale in the income statement. Separate categories tend to be absurd and confusing to the stockholders. I believe that we should simply report the gain on the sale as other income or expense without detail.

Controller: Professional pronouncements would require that we report this information separately in the income statement. If a sale of this type is considered unusual and infrequent, it must be reported separate from income from continuing operations.

Vice President: What about the walkout we had last month when employees were upset about their commission income? Would this situation not also be subject to reporting outside operating income?

Controller: I am not sure whether this item should get special reporting or not.

Vice President: Oh well, it doesn’t make any difference because the net effect of all these items is immaterial, so no disclosure is necessary.

Instructions

  1. On the basis of the foregoing discussion, answer the following questions. Who is correct about handling the sale? What would be the correct income statement presentation for the sale of the Casino Knights Division?
  2. How should the walkout by the employees be reported?
  3. What do you think about the vice president’s observation of materiality?
  4. What are the earnings per share implications of these topics?

Question: What is the major distinction (a) between revenues and gains and (b) between expenses and losses?

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