In 150 words or fewer, explain how contingent liabilities are accounted for.

Short Answer

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A remote contingency has little chance of the event taking place in the future.

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of Contingent Liability

A potential debt that could or might not materialize in the future depending on the success of an unforeseen opportunityis an example of a contingent liability. How serious a contingent liability risk depends on several factors, including the chance that a possible charge will materialize when it does and how precisely it can estimate the related value.

02

Explaining how contingent liabilities are accounted for

Based on one of three future occasion likelihoods—remote, reasonably conceivable, or probable—businesses record or don't record contingent liabilities.

A remote possibility's likelihood of happening in the future is low. A remote scenario does not require the corporation to register a liability or declare it in the notes to the financial statements.

Although they are not likely, theoretically plausible circumstances have a higher likelihood of happening. The notes to the financial statements should include a description of a reasonably conceivable scenario.

When a contingency is plausible, it suggests a good chance it will materialize. Only likely and estimable eventualities are recognized as liabilities, and losses or expenses are incurred accordingly.

The notes to the financial statements incorporate data on instabilities that are likely but cannot be measured. Since it is incomprehensible to decide the contingency sum, liability isn't recorded.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Sell-Soft is the defendant in numerous lawsuits claiming unfair trade practices. SellSoft has strong incentives not to disclose these contingent liabilities. However, GAAP requires that companies report their contingent liabilities.

Requirements

  1. Why would a company prefer not to disclose its contingent liabilities?
  2. Describe how a bank could be harmed if a company seeking a loan did not disclose its contingent liabilities.
  3. What ethical tightrope must companies walk when they report contingent liabilities?

On December 31, Weston Company estimates that it will pay its employees a 5% bonus on net income after deducting the bonus. The company reports net income of $64,000 before the calculation of the bonus. The bonus will be paid on January 15 of the next year.Requirements

1. Journalize the December 31 transaction for Weston.

2. Journalize the payment of the bonus on January 15.

On January 1, Irving Company purchased equipment of \(280,000 with a long-term note payable. The debt is payable in annual installments of \)56,000 due on December 31 of each year. At the date of purchase, how will Irving Company report the note payable?

Accounting treatment for contigencies

Analyze the following independent situations.

  1. Weaver, Inc. is being sued by a former employee. Weaver believes that there is a remote chance that the employee will win. The employee is suing weaver for damages of \(40.000.
  2. Gulf Oil Refinery had a gas explosion on one of its oil rigs. Gulf believes it is likely that it will have to pay environmental clean-up costs and damages in the future due to the gas explosion. Gulf cannot estimate the amount of the damages.
  3. Lawson Enterprises estimates that it will have to pay \)75,000 in warranty repairs next year.

Determine how each contingency should be treated.

How is the times-interest-earned ratio calculated, and what does it evaluate?

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