Bobek Inc. has recently reported steadily increasing income. The company reported income of \(20,000 in 2014, \)25,000 in 2015, and \(30,000 in 2016. A number of market analysts have recommended that investors buy the stock because they expect the steady growth in income to continue. Bobek is approaching the end of its fiscal year in 2017, and it again appears to be a good year. However, it has not yet recorded warranty expense.

Based on prior experience, this year’s warranty expense should be around \)5,000, but some managers have approached the controller to suggest a larger, more conservative warranty expense should be recorded this year. Income before warranty expense is \(43,000. Specifically, by recording a \)7,000 warranty accrual this year, Bobek could report an increase in income for this year and still be in a position to cover its warranty costs in future years.

Instructions

(a) What is earnings management?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Earnings management is the planning of business administration to make the fluctuations in the earnings. This planning presents the increased income for the current years.

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of Financial reporting

Financial reporting is one of the crucial processes of business activities. Under this process, a business entity discloses its financial data in the form of financial statements tointernal and external users.

02

Earnings management

Earnings management refers to the technique used by the company’s management to present its financial statements in a positive manner. The principal purpose of earnings management is to attractpotential investorsand reflect a favorable view of the company’s financial position.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The following financial statement was prepared by employees of Walters Corporation.

WALTERS CORPORATION

INCOME STATEMENT

THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

Revenues

Gross sales, including sales taxes \(1,044,300

Less: Returns, allowances, and cash discounts 56,200

Net sales 988,100

Dividends, interest, and purchase discounts 30,250

Recoveries of accounts written off in prior years 13,850

Total revenues 1,032,200

Costs and expenses

Cost of goods sold, including sales taxes 465,900

Salaries and related payroll expenses 60,500

Rent 19,100

Delivery expense and freight in 3,400

Bad debt expense 27,800

Total costs and expenses 576,700

Income before other items 455,500

Other items

Loss on discontinued styles (Note 1) 71,500

Loss on sale of marketable securities (Note 2) 39,050

Loss on sale of warehouse (Note 3) 86,350

Total other items 196,900

Net income \)258,600

Net income per share of common stock \(2.30

Note 1: New styles and rapidly changing consumer preferences resulted in a \)71,500 loss on the disposal of discontinued styles and related accessories.

Note 2: The Corporation sold an investment in marketable securities at a loss of \(39,050. The corporation normally sells securities of this nature.

Note 3: The Corporation sold one of its warehouses at an \)86,350 loss.

Instructions

Identify and discuss the weaknesses in classification and disclosure in the single-step income statement above. You should explain why these treatments are weaknesses and what the proper presentation of the items would be in accordance with GAAP.

Roxanne Carter Corporation reported the following for 2017: net sales \(1,200,000, cost of goods sold \)750,000, selling and administrative expenses \(320,000, and an unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities \)18,000.

Instructions

Prepare a statement of comprehensive income, using (a) the one statement format and (b) the two statement format. (Ignore income taxes and earnings per share.)

Discuss the appropriate treatment in the financial statements of each of the following.

(a) Gain on sale of investment securities.

(b) A profit-sharing bonus to employees computed as a percentage of net income.

(c) Additional depreciation on factory machinery because of an error in computing depreciation for the previous year.

(d) Rent received from subletting a portion of the office space.

(e) A patent infringement suit, brought 2 years ago against the company by another company, was settled this year by a cash payment of $725,000.

(f) A reduction in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts balance because the account appears to be considerably in excess of the probable loss from uncollectible receivables.

During 2017, Liselotte Company reported income of \(1,500,000 before income taxes and realized a gain of \)450,000 on the disposal of assets related to a discontinued operation. The criteria for classification as a discontinued operation is appropriate for this sale. The income is subject to income taxation at the rate of 34%. The gain on the sale of the plant is taxed at 30%. Indicate an appropriate presentation of these items in the income statement.

Qualls Corporation reported 2017 earnings per share of \(7.21. In 2018, Qualls reported earnings per share as follows.

On income from continuing operations \)6.40

On discontinued operations \(1.88

On net income \)8.28

Is the increase in earnings per share from \(7.21 to \)8.28 a favorable trend?

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