Rosss Lipstick Companys long- term debt agreements make certain demands on the business. For example, Ross may

Question:

Ross’s Lipstick Company’s long- term debt agreements make certain demands on the business. For example, Ross may not purchase treasury stock in excess of the balance of retained earnings. Also, long-term debt may not exceed stockholders’ equity, and the current ratio may not fall below 1.50. If Ross fails to meet any of these requirements, the company’s lenders have the authority to take over ­management of the company.

Changes in consumer demand have made it hard for Ross to attract ­customers. Current liabilities have mounted faster than current assets, causing the current ratio to fall to 1.47. Before releasing financial statements, Ross’s management is scrambling to improve the current ratio. The controller points out that an investment can be classified as either long- term or short- term, depending on ­management’s intention. By deciding to convert an investment to cash within one year, Ross can classify the investment as short-term—a current asset. On the controller’s recommendation, Ross’s board of directors votes to reclassify long-term investments as short- term.


Requirements

1. What effect will reclassifying the investments have on the current ratio? Is Ross’s true financial position stronger as a result of reclassifying the investments?

2. Shortly after the financial statements are released, sales improve; so, too, does the current ratio. As a result, Ross’s management decides not to sell the investments it had reclassified as short-term. Accordingly, the company reclassifies the investments as long-term. Has management behaved unethically? Give the reasoning underlying your answer.

Financial Statements
Financial statements are the standardized formats to present the financial information related to a business or an organization for its users. Financial statements contain the historical information as well as current period’s financial...
Fantastic news! We've Found the answer you've been seeking!

Step by Step Answer:

Related Book For  book-img-for-question

Horngrens Financial and Managerial Accounting

ISBN: 978-0133255584

4th Edition

Authors: Tracie L. Nobles, Brenda L. Mattison, Ella Mae Matsumura

Question Posted: