Carr Auto Wholesalers had sales of $900,000 in 2015, and cost of goods sold represented 65 percent of sales. Selling and administrative expenses were 9 percent of sales. Amortization expense was $10,000, and interest expense for the year was $8,000. The firm's tax rate is 30 percent.
a. Compute earnings after taxes using percentage-of-sales method.
b. Assume the firm hires Ms. Hood, an efficiency expert, as a consultant. She suggests that by increasing selling and administrative expenses to 12 percent of sales, sales can be increased to $1,000,000. The extra sales effort will also reduce cost of goods sold to 60 percent of sales (there will be a larger mark-up in prices as a result of more aggressive selling). Amortization expense will remain at $10,000. However, more automobiles will have to be carried in inventory to satisfy customers, and interest expense will go up to $15,000. The firm's tax rate will remain at 30 percent. Compute revised earnings after taxes based on Ms. Hood's suggestions for Carr Auto Wholesalers. How much will her ideas increase or decrease profitability?