The fact that generally accepted accounting principles allow companies flexibility in choosing between certain allocation methods can
Question:
The fact that generally accepted accounting principles allow companies flexibility in choosing between certain allocation methods can make it difficult for a financial analyst to compare periodic performance from firm to firm. Suppose you were a financial analyst trying to compare the performance of two companies. Company A uses the double-declining-balance depreciation method. Company B uses the straight-line method. You have the following information taken from the 12/31/2024 year-end financial statements for Company B:
Income Statement
Depreciation expense $ 14,000
Balance Sheet
Assets:
Plant and equipment, at cost $ 280,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation (56,000)
Net $ 224,000
You also determine that all of the assets constituting the plant and equipment of Company B were acquired at the same time, and that all of the $280,000 represents depreciable assets. Also, all of the depreciable assets have the same useful life and residual values are zero.
Required:
- In order to compare performance with Company A, estimate what B's depreciation expense would have been for 2024 if the double-declining-balance depreciation method had been used by Company B since acquisition of the depreciable assets.
- If Company B decided to switch depreciation methods in 2024 from the straight line to the double-declining-balance method, prepare the 2024 journal entry to record depreciation for the year, assuming no journal entry for depreciation in 2024 has yet been recorded.
Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
ISBN: 978-0132751261
10th edition
Authors: Robert Freeman, Craig Shoulders, Gregory Allison, Robert Smi