The discussion between Don Chambers, the CEO, and Ron Smith, the CFO, was get-ting heated. Sales and margins were below expectations, and the stock market analysts had been behaving like sharks when other companies published quarterly or annual financial results failed to reach analysts expectations. Executives of companies whose performance numbers failed to meet the levels projected by the executives or the analysts were being savaged. Finally, in frustration, Don exclaimed,

ETHICS CASE

We must make our quarterly num-bers! Find a way, change some assumptions, capitalize some line expensesjust do it! You know things will turn around next year. And he stormed out of Rons office.

Discuss what Ron should consider when making his decision.

Discuss how stakeholders may be impacted by a decision made by Ron.

Discuss techniques that may boost earnings.

What action would you take if you were the CFO?