Tappit Corp. is a medium-sized wholesaler of automotive parts. It has 10 stockholders who have been paid

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Tappit Corp. is a medium-sized wholesaler of automotive parts. It has 10 stockholders who have been paid a total of $1 million in cash dividends for 8 consecutive years. The board’s policy requires that, for this dividend to be declared, net cash provided by operating activities as reported in Tappit’s current year’s statement of cash flows must exceed $1 million. President and CEO Willie Morton’s job is secure so long as he produces annual operating cash flows to support the usual dividend. At the end of the current year, controller Robert Jennings presents president Willie Morton with some disappointing news: The net cash provided by operating activities is calculated by the indirect method to be only $970,000. The president says to Robert, “We must get that amount above $1 million. Isn’t there some way to increase operating cash flow by another $30,000?” Robert answers, “These figures were prepared by my assistant. I’ll go back to my office and see what I can do.” The president replies, “I know you won’t let me down, Robert.” Upon close scrutiny of the statement of cash flows, Robert concludes that he can get the operating cash flows above $1 million by reclassifying a $60,000, 2-year note payable listed in the financing activities section as “Proceeds from bank loan—$60,000.” He will report the note instead as “Increase in payables—$60,000” and treat it as an adjustment of net income in the operating activities section. He returns to the president, saying, “You can tell the board to declare their usual dividend. Our net cash flow provided by operating activities is $1,030,000.” “Good man, Robert! I knew I could count on you,” exults the president.
Instructions
(a) Who are the stakeholders in this situation?
(b) Was there anything unethical about the president’s actions? Was there anything unethical about the controller’s actions?
(c) Are the board members or anyone else likely to discover the misclassification?

Stakeholders
A person, group or organization that has interest or concern in an organization. Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the organization's actions, objectives and policies. Some examples of key stakeholders are creditors, directors, employees,...
Dividend
A dividend is a distribution of a portion of company’s earnings, decided and managed by the company’s board of directors, and paid to the shareholders. Dividends are given on the shares. It is a token reward paid to the shareholders for their...
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Accounting Principles

ISBN: 978-0470533475

9th Edition

Authors: Jerry J. Weygandt, Paul D. Kimmel, Donald E. Kieso

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