The treasurer of Landowska Co. has heard that conservatism is a doctrine that is followed in accounting and, therefore, proposes that several policies be followed that are conservative in nature. State your opinion with respect to each of the policies listed.
(a) The company gives a 2-year warranty to its customers on all products sold. The estimated warranty costs incurred from this year’s sales should be entered as an expense this year instead of an expense in the period in the future when the warranty is made good.
(b) When sales are made on account, there is always uncertainty about whether the accounts are collectible. Therefore, the treasurer recommends recording the sale when the cash is received from the customers.
(c) A personal liability lawsuit is pending against the company. The treasurer believes there is an even chance that the company will lose the suit and have to pay damages of $200,000 to $300,000. The treasurer recommends that a loss be recorded and a liability created in the amount of $300,000.
(d) The inventory should be valued at “cost or market, whichever is lower” because the losses from price declines should be recognized in the accounts in the period in which the price decline takes place.