DeBauge Realtors, Inc., is a realty firm owned by Jeff and Kristi DeBauge. The DeBauge family owns 100% of the corporation’s stock. The following summarized data (in thousands) are taken from the December 31, 2010, financial statements:

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:

Commissions revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $142

Cost of services provided . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Advertising expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 55

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 34

At December 31, 2010:

Assets

Cash and short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 30

Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Property, plant, and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $195

Liabilities and Owners’ Equity

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 90

Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Notes payable (long term) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Total liabilities and owners’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . $195

At December 31, 2009, total assets were $205 and total owners’ equity was $50. There were no changes in notes payable or paid-in capital during 2010.

Required:

a. What particular expense do you suppose accounts for the largest portion of the $59 cost of services provided?

b. The cost of services provided amount includes all operating expenses (i.e., selling, general, and administrative expenses) except advertising expense. What do you suppose the primary reason was for DeBauge Realtors, Inc., to separate advertising from other operating expenses?

c. Calculate the effective interest rate on the notes payable for DeBauge Realtors, Inc.

d. Calculate the company’s average income tax rate.

e. Calculate the amount of dividends declared and paid to Jeff and Kristi DeBauge during the year ended December 31, 2010.

f. DeBauge Realtors, Inc., was organized and operates as a corporation rather than a partnership. What is the primary advantage of the corporate form of business to a realty firm? What is the primary disadvantage of the corporate form?

g. Explain why the amount of income tax expense is different from the amount of income taxes payable.

h. Calculate the amount of working capital and the current ratio at December 31, 2010. Assess the company’s overall liquidity.

i. Calculate ROI (including margin and turnover) and ROE for the year ended December 31, 2010. Explain why these single measures may not be very meaningful for this firm.