1. When a firm incurs costs on an item to be used in operations, management must decide whether to treat the cost as an asset or an expense. Assume that a company used cash to acquire machinery expected to contribute to the generation of revenues over a three year period and the company erroneously expensed the cost to acquire the machine. Describe the effects on ROA of the error over the three year period. Explain how the error would affect the statement of cash flows. How might one be able to spot such an error by inspecting financial ratios over those three years?

2. Goodwill is an intangible asset that firms report on their balance sheets as a result of acquiring other firms. Goodwill generally has an indefinite life and should not be amortized, but it should be tested for impairment at least annually. Describe the procedures prescribed by U.S. GAAP and IFRS to test for goodwill impairment. How do these procedures differ from the procedure followed for testing the impairment of a patent, which is an intangible asset with a definite life?

3. Software companies often bundle upgrades and technical support services with their software. Assume that a software company promises to automatically deliver upgrades for two years when a customer purchases software costing $100. Describe how the software company should determine the amount of revenue to recognize at the date of sale and subsequent to the date of sale.