ABC company enters into a lease agreement with XYZ corporation for laser tech machines. The lease agreement qualifies as an operating lease. However, there is one thing that stands out. There is a bargain-purchase option. After the 3-year lease term, each laser tech machine can be purchased for $500, even though the market value is $850.

You are the controller of ABC company. You feel that the machine should be recorded as a capital lease because of the bargain-purchase option. Your manager, Martha, feels that at the end of the 3-year term, the laser tech will not be worth $500 because of rapid advances in technology.

Can you discuss the ethical issue in the scenario?

What should the controller, do in the scenario?

Can you discuss the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for reporting a lease as a capital lease?