BizCon, a consulting firm, has just completed its first year of operations. The com- pany’s sales growth was explosive. To encourage clients to hire its services, BizCon offered 180-day financing—meaning its largest customers do not pay for nearly 6 months. Because BizCon is a new company, its equipment suppliers insist on being paid cash on delivery. Also, it had to pay up front for 2 years of insurance. At the end of the year, BizCon owed employees for one full month of salaries, but due to a cash shortfall, it promised to pay them the first week of next year.

(a) Explain how cash and accrual accounting would differ for each of the events listed above and describe the proper accrual accounting.

(b) Assume that at the end of the year, BizCon reported a favorable net income, yet the company’s management is concerned because the company is very short of cash. Explain how BizCon could have positive net income and yet run out of cash.