Cost of Land vs. Building - Ethics

Throughout this course, many discussion opportunities come up where you need to respond to other people's opinions and comments. Please take this opportunity to introduce yourself and to learn something about each other. Then address the discussion topic after you have completed the reading.

Tones Company purchased a warehouse in a downtown district where land values are rapidly increasing. Gerald Carter, controller, and Wilma Ankara, financial vice president, are trying to allocate the cost of the purchase between the land and the building. Noting that depreciation can be taken only on the building, Carter favors placing a very high proportion of the cost on the warehouse itself, thus reducing taxable income and income taxes. Ankara, his supervisor, argues that the allocation should recognize the increasing value of the land, regardless of the depreciation potential of the warehouse. Besides, she says, net income is negatively impacted by additional depreciation and will cause the company's stock price to go down.

Instructions

Answer the following questions.

• What stakeholder interests are in conflict?
• What ethical issues does Carter face?
• How should these costs be allocated?