Question
I see an all-nighter coming on, Gayle grumbled. Why did Mitch just now give us this assignment? Your client, Western Manufacturing, is involved with several
I see an all-nighter coming on, Gayle grumbled. Why did Mitch just now give us this assignment? Your client, Western Manufacturing, is involved with several situations that possibly involve contingencies. The assignment Gayle refers to is to draft appropriate accounting treatment for each situation described below in time for tomorrows meeting of the audit group. Westerns fiscal year is the calendar year 2021, and the 2021 financial statements are issued on March 15, 2022. 1. During 2021, Western experienced labor disputes at three of its plants. Management hopes an agreement will soon be reached. However negotiations between the Company and the unions have not produced an acceptable settlement and, as a result, strikes are ongoing at these facilities since March 1, 2022. It is virtually certain that material costs will be incurred but the amount of possible costs cannot be reasonably ascertained. 2. In accordance with a 2019 contractual agreement with A. J. Conner Company, Western is entitled to $37 million for certain fees and expense reimbursements. These were written off as bad debts in 2020. A. J. Conner has filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court on February 4, 2022, ordered A. J. Conner to pay $23 million immediately upon consummation of a proposed merger with Garner Holding Group. 3. Western warrants most products it sells against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of a year. Based on their experience with previous product introductions, warranty costs are expected to approximate 2% of sales. A warranty liability of $39 million was reported at December 31, 2020. Sales of warranted products during 2021 were $2,100 million and actual warranty expenditures were $40 million. 4. Western is involved in a suit filed in January 2022 by Crump Holdings seeking $88 million, as an adjustment to the purchase price in connection with the Companys sale of its textile business in 2021. The suit alleges that Western misstated the assets and liabilities used to calculate the purchase price for the textile division. Legal counsel advises that it is reasonably possible that Western could end up losing an indeterminable amount not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position.
Required: 1. Determine the appropriate means of reporting each situation.
2. In a memo to the audit manager, Mitch Riley, explain your reasoning. Include any necessary journal entries and drafts of appropriate disclosure notes
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started