On January 1, 2011, Aspen Company acquired 80 percent of Birch Company's outstanding voting stock for $288,000. Birch reported a $300,000 book value and the fair value of the noncontrolling interest was $72,000 on that date. Also, on January 1, 2012, Birch acquired 80 percent of Cedar Company for $104,000 when Cedar had a $100,000 book value and the 20 percent noncontrolling interest was valued at $26,000. In each acquisition, the subsidiary's excess acquisition-date fair over book value was assigned to a trade name with a 30-year life.

These companies report the following financial information. Investment income figures are not included.

Sales 2011 2012 2013

Aspen 415,000 545,000 688,000

Birch 200,000 280,000 400,000

Cedar Company N/A 160,000 210,000

Expenses:

Aspen 310,000 420,000 510,000

Birch 160,000 220,000 335,000

Cedar Company N/A 150,000 180,000

Dividends paid :

Aspen 20,000 40,000 50,000

Birch 10,000 20,000 20,000

Cedar Company N/A 2,000 10,000

Assume that each of the following questions is independent:

a. If all companies use the equity method for internal reporting purposes, what is the December 31, 2012, balance in Aspen's Investment in Birch Company account?

b. What is the consolidated net income for this business combination for 2013?

c. What is the noncontrolling interests