Pearsons Limited established a share appreciation rights program that entitled its new president, Brandon Sutton, to receive cash for the difference between the shares' fair value and a pre-established price of $35 (also fair value on December 31, 2019), on 50,000 SARs. The date of grant is December 31, 2019, and the required employment (service) period is three years.

The president exercised 40% of the SARs on December 31, 2023.

The shares' fair value fluctuated as follows: December 31, 2020, $36; December 31, 2021, $39; December 31, 2022, $42; and December 31, 2023, $38.

The company recognizes the SARs in its financial statements. Assume that Pearsons follows ASPE.

Required:

a. Prepare a four-year (2020 to 2023) schedule of compensation expense pertaining to the 50,000 SARs granted to Brandon Sutton (4 marks).

b. Prepare the journal entry for compensation expense in 2023 relative to the 50,000 SARs (2 marks).

c. Prepare the journal entry for SARs exercised on December 31, 2023 (2 marks).