QUESTION 4 Use the information provided in QUESTION 3 to answer the following questions:

INFORMATION

The information provided below was extracted from the accounting records of Harmony Limited on 31 December 2020:

4.1 Calculate the following ratios for 2021. Express answers to two decimal places.

4.1.1 Gross margin (2 marks)

4.1.2 Inventory turnover (2 marks)

4.1.3 Acid test ratio (2 marks)

4.1.4 Debt to equity (2 marks)

4.1.5 Earnings per share (2 marks)

4.2 Are the collections from credit sales satisfactory? Motivate your answer by using the relevant ratio. (4 marks)

4.3 Would the shareholders of Harmony Limited be satisfied with the return on their investments? Motivate your answer with the use of a relevant ratio. (3 marks)

4.4 Suggest THREE (3) ways in which Harmony Limited can improve its gross margin ratio, without increasing the selling price of the inventories

Harmony Limited Extract of Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31 December 2020 R Sales 6 600 000 Cost of sales (3 900 000) Gross profit 2 700 000 Operating expenses (1 710 000) Selling and administrative expenses 1 260 000 Depreciation 450 000 Operating profit 990 000 Interest expense (270 000) Profit before tax 720 000 Company tax (240 000) Profit after tax 480 000 Extract of Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2020 Retained earnings R Balance on 01 January 2020 1 500 000 Profit after tax 480 000 Dividends paid and proposed in 2020 (180 000) Balance on 31 December 2020 1 800 000 Balances extracted from the Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December: 2020 2019 R R Plant and equipment 3 750 000 3 000 000 Investments 210 000 240 000 Inventories 1 290 000 1 230 000 Accounts receivable 1 140 000 1 050 000 Cash and cash equivalents 300 000 210 000 Ordinary share capital 1 860 000 1 860 000 Retained earnings 1 800 000 1 500 000 Long-term loan 360 000 210 000 Accounts payable 2 520 000 1 962 000 Dividends payable 120 000 150 000 Income tax payable 30 000 48 000