Recording Entries for Restricted Stock Unit Plan with Estimated Forfeitures

On December 31 of Year 1, Mars Inc. approved a restricted stock unit plan to be awarded to executives. The plan included the following general terms.

Each restricted stock unit is equivalent to one share of $1 par value, common stock of Mars Inc. Restricted stock units vest three years after the date of grant, subject to forfeiture if employment is terminated prior to the end of the vesting period. Shares are distributed after the vesting period if the employee is still employed by the company.

On December 31 of Year 1, 25,800 restricted stock units were granted to key employees under this plan when the market price of the common stock was $25 per share. The company estimates that 15% of the restricted stock units will be forfeited and it is the companys policy to estimate forfeitures.

Required a. Compute the total amount of compensation cost for the restricted stock unit plan. b. Prepare the journal entry on the date of grant, December 31 of Year 1. c. Prepare the journal entry on December 31 of Year 2. d. Prepare the journal entry on December 31 of Year 3. At that time, the company adjusts its estimate of forfeitures to 10%. e. Prepare the journal entries on December 31 of Year 4 to record (1) compensation expense and (2) distribution of shares, assuming actual forfeitures of 2,064 shares in Year 4.

Note: If a journal entry isn't required on any of the dates shown, select "N/Adebit" and "N/Acredit" as the account names and leave the Dr. and Cr. answers blank (zero).