• Required information Skip to question [The following information applies to the questions displayed below.] Simon Company’s year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years Ago Assets Cash $ 31,800 $ 35,625 $ 37,800 Accounts receivable, net 89,500 62,500 50,200 Merchandise inventory 112,500 82,500 54,000 Prepaid expenses 10,700 9,375 5,000 Plant assets, net 278,500 255,000 230,500 Total assets $ 523,000 $ 445,000 $ 377,500 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable $ 129,900 $ 75,250 $ 51,250 Long-term notes payable 98,500 101,500 83,500 Common stock, $10 par value 163,500 163,500 163,500 Retained earnings 131,100 104,750 79,250 Total liabilities and equity $ 523,000 $ 445,000 $ 377,500 For both the current year and one year ago, compute the following ratios: Express the balance sheets in common-size percents. Assuming annual sales have not changed in the last three years, is the change in accounts receivable as a percentage of total assets favorable or unfavorable? Assuming annual sales have not changed in the last three years, is the change in merchandise inventory as a percentage of total assets favorable or unfavorable?