You are the controller for CrystalClean Services, a company that provides janitorial services to large commercial customers. The company has been very successful during its first two years of operations, but to expand its customer base the company is in need of additional capital to be used for equipment purchases. The two brothers who started the business, Chuck and Josh Wisher, invested their life savings in the business, so they have contacted a local bank about securing a loan for $150,000.
The bank has asked for a set of financial statements, and Chuck, being the business person that he is, knows that the bank is going to be looking for a growth in earnings each year. Although the company’s earnings have increased, Chuck would like the past year to look better than it does now.
Chuck stops by your office late in the afternoon on December 31 to find out when the financial statements will be ready. You explain that you still have to close out the end of the year, but should have them ready by the end of the week. Chuck tells you that he is aware of a major contract that Josh is working on that will be signed on January 2, and asks you to delay the closing process a couple of days so the new contract can be included in this year’s operating results. You attempt to explain to Chuck that you cannot do that, but you can tell that he is not listening to you. Chuck interrupts by saying, “I don’t know why you accountants get so worked up over a couple of days. Let me just say that it would be in your best interest to include this contract in the current year’s operating results.” Chuck left your office in a hurry and you heard him mutter under his breath as he turned the corner, “That accountant—who does he think he is trying to tell me how to run my business.”
Requirements
1. What are the accounting issues related to Chuck’s request?
2. What is the ethical issue involved in this case?
3. What would be the appropriate course of action for you to take?