BYP10-6. Buster Container Company is suffering declining sales of its principal
ID: 2428098 • Letter: B
Question
BYP10-6.Buster Container Company is suffering declining sales of its principal product, nonbiodegradeable plastic cartons. The president, Dennis Harwood, instructs his controller, Shelly McGlone, to lengthen asset lives to reduce depreciation expense. A processing line of automated plastic extruding equipment, purchased for $3.1 million in January 2008, was originally estimated to have a useful life of 8 years and a salvage value of $300,000. Depreciation has been recorded for 2 years on that basis. Dennis wants the estimated life changed to 12 years total, and the straight-line method continued. Shelly is hesitant to make the change, believing it is unethical to increase net income in this manner. Dennis says, “Hey, the life is only an estimate, and I've heard that our competition uses a 12-year life on their production equipment.”
Instructions
a.
Who are the stakeholders in this situation?
b.
Is the change in asset life unethical, or is it simply a good business practice by an astute president?
c.
What is the effect of Dennis Harwood's proposed change on income before taxes in the year of change?
Explanation / Answer
a)
Stockholders are the stakeholders in this case
b)
No, it is not an ethical process because it increase the net income of the company as a result the existing stock holders and upcoming stock holders are misguide about the company’s financial activities and it will encourage the stock holders to purchase the shares.
c)
The effect of Dennis Harwood's proposed change on income before taxes in the year of change is the company’s net income will increase by this practice. This was result in good name and fame in market and upper hand on competitors and increase of share price and shareholders.
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