Chapter 23: Q6CA (page 1393)
Question: ETHICS (Cash Flow Reporting)
Brockman Guitar Company is in the business of manufacturing top-quality, steelstring folk guitars. In recent years, the company has experienced working capital problems resulting from the procurement of factory equipment, the unanticipated buildup of receivables and inventories, and the payoff of a balloon mortgage on a new manufacturing facility. The founder and president of the company, Barbara Brockman, has attempted to raise cash from various financial institutions, but to no avail because of the company鈥檚 poor performance in recent years. In particular, the company鈥檚 lead bank, First Financial, is especially concerned about Brockman鈥檚 inability to maintain a positive cash position. The commercial loan officer from First Financial told Barbara, 鈥淚 can鈥檛 even consider your request for capital financing unless I see that your company is able to generate positive cash flows from operations.鈥 Thinking about the banker鈥檚 comment, Barbara came up with what she believes is a good plan: With a more attractive statement of cash flows, the bank might be willing to provide long-term financing. To 鈥渨indow dress鈥 cash flows, the company can sell its accounts receivables to factors and liquidate its raw materials inventories. These rather costly transactions would generate lots of cash. As the chief accountant for Brockman Guitar, it is your job to tell Barbara what you think of her plan.
Instructions
Answer the following questions.
(a) What are the ethical issues related to Barbara Brockman鈥檚 idea?
(b) What would you tell Barbara Brockman?
Short Answer
Answer
- Ethical issue relating to Barbara Brockman鈥檚 idea ismisrepresenting the cash flow statement.
- Barbara Brockman must prepare a separate report reflecting the reasons for the cash shortage and the business鈥檚 ability to generate cash.