Chapter 1 Problems
Chapter 1 Problems
P1–1 Liability comparisons John Bailey invested $50,000 in The Entertainment Company seven
years ago. He is concerned about the future of the firm as the profits have plummeted over the last
four years. The firm has $120,000 in outstanding debt and is considering declaring bankruptcy.
a. If John is the sole proprietor, describe the financial implication of the firm going bankrupt.
b. If John and his brother, Peter, are partners with an equal partnership distribution, describe the
financial implication of the firm going bankrupt.
c. If the firm is a corporation, describe the financial implication of the firm going bankrupt.
P1–2 Accrual income versus cash flow for a period The Motor Corporation sold vehicles for
$500,000 to one specific dealer during the year. At the financial year end, the dealer still owed The
Motor Corporation $350,000. The cost of the vehicles sold was $400,000, and this cost was
incurred and paid by The Motor Corporation.
a. Determine the net profit using the accrual basis of accounting.
b. Determine the net cash flow using the cash basis of accounting.
c. The accountant and financial manager need to present the results to the CEO of The Motor
Corporation. What will be their message regarding the performance of the corporation?
P1–4 Marginal cost-benefit analysis and the goal of the firm Wendy Winter needs to determine
whether or not the current warehouse system should be upgraded to a new system. The new
system would require an initial cash outlay of $250,000. The current system could be sold for
$55,000. The monetary benefit of the new system over the next five years is $325,000 while the
monetary benefit of the current system over the same period is $125,000. Furthermore, it is
expected that the firm’s stock price will increase if the new system is implemented because it will
make the firm more cost efficient and cost effective in the long run.
a. Identify and describe the analysis Wendy should use to make the decision.
b. Calculate the marginal benefit of the proposed new warehouse system.
c. Calculate the marginal cost of the proposed new warehouse system.
d. What should Wendy’s recommendation be to the firm regarding the new warehouse system?
Explain your recommendation.
e. If the new system is implemented, will the firm achieve the primary financial goal of managers?
P1–5 Identifying agency problems, costs, and resolutions You are the CEO of Nelson
Corporation, and the current stock price is $27.80. Pollack Enterprises announced today that it
intends to buy Nelson Corporation. To obtain all the stock of Nelson
Corporation, Pollack Enterprises is willing to pay $38.60 per share. At a meeting with your
management, you realize that the management is not happy with the offer, and is against the
takeover. Therefore, with the full support of your management team, you are fighting to prevent the
takeover from Pollack Enterprises. Is the management of Nelson Corporation acting in the best
interest of the Nelson Corporation stockholders? Explain your reasoning.
P1–6 ETHICS PROBLEM Assume you own stock in a company, and you are in the process of
selling the stock to another investor. Since the transaction will occur between the buyer and the
seller, the company will receive no direct cash flows as a result of the sale. Why should the
company’s management care about the price you get for your shares if the company does not
receive any direct cash flow from the transaction?
Solutions to Problems