Harrison Industries 3-18

.docx

School

Bowling Green State University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2210H

Subject

Accounting

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

3

Uploaded by BaronScorpionPerson3756 on coursehero.com

Krolak 1 Gwen Krolak Dr. Snyder ACCT 6730 18 March 2024 Case 6-5 Harrison Industries Evaluation Discuss how the accrual of these expenses might be used to manage earnings Within the case, earnings management is potentially evident through the accrual of $5 million for unpaid severance payments in the December 31, 2021, financial statements. Cheryl Miles instructs Mason to record this accrual, justifying it by claiming that the company had “exceeded projected earnings in 2021 but knew 2022 was going to be a down year.” This implies that the accrual is a means to manage earnings by reducing reported profits for the current period. Through accruing a significant amount for severance payments, even without evidence for layoffs or a division shutdown, Harrison Industries can manipulate its reported earnings downwards. By recording the accrual within the financial statements for 2021, Harrison Industries can present a lower net income for the year, aligning with the narrative of a projected downturn in the following year. However, if there are no actual layoffs or shutdowns, the reversal of this accrual in subsequent periods could falsely increase reported earnings, creating a misleading impression of improved financial performance. What is at stake for the key parties? What are mason’s ethical obligations to them? The key parties at stake in this situation are Donna Mason, Cheryl Miles, Kelly Lang, and Ken Harrison. For Donna Mason, the stakes involve maintaining her ethical integrity and professional reputation. By challenging her supervisor, Cheryl Miles,
Krolak 2 Mason risks facing repercussions and potential career setbacks. Cheryl Miles faces risks to her job security and professional reputation if her actions are deemed unethical. Ken Harrison and Kelly Lang, as higher-level executives, risk damaging the company's reputation and facing legal implications if their involvement in or knowledge of potentially unethical practices related to the accrual of severance payments is exposed. Explain the rationalizations given by Miles to Mason and how it should affect the way Mason handles the matter. Miles rationalized the accrual of severance expenses by stating the company had “exceeded projected earnings in 2021” and knew “2022 was going to be a down year” due to a planned shutdown of the home appliance division. However, Mason investigated these claims and discovered no proof of a potential shut down and instead found that the division’s income has risen on average by five percent a year over a three-year period. This should prompt Mason to handle the situation with caution and perform a more thorough investigation, being sure to document all evidence, as the explanations of Miles is inconsistent with Masons initial findings. What should Mason do and why? Mason’s primary responsibility is to uphold ethical standards in financial reporting regardless of pressures from others within the firm. She should begin by gathering supporting evidence that addresses her concerns and discuss them with Cheryl Miles, emphasizing the importance of accurate financial documentation. If Miles persists, Mason should escalate the issue to Kelly Lang and Ken Harrison who are the ultimate decision makers. By documenting her actions and findings then reporting to those who hired her, Mason not only protects herself from adverse
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help