Harnischfeger Case

Even though Mr. Fordham mentions that he in his “Statement of Cost of Goods Manufactured for Year Ended Dec. 31 1956” that he depreciated $24,000 of Plant and Equipment, I decided to change the depreciation schedule so that PP&E would be fully depreciated by the end of the 5 year period. Thus, I used a straight-line depreciation schedule that accumulated $40,000 worth of depreciation per year, which was spread evenly across the 12 months of this Balance Sheet (or $3,333.33 per month).

If the depreciation method changes from straight-line method to accelerated method then, depreciation expense would be increase and net income would decrease. The EPS ratio would represent a loss of $0.19 per share.

On page 40, we are told that Whole Foods uses the straight line method for the depreciation of property and equipment, including depreciation of equipment over useful lives (3-15 years), amortization of leasehold improvements and real estate assets under capital leases, and depreciation of buildings (20-50 years). When assets are retired or disposed, costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and gains or losses are then reflected in earnings. Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 1150 Dollars (in millions) 1100 1088 1050 1009 1000 950 920 900 850 800 2014 2013 Year 3 2012 Kroger RATIO Current Ratio EQUATION RESULT 8,911 11,403 = 0.781 Return on Assets (30,556+29,281)/2 Return on Equity Return on Sales 1,728 ℎℎ ′

Describe clearly the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in Note 2 of its financial statements.

In accounting there is much to be learned, about the financial aspects of a business. In the past five weeks I have learned the importance of financial reports and how they relate to the success of an establishment. These reports may include balance sheets and income statements, which help accountants and the public grasp the overall financial condition of a company. The information in these reports is really significant to, managers, owners, employees, and investors. Managers of a business can take and deduce financial

As stated in Note 2 of its financial statements, the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 are those of net sales of the products that were purchased from Kobe Steel which were then sold by Harnischfeger which added on to the net sales of the company. Harnischfeger included financial statements of certain foreign subsidiaries. Its effect would result in sales which totaled to $28.0 million in 1984. In addition, because Harnischfeger would go on to changed its method of depreciation to a more accelerated version, which would be a straight line

I believe that this action was motivated by business considerations, since the accounting practices were not the best. In 1984, Harnischfeger´s reported profits during each of the four quarters, ending the year with a pre-tax operating profit of $5.7 million and a net income after tax and extraordinary credits of $15 million. As such, this made profits look positive.

4. The depreciation accounting changes assume that Harnischfeger’s plant and machinery will last longer and will lose their value more slowly.  Given the business conditions Harnischfeger was facing in its primary industries in 1984, are these economic assumptions justified?

There was a change in the recognition of some types of sales. This resulted in a change in sales calculation. Harnischfeger incorporated products purchased from Kobe Steel, which were re-sold by the company, into its net sales. This increased aggregate sales and cost of sales by $28 million.

1. Describe clearly the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in Note 2 of its financial statements. In the 1984 the corporation computed depreciation expense on plants, machinery and equipment by using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. These changes were made to provide a more equitable allocation of the cost of the plants.

In 1984, Harnischfeger’s reported profits during each of the four quarters, ending the year with a pre-tax operating profit of $5.7 million and a net income after tax and extraordinary credits of $15 million. So I think that this action was motivated by business considerations, since the accounting practices were not the best. These actions made profits look positive.

As the business environment grows and companies find new ways to expand into their respective - or even new – markets, it is important that reporting standards stay up to date with changes and continue to assist companies in providing their users with useful accounting information. Information is labelled as being useful when it meets the

Financial reporting in the recent years through the SEC mandates has become one of the most important aspects to corporate management. Stamford International's problem is inherent in the discrepancy in reporting system and accounting irregularities from the various aspects of the business. Not only has this but Stamford, due to rapid growth not been able to accommodate for the expansionary activities like acquisitions of units and international transactions. The result has been the experience of loss in earnings-per-share. In the following analysis, the researcher thus will outline some of the problems that Stamford should address and resolve accordingly to be able to post a positive quarterly report and remain compliant with the

Two discounted cash flow analyses accompany this memo. Part A contains an adjustment for possible business erosion at Rotterdam, while part B does not make that adjustment.

It would also reduce the risk of price increases by negotiating future prices. As shown previously, Harnischfeger was able to successfully reduce its cost to sales ratio. Through targeting new growth, emphasizing the high technology portion of its business and developing the Industrial Technologies Group, would create new business and ultimately increase sales for the company, which is shown in its financials, a 24% increase in sales from 1983 to 1984.