a. What, if any, is the ethical dilemma for Devers? b. Should Dever's knowledge of the compensation plan be a factor that influences her estimate? c. How should Devers respond to Adkins's request?

Business Its Legal Ethical & Global Environment
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305224414
Author:JENNINGS
Publisher:JENNINGS
Chapter2: Business Ethics And Social Responsibility
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10QAP
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The executive officers of Rouse Corporation have a performance-based compensation plan.  the performance criteria of this plan is linked to growth in earnings per share. When annual EPS growth is 12%, the Rouse executives earn 100% of the shares; if growth is 16%, they earn 125%. If EPS growth is lower than 8%, the executives received no additional compensation.

In 2020, Joan Devers, the controller of Rouse, reviews year-end estimates of bad debt expense and warranty expense. She calculates the EPS growth at 15%. Kurt Adkins, a member of the executive group, remarks over lunch one day that the estimate of bad debt expense might be decreased, increasing EPS growth to 16.1%. Devers is not sure she should do this because she believes that the current estimate of bad debts is sound. On the other hand, she recognizes that a great deal of subjectivity is involved in the computation. 

Instructions: Answer the following questions.

a. What, if any, is the ethical dilemma for Devers?

b. Should Dever's knowledge of the compensation plan be a factor that influences her estimate?

c. How should Devers respond to Adkins's request?

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