Josh Hwan's Case Study: Lords And Ladies Boutique

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Task Lords & Ladies Boutique wishes to expand and has borrowed $250,000. As a condition for making this loan, the bank requires that the store maintain a current ratio of at least 1.50.
 Business has been good but not great. Expansion costs have brought the current ratio down to 1.40 at 15 June. Josh Hwan, owner of the boutique, is considering what might happen if the business reports a current ratio of 1.40 to the bank. One course of action for Hwan is to record in June some revenue that the business will earn in July of next year. The contract for this job has been signed. Required
Using an ethical decision model, propose a course of action that is appropriate for Hwan. Various ethical decision models have been developed by and…show more content…
The condition was that he must maintain a current ratio of at least 1.50, however due to the expansion costs his current ratio is at 1.40. Step 2: What are the ethical issues of the case? The ethical issue is whether or not Josh Hwan should report the true value for the current ratio, or if he should include some revenue that will be earned in July of next year. If he includes this revenue the current ratio will raise to, or above, the agreed upon value of 1.50. This act however, would be illegal and would also be negligent of his professional duties. Step 3: What are the norms, principles and values related to the case? The norms, principles and values, which are present within this case, are that Josh, as a business owner, is assumed to have impeccable integrity and to assure that the company is providing a ‘true and fair view’ of its financial situation at that present time. The truth and fairness of the company’s financial report and as a result the integrity of the business, Josh as the financial controller and the company are principles in conflict with the banks desire for Lords & Ladies Boutique to maintain a minimum current ratio of 1.50 which may mean deliberately misclassifying revenue earned by the…show more content…
Option 2 is to report a false value for the current ratio and include some revenue, in June that the business will earn in July of the following year. Step 5: What is the best course of action that is consistent with the norms, principles and values identified in Step 3? The course of action consistent with the norms, principles and values in Step 3, is to report the true value for the current ratio. Josh Hwan should report the actual current ratio to the bank, even though it is in breach of the loan conditions, and deal with the consequences of the breach. Step 6: What are the consequences of each course of action? Under Option 1, the true values would be reported. He would not maintain the requirement of the bank loan, which may have a negative affect on the financial state of his business. However, Josh would maintain his values and reputation, which best serves the interest of the shareholders. Under Option 2, false values for the current ratio would be reported. Josh would be able to maintain a high enough current ratio to not be in breach of the loan conditions. He would be able to enjoy a stable financial position within his business, but would be exposing himself to the risk of being in both professional and legal trouble if these false values were

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