Harnischfeger Case Essay

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Angelica Acevedo Harnischfeger Case 1. Describe clearly the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in Note 2 of its financial statements. Harnischfeger used accelerated methods for the American operating plants prior to 1984, and after this date Harnischfeger calculated the expense on plants, machinery and equipment using the straight-line method for financial statements. 2. What is the effect of the depreciation accounting method change on the reported income in 1984? How will this change affect profits in future years? The effect of the depreciation accounting method on the reported income in 1984 increased net income by $11.0 million or $.90 per common and common equivalent share. For future years, this change could cause profits to increase at a higher rate. 3. What is the effect of the depreciation lives change? How will this change affect future reported profits? The effect of the depreciation lives increased net income for 1984 by $3.2 million or $.27 per share without an income tax effect; this change would report higher profits for future years. 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? I think the economic conditions were justified; the company was experiencing the diminishment in sales resulting in less wear and tear in machinery, increasing the useful life of it. 5. In Note 7, Harnischfeger describes the effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on its reported profits in 1984. Describe what is meant by LIFO liquidation and how liquidation affects a company’s income statement and balance sheet. The LIFO liquidation means:  A company is using Last In, First Out method for the valuation of inventory.

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