Question

Larry Smith, president of Smith Company, has instructed Ron Rivera, the head of the accounting department for Smith Company, to report the company’s land in the company’s accounting reports at its market value of $170,000 instead of its cost of $100,000. Smith says, “Showing the land at $170,000 will make our company look like a better investment when we try to attract new investors next month.”

Instructions

Explain the ethical situation involved for Ron Rivera, identifying the stakeholders and the alternatives.

Answer 1

Larry Smith, president of Smith Company, instructed Ron Rivera, the head of the accounting department, to report the company’s land in their accounting reports at its market value of $170,000 instead of its cost of $100,000, in an effort to make the company appear to be a better investment. The cost principle requires that assets be recorded and reported at their cost, because cost is reliable and can be objectively measured and verified.

 

The stakeholders include stockholders and creditors of Smith Company, potential stockholders and creditors, other users of Smith’s accounting reports, Larry Smith, and Ron Rivera. All users of Smith’s accounting reports could be harmed by relying on information which violates accounting principles. Larry Smith could benefit if the company is able to attract more investors, but would be harmed if the fraudulent reporting is discovered. Similarly, Ron Rivera could benefit by pleasing his boss, but would be harmed if the fraudulent reporting is discovered.

 

Ron’s alternatives are to report the land at $100,000 or to report it at $170,000. Reporting the land at $170,000 is not appropriate since it would mislead many people who rely on Smith’s accounting reports to make finan-cial decisions. Ron should report the land at its cost of $100,000. He should try to convince Larry Smith that this is the appropriate course of action, but be prepared to resign his position if Smith insists.