Questions
GetMyFood, Inc. has developed an application for cell phones aimed toward consumers who live in more...

GetMyFood, Inc. has developed an application for cell phones aimed toward consumers who live in more rural areas where there are few delivery options for take-out food.   The app connects local taxi drivers with the larger restaurant food delivery services in nearby areas to extend the range of home meal delivery service.

The company expects to generate revenues of $2000 (figures in thousands) in the first year (2020) with a general costs of services sold of $1200 (figures in thousands.) The company expects to see a sharp increase in the revenues earned after the first year as the new service gains recognition but believes that the life-cycle of the product will be relatively short as market research has shown that the business model will be most successful in areas that are more rural but still relatively close to larger population centers. Given the general demographic trend in population growth, the company believes that their target market will diminish over time as more standard delivery services become available.  

The company estimates the following growth rate for revenue, costs, and SG&A over the next five years:

Growth Rate for Selected Items

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Revenue Growth

5%

15%

10%

3%

CGS

3%

4%

2%

2%

SG&A (% of Revenue)

28%

27%

26%

24%

20%

The have also forecasted the following items for working capital:

Selected Projections (Figures in thousands)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

A/R

300

325

310

295

250

A/P

200

230

240

220

210

Inventory

50

65

40

30

20

Depreciation

100

113

117

104

115

Taxes are assumed to be 34% per year. The initial outlay for software development is estimated to be $1000.

You have been hired as a financial consultant to determine the estimated free cash flows to the firm for GetMyFood, Inc.

In: Finance

During most of the 1800s the US government only protected copyrights for US citizens. In particular,...

During most of the 1800s the US government only protected copyrights for US citizens. In particular, books written by British authors, which were very popular in the US, could be printed and sold by US publishers without paying royalties to British authors. Because the US did not enforce copyright for British authors, the United Kingdom did not enforce copyright for US authors, meaning that British publishers could print and sell books by US authors without paying any royalties to them. It was well understood, however, that if the US government would begin to enforce copyright for British authors, the British would reciprocate, and enforce copyright for US authors.

Consider the position of a US Congressman in the late 1800s, considering a bill that would extend copyright protection to British authors (and gain British protection for US authors in return). Assume that his goal is to improve the overall welfare of US citizens. He understands that extending copyright to works of British authors will raise the price that US citizens have to pay for those books. He also understands that the purpose of copyright is to encourage the production of creative works (in this case, works of literature as well as nonfiction scholarship, like science, philosophy and history), by making it more lucrative to be an author of creative works. So, he has to consider the marginal impact of this bill on the supply of new books by English language authors, both British and American.

a. Below are two facts. Say whether each one of these facts would make him more or less likely to vote for the bill, and explain why. (Think in terms of how each of these facts affects the marginal benefits to US citizens and/or the marginal costs to US citizens of a policy honoring British copyrights, and getting the British to honor US copyrights in return.)

(i). Works by British authors are very popular in the US, and US scientists, engineers, and school teachers rely heavily on the scholarly works produced by the British.

(ii). American literature has never been very popular in Britain, and the US, as a young and largely agrarian nation, does not produce much research.

b. A group of American authors of fiction sends a letter to the Congressman, trying to affect his vote. Would you expect this group to support or oppose the bill? Explain (Hint: Books by British authors are notably cheaper at US bookstores than books by American authors).

In: Economics

Happy Place Inc. is a company that manufactures and sells outdoor benches. For planning and control...

Happy Place Inc. is a company that manufactures and sells outdoor benches. For planning and control purposes they utilize a quarterly master budget, which is usually developed at least six months in advance of the budget year. Their fiscal year end is December 31.

During the spring of 2019, Linda Dempster, the Happy Place controller, spent some time putting together a sales forecast for the next budget year (January to December, 2020). In June, Linda’s numbers really came in as she won the jackpot in the lottery. Shortly thereafter, the President of Happy Place received Linda’s letter of resignation, which she sent from Bermuda.   

The President, desperately needing the budget completed, has approached you, a management accounting student, for help in preparing the budget for the coming fiscal year. Your conversations with the president and your investigations of the company’s records have revealed the following information:

  1. Linda’s sales forecast consisted of these few lines:

         For the year ended December 31, 2019: 26,000 units at $310.00 each*

   For the year ended December 31, 2020: 30,000 units at $310.00 each

   For the year ended December 31, 2021: 32,000 units at $310.00 each

*Expected sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 are based on actual sales to date and budgeted sales for the duration of the year.

  1. History has shown that sales are seasonal, with 58% of sales occurring in the second quarter, 32% in the third quarter, 4% in the first quarter, and the remaining 6% in the last quarter.

  1. Because sales are seasonal, Happy Place must rent an additional storage facility from March to June to house the additional finished benches on hand. The only related cost is a flat $2,200 per month, payable at the beginning of the month.

  1. Sales are on a cash and credit basis, with 88% collected during the quarter of the sale, and 12% the following quarter.

  1. Happy Place has negotiated a line of credit with the bank such that they can borrow up to $675,000, in increments of $5,000, at an interest rate of 4%. Assume all borrowing takes place at the beginning of the quarter (interest is paid for the full quarter when borrowing takes place) and repayment takes place at the end of the quarter (interest is paid for the full quarter that repayment is made.)

  1. From previous experience, management has determined that an ending finished goods inventory equal to 10% of the next quarter’s sales is required to meet customer demand. Opening finished goods inventory consists of 120 benches.
  1. The primary raw material used is 4x6 cedar boards. Each bench averages 60

linear feet of wood (including a wastage allowance), which the company purchases for $1.50 per linear foot. Happy Place finds it necessary to maintain an inventory balance equal to 12% of the following quarter’s production needs of cedar as a precaution against stock-outs. Opening raw materials inventory consists of 20,304 linear feet of cedar. Happy Place pays for 85% of a quarter’s purchases in the quarter of purchase and 15% in the following quarter.

Each bench also requires a cast iron frame, which the company purchases pre-made from Cheatle Forge. The frames are readily available at a cost of $100, are purchased as needed and paid for at the time of purchase.

  1. Beginning accounts payable will consist of $22,673 arising from the estimated direct material purchases for Q4, 2019 of $151,157.
  1. While much of the wood cutting process is automated, the assembly process is labour intensive. Employees are paid an average of $25 per hour, including the employer’s portion of employee benefits. All payroll costs are paid in the period in which they are incurred.

Each bench spends a total of 90 minutes in production.

  1. Due to the company’s concentration on a single product, manufacturing overhead is allocated based on volume (i.e. the units produced). The variable overhead manufacturing rate is $12.00 per unit, consisting of: Utilities--$2.75; Indirect Materials--$5.25; Plant maintenance--$2.00; and Other--$2.00

                                               

  1. The fixed manufacturing overhead costs for the entire year are as follows:

Training and development                 $     9,000

Property and business taxes                   36,000

Supervisor’s salary                                120,000

Depreciation on equipment                    117,000

Insurance                                                 60,000

Other                                                        34,200

                                                            $ 376,200

  • The property and business taxes are paid on June 30 of each year.

  • The annual insurance premium is paid at the beginning of October each year.

  • All other “cash-related” fixed manufacturing overhead costs are incurred evenly over the year and paid as incurred.
  • Happy Place uses the straight-line method of depreciation.

  1. Selling and administrative expenses are $22 per unit sold and $18,000 per month. These costs are paid in the quarter in which they occur.

  1. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, Happy Place will be required to make quarterly income tax installment payments of $35,000. Outstanding income taxes from the year ended December 31, 2019 must be paid in April 2020. Income tax expense is estimated to be 20% of net income. Income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020, in excess of installment payments, will be paid in April, 2021.
  1. Happy Place is planning to acquire additional manufacturing equipment for $152,000 cash. 40% of this amount is to be paid in January 2020, the rest, in February 2020. The manufacturing overhead costs in 11. already include the extra depreciation.
  1. Happy Place Inc. has a policy of paying dividends at the end of each quarter. The president tells you that the board of directors is planning on continuing their policy of declaring dividends of $25,000 per quarter.

  1. A listing of the estimated balances in the company’s ledger accounts as of December 31, 2019 is given below:

Cash

$     61,870

Accounts receivable

          58,032

Inventory-raw materials

30,456

Inventory-finished goods (120 units)

30,244

Prepaid insurance

            45,000

Prepaid property tax

            18,000

Property, Plant & Equip (net)

928,000

$ 1,171,602

Accounts payable

$ 22,673

Income tax payable

         10,500

Common shares

     850,000

Retained earnings

288,430

$ 1,171,602

REQUIRED:

1. Prepare a Quarterly Manufacturing Overhead Budget for Happy Place for the year ended December 31, 2020

In: Accounting

Case Synopsis: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Looks to Future Beyond Windows Microsoft had come to be...

Case Synopsis: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Looks to Future Beyond Windows

Microsoft had come to be perceived as an out-of-touch behemoth that relied too much on its Windows operating system and failed to move into new markets, like mobile. The company’s new CEO, Satya Nadella, has aggressively looked outside of Windows to develop new business models. Since December, Microsoft has bought two small companies that focus on mobile productivity apps. In Nadella’s first year, Microsoft stock rose 14 percent, and sales increased 12 percent. Also, the new CEO, unlike his predecessor Steve Ballmer, is popular with investors, venture capitalists, and startups.

The big issue Nadella faces is how to generate more revenue with new software and features, such as cloud subscriptions and free apps that replace pricey Windows and Office licenses. Windows, which once dominated computing and ran on more than 90 percent of computing devices, now runs on 11 percent of computers and gadgets.

Nadella uses the Power BI dashboard to track and compile huge amounts of information on product usage and financial performance to see what works and what doesn’t. Nadella also measures and coordinates executive performance with metrics from the dashboard. Nadella has also changed the way engineering teams are structured, eliminating testers to speed up software releases and adding data scientists and designers to the teams.

Questions

1. What kind of planning missteps helped cause Microsoft’s decline over the past few years?

2. How is Nadella trying to eliminate some of the bureaucracy that has hurt the company’s ability to innovate?

3. What business strategies has Nadella implemented that will help revitalize the technology giant?

  


3 sentens is good for each Question

In: Finance

Peace Computer Corporation acquired 75 percent of Symbol Software Company's stock on January 2, 20X3, by...

Peace Computer Corporation acquired 75 percent of Symbol Software Company's stock on January 2, 20X3, by issuing bonds with a par value of $77,750 and a fair value of $95,250 in exchange for the shares. Summarized balance sheet data presented for the companies just before the acquisition follow:

Peace Computer Company Symbol Software Company
Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value
Cash $218,000 $218,000 $65,000 $65,000
Other Assets $412,000 $412,000 $134,000 $134,000
Total Debits $630,000 $199,000
Current Liabilities $92,000 $92,000 $72,000 $72,000
Common Stock $296,000 $65,000
Retained Earnings $242,000 $62,000
Total Credits $630,000 $199,000

Prepare a consolidated balance sheet immediately following the acquisition.

In: Accounting

"Cash Flow Statements and Cash Hoards" Please respond to the following: Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp....

"Cash Flow Statements and Cash Hoards" Please respond to the following: Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are identified as companies that have accumulated substantial sums of cash. Microsoft and Apple increased dividend payouts and acquired treasury stock to return some of the excess cash to shareholders. Use the Internet and/or Strayer Learning Resource Center to identify one (1) additional large company which is currently accumulating a cash hoard. Next, evaluate how the company identified in your research can use the cash flow statement to project efficient uses of the cash hoard it has accumulated. Suggest at least two (2) advantages and two (2) disadvantages of companies accumulating cash hoards. Provide a rationale for your suggestion.

In: Accounting

Since 1980, the United States has undertaken a set of “10 year plans” called Health People...

Since 1980, the United States has undertaken a set of “10 year plans” called Health People Initiatives. What are the major differences between Health People 2020 from any of the previous Health People Initiatives?

In: Nursing

How can you obtain a random sample of 60 students from MQBS student who are enrolled...

How can you obtain a random sample of 60 students from MQBS student who are enrolled in BCom with a Major in Marketing in Session 1, 2020? (hint: think about the relationship between population and a random sample).

In: Statistics and Probability

True Financial corporation is a financial services holding company headquartered in ithaca new york, that offers...

True Financial corporation is a financial services holding company headquartered in ithaca new york, that offers banking insurance and wealth management service. It pays cash dividends quarterly and also issues stock dividends periodically.

1. At March 31, 2012, True had 9,726,700 shares issued with a par value of $7.00 per share and $75,00 share held in treasury. On April 25, 2012, the company announced that its Board of Directors approved payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend of 3.50 per share , payable on May 15, 2012, to common shareholder of record on May 7,2012. Assume no shares were acquired or sold by the company after March 31. Give the journal entry to record the declaration of the cash dividend.

2. At December 31, 2009, True reported 5,918,200 shares issued with a par value of $7.00 per share and 11,200 share held in treasury. On January 27,2010, the company announced that its board of directors approved payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $3.60 per share, payable on February 25, 2010 to common shareholders of record on February 5, 2010. The board also approved the payment of 5% stock dividend distributable on February 25, 2010, to common shareholders of record on February 5, 2010. The share price was $50 when the stock dividend was issued. Assume no treasury shares were acquired or sold after June 30. Prepare the journal entry to record true 's stock dividend.

3. True issued 5% stock dividends in 1995, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010. In 1998, True issued a three-for-one split. If an investor purchased 1,200 shares in 1994, how many shares would the investor have in 2012?

In: Accounting

Molly’s Greenhouse supplies bedding plants and other gardening products to a variety of stores across Alberta...

Molly’s Greenhouse supplies bedding plants and other gardening products to a variety of stores across Alberta and also has a local greenhouse open to the public. Molly’s uses a perpetual inventory system and the earnings approach for revenue recognition. Transactions for the business are shown below:

May 2 Purchased 500 decorative hanging baskets from Planters R Us, on account, at a cost of $26 each, terms 5/10, n/30. FOB shipping point.
3 The correct company paid cash for the $175 shipping charges.
4 Sold 200 hanging baskets to a hardware store in the city, on account, for a total invoice price of $8,000. Terms are 1/10, n/30 and the cost was $26 per basket. Molly’s paid the shipping charge of $75 on the same day.
5 Received a credit from Planters R Us for the return of 60 hanging baskets that had defective hangers.
7 20 of the baskets from the sale of May 4 were returned to the greenhouse for a full refund because the customer did not have enough room to store them.
12 Made a payment on account for the balance owing to Planters R Us for the purchase of May 2.
13 Received a cheque for the appropriate amount from the hardware store for the sale of May 4.

Prepare journal entries to record the above transactions using the perpetual method. (Credit account titles are automatically indented when the amount is entered. Do not indent manually. If no entry is required, select "No Entry" for the account titles and enter 0 for the amounts. Record journal entries in the order presented in the problem.)

Date

Account Titles and Explanation

Debit

Credit

(To record sales on account.)

(To record cost of goods sold.)

(To record cash payment for freight.)

(To record credit for sales return.)

(To record cost of goods returned.)

May 13

Prepare journal entries to record the above transactions using the periodic method. (Credit account titles are automatically indented when the amount is entered. Do not indent manually. If no entry is required, select "No Entry" for the account titles and enter 0 for the amounts. Record journal entries in the order presented in the problem.)

Date

Account Titles and Explanation

Debit

Credit

(To record sales on account.)
(To record cash payment for freight.)

May 13

In: Accounting