CPA Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) : Accrued Payroll Expense

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Example Questions

Example Question #12 : Compensation And Accrued Payroll

A company has a defined benefit plan in operation that covers six employees who have an average of 5 years left to work. On January 1, Year 5, the company amends the plan and this amendment results in an increase in the pension benefit obligation of $350,000. Also in Year 5, the plan's actuary updates the plan's assumptions, which increases the pension benefit obligation by $220,000. What amount is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the defined benefit plan at the end of Year 5?

Possible Answers:

$220,000

$70,000

$290,000

$500,000

Correct answer:

$500,000

Explanation:

The amount reported in AOCI is the amount of these changes that has not yet been amortized. For the plan amendment, amortization begins in the current year over the 5 years the employees plan to continue working ($350K / 5 years = $70K). Therefore, $280K remains in AOCI. For the changes in assumptions, amortization will not begin until the following year, so $220K remains in AOCI.

Example Question #13 : Compensation And Accrued Payroll

A company starts a defined benefit pension plan on January 1, Year 1. The service cost for the year is $250,000 and plan funding each year is $175,000 (made each January 1). Interest on the projected benefit obligation is 8% while the expected return on plan assets is 10%. How much is pension expense in Year 2?

Possible Answers:

$192,500

$210,750

$250,000

$233,250

Correct answer:

$233,250

Explanation:

Pension service cost is recorded at the end of each Year, with the PBO determined at that time. PBO at the end of Year 1 is equal to $250K. Plan assets at the end of Year 1 are equal to the $175K deposited in January plus the assets earnings over Year 1 of $17,500 ($175K x 10%). Pension expense in Year 2 is equal to $250K service cost + $20K ($250K PBO x 8%) - $36,750K ($367,500 x 10%)

Example Question #14 : Compensation And Accrued Payroll

The Capstone Company has a defined benefit pension plan. On January 1, Year 12, the plan is amended, causing the projected benefit obligation to increase by $600,000. At that time, the covered employees are expected to work another 8 years on average. How will this amendment be reported in the Year 12 financial statements?

Possible Answers:

$600,000 is reported as pension expense

$525,000 is reported as a plan asset and $75,000 is reported as pension expense

$600,000 is reported within accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholder's equity

$525,000 is reported within accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholder's equity and $75,000 is reported as pension expense

Correct answer:

$525,000 is reported within accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholder's equity and $75,000 is reported as pension expense

Explanation:

Changes in pension plans and assumptions are initially reported in AOCI, and then amortized to pension expense. The company will expense $75K of this amendment ($600K / 8 years) and leave the remaining $525K in AOCI.

Example Question #15 : Compensation And Accrued Payroll

Investments must be reported at fair value in the financial statements of pension plans and trusts.

Possible Answers:

Fair value

Historical cost

Lower of cost or market

Net realizable value

Correct answer:

Fair value

Explanation:

In the financial statements of employee benefit pension plans, the plan investments are reported at which valuation?

Example Question #16 : Compensation And Accrued Payroll

The differences between executive and nonexecutive plans is not a disclosure that is required.

Possible Answers:

The differences in executive and nonexecutive plans

The amount of unrecognized prior service cost

The components of net periodic pension cost

A detailed description of the plan including employee groups covered

Correct answer:

The differences in executive and nonexecutive plans

Explanation:

Footnote disclosures in the financial statements for pensions do not require inclusion of which of the following?

Example Question #1 : Accrued Payroll Expense

The net periodic pension cost for the year of a defined benefit pension plan would be reported on:

Possible Answers:

Both

Income statement

Statement of changes in net assets

Neither

Correct answer:

Income statement

Explanation:

A company would only report the net periodic pension cost on the income statement.

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