CPA Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) : Equity Method

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for CPA Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Equity Method

On January 1, Year 1, Parent Company buys 15% of Son Company for $300,000. Parent has the ability to assert significant influence over Son and does not elect the fair value method. During Year 1, Son reported net income of $160,000 and paid cash dividends of $25,000. What is the book value of Parent's investment in Son at the end of Year 1?

Possible Answers:

$327,750

$324,000

$300,000

$320,250

Correct answer:

$320,250

Explanation:

Parent must use the equity method to account for its investment in Son because it has the ability to exert significant influence over Son. Under the equity method, the balance in the investment account at the end of the year will be the beginning balance of $300K (equal to cost) + Parent's portion of Son's net income equal to $24K ($160K x 15% ownership) - Parent's portion of dividends paid of $3,750 ($25K x 15% ownership).

Example Question #2 : Equity Method

Greg Company owns 75% of George Company's common stock. During the 3rd quarter of the current year, George sold inventory to Greg for $100,000. At the end of the current year, half of this purchase remains in Greg's inventory. For the current year, Greg's gross profit margin was 25% and George's gross profit margin was 40%. How much unrealized profit should be eliminated from ending inventory at year-end?

Possible Answers:

$25,000

$12,500

$20,000

$50,000

Correct answer:

$20,000

Explanation:

George must eliminate any gross profit recognized on sold inventory that still remains in Greg's possession. Thus the elimination would be calculated as $100K x 50% remaining in inventory x 40% GP margin.

Example Question #1 : Equity Method

Which of the following, if received from an investee, will effect income reported by an investor using the equity method?

Possible Answers:

Stock split

Stock dividend

Cash dividend

None of the above

Correct answer:

None of the above

Explanation:

Under the equity method, dividends are not reported as income. Even a cash dividend would reduce the investment account rather than increasing income.

Example Question #3 : Equity Method

ABC Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in DEF Co common stock. How should ABC record a 3% stock dividend received from DEF?

Possible Answers:

As dividend revenue at the market value of the stock

As a memorandum entry reducing the unit cost of all DEF stock owned

As dividend revenue at DEF's carrying value of the stock

As a reduction in the total cost of DEF stock owned

Correct answer:

As a memorandum entry reducing the unit cost of all DEF stock owned

Explanation:

ABC should record the stock dividend received from DEF with a memorandum entry that reduces the unit cost of all DEF stock owned.

Example Question #2 : Equity Method

ABC Inc is currently using the equity method to account for its 25% investment in DEF Inc. In the acquisition last year of DEF stock, ABC calculated $750,000 of goodwill. The correct accounting for this goodwill during the current year is:

Possible Answers:

Test for impairment at year end

Amortization over the anticipated holding period of the DEF stock

No accounting necessary

Amortization over 50 years

Correct answer:

No accounting necessary

Explanation:

Any goodwill created in an investment accounted for under the equity method is ignored. It is neither amortized nor tested for impairment. The entire investment is subject to the impairment test.

Example Question #6 : Equity Method

Gerald Company purchased 30% of Randy Company's outstanding nonvoting preferred stock. How should this investment be recorded?

Possible Answers:

Consolidation method

None of the answer choices are correct

Fair value method

Equity method

Correct answer:

Fair value method

Explanation:

There is not significant influence in this situation so the fair value method is utilized. If there was more than 50% ownership, consolidation would be used and the equity method would only be used if there is significant influence.

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