Cookie Creations (Chapters 5 and 6)
This assignment is a continuation of the Cookie Creations case study from previous chapters. From the information gathered in the previous chapters, read the continuation of the Cookie Creations case study below for Chapter 5 and Chapter 6, which can also be found on p. 5-51 and p. 6-45.
The case study allows you to apply what you have learned about accounting for merchandising operations (Chapter 5) and inventories (Chapter 6). This assignment will allow you to practice what you have learned so far.
Part I
Because Natalie has had such a successful first few months, she is considering other opportunities to develop her business. One opportunity is the sale of European mixers. The owner of Kzinski Supply Company has approached Natalie to become the exclusive distributor of these fine mixers in her state. The current cost of a mixer is approximately $575, and Natalie would sell each one for $1,150. Natalie comes to you for advice on how to account for these mixers. Each appliance has a serial number and can be easily identified.
Natalie has come to you for your advice on how to account for these mixers and asks you the questions below, which you must address.
- Would you consider these mixers to be inventory, or should these mixers be classified as supplies or equipment?
- Which inventory tracking system should Natalie use: perpetual or periodic?
- Which system do you think is better: perpetual or periodic?
- Which system would you recommend for the type of inventory that Natalie wants to sell?
- How often does Natalie need to count inventory if she maintains it using the perpetual system? In contrast, does she need to count inventory at all?
Provide your responses to the questions in a Word document. Use the unit lesson, required unit resources, and suggested unit resources to formulate your response. Your response should be a minimum of two pages in length and include at least two references. Adhere to APA Style when creating citations and references for this assignment.
Part II
Natalie is busy establishing both divisions of her business (cookie classes and mixer sales), and she is completing her business degree. Her goals for the next 11 months are to sell one mixer per month and to give two to three classes per week.
The cost of the fine European mixers is expected to increase. Natalie has just negotiated new terms with the owner of Kzinski Supply Company, which will include shipping costs in the negotiated purchase price (mixers will be shipped free on board (FOB) destination). Assume that Natalie has decided to use a periodic inventory system and now must choose a cost flow assumption for her mixer inventory. The transactions listed below occur in February to May 2020.
Feb. 2: Natalie buys two deluxe mixers on account from Mixer Supply Company for $1,200 ($600 each), FOB destination, terms n/30.
Feb. 16: She sells one deluxe mixer for $1,150 cash.
Feb. 25: She pays the amount owed to Mixer Supply Company.
Mar. 2: She buys one deluxe mixer on account from Mixer Supply Company for $618, FOB destination, terms n/30.
Mar. 30 : Natalie sells two deluxe mixers for a total of $2,300 cash.
Mar. 31: She pays the amount owed to Kzinski Supply Company.
Apr. 1 : She buys two deluxe mixers on account from Mixer Supply Company for $1,224 ($612 each), FOB destination, terms n/30.
Apr. 13: She sells three deluxe mixers for a total of $3,450 cash.
Apr. 30: Natalie pays the amount owed to Mixer Supply Company.
May 4: She buys three deluxe mixers on account from Mixer Supply Company for $1,875 ($625 each), FOB destination, terms n/30.
May 27: She sells one deluxe mixer for $1,150 cash.
For Part II, determine the cost of goods available for sale. You will recall from Chapter 5 (see Part I above) that at the end of January, Cookie Creations had three mixers on hand at a cost of $575 each. For Part II of the assignment, you will calculate the following items: ·
- ending inventory,
- cost of goods sold,
- gross profit, and
- gross profit rate under each of the following methods: last-in, first-out (LIFO); first-in, first-out (FIFO); and average cost.
Submit Part I and Part II in a single Word document. Your total combined submission should include two pages for Part I and the solutions to Part II.
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Answers
Question 1
Deciding the form of business organization under which operations will be executed is a critical step. Natalie has three choices; sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation forms of business. Being a sole proprietor, Natalie controls her destiny and enjoys the freedom of being the boss. Being a highly flexible form of business, a proprietorship will enable Natalie to work at her convenience. Moreover, as the business grows, will her potential income. However, a sole proprietorship imposes many responsibilities and workloads that may be difficult to manage. Furthermore, it is highly risky, since Natalie needs to use her time, savings, and efforts to get the business running.
With a partnership, Natalie will obtain extra help from partners, added knowledge and skills to the business, and reduced financial burdens. Moreover, a company involves less legal formalities and fewer tax forms. Nevertheless, Natalie will have less independence, freedom, and control over the business. Additionally, conflicts are inevitable in partnerships that may reduce efficiency. Natalie will have to divide all the profits to partners, limiting her financial capability.
A corporation will protect Natalie from legal liability. Moreover, she will have a larger pool to draw financial and managerial resources. However, the capital required to start a corporation is relatively high. Many legal formalities are necessary, and the business has the potential for tax liability. After these considerations, Natalie should opt for a sole proprietorship. This will give her absolute control, power, and freedom to manage her business as she pleases. Moreover, the business requires less capital and few legal formalities, making it easier to create.
Question 2
Natalie will undoubtedly need accounting information, which provides a clear picture of the business’s success. This information will enable her to determine the business’ profitability and understand how well she uses assets to generate revenue (Hermanson & Edwards, 2010). Additionally, the information helps keep track of budget expenses such as hiring employees, purchasing inventories, and stocks. Natalie’s type of accounting information will need to forecast financial estimates, Pro-forma balance sheets, Pro-forma income statements, and cash flow statements. This information will be required quarterly (after every three months).
Question 3
Recording assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity is critical to determine the business’ financial position. Natalie will specifically require an income statement and a balance sheet. An income statement is a form of financial statement used to report the business’ expenses, revenues, and net income (Weygandt et al., 2015). This statement explains changes in owner’s equity during a specific period. On the other hand, a balance sheet shows the accounting equation; reports the business’ liabilities, assets, and owner’s equity at a certain point in time.
Question 4
Natalie should open and operate a separate bank account for the business. This is because companies are usually taxed separately from personal finances. Moreover, having a separate bank account will enable Natalie to know and track the financial performance (Weygandt et al., 2015). Lastly, it isn’t easy to audit business finances when they are not distinct from personal finances.
References
Hermanson, R. H., & Edwards, J. D. (2010). Accounting principles. Endeavour International Corporation, Houston, Texas, USA.
Weygandt, J. J., Kimmel, P. D., & Kieso, D. E. (2015). Accounting principles. John Wiley & Sons.