Problem
The Southern Division manager of Texcaliber Inc. is growing concerned that the division will not be able to meet its current period income objectives. The division uses absorption costing for internal profit reporting and had an appropriate level of inventory at the beginning of the period. The division manager knows that he can boost profits by increasing production at the end of the period. The increased production will allocate fixed costs over a greater number of units, reducing cost of goods sold and increasing earnings.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that additional production will be sold, resulting in a large ending inventory balance.
The division manager has come to Aston Melon, the divisional controller, to determine exactly how much additional production is needed to increase net income enough to meet the division's profit objectives. Aston analyzes the data and determines that the division will need to increase inventory by 30% in order to absorb enough fixed costs to meet the division's income objective. Aston reports this information to the division manager.
Is Aston acting ethically?
How would you proceed in the same situation knowing that you need to increase profits?