Case Scenario:
As an associate working in a privately held enterprise or working with privately held clients, it is imperative to be able to advise clients on the tax implications of their financial investments. The ability to model the tax consequences of transactions and do cost benefit analysis is crucial.
Prompt
You are currently working at a mid-sized certified public accounting firm. Your client is Bob Jones. Bob, age 60 and single, has recently retired from IBM. He has $690,000 available in his 401(k) fund and he is thinking of using that money to open a used car business that will be located at 210 Ocean View Drive in Pensacola, Florida. Bob has estimated that the business might make $300,000 in taxable income.
Bob's personal wealth including investments in land, stocks, and bonds is about $14,000,000. He reported an interest income of $20,000 and dividend income of $6,000 last year. The $14,000,000 includes land worth $9,000,000 that Bob bought in 1966 for $450,000.
Bob has hired your firm for professional advice regarding whether he should operate as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation, or a C corporation. He is also considering transferring a possible 40% interest in his new business to his daughter Mandy, age 23 and single.
Final Project Milestone Two: Revenue Recognition and Accounting Methods
In this short paper, after differentiating between accrual accounting and cash basis methods, you will recommend an accounting method for the client described in the final project. Based on your recommendation, determine when revenue would be recognized on the sale of inventory and how this impacts the client's financial situation.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
Memorandum
A. Differentiate between accrual accounting and cash basis. Based on the type of business and the client's accounting system, what is the impact when revenue is recognized? Which option would you recommend for the client?
B. Based on the decision of accrual vs. cash basis, describe when revenue would be recognized on the sale of inventory, and how the accrual reporting differs from cash basis.
C. Determine the economic impact on the client's financial situation. Based on your decision, determine the potential tax liability, keeping in mind appropriate Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
D. Summarize the cash or accrual accounting method in relation to the selected business entity.
Guidelines for Submission: Your paper must be submitted as a 2 to 3 page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one- inch margins, and at least three sources cited in APA format.