Silva and Juanita Rodriquez are the owners of Year-Round Landscape, Inc., a small landscape and yard service business in southern California. The business is three years old and has grown significantly, especially during the past year. To sustain this growth, Year-Round Landscape must expand operations. While in the past, the Rodriquezes have been able to secure funds for the business from personal resources, they must now seek a bank loan. To satisfy bank requirements, Year-Round Landscape must provide a set of financial statements, including comparative income statements showing the growth in earnings over the past three years.
In analyzing the records, Silva notices that the nominal accounts have not yet been closed for this year. Furthermore, Silva is aware of a major contract that is to be signed on January 3, only three days after the December 31 year-end for the business. Silva estimates that this contract will increase current year earnings by 20% and suggests that the closing process be delayed one week so that this major contract can be included in this year's operating results.
What accounting issues are involved in this case? What are the ethical issues?