Answer:
Northern Timber Corporation
1. Journal entries to record the change:
Debit Litigation Liability $1,000,000
Credit Cash $600,000
Credit Litigation Loss $400,000
To record the payment of the litigation liability and the reduction of litigation loss by $400,000.
2. Northern can restate the 2014 and 2015 Retained Earnings to reflect the change in the litigation loss.
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Records of probable loss from ultimate settlement:
2014:
Loss—litigation 1,000,000
Liability—litigation 1,000,000
2016:
Agreed settlement = $600,000
Analysis of Entries:
Litigation Liability $1,000,000
Cash $600,000
Litigation Loss $400,000
