Question

Analyzing Unearned Revenue Disclosures

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Which of the following statements best explains in layman terms how Costco accounts for the cash received for its membership fees?

• When it receives cash, the company records it as a current liability. Then, it recognizes revenue evenly over the year.

(b) Use the balance sheet information on Costco's Deferred Membership Fees liability account and its income statement revenues related to Membership Fees earned during 2016 to compute the cash that Costco received during 2016 for membership fees.

beginning membership fees + cash received - membership fee revenue = ending membership fee balance

$1,269 + cash received - $2,646 = $1,362

cash received = $1,362 + $2,646 - $1,269 = $2,739 million

(c) Use the financial statement effects template to show the effect of the cash Costco received during 2016 for membership fees and the recognition of membership fees revenue for 2016.

Use negative signs with answers, when appropriate.

Balance Sheet

Cash Asset + Noncash Assets = Liabilities + Contributed Capital + Earned Capital

Receive cash in advance for membership fees ⇒ $2,739 + na = $2,739 + na + na

Recognized membership fees earned ⇒ na + na = -$2,646 + na + $2,646

Income Statement

Revenue - Expenses = Net Income

na                   na              na

$2,646           na           $2,646