Question

On January 1, Revis Consulting entered into a contract to complete a cost reduction program for Green Financial over a six-month period. Revis will receive $53,600 from Green at the end of each month. If total cost savings reach a specific target, Revis will receive an additional $26,800 from Green at the end of the contract, but if total cost savings fall short, Revis will refund $26,800 to Green. Revis estimates an 80% chance that cost savings will reach the target and calculates the contract price based on the expected value of future payments to be received.Prepare the following journal entries for Revis:
1. The journal entry on January 31 to record the first month of revenue under the contract.
2. Assuming total cost savings exceed target, the journal entry on June 30 to record receipt of the bonus.
3. Assuming total cost savings fall short of target, the journal entry on June 30 to record payment of the penalty.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Jan 31  Debit Cash $53,600

                         Credit Accounts receivable $53,600

2. June 30  Debit Cash $80,400

                           Credit Deferred Revenue $21,440

                           Credit Bonus Received $5,360

                           Credit Accounts Receivable $53,600

3. June 30 Debit  Penalty Payable $26,800

                 Debit Cash                       $53,600

                             Credit Accounts Receivable $53,600              

                             Credit Deferred Revenue $21,440

                             Credit Bonus adjustment $5,360

Explanation:

The question required that the month end revenue actually realized under the contract be journalized.

1.$53,600/- is a monthly payment which Revis will be receiving from Green Financial for every month for 6 months. Hence the receipt increases cash/bank balance and these are receivable under the contract. Hence accounts receivable is credited against the actual money received in the first month.

2.If cost saving targets are achieved by Revis, then apart from the monthly payment of $53,600/-, Green Financials has agreed to pay $26,800/- as bonus. Since the question states that Revis estimates that 80% it will reach the target, it would have accounted for the 80% as deferred revenue to be received. Hence 80% of $26,800/- is recorded under deferred revenue. Since now entire $26,800/- is received, the remaining 20% is shown as bonus received.  

3.When the targets are not met, the deferred revenue recognized is reversed and penalty is paid. The difference of 20% is shown as bonus adjustment amount. The regular monthly income of $53,600/- is recognized as is.