Question

Judd, Inc., owns 35% of Cosby Corporation. During the calendar year 2010, Cosby had net earnings of $300,000 and paid dividends of $30,000. Judd mistakenly recorded these transactions using the fair value method rather than the equity method of accounting. What effect would this have on the investment account, net income, and retained earnings, respectively?
a. Understate, overstate, overstate
b. Overstate, understate, understate
c. Overstate, overstate, overstate
d. Understate, understate, understate

Answer 1

Answer: d. Understate, understate, understate

Explanation:

If using fair value, the effects of net earnings and dividends would not be accounted for. With the equity method however, this would have done leading to the investment account, net income, and retained earnings being understated if using fair value as opposed to equity.

The Equity method would have sent 35% of the net earnings to the investment account which would have increased it. 35% of the Cosby dividends would have been sent to the net income which would have increased it as well and when net income increases, so does retained earnings.