Question

The fact that generally accepted accounting principles allow companies flexibility in choosing between certain allocation methods can make it difficult for a financial analyst to compare periodic performance from firm to firm. Suppose you were a financial analyst trying to compare the performance of two companies. Company A uses the double-declining-balance depreciation method. Company B uses the straight-line method. You have the following information taken from the 12/31/2021 year-end financial statements for Company B:
Income Statement
Depreciation expense $12,500
Balance Sheet

Assets:
Plant and equipment, at cost $125,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation (50,000)
Net $75,000

You also determine that all of the assets constituting the plant and equipment of Company B were acquired at the same time, and that all of the $125,000 represents depreciable assets. Also, all of the depreciable assets have the same useful life and residual values are zero.

Required:
a. In order to compare performance with Company A, estimate what B's depreciation expense would have been for 2021?
b. If Company B decided to switch depreciation methods in 2021 from the straight line to the double-declining-balance method, prepare the 2021 journal entry to record depreciation for the year

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Company B's depreciation expense for 2021 is $12,800  

b. Accumulated Depreciation (Dr.) $23,800

Plant and equipment (Cr.) $23,800

Explanation:

The depreciation expense of 2021 will be $12,800. The cost of plant and equipment is $125,000.

Depreciation 2018 : $125,000 * 10% = 12,500 * 2 = $25,000

2019 : $125,000 - $25000 = $100,000 * 10% * 2 = $20,000

2020: $100,000 - $20,000 = $80,000 * 10% * 2 = $16,000

2021 : $80,000 - $16,000 = 64,000 * 10% * 2 = $12,800