Case Study: Harnischfeger Corporation

Describe clearly the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in Note 2 of its financial statements.

I believe that this action was motivated by business considerations, since the accounting practices were not the best. In 1984, Harnischfeger´s reported profits during each of the four quarters, ending the year with a pre-tax operating profit of $5.7 million and a net income after tax and extraordinary credits of $15 million. As such, this made profits look positive.

When using the LIFO method, if sales are higer than current purchases inventory not sold may be liquidated. This is called LIFO liquidation. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on the Harnischfeger’s income statement is an increase in net income by $2.4 million or $.20 in fiscal year 1984. There is no income tax effect. On the balance sheet there is a decrease of inventory, due to liquidation.

1. Identify all the accounting policy changes and accounting estimates that Harnischfeger made during 1984. Estimate, as accurately as possible, the effect of these on the company's 1984 reported profits.

1. Describe clearly the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in Note 2 of its financial statements. In the 1984 the corporation computed depreciation expense on plants, machinery and equipment by using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. These changes were made to provide a more equitable allocation of the cost of the plants.

In 1984, Harnischfeger’s reported profits during each of the four quarters, ending the year with a pre-tax operating profit of $5.7 million and a net income after tax and extraordinary credits of $15 million. So I think that this action was motivated by business considerations, since the accounting practices were not the best. These actions made profits look positive.

* We increased this costs as a percent of revenue 2.7% over the previous year for all forecasted periods

For years 1983-1985, additional corporate assessment expense was given. This would lower Polymold’s earnings on their income statement. Another piece of data that was given is research and development expense. Without the CAD/CAM investment, research and development expense is $130,000. This is double to $260,000 without the CAD/CAM investment. This would lower earnings. We are also given the savings that the investment would yield. Without the CAD/CAM investment, there would still be savings – but not as much as with the CAD/CAM investment, which is due to the depreciation of the equipment and tax credits.

In order to find out the factors that caused the less actual quarterly income, we did analysis on variances. Sales variance, production cost variances and overhead variances are calculated as follows:

For pensions and post-retirement accounting methods to recognize the benefit costs, estimates and assumptions on future events ascertaining the timing and amount of benefits payments must be sought first. This paper seeks to compare and contrast the early historical accounting for pensions and post-retirement healthcare and life insurance benefits with the rules and guidance applied today in addition to the changes to such guidance and rules that would improve the accounting and reporting of such benefits depending on the business and political changes and as such, predict the effect of such changes on financial reporting and accounting practices.

Answer: Comparing the direct labor and overhead costs from 1988 and 1989 the actual savings were 270% (as detailed in Table 1)

In the main quarter, Target detailed balanced profit of $1.29 versus $1.10 a year ago or $1.02 versus $1.01 on a GAAP

Some of the significant changes I found on the income sheet were revenue which decreased by 8 million dollars in 2015 compared to 2014. SG&A expenses increased by .9% for the year. How-ever gross profit decreased by .3% in 2015. Also net income for the year decreased by -2.5% per-cent.

ii. From July 1, 1986 to March 31, 1993 the depreciation was Straight line at 10% for 15 years for a salvage value of 10%.

It would also reduce the risk of price increases by negotiating future prices. As shown previously, Harnischfeger was able to successfully reduce its cost to sales ratio. Through targeting new growth, emphasizing the high technology portion of its business and developing the Industrial Technologies Group, would create new business and ultimately increase sales for the company, which is shown in its financials, a 24% increase in sales from 1983 to 1984.