Question Tag: Financial Statement Integrity

Accountants in business who are responsible for the preparation of financial information must ensure that the information they prepare is technically correct, completely disclosed without any omission, and also report the substance of the transaction. However, accountants are usually faced with the danger of influence from senior managers to present figures that inflate profit or assets or understate liabilities. This always puts accountants in a difficult position. This is the situation that the Chief Accountant of Fola PLC found himself.

Fola PLC has December 31 as its year-end, and the managing director (MD) feared that the forecast of 2020 profitability goals would not be reached. Therefore, when Fola PLC received a large order on December 30, the MD immediately directed that the Chief Accountant should record it as revenue for the period. This order represents about 13% of Fola PLC’s revenue. However, the inventory control department did not separate the goods for shipment until January 1, 2021. Separated goods are usually not included in the inventory because they have been sold. Physical inventory taking under the periodic inventory system was conducted on December 31, as it is customary for the company’s external auditors to be in attendance. The Chief Accountant was confused and not willing to be involved in any unethical act.

Required:

a. Appraise the effects and implications of treating the order as revenue on 2020 and 2021 profitability.
(5 Marks)

b. In such circumstances, what should be the responsibilities of the Chief Accountant?
(5 Marks)

c. Analyze the dangers of inappropriate disclosure of information in the financial statements.
(5 Marks)