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 $7,500 expense $ 75,000 Balance Sheet Assets: Plant and equipment, at cost Less: Accumulated depreciation Net (30,000) $ 45,000 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 $75,000 represents depreciable assets. Also, all of the depreciable assets have the same useful life and residual values are zero. Required: 1. In order to compare performance with Company A, estimate what B's depreciation expense would have been for 2021 if the double-declining-balance depreciation method had been used by Company B since acquisition of the depreciable assets. 2. 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, assuming no journal entry for depreciation in 2021 has yet been recorded. Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required Required 1 In order to compare performance with Company A, estimate what B's depreciation expense would have been for 2021 if the double-declining-balance depreciation method had been used by Company B since acquisition of the depreciable assets. Show less Double-declining balance Year 1 (2018) Year 2 (2019) Year 3 (2020) Year 4 (2021) < Required 1 Required 2 >

Answer 1

Double Declining balance
Date	Cost of asset	Book Value	DDB Rate	Depreciation expenses	Accumulated Depreciation	Book value
2018	$75,000	$75,000	50.00%	$37,500	$37,500	$37,500
2019	$75,000	$37,500	50.00%	$18,750	$56,250	$33,750
2020	$75,000	$33,750	50.00%	$16,875	$73,125	$16,875
2021	$75,000	$16,875	50.00%	$8,438	$81,563	$8,438
Transaction	Account and explanation	Debit	Credit
1	Depreciation expenses-Plant and equipment	$8,438
	Accumulated Depreictaion-Plant and equipment		$8,438
	(Depreciation charged for 2021)