Career Corner
Career Corner
Financing alternatives, capital structure, bonds, notes, and leases are topics covered in both
accounting and finance. How do you decide whether to major in accounting or finance? Some
students choose finance because they consider accounting more of a “desk job” and finance more
“people oriented.” This just isn’t true! Both accounting and finance positions require strong
communication skills. Some students choose finance because they consider it easier to obtain a
degree in finance than a degree in accounting. While there may be some truth to this, remember
Nike’s famous slogan, “No pain, no gain.” Accounting majors can apply for almost any
entry-level finance position, while finance majors do not have the accounting coursework to
apply for many entry-level accounting positions. The extra work for an accounting degree is
likely to pay additional dividends in the future.
Ethical Dilemma
Ethical Dilemma
On January 1, 2015, Dinaco Oil issued $50 million of 8% bonds maturing in 10 years. The
market interest rate on the issue date was 9%, which resulted in the bonds being issued at a
discount. In December 2016, Tex Winters, the company CFO, notes that over the past two years
since the bonds were issued, interest rates have fallen almost 3%. Tex suggests that Dinaco might
consider repurchasing the 8% bonds and reissuing new bonds at the lower current interest rates.
Another executive, Will Bright, asks, “Won’t the repurchase result in a large loss to our
financial statements?” Tex agrees with Will, indicating that Dinaco is likely to just meet earnings
targets for 2016. It would probably not meet them with a multimillion-dollar loss on bond
repurchase. However, 2017 looks to be a record-breaking year. They decide that maybe they
should wait until 2017 to repurchase the bonds.
How could the repurchase of debt cause a loss to be reported in net income? Explain how the
repurchase of debt might be timed to manage reported earnings. Is it ethical to time the
repurchase of bonds to help meet earnings targets?
Key issues
Is it ethical to time the repurchase of bonds to help meet earnings targets?
More broadly, when is it acceptable and when is it not acceptable to time accounting
practices to meet earnings targets?
Option 1: Repurchase the bonds and reissue new bonds at the lower interest rates in 2016
Interest rates have fallen almost 3% in 2016. Interest rates may go back up if they wait
until next year.
Besides, waiting until 2017 will prolong the cost to the company in the payment of higher
interest costs.
Management should be more concerned with real cash flow savings for the company than
meeting reported earnings targets.