Ethical Issue 15-1
Ross’s Lipstick Company’s long-term debt agreements make certain demands on the business. For
example, Ross may not purchase treasury stock in excess of the balance of retained earnings. Also, long-
term debt may not exceed stockholders’ equity, and the current ratio may not fall below 1.50. If Ross
fails to meet any of these requirements, the company’s lenders have the authority to take over
management of the company.
Changes in consumer demand have made it hard for Ross to attract customers. Current liabilities
have mounted faster than current assets, causing the current ratio to fall to 1.47. Before releasing
financial statements, Ross’s management is scrambling to improve the current ratio. The controller
points out that an investment can be classified as either long-term or short-term, depending on
management’s intention. By deciding to convert an investment to cash within one year, Ross can
classify the investment as short-term—a current asset. On the controller’s recommendation, Ross’s
board of directors votes to reclassify long-term investments as short-term.
Requirements
1. What effect will reclassifying the investments have on the current ratio? Is Ross’s true financial
position stronger as a result of reclassifying the investments?
2. Shortly after the financial statements are released, sales improve; so, too, does the current ratio. As a
result, Ross’s management decides not to sell the investments it had reclassified as short-term.
Accordingly, the company reclassifies the investments as long-term. Has management behaved
unethically? Give the reasoning underlying your answer.
SOLUTION
Requirement 1
Reclassifying the long-term investments as short-term will increase current assets and, therefore,
Requirement 2
Reclassifying a long-term investment as current to meet a debt agreement does not necessarily brand
Ross managers as unethical. The managers may have honestly intended to sell the investments in order