Ethical Issue 24-1
Dixie Irwin is the department manager for Religious Books, a manufacturer of religious books that are
sold through Internet companies. Irwin’s bonus is based on reducing production costs.
Irwin has identified a supplier, Cheap Paper, that can provide paper products at a 10% cost reduction.
The paper quality is not the same as that of the current paper used in production. If Irwin uses the
supplier, she will certainly achieve her personal bonus goals; however, other company goals may be in
jeopardy. What is the ethical issue? Identify the key performance issues at risk, and recommend a plan
of action for Irwin.
SOLUTION
Irwin’s ethical issue is deciding if she should do what will benefit her the most personally or do what is
best for the company as a whole. Irwin’s bonus is based on reducing production costs. The purchase of
Fraud Case 24-1
Everybody knew Ed McAlister was a brilliant businessman. He had taken a small garbage collection
company in Kentucky and built it up to be one of the largest and most profitable waste management
companies in the Midwest. But when he was convicted of a massive financial fraud, what surprised
Requirements
1. If an asset has either too long a useful life or too high an estimated salvage value, what happens,
from an accounting perspective, when that asset is worn out and has to be disposed of?