ACME Company sells computer components and plans on borrowing some money to expand. After reading a
lot about earnings management, Bill, the owner of ACME, has decided he should try to accelerate some sales
to improve his financial statement ratios. He has called his best customers and asked them to make their usual
January purchases by December 31. Bill told the customers he would allow them, until the end of February, to
pay for the purchases, just as if they had made their purchases in January.
Explain if you think there are ethical implications of Bill’s actions.
Which ratios will be affected, and how, by accelerating these sales?
Sample Solution
