Medium1 markMultiple Choice

ACCA · Question 45 · Preparing simple consolidated financial statements

Section B - Case 1: Group Consolidations

Scenario: On 1 January 20X5, Zenith Heavy Industries acquired 80% of the equity share capital of Apex Robotics for $2,500,000. At the date of acquisition, the fair value of Apex's net assets was $2,000,000. Zenith measures the Non-Controlling Interest (NCI) at fair value, which was $550,000 at the acquisition date. During the year ended 31 December 20X5, Zenith sold goods to Apex for $400,000 at a mark-up of 25%. Half of these goods remain in Apex's inventory at year-end. At 31 December 20X5, Zenith's retained earnings are $5,000,000. Apex's retained earnings were $1,000,000 at acquisition and $1,500,000 at year-end.

Suppose Apex had sent a cheque for $10,000 to Zenith on 30 December 20X5 to clear part of its debt, but Zenith did not receive it until 3 January 20X6.

How should this 'cash in transit' be treated in the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 20X5?

Answer options:

A.

Ignore it, as the cash was not received by year-end

B.

Increase consolidated cash by $10,000 and decrease Zenith's receivables by $10,000 before eliminating the remaining intra-group balance

C.

Increase Apex's payables by $10,000 to match Zenith's receivables

D.

Deduct $10,000 from consolidated retained earnings

How to approach this question

When there is cash in transit, adjust the receiving company's books as if the cash had arrived at year-end. This aligns the inter-company balances so they can be eliminated, and correctly states the group's cash.

Full Answer

B.Increase consolidated cash by $10,000 and decrease Zenith's receivables by $10,000 before eliminating the remaining intra-group balance✓ Correct
Cash in transit causes a mismatch in intra-group balances (Apex's payable is $10k lower than Zenith's receivable). To fix this for consolidation, we adjust the receiving company (Zenith) as if the cash arrived on 31 Dec. Dr Cash $10,000, Cr Receivables $10,000. Then the remaining intra-group balances will match and can be eliminated.

Common mistakes

Adjusting the paying company's books instead of the receiving company's books.

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