Page 910 - Accounting Principles (A Business Perspective)

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The first official responded, "That deficit is the state's problem, not ours. We would not have a deficit in the first
place if the state administrators were able to estimate taxes and do a better job of budgeting. Let us deal with our
problems and let them deal with theirs!"

Write a response from the point of view of the taxpayers of the state of California. Should the community college
spend all of the money that had been budgeted for it?
Broader perspective C Refer to the Broader perspective, "Planning in a changing environment". Describe and
evaluate Verizon Communications, Inc.'s new approach to planning. How would you advise company management
to communicate the company's values and plans to employees?
Group project D In groups of three, develop a budget for an organization that publishes financial statements,
such as The Coca-Cola Company or Maytag Corporation. Your budget should include three different types of

projected income statements for the coming month, quarter, or year. These three income statements should be for
optimistic, pessimistic, and expected scenarios. Collect or develop as much information as possible to prepare the
budget. For example, to prepare a budgeted income statement for a publicly traded company such as Coca-Cola,
look at previous annual reports and collect whatever additional information you can from news reports. Be sure to
state the assumptions used in preparing the budget in a memorandum you write as a team. The heading of the
memorandum should contain the date, to whom it is written, from whom, and the subject matter. Do not forget to
include the three different projected income statements.
Group project E The chief executive officer (CEO) of Rigid Plastics Corporation remarked to a colleague, "I do
not understand why other companies waste so much time in the budgeting process. I set our company goals, and

everyone strives to meet them. What is wrong with that approach?" In groups of two or three students, write a
memorandum to your instructor stating whether you agree with this comment or not and explain why. The heading
of the memorandum should contain the date, to whom it is written, from whom, and the subject matter.
Group project F Multigoal Corporation has established a bonus plan for its employees. An employee receives a
bonus if his or her department meets or is below the cost levels specified in the annual budget plan. If the
department's costs exceed the budget, its employees earn no bonus. In groups of two or three students, write a
memorandum to your instructor stating the problems that might arise with this bonus plan. The heading of the

memorandum should contain the date, to whom it is written, from whom, and the subject matter.
Using the Internet—A view of the real world
Visit the website for a high technology company that provides recent annual reports. Examples include Intel
Corporation, IBM, and Dell. Develop a budgeted income statement (operating budget) for the coming year and
include three categories for optimistic, pessimistic, and expected scenarios. Collect or develop as much information
as possible to prepare the budget. For example, look at previous annual reports and collect whatever additional

information you can from news reports. Be sure to state the assumptions used in preparing the budget in a
memorandum. The heading of the memorandum should contain the date, to whom it is written, from whom, and
the subject matter. Do not forget to include the three different projected income statements.
Visit the website for a retail company that provides recent annual reports. Develop a budgeted income statement
(operating budget) for the coming year and include three categories for optimistic, pessimistic, and expected
scenarios. Collect or develop as much information as possible to prepare the budget. For example, look at previous
annual reports and collect whatever additional information you can from news reports. Be sure to state the

assumptions used in preparing the budget in a memorandum. The heading of the memorandum should contain the

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