Hiller Corporation manufactures electronic components for use in many consumer products. Their raw materials are purchased literally from all over the world. Depending on the country involved, purchase terms vary widely. Some suppliers, for example, require full prepayment, while others are content to receive payment within six months of receipt of the goods. Because of this situation, Hiller never closes its books until at least ten days after month end. In this way, it can sort out ownership of goods in transit, and document which goods were received by month end, and which were not. Donna Gordon, a new accountant, was asked to record about $50,000 in inventory as having been received before month end. She argued that the shipping documents clearly showed that the goods were actually received on the 8th of the current month. Her boss, busy with month-end reports, curtly tells Donna to check the shipping terms. She did so, and found the notation “FOB (free on board) shipper’s dock” on the document. She hadn’t seen that particular notation before, but she reasoned that if the selling company considered it shipped when it reached their dock, Hiller should consider it received when it reached Hiller’s dock. She did not record the sale until after month end.
Questions: 1. Why are accountants concerned with the timing in the recording of purchases? 2. Do you think that Donna made the correct decision? Why or why not? 3. Since the books are closed, as Donna’s boss, how would you follow up with this situation?
