Final answer:
To prepare a cash budget for the first quarter, calculate the cash inflows and outflows. The net cash inflow is $7,000 and the ending cash balance is $34,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prepare a cash budget for the first quarter, we need to calculate the cash inflows and outflows during this period.
1. Cash inflows:
- Total collections from customers: $183,000
- Sale of equipment: $3,000
- Purchase of securities: $12,000
Total cash inflows: $198,000
2. Cash outflows:
- Direct materials payments: $44,000
- Direct labor: $64,000
- Manufacturing overhead: $34,000
- Selling and administrative expenses: $49,000
Total cash outflows: $191,000
3. Net cash inflow/outflow:
- Net cash inflow = Total cash inflows - Total cash outflows
- Net cash inflow = $198,000 - $191,000 = $7,000
4. Ending cash balance:
- Ending cash balance = Beginning cash balance + Net cash inflow
- Beginning cash balance = $27,000 (given)
- Ending cash balance = $27,000 + $7,000 = $34,000
However, Blue Spruce wants to maintain a minimum cash balance of $24,000 at the end of each quarter. Since the calculated ending cash balance is higher than the minimum requirement, the cash budget for the first quarter is acceptable.