Final answer:
The alternative investment bases in the accounting rate-of-return approach include NPV, IRR, payback period, and profitability index.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the accounting rate-of-return approach to capital budgeting, there are several alternative investment bases that can be used to make decisions about investing in projects. These include:
- Net present value (NPV): This method compares the present value of cash inflows to the present value of cash outflows to determine the profitability of an investment.
- Internal rate of return (IRR): This method calculates the discount rate at which the present value of cash inflows equals the present value of cash outflows, indicating the rate of return for the investment.
- Payback period: This method calculates the time it takes for the cash inflows from an investment to recover the initial investment.
- Profitability index: This method compares the present value of cash inflows to the initial investment to determine the profitability of an investment.