Question

Identify the basic assumption or broad accounting principle that was violated in each of the following situations.

1. Astro Turf Company recognizes an expense, cost of goods sold, in the period the product is manufactured.
2. McCloud Drug Company owns a patent that it purchased three years ago for $2 million. The controller recently revalued the patent to its approximate market value of $8 million.
3. Philips Company pays the monthly mortgage on the home of its president, Larry Crosswhite, and charges the expenditure to miscellaneous expense.

Answer 1

1) expense recognition principle: expenses are recognized when they are consumed.

2) historical cost principle: a company must record its assets, liabilities, and equity investments at their original costs.

3) economic entity principle: the company's transactions should be kept separate from those of its owners or upper management.