Final answer:
The company's gross margin is $219,000, calculated by subtracting the cost of goods sold from the net sales. The operating expenses are $192,720, found by subtracting the net income from the gross margin.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the company's gross margin, we subtract the cost of goods sold from the net sales. The cost of goods sold (COGS) is $569,500, and the net sales are $788,500. The gross margin is therefore $788,500 - $569,500, which equals $219,000.
Next, to find the operating expenses, we need to consider that the gross margin minus operating expenses gives us the net income before taxes. The company's net income is reported as $26,280. Therefore, the operating expenses are the gross margin of $219,000 minus the net income of $26,280, which equals $192,720.
In conclusion, the company's gross margin is $219,000, and its operating expenses are $192,720.