Question

Analyzing Unearned Revenue Disclosures

The following disclosures (excerpted) are from the August 28, 2016, annual report of Costco Wholesale Corporation.
Revenue Recognition: We generally recognize sales, net of estimated returns, at the time the member takes possession of merchandise or receives services. When we collect payment from customers prior to the transfer of ownership of merchandise or the performance of services, the amount recieved is generally recorded as deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets until the sales or service is completed. Membership fee revenue represents annual membership fees paid by our memberships. We account for membership fee revenue, net of estimated refunds, on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period.
Revenue
($ millions) August 28, 2016 August 30, 2015 August 31, 2014
Net Sales $116,073 $113,666 $110,212
Membership fees 2,646 2,533 2,428
Total revenue $118,719 $116,199 $112,640
Current Liabilities ($ millions) August 28, 2016 August 30, 2015
Accounts payable $7,612 $9,011
Current portion of long-term debt 1,100 1,283
Accrued salaries and benefits 2,629 2,468
Accured member rewards 869 813
Deferred membership fees 1,362 1,269
Other current liabilities 2,003 1,695
Total current liabilities $15,575 $16,539
(a) Which of the following statements best explains in layman terms how Costco accounts for the cash received for its membership fees?
Because Costco does not know how many of its members will continue to the end of the year, cash received from members is recorded as a liability and recognized as revenue only at year-end.
When it receives cash, the company records it as a current liability. Then, it recognizes revenue evenly over the year.
The company records revenue when the cash is received.
Because Costco has a refund policy, the company records revenue when the cash is received, less an allowance for expected membership terminations.
Mark 1.00 out of 1.00
(b) Use the balance sheet information on Costco's Deferred Membership Fees liability account and its income statement revenues related to Membership Fees earned during 2016 to compute the cash that Costco received during 2016 for membership fees.
Total cash received (in $ millions) = $Answer
(c) Use the financial statement effects template to show the effect of the cash Costco received during 2016 for membership fees and the recognition of membership fees revenue for 2016.
Use negative signs with answers, when appropriate.
Balance Sheet
Transaction ($ millions)
Cash Asset + Noncash Assets = Liabilities + Contributed Capital + Earned Capital
Receive cash in advance for membership fees Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer
Recognized membership fees earned Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer
Income Statement
Revenue - Expenses = Net Income
Answer Answer Answer
Answer Answer Answer
Feedback
You have correctly selected 15.
Partially correct
Marks for this submission: 15.00/18.00.

Answer 1

(a) Which of the following statements best explains in layman terms how Costco accounts for the cash received for its membership fees?

• When it receives cash, the company records it as a current liability. Then, it recognizes revenue evenly over the year.

(b) Use the balance sheet information on Costco's Deferred Membership Fees liability account and its income statement revenues related to Membership Fees earned during 2016 to compute the cash that Costco received during 2016 for membership fees.

beginning membership fees + cash received - membership fee revenue = ending membership fee balance

$1,269 + cash received - $2,646 = $1,362

cash received = $1,362 + $2,646 - $1,269 = $2,739 million

(c) Use the financial statement effects template to show the effect of the cash Costco received during 2016 for membership fees and the recognition of membership fees revenue for 2016.

Use negative signs with answers, when appropriate.

Balance Sheet

Cash Asset + Noncash Assets = Liabilities + Contributed Capital + Earned Capital

Receive cash in advance for membership fees ⇒ $2,739 + na = $2,739 + na + na

Recognized membership fees earned ⇒ na + na = -$2,646 + na + $2,646

Income Statement

Revenue - Expenses = Net Income

na na na

$2,646 na $2,646