At the beginning of 2016, Wagner Implements undertook a variety of changes in accounting methods, corrected several errors, and instituted new accounting policies. Required: Identify for each item below the type of change and the reporting approach Wagner would use.
Type of Change (choose one)
P. Change in accounting principle
E. Change in accounting estimate
EP. Change in estimate resulting from a change in principle
X. Correction of an error
N. Neither an accounting change nor an accounting error.
Reporting Approach (choose one)
R. Retrospective approach
P. Prospective approach
Type of ChangeReporting Approach Item
1.By acquiring additional stock, Wagner increased its investment in Wise, Inc., from a 12% interest to 25% and changed its method of accounting for the investment to the equity method.
2.Wagner instituted a postretirement benefit plan for its employees in 2016. Wagner did not previously have such a plan.
3.Wagner changed its method of depreciating computer equipment from the SYD method to the straight-line method.
4.Wagner determined that a liability insurance premium it both paid and expensed in 2015 covered the 2015–2017 period.
5.Wagner custom-manufactures farming equipment on a contract basis. Wagner switched its accounting for these long-term contracts from the completed-contract method to the percentage-of-completion method.
6.Due to an unexpected relocation, Wagner determined that its office building, previously depreciated using a 45-year life, should be depreciated using an 18-year life.
7.Wagner offers a three-year warranty on the farming equipment it sells. Manufacturing efficiencies caused Wagner to reduce its expectation of warranty costs from 2% of sales to 1% of sales.
8.Wagner changed from LIFO to FIFO to account for its materials and work-in-process inventories.
9.Wagner changed from FIFO to average cost to account for its equipment inventory.
10.Wagner sells extended service contracts on some of its equipment sold. Wagner performs services related to these contracts over several years, so in 2016 Wagner changed from recognizing revenue from these service contracts on a cash basis to the accrual basis.