Problem
Consider the following scenario:
Arlo Company's board of directors is considering whether to purchase automated manufacturing equipment that would significantly alter their production process. If the new equipment is purchased, setups would be quicker and less expensive. Installing the new equipment would allow Arlo to cut its unit variable cost by 20 percent. Additionally, the new equipment would enhance the product quality, allowing management to raise the price of the product.
In order to support the proposed acquisition of new equipment, the vice president for manufacturing asked the controller to report on the financial implications of the decision and to compute the new break-even point. The controller prepared the analysis and determined that the breakeven point would increase if the new equipment was acquired. When the vice president for manufacturing saw the report, he asked the controller to delete the breakeven analysis from the report.
• Respond to the following questions:
• Why might the breakeven point have increased in this scenario?
• What would you do if you were the controller in this scenario? Justify your answer.
Find and cite a relevant professional ethical standard that the controller could refer to in this scenario.