Given: You are currently working at a mid-sized certified public accounting firm. Your client is Bob Jones. Bob, age 60 and single, has recently retired from IBM. He has $690,000 available in his 401(k) fund and he is thinking of using that money to open a used car business that will be located at 210 Ocean View Drive in Pensacola, Florida. Bob has estimated that the business might make $300,000 in taxable income. Bob's personal wealth including investments in land, stocks, and bonds is about 14,000,000. He reported an interest income of 20,000 and dividend income of 6,000 last year. The 14,000,000 includes land worth 9,000,000 that Bob bought in 1966 for 450,000. Bob has hired your firm for professional advice regarding whether he should operate as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation, or a C corporation. He is also considering transferring a possible 40% interest in his new business to his daughter Mandy, age 23 and single.
A. Differentiate between accrual accounting and cash basis. Based on the type of business and the client's accounting system, what is the impact when revenue is recognized? Which option would you recommend for the client?
B. Based on the decision of accrual vs. cash basis, describe when revenue would be recognized on the sale of inventory, and how the accrual reporting differs from cash basis.
C. Determine the economic impact on the client's financial situation. Based on your decision, determine the potential tax liability, keeping in mind appropriate IRS code and regulations
D. Summarize, using moral reasoning, the cash or accrual accounting method in relation to the selected business entity.