Harvey Hotels has provided a defined benefit pension plan for its employees for several years. At the end of the most recent year, the following information was available with regard to the plan: service cost: $6.2 million, expected return on plan assets: $1.2 million, actual return on plan assets: $1 million, interest cost: $1.4 million, payments to retired employees: $2 million, and amortization of prior service cost (created when the pension plan was amended causing a drop in the projected benefit obligation): $1.1 million. What amount should Harvey Hotels report as pension expense in its income statement for the year? Multiple Choice $7.7 million $7.5 million $1.4 million $8.7 million

Dollywood corporation accumulates the following data concerning a mixed cost, using miles as the activity level. miles driven total cost january 10,000 $16,500 february 8,000 $14,500 march 9,000 $12,500 april 7,000 $12,000 compute the variable and fixed cost elements using the high-low method

while setting up his new office, an attorney ordered thick, frieze carpets for the floor. however, the building inspector had him remove the expensive carpeting. the building inspector stated that according to federal regulations, the office must be wheelchair accessible as it is a public area. he further explained that since wheelchairs do not maneuver well in thick, frieze carpeting, the carpets had to be removed and be replaced with smooth-textured carpets that do not restrict wheelchair maneuverability. this scenario illustrates how a company is influenced by the component of its specific environment.

You are chairman of the board of a successful technology firm. there is a nominal federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent, yet the effective tax rate of the typical corporation is about 12.6%. your firm has been clever with use of transfer pricing and keeping money abroad and has barely paid any taxes over the last 5 years; during this same time period, profits were $28 billion. one member of the board feels that it is un-american to use various accounting strategies in order to avoid paying taxes. others feel that these are legal loopholes and corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to minimize taxes. one board member quoted what the ceo of exxon once said: “i’m not a u. s. company and i don’t make decisions based on what’s good for the u. s.” what are the alternatives? what are your recommendations? why do you recommend this course of action?