Crane Music produces 60000 CDs on which to record music. The CDs have the following costs: Direct Materials $14500
Direct Labor 17000
Variable Overhead 4500
Fixed Overhead 7000
Crane could avoid $4000 in fixed overhead costs if it acquires the CDs externally. If cost minimization is the major consideration and the company would prefer to buy the 60000 units externally, what is the maximum amount that Crane should pay to purchase the units?

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?