The accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984

Harnischfeger 1. Describe clearly each the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984 as stated in
Note 2 of its financial statements

1. What is the monetary effect of the depreciation accounting method change on the
   reported income in 1984? How and by how much ($) will this change affect profits in
   future years?
2. What is the monetary effect of the depreciation lives change? How and by how much
   ($) will this change affect future reported profits?
3. The depreciation accounting changes assume that Harnischfeger’s plant and machinery will last longer and will lose their value more slowly. Given the business conditions
   Harnischfeger was facing in its primary industries in 1984, are these economic assumptions justified?
4. In Note 7, Harnischfeger describes the effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on its reported profits in 1984. Describe what is meant by LIFO liquidation and how liquidation affects a company’s income statement and balance sheet. What is the monetary impact ($) of this LIFO liquidation on 1984 income?
5. Note 8, states Harnischfeger’s allowance for doubtful accounts. Compute the ratio of
   the allowance to gross receivables (receivables before the allowance) in 1983 and
6. What would the allowance have been ($) if the company maintained the ratio at the 1983 level? How much did the pre-tax income increase ($) as a result of the change in the ratio in 1984?
7. Note 9, page 216, states that Harnischfeger decreased R&D expense in 1984 relative to the previous two years. Do you think this change was motivated by business considerations or accounting considerations? How and by how much ($) did this change affect the company’s reported profits in 1984?
8. Note 11, describes a number of changes in Harnischfeger’s pension plans in
9. Describe these changes as clearly as you can. What are the economic consequences of these changes to Harnischfeger and its workers?
10. How and by how much ($) did the pension plan changes affect Harnischfeger’s financial statements in 1984? Are these changes likely to affect future profits? If so by how much ($)?
11. Summarize all the accounting changes Harnischfeger made in 1984, and their
    monetary impact on revenues ($), pre-tax profits ($), and cash flows ($) in 1984.
12. The financial accounting statements are used by investors, lenders, customers,
    employees, and governments in dealing with Harnischfeger. Among these groups, who are most likely to “see-through” the above accounting changes, and who is least likely to do so?
13. Are the accounting changes likely to help or to hinder Harnischfeger’s ability to implement its business plan? Be as specific as possible.