Walker Company received a letter in November 2003 indicating that Johnson, Inc. would purchase a specialty machine priced at $4,000,000. In February 2004, a binding contract was executed for the machine’s construction. Materials costing $2,000,000 were ordered in December 2003, arrived with an invoice in August 2004, and were used in the manufacturing process in the first quarter of 2005. Walker completed and delivered the machine in December 2006. Johnson received the first invoice in 2007 and paid the $4,000,000 purchase price in 2007. Walker Company uses the accrual method of accounting. Walker should record the materials used to construct the machine as expenses in the year:
Under the accrual concept, income is recognized when the earning activities are substantially completed, risk of ownership has transferred from buyer to seller, and payment is realizable and collectible. Under the matching principle, expenses incurred that directly relate to the sold item are expensed in the same period as the revenue is recognized. |