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BPP Question Bank Intercompany Loan Question

AAndreas10y ago
Hi Mike, Please could you help with the following question? On 1st July 20X7, Spider acquired 60% of the equity share capital of Fly and on that date made a $10,000,000 loan to Fly at a rate of 8% per annum. What will be the effect on group retained earnings at the year end of 31 December 20X7 when this intragroup transaction is cancelled? --- My thoughts: We cannot "owe ourselves" money in the group accounts, so we eliminate, in full, as follows: DR Loan Payable (SFP) in S: 10,000,000 CR Loan Receivable (SFP) in P: 10,000,000 Now in the Income Statement... DR Group Finance Income (10m x 8% x 6/12): 400 CR Group Finance Costs (10m x 8% x 6/12): 400 --- However, BPP's answer is as follows... Group retained earnings will be reduced by $160,000. Why? Loss of investment income (10m x 8% x 6/12): (400) Saving of interest payable (400 x 60%): 240 Net reduction in group retained earnings: (160) Why is the interest payable by S less than P's interest recievable? It is a post-acquisition transaction and we are supposed to eliminate these in full. Ultimately, the answer is saying that P is losing out on "400" of income (which should come from S), but S is only having to pay "240" less. So it's not eliminated in full is it? Confused. :-( Thanks for your help in advance Mike! Andrew
MikeLittleMikeLittleTutor10y ago#1
Hi Andrew I'm sorry to say but that's got me stumped. I've never seen that before and I'm not sure that I want to see it again! I certainly cannot instantly see any justification for it so, I'm sorry, I can't explain it :-(
AAndreas10y ago#2
Actually that's the best answer you could have given me, because it means I'm not completely missing the boat on something! :) I'm not going to worry about one dodgy MCQ. I just wanted to know I had the principles in place. Thanks for your help Mike.
MikeLittleMikeLittleTutor10y ago#3
You're welcome
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