Reference no: EM131721787

Problem

(Nonvested Employees-An Ethical Dilemma) Thinken Technology recently merged with College Electronix (CE), a computer graphics company. In performing a comprehensive audit of CE's accounting system, Gerald Ott, internal audit manager for Thinken Technology, discovered that the new subsidiary did not record pension assets and liabilities, subject to GAAP. The net present value of CE's pension assets was $15.5 million, the vested benefit obligation was $12.9 million, and the projected benefit obligation was $17.4 million. Ott reported this audit finding to Julie Habbe, the newly appointed controller of CE. A few days later, Habbe called Ott for his advice on what to do. Habbe started her conversation by asking, "Can't we eliminate the negative income effect of our pension dilemma simply by terminating the employment of nonvested employees before the end of our fiscal year?"

Answer the following question (# your response):

1. How should Ott respond to Habbe's remark about firing nonvested employees?

Read and reply to one student's response. This is an automatic assigned peer review. Your reply should be a based on your analysis of the student's response (min. 100 words). You may comment on why you agree or disagree with the response, what sort of evidence supports or refutes their position, or you may ask questions related to their response.