Deck 11: Corporations: Organization, Stock Transactions, Dividends, and Retained Earnings

Question 1

A stockholder has the right to vote in the election of the board of directors.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A corporation can issue more shares than it is authorized in its charter, if the board of directors approves of an increase in the number of authorized shares.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A proxy is a legal document that instructs a stockholder's agent how to vote shares of stock for the stockholder.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Preferred stockholders generally do not have the right to vote for the board of directors.

Question 5

A corporation can be organized for the purpose of making a profit or it may be not-for-profit.

Question 6

Treasury stock is a contra stockholders' equity account.

Question 7

Preferred stock has contractual preference over common stock in certain areas.

Question 8

The par value of common stock must always be equal to its market value on the date the stock is issued.

Question 9

A corporation is not an entity which is separate and distinct from its owners.

Question 10

As soon as a corporation is authorized to issue stock, an accounting journal entry should be made recording the total value of the shares authorized.

Question 11

The par value of stock issued for noncash assets is never a factor in determining the cost of the assets received.

Question 12

The acquisition of treasury stock by a corporation increases total assets and total stockholders' equity.

Question 13

If a corporation pays taxes on its income, then stockholders will not have to pay taxes on the dividends received from that corporation.

Question 14

A corporation acts under its own name rather than in the name of its stockholders.

Question 15

A corporation must be incorporated in each state in which it does business.

Question 16

The number of common shares outstanding can never be greater than the number of shares issued.

Question 17

Dividends in arrears on cumulative preferred stock are considered a liability.

Question 18

Stock can be issued only in exchange for cash.

Question 19

The market value of a corporation's stock is determined by the number of shares that the corporation has been authorized to issue.

Question 20

When no-par value stock does not have a stated value, the entire proceeds from the issuance of the stock becomes legal capital.

Question 21

The stockholders' equity statement shows the changes in each stockholders' equity account and in total stockholders' equity during the year.

Question 22

Retained earnings represents the amount of cash available for dividends.

Question 23

A 10% stock dividend will increase the number of shares outstanding but the book value per share will decrease.

Question 24

A detailed stockholders' equity section in the balance sheet will list the names of individuals who are eligible to receive dividends on the date of record.

Question 25

Retained earnings that are restricted are unavailable for dividends.

Question 26

Treasury stock purchased for $25 per share that is reissued at $20 per share, results in a Loss on Sale of Treasury Stock being recognized on the income statement.

Question 27

A retained earnings statement shows the same information as a corporation income statement.

Question 28

Return on common stockholders' equity is computed by dividing net income by ending stockholders' equity.

Question 29

A 3-for-1 common stock split will increase total stockholders' equity but reduce the par or stated value per share of common stock.

Question 30

A correction in income of a prior period involves either a debit or credit to the Retained Earnings account.

Question 31

Prior period adjustments to income are reported in the current year's income statement.

Question 32

Dividends may be declared and paid in cash or stock.

Question 33

Restricted retained earnings are available for preferred stock dividends but unavailable for common stock dividends.

Question 34

A debit balance in the Retained Earnings account is identified as a deficit.

Question 35

Net income of a corporation should be closed to retained earnings and net losses should be closed to paid-in capital accounts.

Question 36

Many companies prepare a stockholders' equity statement instead of presenting a detailed stockholders' equity section in the balance sheet.

Question 37

Common Stock Dividends Distributable is shown within the Paid-in Capital subdivision of the stockholders' equity section of the balance sheet.

Question 38

Treasury stock should not be classified as a current asset.

Question 39

The amount of a cash dividend liability is recorded on the date of record because it is on that date that the persons or entities who will receive the dividend are identified.

Question 40

Cash dividends are not a liability of the corporation until they are declared by the board of directors.

Question 41

The cost of a noncash asset acquired in exchange for common stock should be either the fair value of the consideration given up or the consideration received, whichever is more clearly determinable.

Question 42

The dominant form of business organization in the United States in terms of dollar sales volume, earnings, and employees is

A) the sole proprietorship.
B) the partnership.
C) the corporation.
D) not known.

Question 43

In the stockholders' equity section, paid-in capital and retained earnings are reported and the specific sources of paid-in capital are identified.

Question 44

Under the cost method, Treasury Stock is debited at the price paid to reacquire the shares, and the same amount is credited to Treasury Stock when the shares are sold.

Question 45

Which one of the following is a privately held corporation?

A) Intel
B) General Electric
C) Caterpillar Inc.
D) Cargill Inc.

Question 46

The two ways that a corporation can be classified by ownership are

A) publicly held and privately held.
B) stock and non-stock.
C) inside and outside.
D) majority and minority.

Question 47

Organizational costs are capitalized by debiting an intangible asset entitled Organization Costs.

Question 48

Book value per share of common stock is the same amount as the market value per share.

Question 49

A successful corporation can have a continuous and perpetual life.

Question 50

Common Stock Dividends Distributable is reported as additional paid-in capital in the stockholders' equity section.

Question 51

A factor which distinguishes the corporate form of organization from a sole proprietorship or partnership is that a

A) corporation is organized for the purpose of making a profit.
B) corporation is subject to more federal and state government regulations.
C) corporation is an accounting economic entity.
D) corporation's temporary accounts are closed at the end of the accounting period.

Question 52

Under the corporate form of business organization

A) a stockholder is personally liable for the debts of the corporation.
B) stockholders' acts can bind the corporation even though the stockholders have not been appointed as agents of the corporation.
C) the corporation's life is stipulated in its charter.
D) stockholders wishing to sell their corporation shares must get the approval of other stockholders.

Question 53

The two ways that a corporation can be classified by purpose are

A) general and limited.
B) profit and not-for-profit.
C) state and federal.
D) publicly held and privately held.

Question 54

Stockholders of a corporation directly elect

A) the president of the corporation.
B) the board of directors.
C) the treasurer of the corporation.
D) all of the employees of the corporation.

Question 55

A prior period adjustment is reported as an adjustment of the beginning balance of Retained Earnings.

Question 56

Which one of the following would not be considered an advantage of the corporate form of organization?

A) Limited liability of owners
B) Separate legal existence
C) Continuous life
D) Government regulation

Question 57

A dividend based on paid-in capital is termed a liquidating dividend.

Question 58

The person responsible for maintaining the company's cash position is the

A) controller.
B) treasurer.
C) vice-president.
D) president.

Question 59

The concept of an "artificial being" refers to which form of business organization?

A) Partnership
B) Sole proprietorship
C) Corporation
D) Limited partnership

Question 60

The cash proceeds from issuing par value stock may be equal to or greater than, but not less than par value.

Question 61

If a stockholder cannot attend a stockholder's meeting, he may delegate his voting rights by means of

A) an absentee ballot.
B) a proxy.
C) a certified letter.
D) a telegram.

Question 62

Which of the following statements is not considered a disadvantage of the corporate form of organization?

A) Additional taxes
B) Government regulations
C) Limited liability of stockholders
D) Separation of ownership and management

Question 63

Which of the following would not be true of a privately held corporation?

A) It is sometimes called a closely held corporation.
B) Its shares are regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
C) It does not offer its shares for sale to the general public.
D) It is usually smaller than a publicly held company.

Question 64

Which of the following statements concerning taxation is accurate?

A) Partnerships pay state income taxes but not federal income taxes.
B) Corporations pay federal income taxes but not state income taxes.
C) Corporations pay federal and state income taxes.
D) Only the owners must pay taxes on corporate income.

Question 65

Which one of the following is not an ownership right of a stockholder in a corporation?

A) To vote in the election of directors
B) To declare dividends on the common stock
C) To share in assets upon liquidation
D) To share in corporate earnings

Question 66

A typical organization chart showing delegation of authority would show

A) stockholders delegating to the board of directors.
B) the board of directors delegating to stockholders.
C) the chief executive officer delegating to the board of directors.
D) the controller delegating to the chief executive officer.

Question 67

If a corporation has only one class of stock, it is referred to as

A) classless stock.
B) preferred stock.
C) solitary stock.
D) common stock.

Question 68

What is ordinarily the first step in the formation of a corporation?

A) Development of by-laws for the corporation
B) Issuance of the corporate charter
C) Application for incorporation to the appropriate Secretary of State
D) Registration with the SEC

Question 69

If no-par stock is issued without a stated value, then

A) the par value is automatically $1 per share.
B) the entire proceeds are considered to be legal capital.
C) there is no legal capital.
D) the corporation is automatically in violation of its state charter.

Question 70

The par value of a stock

A) is legally significant.
B) reflects the most recent market price.
C) is selected by the SEC.
D) is indicative of the worth of the stock.

Question 71

A corporate board of directors does not generally

A) select officers.
B) formulate operating policies.
C) declare dividends.
D) execute policy.

Question 72

Which of the following statements reflects the transferability of ownership rights in a corporation?

A) If a stockholder decides to transfer ownership, he must transfer all of his shares.
B) A stockholder may dispose of part or all of his shares.
C) A stockholder must obtain permission from the board of directors before selling shares.
D) A stockholder must obtain permission from at least three other stockholders before selling shares.

Question 73

The officer who is generally responsible for maintaining the cash position of the corporation is the

A) controller.
B) treasurer.
C) cashier.
D) internal auditor.

Question 74

The ability of a corporation to obtain capital is

A) enhanced because of limited liability and ease of share transferability.
B) less than a partnership.
C) restricted because of the limited life of the corporation.
D) about the same as a partnership.

Question 75

Jason Thomas has invested $200,000 in a privately held family corporation. The corporation does not do well and must declare bankruptcy. What amount does Thomas stand to lose?

A) Up to his total investment of $200,000.
B) Zero.
C) The $200,000 plus any personal assets the creditors demand.
D) $100,000.

Question 76

The term residual claim refers to a stockholders' right to

A) receive dividends.
B) share in assets upon liquidation.
C) acquire additional shares when offered.
D) exercise a proxy vote.

Question 77

Which of the following factors does not affect the initial market price of a stock?

A) The company's anticipated future earnings
B) The par value of the stock
C) The current state of the economy
D) The expected dividend rate per share

Question 78

Which of the following is not true of a corporation?

A) It may buy, own, and sell property.
B) It may sue and be sued.
C) The acts of its owners bind the corporation.
D) It may enter into binding legal contracts in its own name.

Question 79

The chief accounting officer in a corporation is the

A) treasurer.
B) president.
C) controller.
D) vice-president of finance.

Question 80

If an investment firm underwrites a stock issue, the

A) risk of being unable to sell the shares stays with the issuing corporation.
B) corporation obtains cash immediately from the investment firm.
C) investment firm has guaranteed profits on the sale of the stock.
D) issuance of stock is likely to be directly to creditors.