In 20X5, Bing Created a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Called Bango

In 20X5, Bing created a wholly owned subsidiary called Bango Limited. Bing is a private company and reports under ASPE. Bing is currently using the cost method to record its investment in Bango, but is trying to decide if it should report using the equity method or the consolidation method. This is the only subsidiary that Bing has.
Separate Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings for Bing and Bango
Year Ended December 31, 20X5.
$\begin{array}{|l|r|r|}\hline & \text { Bing } & \text { Bango } \\\hline \text { Sales of merchandise } & \$ 6,000,000 & \$ 1,000,000 \\\hline \text { Other revenues } & 200,000 & \underline{20,000} \\\hline \text { Total revenues } & \$ 6,200,000 & \$ 1,020,000 \\\hline\\\hline \text { Cost of goods sold } & \$ 2,500,000 & \$ 400,000 \\\hline \text { Depreciation expense } & 500,000 & 80,000 \\\hline \text { Interest expense } & 400,000 & 20,000 \\\hline \text { Other expenses (including income tax) } & \underline{1,300,000} & \underline{190,000} \\\hline \text { Total expenses } & \$ 4,700,000 & \$ 690,000 \\\hline \text { Net income } & \$ 1,500,000 & \$ 330,000 \\\hline \text { Retained earnings, Januar'y 1, 20X5 } & 4,200,000 & 0 \\\hline \text { Dividends declared } & \underline{(200,000)} & (50,000) \\\hline \text { Retained earnings, December 31, 20X5 } & \$ 5,500,000 & \$ 280,000 \\\hline\end{array}$ Other Information
During the year, the following transactions occurred between the two companies:
1. Bing sold merchandise to Bango for $560,000. At the end of the year, Bango still owed Bing $25,000 for this merchandise, although Bango had sold this entire inventory to outside customers.
2. Bango charged rent of $20,000 to Bing for office space.
3. Licensing fees were paid by Bango to Bing in the amount of $150,000.
Required:
(a)Prepare the statement of earnings and retained earnings for Bing using the equity method of reporting its investment in Bango.
(b)Prepare the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings for Bing.
(c)Compare the equity method and the consolidation method and discuss any similarities and differences.
(d)If Bing had other subsidiary investments, what other factors would be considered in trying to decide if the consolidation or equity method should be used?