Asked by Jordan Nolte on Jul 17, 2024

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Which of the following is an example of window dressing?

A) borrowing on a long-term basis and using the proceeds to retire short-term debt to improve the current ratio
B) offering discounts to customers who pay with cash rather than buy on credit and then using the funds that come in quicker to purchase additional inventories
C) using some of the firm's cash to reduce long-term debt
D) any action that improves a firm's fundamental, long-run position and thus increases its intrinsic value.

Window Dressing

Techniques employed by firms to make their financial statements look better than they really are.

Current Ratio

A liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to pay short-term obligations with its current assets over its current liabilities.

Long-Term Debt

Borrowings and financial obligations that are due for repayment beyond one year's time, often used for major investments or acquisitions.

  • Identify the constraints and possible misunderstandings of financial ratios when applied without taking into account industry standards and seasonal fluctuations.
  • Identify the impact of different accounting techniques and the valuation of assets on the analysis of financial ratios and comparisons between companies.
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Hoang Ninh Hiep (K13_HN)Jul 17, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Window dressing refers to actions taken by a company to improve its financial statements or ratios in the short term, often to make the financial health of the company appear better than it actually is, especially before reporting periods. Borrowing on a long-term basis to retire short-term debt is an example of window dressing because it can temporarily improve the current ratio (an indicator of liquidity), making the company appear more financially stable without actually improving its long-term financial health.