P18-7 Proportional Performance Method The Hilt Company, a public relations company, signs two-year contracts with its clients

Accounting Jan 27, 2021

P18-7 Proportional Performance Method The Hilt Company, a public relations company, signs two-year contracts with its clients. For $80,000 in advance, the company agrees to ensure that the client’s name is mentioned five times on a network national news program, 10 times in a national news magazine, and 15 times on a local news program. In 2007 the company signed eight contracts; no additional contracts were signed in 2008.

In 2007 the company’s clients were mentioned 10 times on network national news programs, 40 times in national news magazines, and 22 times on local news programs. In 2008 the company’s clients were mentioned 30 times on national news programs, 40 times in national news magazines, and 98 times on local news programs. The relevant cost information for the eight contracts is as follows:

Initial direct costs	$ 20,000
Annual indirect costs	80,000
Estimated (and actual) total direct costs for two-year period	260,000
Direct cost per
National news program	2,000
National news magazine	1,500
Local news program	500

Required

1. Prepare the income statements for 2007 and 2008.

2. From a theoretical viewpoint, how should the company compute the depreciation of its office building and office equip- ment that would be included in the preceding costs? Why?