Capital Budgeting

Question 1

What is Capital Budgeting? How is it used?

Answer 1

“Managerial Accounting technique used to evaluate different investment options

Helps management make decisions

Uses both accounting and non-accounting information

Internal focus

GAAP is not mandatory”

Question 2

What values are used in Capital Budgeting?

Answer 2

“Capital Budgeting ONLY uses Present Value tables.

Capital Budgeting NEVER uses Fair Value.”

Question 3

What is the calculation for the Present Value of $1?

Answer 3

“1 / (( 1+i )^n)

i : interest rate
n : number of periods”

Question 4

What is Net Present Value (NPV)?

Answer 4

“A preferred method of evaluating profitability.

One of two methods that use the Time Value of Money

: PV of Future Cash Flows - Investment”

Question 5

How is NPV used to calculate future benefit?

Answer 5

“NPV : PV Future Cash Flows - Investment

If NPV is Negative- Cost is greater than benefits (bad investment)

If NPV is Positive- Cost is less than benefit (good investment)

If NPV : 0- Cost : Benefit (Management is indifferent)”

Question 6

What is the rate of return on an investment called?

Answer 6

The Discount Rate.

Question 7

What does the Discount Rate represent?

Answer 7

“The rate of return on an investment used.

It represents the minimum rate of return required.”

Question 8

What are the strengths of the Net Present Value system?

Answer 8

“Uses the Time Value of Money

Uses all cash flows- not just the cash flows to arrive at Payback

Takes risks into consideration”

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of the Net Present Value system?

Answer 9

Not as simple as the Accounting Rate of Return.

Question 10

How do Salvage Value and Depreciation affect Net Present Value?

Answer 10

“NPV includes Salvage Value because it is a future cash inflow.

NPV does NOT include depreciation because it is non-cash.

Exception - If a CPA Exam question says to include tax considerations- then you have to include depreciation because of income tax savings generated by depreciation.”

Question 11

If multiple potential rates of return are available- which is used to calculate Net Present Value?

Answer 11

The minimum rate of return is used.

Question 12

What is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)?

Answer 12

“It calculates a project’s actual rate of return through the project’s expected cash flows.

IRR is the rate of return required for PV of future cash flows to EQUAL the investment.

Investment / After Tax Annual Cash Inflow : PV Factor”

Question 13

Which rate of return is used to re-invest cash flows for Internal Rate of Return?

Answer 13

Cash flows are re-invested at the rate of return earned by the original investment.

Question 14

How does the rate used for Internal Rate of Return (IRR) compare to that used for Net Present Value (NPV)?

Answer 14

“Rate of return for IRR is the rate earned by the investment.

Rate of return for NPV is the minimum rate.”

Question 15

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Internal Rate of Return system?

Answer 15

“Strengths: Uses Time Value of Money- Cash Flow emphasis

Weakness: Uneven cash flows lead to varied IRR”

Question 16

When is NPV on an Investment positive?

Answer 16

“When the benefits are greater than the costs.

IRR is greater than the Discount Rate”

Question 17

When is NPV on an Investment Negative?

Answer 17

“When Costs are greater than Benefits

IRR is less than the Discount Rate”

Question 18

When is NPV Zero?

Answer 18

“When benefits equal the Costs

IRR : Discount Rate”

Question 19

What is the Payback Method? How is it calculated?

Answer 19

“It measures an investment in terms of how long it takes to recoup the initial investment via Annual Cash Inflow

Investment / Annual Cash Inflow : Payback Method

Compare to a targeted timeframe; if payback is shorter than target- it’s a good investment. If payback is longer than target- it’s a bad investment.”

Question 20

What are the strengths of the Payback Method?

Answer 20

“Takes risk into consideration

2 year payback is less risky than a 5 year payback
“

Question 21

What are the weaknesses of the payback method?

Answer 21

“Ignores the Time Value of Money

Exception: Discount payback method

Ignores cash flow after the initial investment is paid back”

Question 22

What is the Accounting Rate of Return?

Answer 22

“An approximate rate of return on assets

ARR : Net Income / Average Investment

Compare to a targeted return rate; if ARR greater than target- good investment. If ARR less than target- bad investment.”

Question 23

What are the strengths of the Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)?

Answer 23

“Simple to use

People understand easily”

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of the Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)?

Answer 24

“Can be skewed based on Depreciation method that is used.

Ignores the Time Value of Money.”

Question 25

What is an Expected Return?

Answer 25

An approximate rate of return on assets.

Question 26

When is the Present Value of $1 table used?

Answer 26

For ONE payment- ONE time.

Question 27

When is the Present Value of an Annuity Due used?

Answer 27

Multiple payments made over time- where the payments are made at the START of the period.

Question 28

When is the Present Value of an Ordinary Annuity of $1 (PVOA) used?

Answer 28

“Multiple payments over time- where payments are made at the END of the period.

Think A for Arrears.”