THE CEO RETIRES* Dan Murphy awoke at 5:45 A.M., just like he did every workday morning. No matter…
THE CEO RETIRES*
Dan Murphy awoke at 5:45 A.M., just like he did every workday morning. No matter that he went to sleep only four hours ago. The Orange Bowl game had gone late into the evening, and the New Year’s Day party was so good, no one wanted to leave. At least Dan could awake easily this morning. Some of his guests had lost a little control celebrating the first day of the new year, and Dan was not a person who ever lost control.
The drive to the office was easier than most days. Perhaps there were a great many parties last night. All the better as it gave Dan time to think. The dawn of a new year, his last year. Dan would turn 65 next December, and the company had a mandatory retirement policy. A good idea he thought, to get new blood in the organization. At least that’s what he thought on the climb up. From just another college graduate within the corporate staff, all the way to the chief executive officer’s suite. It certainly is a magnificent view from the top. To be CEO of his own company. Well, not really, as it was the stockholders’ company, but he had been CEO for the past eight years. Now he, too, must turn the reins over. “Must,” now that’s the operative word. He knew it was the best thing for the company. Turnover kept middle management aggressive, but he also knew that he wouldn’t leave if he had a choice. So Dan resolved to make his last year the company’s best year ever. It was that thought that kept his attention, yet the focus of consideration and related motivations supporting such a strategy changed as he continued to strategize. At first, Dan thought that it would be a fine way to give something back to a company that had given him so much. His 43 years with the company had given him challenges that filled his life with meaning and satisfaction, provided him with a good living, and made him a man respected and listened to in the business community. But the thought that the company was also forcing him to give all that up made his thoughts turn more inward. Of course, the company had done many things for him, but what of all the sacrifices he had made? His whole heart and soul were tied to the company. In fact, one could hardly think of Dan Murphy without thinking of the company, in much the same way as prominent corporate leaders and their firms are intrinsically linked. But the company would still be here this time next year, and what of him? Yes, he would leave the company strong, because by leaving it strong, it would strengthen his reputation as a great leader. His legacy would carry and sustain him over the years. But would it? One must also live in a manner consistent with such esteem. Being the CEO of a major company also has its creature comforts. Dan was accustomed to a certain style of living. How much will that suffer after the salary, bonuses, and stock options are no more? Arriving at the office by 7:30 A.M., he left a note for his secretary that he was not to be disturbed until 9 A.M. He pulled out the compensation file and examined the incentive clauses in his own contract. The contract was created by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. All of the committee members were outsiders, that is, not a part of the company’s management. This lends the appearance of independence, but most were CEOs of their own companies, and Dan knew that, by and large, CEOs take care of their own. His suspicions were confirmed. If the company’s financial results were the best ever this year, then so, too, would be his own personal compensation. Yet what if there were uncontrollable problems? The general economy appeared fairly stable. However, another oil shock, some more bank failures, or a list of other disasters could turn things into a downward spiral quickly. Economies are easily influenced and consumer and corporate psychology can play a large part in determining outcomes. But even in apparently uncontrollable circumstances, Dan knew he could protect himself and the financial fortunes of his company during the short term, which after all, was the only thing that mattered. Upon further review of his compensation contract, Dan saw that a large portion of his bonus and stock options was a function of operating income levels, earnings per share, and return on assets. So the trick was to maximize those items. If he did, the company would appear vibrant and poised for future growth at the time of his forced retirement, he reminded himself. Furthermore, his total compensation in the last year of his employment would reach record proportions. Additionally, since his pension is based on the average of his last three years’ compensation, Dan will continue to reap the benefits of this year’s results for hopefully a long time to come. And who says CEOs don’t think long term? Two remaining issues needed to be addressed. Those were (1) how to ensure a recordbreaking year and (2) how to overcome any objections raised in attaining those results. Actually, the former was a relatively simple goal to achieve. Since accounting allows so many alternatives in the way financial events are measured, Dan could just select a package of alternatives, which would maximize the company’s earnings and return on assets. Some alternatives may result in changing an accounting method, but since the new auditing standards were issued, his company could still receive an unqualified opinion from his auditors, with only a passing reference to any accounting changes in the auditor’s opinion and its effects disclosed in the footnotes. As long as the alternative was allowed by generally accepted accounting principles, and the justification for the change was reasonable, the auditors should not object. If there were objections, Dan could always threaten to change auditors. But still the best avenue to pursue would be a change in accounting estimates, since those changes did not even need to be explicitly disclosed. So Dan began to mull over what changes in estimates or methods he could employ in order to maximize his firm’s financial appearance. In the area of accounting estimates, Dan could lower the rate of estimated default on his accounts receivable, thus lowering bad debt expense. The estimated useful lives of his plant and equipment could be extended, thus lowering depreciation expense. In arguing that quality improvements have been implemented in the manufacturing process, the warranty expense on the products sold could also be lowered. In examining pension expense, he noted that the assumed rate of return on pension assets was at a modest 6.5%, so if that rate could be increased, the corresponding pension expense could be reduced. Other possibilities occurred to Dan. Perhaps items normally expensed, such as repairs, could be capitalized. Those repairs that could not be capitalized could simply be deferred. The company could also defer short-term expenses for the training of staff. Since research and development costs must now be fully expensed as incurred; a reduction in those expenditures would increase net income. Return on assets would be increased by not acquiring any new fixed assets. Production levels for inventory could be increased, thus spreading fixed costs over a greater number of units and reducing the total average cost per unit. Therefore, gross profit per unit will increase. Inventory levels would be a little bloated, but that should be easily handled by Dan’s successor. The prior examples are subtle changes that could be made. As a last resort, a change in accounting methods could be employed. This would require explicit footnote disclosure and a comment in the auditor’s report, but if it came to that, it would still be tolerable. Examples of such changes would be to switch from accelerated to straight-line depreciation or to change from LIFO to FIFO. How to make changes to the financial results of the company appeared easier than he first thought. Now back to the other potential problem of “getting away with it.” At first thought, Dan considered the degree of resistance by the other members of top management. Mike Harrington, Dan’s chief financial officer, would have to review any accounting changes that he suggested. Since Dan had brought Mike up the organization with him, Dan didn’t foresee any strong resistance from Mike. As for the others, Dan believed he had two things going for him. One was their ambition. Dan knew that they all coveted his job, and a clear successor to Dan had yet to be chosen. Dan would only make a recommendation to the promotion committee of the Board of Directors, but everyone knew his recommendation carried a great deal of weight. Therefore, resistance to any accounting changes by any individual would surely end his or her hope to succeed him as CEO. Secondly, although not as lucrative as Dan’s, their bonus package is tied to the exact same accounting numbers. So any actions taken by Dan to increase his compensation will also increase theirs. Dan was actually beginning to enjoy this situation, even considering it one of his final challenges. Dan realized that any changes he implemented would have the tendency to reverse themselves over time. That would undoubtedly hurt the company’s performance down the road, but all of his potential successors were in their mid-to-late 50s, so there would be plenty of time for them to turn things around in the years ahead. Besides, any near-term reversals would merely enhance his reputation as an excellent corporate leader, as problems would arise after his departure
At that moment, his secretary called to inform him that Mike Harrington wanted to see him. Mike was just the man Dan wanted to see.
What are the ethical issues?
What should Mike do?
Required
a. Determine the facts—what, who, where, when, and how.
b. Define the ethical issues.
c. Identify major principles, rules, and values.
d. Specify the alternatives.
e. Compare norms, principles, and values with alternatives to see if a clear decision can be reached.
f. Assess the consequences.
g. Make your decision.
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