Purchase of Real Estate on 3 Statements

I had an interview question that involved purchase of real estate. Question was: if xyz company were to buy a factory. Factory’s fair market value is 50, but buyer purchased for 20. How does this impact the 3 statements of the buyer? Also, say factory depreciates over 5 years, straight line. I said:

IS:
Gain +30 (not sold but treated like a gain)
D&A -10
EBT +20
NI +15

CFS
NI +15
D&A +10
CFO: +25
CFI: -20
Cash +5

BS
Cash +5
PPE +40 net of depreciation
Goodwill: -30
Asset Change: +15

SE change: +15

Is this right or should answer have been different?

 

Hey there! Based on the most helpful WSO content, your approach to the question seems mostly correct, but there are a few points that might need some adjustment.

For the Income Statement (IS): - The gain of $30 might not be recognized immediately as it's an unrealized gain. Usually, gains are recognized when the asset is sold, not when it's purchased at a discount. So, there might not be any immediate impact on the IS.

For the Cash Flow Statement (CFS): - The purchase of the factory would be a cash outflow under investing activities (CFI), which you correctly identified as -$20.

For the Balance Sheet (BS): - The factory would be recorded under Property, Plant, and Equipment (PPE) at its purchase price of $20, not the fair market value of $50. The depreciation would then be recorded over the next 5 years. - Goodwill is usually only recorded when purchasing a business, not an individual asset like a factory. So, there might not be any goodwill recorded in this case.

Remember, these are just general guidelines and the actual accounting treatment can vary based on specific company policies and accounting standards. Always best to double-check with a trusted source or mentor!

Sources: How does the sale of PPE after 3 years affect three statements?, Got asked this question in an interview, Today's Investment Banking Interview Question?, 21 Finance Interview Questions and Answers

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

bro - this is real estate.   we slap 2-6% rent growth and pump down that cap rate to get a strong IRR.  we don't know accounting!  go to the IB room, and they will help you answer that.  don't ask questions that CHAPGPT can give you an answer to.  not for the real estate vest bros and sororstitutes. 

worst case, they ask us about waterfalls and what market is good to invest in.  no need to know accounting my guy.  

 

Iure fugit voluptates fugit aliquam facilis. Temporibus neque ea unde provident sequi sunt. Aut et sint asperiores corrupti. Quo odit voluptatem exercitationem non. Vitae officiis soluta ut sed aliquam ex ut.

Officia deserunt culpa excepturi voluptatibus possimus ut fuga. Ipsam ratione quibusdam sed maxime quia blanditiis est. Repellat id quidem ducimus asperiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Lincoln International 01 99.6%
  • Lazard Freres (++) 99.1%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.7%
  • William Blair 12 98.3%
  • Financial Technology Partners 02 97.8%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • William Blair 04 99.6%
  • Lincoln International 10 99.1%
  • Moelis & Company 25 98.7%
  • Stephens Inc 11 98.3%
  • Jefferies & Company 08 97.8%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Lincoln International 01 99.6%
  • Lazard Freres 17 99.1%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.7%
  • Financial Technology Partners 06 98.3%
  • UBS AG 16 97.8%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2023 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (6) $592
  • Vice President (34) $390
  • Associates (167) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (15) $187
  • 2nd Year Analyst (106) $168
  • Intern/Summer Associate (48) $167
  • 1st Year Analyst (322) $166
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (234) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”