In the course of your examination of the books and records of Hickory Company, you find the following data:

Salaries earned by employees in 2003

$53,000

Salaries paid in 2003

55,000

Total sales revenue in 2003

838,000

Cash collected from sales in 2003

900,000

Utilities expense incurred in 2003

5,000

Utility bills paid in 2003

4,800

Cost of goods sold in 2003

532,000

Cash paid on purchases in 2003 .

411,000

Inventory at December 31, 2003. .

320,000

Tax assessment for 2003

5,000

Taxes paid in 2003.

4,900

Rent expense for 2003

30,000

Rent paid in 2003.

25,000

Required

1. Compute Hickory s net income for 2003 using cash basis accounting.

2. Compute Hickory s net income for 2003 using accrual basis accounting.

3. Interpretive Question: Why is accrual basis accounting normally used? Can you see any opportunities for improperly reporting income under cash basis accounting? Explain.