ACCA考试P4科目每日一练(2019-01-04)

(b) Compare and contrast Gray, Owen and Adams’s ‘pristine capitalist’ position with the ‘social contractarian’

position. Explain how these positions would affect responses to stakeholder concerns in the new stadium

project. (8 marks)

(d) The managing partner of HLP stated at a recent partners’ meeting that ‘every advisor should aim to ensure that

95% of all hours he/she works are billed to clients. This will ensure that we remain both profitable and

competitive’.

Required:

Discuss the statement of the managing partner, drawing attention to any concerns that you may have

regarding the statement. (6 marks)

3 Airtite was set up in 2000 as a low cost airline operating from a number of regional airports in Europe. Using these

less popular airports was a much cheaper alternative to the major city airports and supported Airtite’s low cost service,

modelled on existing low cost competitors. These providers had effectively transformed air travel in Europe and, in so

doing, contributed to an unparalleled expansion in airline travel by both business and leisure passengers. Airtite used

one type of aircraft, tightly controlled staffing levels and costs, relied entirely on online bookings and achieved high

levels of capacity utilisation and punctuality. Its route network had grown each year and included new routes to some

of the 15 countries that had joined the EU in 2004. Airtite’s founder and Chief Executive, John Sykes, was an

aggressive businessman ever willing to challenge governments and competitors wherever they impeded his airline and

looking to generate positive publicity whenever possible.

John is now looking to develop a strategy which will secure Airtite’s growth and development over the next 10 years.

He can see a number of environmental trends emerging which could significantly affect the success or otherwise of

any developed strategy. 2006 had seen fuel costs continue to rise reflecting the continuing uncertainty over global

fuel supplies. Fuel costs currently account for 25% of Airtite’s operating costs. Conversely, the improving efficiency of

aircraft engines and the next generation of larger aircraft are increasing the operating efficiency of newer aircraft and

reducing harmful emissions. Concern with fuel also extends to pollution effects on global warming and climate

change. Co-ordinated global action on aircraft emissions cannot be ruled out, either in the form. of higher taxes on

pollution or limits on the growth in air travel. On the positive side European governments are anxious to continue to

support increased competition in air travel and to encourage low cost operators competing against the over-staffed

and loss-making national flag carriers.

The signals for future passenger demand are also confused. Much of the increased demand for low cost air travel to

date has come from increased leisure travel by families and retired people. However families are predicted to become

smaller and the population increasingly aged. In addition there are concerns over the ability of countries to support

the increasing number of one-parent families with limited incomes and an ageing population dependent on state

pensions. There is a distinct possibility of the retirement age being increased and governments demanding a higher

level of personal contribution towards an individual’s retirement pension. Such a change will have a significant impact

on an individual’s disposable income and with people working longer reduce the numbers able to enjoy leisure travel.

Finally, air travel will continue to reflect global economic activity and associated economic booms and slumps together

with global political instability in the shape of wars, terrorism and natural disasters.

John is uncertain as to how to take account of these conflicting trends in the development of Airtite’s 10-year strategy

and has asked for your advice.

Required:

(a) Using models where appropriate, provide John with an environmental analysis of the conditions affecting the

low cost air travel industry. (12 marks)

1 Stuart is a self-employed business consultant aged 58. He is married to Rebecca, aged 55. They have one child,

Sam, who is aged 24 and single.

In November 2005 Stuart sold a house in Plymouth for ￡422,100. Stuart had inherited the house on the death of

his mother on 1 May 1994 when it had a probate value of ￡185,000. The subsequent pattern of occupation was as

follows:

1 May 1994 to 28 February 1995 occupied by Stuart and Rebecca as main residence

1 March 1995 to 31 December 1998 unoccupied

1 January 1999 to 31 March 2001 let out (unfurnished)

1 April 2001 to 30 November 2001 occupied by Stuart and Rebecca

1 December 2001 to 30 November 2005 used occasionally as second home

Both Stuart and Rebecca had lived in London from March 1995 onwards. On 1 March 2001 Stuart and Rebecca

bought a house in London in their joint names. On 1 January 2002 they elected for their London house to be their

principal private residence with effect from that date, up until that point the Plymouth property had been their principal

private residence.

No other capital disposals were made by Stuart in the tax year 2005/06. He has ￡29,500 of capital losses brought

forward from previous years.

Stuart intends to invest the gross sale proceeds from the sale of the Plymouth house, and is considering two

investment options, both of which he believes will provide equal risk and returns. These are as follows:

(1) acquiring shares in Omikron plc; or

(2) acquiring further shares in Omega plc.

Notes:

1. Omikron plc is a listed UK trading company, with 50,250,000 shares in issue. Its shares currently trade at 42p

per share.

2. Stuart and Rebecca helped start up the company, which was then Omega Ltd. The company was formed on

1 June 1990, when they each bought 24,000 shares for ￡1 per share. The company became listed on 1 May

1997. On this date their holding was subdivided, with each of them receiving 100 shares in Omega plc for each

share held in Omega Ltd. The issued share capital of Omega plc is currently 10,000,000 shares. The share price

is quoted at 208p – 216p with marked bargains at 207p, 211p, and 215p.

Stuart and Rebecca’s assets (following the sale of the Plymouth house but before any investment of the proceeds) are

as follows:

Assets Stuart Rebecca

￡ ￡

Family house in London 450,000 450,000

Cash from property sale 422,100 –

Cash deposits 165,000 165,000

Portfolio of quoted investments – 250,000

Shares in Omega plc see above see above

Life insurance policy note 1 note 1

Note:

1. The life insurance policy will pay out a sum of ￡200,000 on the death of the first spouse to die.

Stuart has recently been diagnosed with a serious illness. He is expected to live for another two or three years only.

He is concerned about the possible inheritance tax that will arise on his death. Both he and Rebecca have wills whose

terms transfer all assets to the surviving spouse. Rebecca is in good health.

Neither Stuart nor Rebecca has made any previous chargeable lifetime transfers for the purposes of inheritance tax.

Required:

(a) Calculate the taxable capital gain on the sale of the Plymouth house in November 2005 (9 marks)