Financial CMA Exam
Certified Management Accountant (Page 48 )

Updated On: 30-Jan-2026
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The length of time required to recover the initial cash outlay of a capital project is determined by using the

  1. Discounted cash flow method.
  2. Payback method.
  3. Weighted net present value method.
  4. Net present value method.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The payback method measures the number of years required to complete the return of the original investment. This measure is computed by dividing the net investment by the average expected cash inflows to be generated, resulting in the number of years required to recover the original investment. The payback method gives no consideration to the time value of money, and there is no consideration of returns after the payback period.



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Jasper Company has a payback goal of 3 years on new equipment acquisitions. A new sorter is being evaluated that costs $450000 and has a 5-year life. Straight-line depreciation will be used; no salvage is anticipated. Jasper is subject to a 40% income tax rate. To meet the company's payback goal, the sorter must generate reductions in annual cash operating costs of

  1. $60,000
  2. $100,000
  3. $150,000
  4. $190,000

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Given a periodic constant cash flow, the payback period is calculated by dividing cost by the annual cash inflows, or cash savings. To achieve a payback period of 3 years, the annual increment in net cash inflow generated by the investment must be $150,000 ($450000 + 3-year targeted payback period). This amount equals the total reduction in cash operating costs minus related taxes. Depreciation is $90000 ($450,000 + 5 years). Because depreciation is a non cash deductible expense, it shields $90,000 of the cash savings from taxation. Accordingly, $60000 ($150000 --$90,000) of the additional net cash inflow must come from after-tax net income. At a 40% tax rate, $60,000 of after-tax income equals $100000 ($60,000 + 60%) of pre-tax income from cost savings, and the outflow for taxes is $40,000. Thus, the annual reduction in cash operating costs required is $190,000 ($150,000 additional net cash inflow required + $40,000 tax outflow).



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A characteristic of the payback method (before taxes) is that it

  1. Incorporates the time value of money.
  2. Neglects total project profitability.
  3. Uses accrual accounting inflows in the numerator of the calculation.
  4. Uses the estimated expected life of the asset in the denominator of the calculation.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The payback method calculates the number of years required to complete the return of the original investment. This measure is computed by dividing the net investment required by the average expected cash flow to be generated, resulting in the number of years required to recover the original investment. Payback is easy to calculate but has two principal problems: it ignores the time value of money, and it gives no consideration to returns after the payback period. Thus, it ignores total project profitability.



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The internal rate of return is

  1. The breakeven borrowing rate for the project in question.
  2. The yield rate/effective rate of interest quoted on long-term debt and other instruments.
  3. Favorable when it exceeds the hurdle rate.
  4. All of the answers are correct.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The internal rate of return (IRR) is the discount rate at which the present value of the cash flows equals the original investment. Thus, the NPV of the project is zero at the IRR. The IRR is also the maximum borrowing cost the firm could afford to pay for a specific project. The IRR is similar to the yield rate/effective rate quoted in the business media.



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Which one of the following capital investment evaluation methods does not take the time value of money into consideration?

  1. Net present value.
  2. Discounted payback.
  3. Internal rate of return.
  4. Accounting rate of return.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The accounting rate of return (unadjusted rate of return or rate of return on the carrying amount) equals accounting net income divided by the required initial or average investment. The accounting rate of return ignores the time value of money.



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