down fall of resources unlimited msm-630 assignment 11.1 jeff lee february 21, 2015
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Down Fall of Resources Unlimited
MSM-630
Assignment 11.1
Jeff Lee
February 21, 2015
Content Company History Profit Structure Gas & Oil Accounts Management Style Accounting Lines of Communication Employee Salary Discrepancy What Went Wrong
Company History Resource Unlimited formed in 1985, as a result of a merger
between two natural gas pipeline companies. The result was the largest gas distribution network in the U.S.
with over 38,000 miles of pipeline. Soon after Resources Unlimited was formed, the natural gas
industry is no longer regulated by the federal government. As a result of deregulations Resources Unlimited performs
some questionable accounting practices in order to stay in business.
Resources Unlimited files for bankruptcy in June 1994 Resources Unlimited is involved in a possible sexual
discrimination lawsuit concerning wages.
Profit StructureQuarterly Profit Earnings
Quarterly Profits 1986-1989
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 80
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
342
267
321
157
33
349
132
289
In Millions 1986-1989
Gas & Oil Accounts
The estimated growth for oil accounts from 1988 to 1990 is about a 17% increase per year or roughly 11 new oil accounts.
If you use the same 17% increase per year for gas you will have 44 total gas accounts in 1990.
500 gas accounts are needed for 30 days operation. 6000 gas accounts would have to be transferred to a hedge account per year with a total of 24,000 total by 1994.
Gas Oil0
50
100
150
200
250
3264
37
7544
86
1990
1989
1988
Management Style
CEO used complex financial instruments which made it difficult for anyone else in the company to understand the clear state of the business.
The CEO had his on agenda and did not consult with anyone from the organization to see if his vision was even feasible.
CEO ignored concerns from lower management.Used questionable and almost unethical accounting practices.Did not have a clear business plan for how the company
would cope with no longer being regulated.Did not treat their employees fairly which is the reason for the
sexual discrimination lawsuit over wages.
Accounting Practices
Sr. Management used complex financial instruments called derivatives and hedges to absorb the risk of the cost and price swings.
Accounting department felt that the corporate profits and quarterly sales reported to the media were skewed.
Sr. Management estimated corporate profits that were considered unrealistic.
Lines of Communication
There were not any clear lines of communication.Sr. Management used complex financial instruments in an attempt to hide information from lower management and Wall Street.
When concerns were presented to the CEO from lower management it wen unanswered.
Employee Salary Discrepancy
The discrepancy between the 3 males and one female wages is just beyond one standard deviation.
The female employee would have not have a solid case for a law suit but could still file one and let the judge decide.
The female employee should receive a $5000 raise and that should halt the lawsuit for the time being.
Male 1 Male 2 Male 3 Female 1$0.00
$10,000.00
$20,000.00
$30,000.00
$40,000.00
$50,000.00
$60,000.00
$50,000.00 $52,000.00 $55,000.00
$32,000.00
Male vs Female Wages
What Went WrongFailure to have a business plan for how the company would react to not being regulated.
Not having a clear line of communication between upper and lower management.
Not being honest and using complex financial instruments in an attempt to hide how the company was performing.
Not paying their employees the same amount especially if they are doing the same job based on sex.
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