On January 1, 2018, David Mest Communications granted restricted stock units (RSUs) representing 25 million of its $1 par common shares to executives, subject to forfeiture if employment is terminated within three years. After the recipients of the RSUs satisfy the vesting requirement, the company will distribute the shares. The common shares had a market price of $15 per share on the grant date. At the date of grant, Mest anticipated that 5% of the recipients would leave the firm prior to vesting. On January 1, 2019, 4% of the RSUs are forfeited due to executive turnover. Mest chooses the option to account for forfeitures when they actually occur.

Required 1 to 3.

Prepare the appropriate journal entry to record compensation expense on December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2020. (Enter your answers in millions (i. e., 10,000,000 should be entered as 10).)

See the explanation below.

Explanation:

Total compensation expenses = 25 million * 15 = $375 million

1. On December 31, 2018.

Compensation expenses = $375 million / 3 = $125 million

Journal entries will be as follows:

Details                                               Dr ($'Million)          Cr ($'Million)  

Compensation expenses                       125

Paid-in Capital - Restricted stock                                         125

To record the compensation expenses for 2018.                                  

2. On December 31, 2019.

Compensation expenses = [$375 million * 96% * (2/3)] - $125 million = $115 million

Journal entries will be as follows:

Details                                               Dr ($'Million)          Cr ($'Million)  

Compensation expenses                       115

Paid-in Capital - Restricted stock                                         115

To record the compensation expenses for 2019.                                  

3. On December 31, 2020.

Compensation expenses = ($375 million * 96%) - $125 million - $115 million = $120 million

Journal entries will be as follows:

Details                                               Dr ($'Million)          Cr ($'Million)  

Compensation expenses                       120

Paid-in Capital - Restricted stock                                         120

To record the compensation expenses for 2020.                                  

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