Dividends Paid and Dividends in Arrears The Glendora Company has 200,000 shares of cumulative, five percent, $100 par value preferred stock outstanding. Last year the company failed to pay its regular dividend, but the board of directors would like to resume paying its regular dividend this year. Calculate the dividends in arrears and the total dividend that must be paid this year. Dividend in arrears $Answer Total dividend $Answer

Dividend in arrears $ 1,000,000

Total Dividend $ 2,000,000

Explanation:

The dividend at 5% of $100 par value is $5 per unit of shares. Recall, each unit of the preference shares has a par value of $100

Dividend calculation = $5 multiplied by the total unit of shares

previous year shares dividend is 5 x 200, 000 unit of shares = $ 1,000,000

This year total dividend payout will be current year of $1,000,000 plus previous year of $1,000,000 = $2,000,000

Dividend in arrears $1,000,000

Total dividend $2,000,000

Explanation:

Where there is a cumulative preferred stock, any unpaid dividend on such stock must be accrued for and paid when management determined to pay them as such divided is more of a liability than equity.

In the case of Glendora Company, as the management did not pay the cumulative preferred dividend last year, such amount must be provided for and paid together with current year dividend. The amount of dividend payable on the preferred stock each year is (200,000 units x $100 each x 5%) = $1,000,000 per annum.

The amount will double the following year thereby making the divided payable to $2,000,000 as follows:

Accrued dividend $1,000,000

Current year dividend $1,000,000

Total amount due $2,000,000