Castillo company has a defined benefit pension plan. at the end of the reporting year, the following data were available: beginning pbo, $75,000; service cost, $18,000; interest cost, $5,000; benefits paid for the year, $9,000; ending pbo, $89,000; the expected return on plan assets, $10,000; and cash deposited with pension trustee, $17,000. there were no other pension-related costs. the journal entry to record the annual pension costs will include a credit to the pbo for:
a. $13,000.
b. $17,000.
c. $18,000.
d. $23,000.

R& m chatelaine is one of the largest tax-preparation firms in the united states. it wants to acquire the tax experts, a smaller rival. after the merger, chatelaine will be one of the two largest income-tax preparers in the u.s. market. what should chatelaine include in its acquisition plans? it should refocus its attention from the national to the international market. in addition to acquiring the tax experts, it should also determine the best way to drive independent "mom and pop" tax preparers out of business. chatelaine will need to explain to the federal trade commission how the acquisition will not result in an increase in prices for consumers. chatelaine should enter a price-based competition with its other major competitor to force it out of business and become a monopoly.