The strengths associated with use of the equity method in this case include:
• It reduces the balance in the investment account in Year 7 due to the net loss.
Note: Just recording dividend income would obscure the loss.
• It recognizes goodwill on the balance sheet (via inclusion in the investment
balance) and, therefore, it reflects the full cost of the investment in Bowman
Co.
The possible weaknesses with use of the equity method in this case include:
• Lack of detailed information (one-line consolidation).
• Dollar earned by Bowman may not be equivalent to dollar earned by Burry.