Company A has 800 employees, and it decides to grant each of the employees 50 share options as part of its new rewards plan. The options are exercisable over 5 years and subject to a 3-year service condition. The fair value of each option at the grant date is $16. The company estimates that 80% of its employees will meet the service condition required for receiving the options. Calculate the total share-based payment expense for Company A assuming that 80% of the employees actually meet the service condition.
Review Later
$853,333
$170,667
$512,000
$341,333

Because the service condition is 3 years, the total share-based payment expense will be recognized over 3 years. The expense recognized in each year is calculated as:

Year 1 = 50 options x 800 employees x 80% x $16 x 1/3 years = $170,667

Year 2 = 50 options x 800 employees x 80% x $16 x 2/3 years - $170,667 = $170,667

Year 3 = 50 options x 800 employees x 80% x $16 x 3/3 years - $170,667 x 2 = $170,667

Total share-based payment expense = $170,667 + $170,667 + $170,667 = $512,000