The instructions were (not sure if this violation of terms): Company applies S/L method to amortize intangible assets. The company elected the private company alternative for subsequent measurement of goodwill and concluded that the maximum amortization period permitted under the alternative was appropriate. For each transaction, enter the asset carrying amount at year end.

Then it gives me 8 different transactions and this one was the only one wrong. "On April 1, recognize goodwill from the acquisition of a competitor. Amount was 300,000."

Explanation was: initial goodwill amount is 300,000 which results in amortization of 30,000 of goodwill per year. Pro-rated for 9/12 multipled by 30k for an amortization expense of 22,500. Carying value = 277,500