Statement of financial accounting standards No. 154--Accounting Changes and Error Corrections: (a replacement of APB opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement no. 3).SUMMARY This Statement replaces APB Opinion APB opinion A determination by the former Accounting Principles Board regarding the way a certain financial transaction is to be treated for reporting purposes. No. 20, Accounting Changes, and FASB Statement FASB Statement A standard set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board regarding a financial accounting and reporting method. Essentially, FASB statements determine the acceptable accounting practices that Certified Public Accountants use in reporting No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. This Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. When a pronouncement includes specific transition provisions, those provisions should be followed. Opinion 20 previously required that must voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. This Statement requires retrospective LAW, RETROSPECTIVE. A retrospective law is one that is to take effect, in point of time, before it was passed. 2. Whenever a law of this kind impairs the obligation of contracts, it is void. 3 Dall. 391. application to prior periods' financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. When it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects of an accounting change on one or more individual prior periods presented, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied to the balances of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the earliest period for which retrospective application is practicable practicable adj. when something can be done or performed. and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of retained earnings Retained Earnings The percentage of net earnings not paid out in dividends, but retained by the company to be reinvested in its core business or to pay debt. It is recorded under shareholders equity on the balance sheet. (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets Net assets The difference between total assets on the one hand and current liabilities and noncapitalized long-term liabilities on the other hand. net assets See owners' equity. in the statement of financial position) for that period rather than being reported in an income statement. When it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to all prior periods, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the earliest date practicable. This Statement defines retrospective application as the application of a different accounting principle to prior accounting periods as if that principle had always been used or as the adjustment of previously issued financial statements to reflect a change in the reporting entity. This Statement also redefines restatement Restatement A revision in a company's earlier financial statements. Notes: The need for restating financial figures can result from fraud, misrepresentation, or a simple clerical error. as the revising of previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of an error. This Statement requires that retrospective application of a change in accounting principle be limited to the direct effects of the change. Indirect effects of a change in accounting principle, such as a change in nondiscretionary profit-sharing profit-sharing Noun a system in which a portion of the net profit of a business is shared among its employees profit-sharing n → participación f de empleados en los beneficios payments resulting from an accounting change, should be recognized in the period of the accounting change. This Statement also requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion depletion n. when a natural resource (particularly oil) is being used up. The annual amount of depletion may, ironically, provide a tax deduction for the company exploiting the resource because if the resource they are exploiting runs out, they will no longer be able method for long-lived long-lived adj. 1. Having a long life: a long-lived aunt. 2. Lasting a long time; persistent: a long-lived rumor. 3. , nonfinancial assets Nonfinancial assets Physical assets such as real estate and machinery. be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. This Statement carries forward without change the guidance contained in Opinion 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate. This Statement also carries forward the guidance in Opinion 20 requiring justification of a change in accounting principle on the basis of preferability pref·er·a·ble adj. More desirable or worthy than another; preferred: Coffee is preferable to tea, I think. pref . Reasons for Issuing This Statement This Statement is the result of a broader effort by the FASB FASB See: Financial Accounting Standards Board FASB See Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). to improve the comparability of cross-border financial reporting by working with the International Accounting Standards Board  An editor has expressed concern that this article or section is .Please help improve the article by adding information and sources on neglected viewpoints, or by summarizing and (IASB IASB See International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). ) toward development of a single set of high-quality accounting standards. As part of that effort, the FASB and the IASB identified opportunities to improve financial reporting by eliminating certain narrow differences between their existing accounting standards. Reporting of accounting changes was identified as an area in which financial reporting in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. could be improved by eliminating differences between Opinion 20 and IAS See iPlanet Application Server. 1. (computer) IAS - The first modern computer. It had main registers, processing circuits, information paths within the central processing unit, and used Von Neumann's fetch-execute cycle. 8, Accounting, Policies, Chances in Accounting Estimates and Errors. How the Changes in This Statement Improve Financial Reporting Under the provisions of Opinion 20, most accounting changes were recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the newly adopted accounting principle. This Statement improves financial reporting because its requirement to report voluntary changes in accounting principles via retrospective application, unless impracticable, enhances the consistency of financial information between periods. That improved consistency enhances the usefulness of the financial information, especially by facilitating analysis and understanding of comparative accounting data. Also, in instances in which full retrospective application is impracticable, this Statement improves consistency of financial information between periods by requiring that a new accounting principle be applied as of the earliest date practicable. This Statement requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle. The provisions of this Statement better reflect the fact that an entity should change its depreciation, amortization, or depletion method only in recognition of changes in estimated future benefits of an asset, in the pattern of consumption of those benefits, or in the information available to the entity about those benefits. A change in accounting principle required by the issuance of an accounting pronouncement was not within the scope of Opinion 20. Including all changes in accounting principle within the scope of this Statement establishes, unless impracticable, retrospective application as the transition method for new accounting standards, but only in the unusual instance that the new accounting pronouncement does not include explicit transition provisions. CONTENTS
Introduction/1
Standards of Financial Accounting and
Reporting:
Definitions/2
Scope/3
Accounting Changes/4-24
Change in Accounting Principle/4-18
Impracticability/11
Justification for a Change in Accounting
Principle/12-14
Reporting a Change in Accounting
Principle Made in an Interim
Period/15-16
Disclosures/17-18
Change in Accounting Estimate/19-22
Disclosures/22
Change in the Reporting Entity/23-24
Disclosures/24
Correction of an Error in Previously Issued
Financial Statements/25-26
Disclosures/26
Effective Date and Transition/27
Appendix A: Illustrations/A1-A8
Appendix B: Background Information and
Basis for Conclusions/B 1-B38
Appendix C: Amendments to Existing
Pronouncements C1-C19
INTRODUCTION 1. This Statement provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. It establishes, unless impracticable, retrospective application as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle in the absence of explicit transition requirements specific to the newly adopted accounting principle. This Statement also provides guidance for determining whether retrospective application of a change ill accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. The correction of an error in previously issued financial statements is not an accounting change. However, the reporting of an error correction involves adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting an accounting change retrospectively ret·ro·spec·tive adj. 1. Looking back on, contemplating, or directed to the past. 2. Looking or directed backward. 3. Applying to or influencing the past; retroactive. 4. . Therefore, the reporting of a correction of an error by restating previously issued financial statements is also addressed by this Statement. STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING Definitions 2. The following terms are defined as used in this Statement: a. Accounting change--a change in (1) an accounting principle, (2) an accounting estimate, or (3) the reporting entity. The correction of an error in previously issued financial statements is not an accounting change. b. Accounting pronouncement--a source of generally accepted accounting principles The standard accounting rules, regulations, and procedures used by companies in maintaining their financial records. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) provide companies and accountants with a consistent set of guidelines that cover both broad accounting (GAAP GAAP See: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP See generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). ) in the United States, including FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, FASB Interpretations FASB Interpretations are published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). They extend or explain existing standards (primarily published in Statements of Financial Accounting Standards). Interpretations are a part of the U.S. , FASB Staff Positions, FASB Statement 133 Implementation Issues In the Business world, companies frequently set-up a connection between which they transfer data. When the connection is being set-up, it is referred to as implementation. When issues occur during this phase, they are known as implementation issues. , Emerging Issues Task Force Consensuses, other pronouncements of the FASB or other designated bodies, or other forms of GAAP as described in categories (a)-(c) of AICPA AICPA See American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS (1) (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, www.sas.com) A software company that specializes in data warehousing and decision support software based on the SAS System. Founded in 1976, SAS is one of the world's largest privately held software companies. See SAS System. ) No. 69, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as codified cod·i·fy tr.v. cod·i·fied, cod·i·fy·ing, cod·i·fies 1. To reduce to a code: codify laws. 2. To arrange or systematize. in the AICPA Codification The collection and systematic arrangement, usually by subject, of the laws of a state or country, or the statutory provisions, rules, and regulations that govern a specific area or subject of law or practice. of Statements on Auditing Standards Statements on Auditing Standards, commonly abbreviated as SAS, provide guidance to external auditors on generally accepted auditing standards (abbreviated as GAAS) in regards to auditing an entity and issuing a report. , AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. (1) AICPA accounting interpretations and implementation guides ("Q & A's") issued by the FASB staff as described in category (d) of SAS 69, also are considered accounting pronouncements for the purpose of applying this Statement. c. Change in accounting principle--a change from one generally accepted accounting principle to another generally accepted accounting principle when there are two or more generally accepted accounting principles that apply or when the accounting principle formerly used is no longer generally accepted. A change in the method of applying an accounting principle also is considered a change in accounting principle. d. Change in accounting estimate--a change that has the effect of adjusting the carrying amount of an existing asset or liability or altering the subsequent accounting for existing or future assets or liabilities. A change in accounting estimate is a necessary consequence of the assessment, in conjunction with the periodic presentation of financial statements, of the present status and expected future benefits and obligations associated with assets and liabilities. Changes in accounting estimates result from new information. Examples of items for which estimates are necessary are uncollectible Adj. 1. uncollectible - not capable of being collected; "a bad (or uncollectible) debt" bad invalid - having no cogency or legal force; "invalid reasoning"; "an invalid driver's license" receivables Receivables An asset designation applicable to all debts, unsettled transactions or other monetary obligations owed to a company by its debtors or customers. Receivables are recorded by a company's accountants and reported on the balance sheet, and they and include all debts owed , inventory obsolescence ob·so·les·cent adj. 1. Being in the process of passing out of use or usefulness; becoming obsolete. 2. Biology Gradually disappearing; imperfectly or only slightly developed. , service lives and salvage values Salvage Value The estimated value that an asset will realize upon its sale at the end of its useful life. Notes: For example, the value of a computer after it depreciates over the number of years specified by the IRS. of depreciable depreciable Of, relating to, or being a long-term tangible asset that is subject to depreciation. assets, and warranty obligations. e. Change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle--a change in accounting estimate that is inseparable in·sep·a·ra·ble adj. 1. Impossible to separate or part: inseparable pieces of rock. 2. Very closely associated; constant: inseparable companions. from the effect of a related change in accounting principle. An example of a change in estimate effected by a change in principle is a change in the method of depreciation, amortization, or depletion for long-lived, nonfinancial assets. f. Change in the reporting entity--a change that results in financial statements that, in effect, are those of a different reporting entity. A change in the reporting entity is limited mainly to (1) presenting consolidated or combined financial statements Combined financial statement A financial statement that merges the assets, liabilities, net worth, and operating figures of two or more affiliated companies. A combined statement is distinguished from a consolidated financial statement of a company and subsidiaries, which must in place of financial statements of individual entities, (2) changing specific subsidiaries that make up the group of entities for which consolidated financial statements Consolidated Financial Statements The combined financial statements of a parent company and its subsidiaries. Notes: Because consolidated financial statements present an aggregated look at the financial position of a parent and its subsidiaries, they enable you to gauge are presented, and (3) changing the entities included in combined financial statements. Neither a business combination accounted for by the purchase method nor the consolidation of a variable interest entity pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December December: see month. 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, is a change in reporting entity. g. Direct effects of a change in accounting principle--those recognized changes in assets or liabilities necessary to effect a change in accounting principle. An example of a direct effect is an adjustment to an inventory balance to effect a change in inventory valuation method. Related changes, such as an effect on deferred income tax assets or liabilities or an impairment Impairment 1. A reduction in a company's stated capital. 2. The total capital that is less than the par value of the company's capital stock. Notes: 1. This is usually reduced because of poorly estimated losses or gains. 2. adjustment resulting from applying the lower-of-cost-or-market test to the adjusted inventory balance, also are examples of direct effects of a change in accounting principle. h. Error in previously issued financial statements--an error in recognition, measure merit, presentation, or disclosure in financial statements resulting from mathematical mistakes, mistakes in the application of GAAP, or oversight
Oversight may refer to:
i. Indirect effects of a change in accounting principle--any changes to current or future cash flows of an entity that result from making a change in accounting principle that is applied retrospectively. An example of an indirect effect is a change in a nondiscretionary profit sharing profit sharing, arrangement by which employees receive, in addition to their wages, a share of the net profits of a business. The purpose is to give them an incentive to increase their output through enhanced morale, less wasteful use of materials, better care of or royalty payment that is based on a reported amount such as revenue or net income. j. Restatement--the process of revising previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of an error in those financial statements. k. Retrospective application--the application of a different accounting principle to one or more previously issued financial statements, or to the statement of financial position at the beginning of the current period, as if that principle had always been used, or a change to financial statements of prior accounting periods to present the financial statements of a new reporting entity as if it had existed in those prior years. Scope 3. This Statement applies to financial statements of business enterprises and not-for-profit Not-for-profit An organization established for charitable, humanitarian, or educational purposes that is exempt from some taxes and in which no one in profits or losses. organizations, both of which are referred to herein as entities. This Statement also applies to historical summaries of information based on primary financial statements that include an accounting period in which an accounting change or error correction is reflected. The guidance in this Statement also may be appropriate in presenting financial information in other forms or for special purposes. Accounting Changes Change in Accounting Principle 4. A presumption A conclusion made as to the existence or nonexistence of a fact that must be drawn from other evidence that is admitted and proven to be true. A Rule of Law. If certain facts are established, a judge or jury must assume another fact that the law recognizes as a logical exists that an accounting principle once adopted shall not be changed in accounting for events and transactions of a similar type. Consistent use of the same accounting principle from one accounting period to another enhances the utility of financial statements for users by facilitating analysis and understanding of comparative accounting data. 5. Neither (a) initial adoption of an accounting principle in recognition of events or transactions occurring for the first time or that previously were immaterial Not essential or necessary; not important or pertinent; not decisive; of no substantial consequence; without weight; of no material significance. immaterial adj. in their effect nor (b) adoption or modification of an accounting principle necessitated by transactions or events that are clearly different in substance from those previously occurring is a change in accounting principle. A reporting entity shall change an accounting principle only if (a) the change is required by a newly issued accounting pronouncement or (b) the entity can justify the use of an allowable alternative accounting principle on the basis that it is preferable. 6. It is expected that accounting pronouncements normally will provide specific transition requirements. However, in the unusual instance that there are no transition requirements specific to a particular accounting pronouncement, a change in accounting principle effected to adopt the requirements of that accounting pronouncement shall be reported in accordance Accordance is Bible Study Software for Macintosh developed by OakTree Software, Inc.[] As well as a standalone program, it is the base software packaged by Zondervan in their Bible Study suites for Macintosh. with paragraphs 7-10 of this Statement. (2) Early adoption of an accounting pronouncement, when permitted, shall be effected in a manner consistent with the transition requirements of that pronouncement. 7. An entity shall report a change in accounting principle through retrospective application of the new accounting principle to all prior periods, unless it is impracticable to do so. Retrospective application requires the following: a. The cumulative effect of the change to the new accounting principle on periods prior to those presented shall be reflected in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the first period presented. b. An offsetting adjustment, if any, shall be made to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that period. c. Financial statements for each individual prior period presented shall be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new accounting principle. 8. If the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to all prior periods can be determined, but it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects of that change on all prior periods presented, the cumulative effect of the change to the new accounting principle shall be applied to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the earliest period to which the new accounting principle can be applied. An offsetting adjustment, if any, shall be made to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that period. 9. If it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to any prior period, the new accounting principle shall be applied as if the change was made prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, illustrated that type of change with a change from the first-in, first-out first-in, first-out n. A method of inventory accounting in which the oldest remaining items are assumed to have been the first sold. In a period of rising prices, this method yields a higher ending inventory, a lower cost of goods sold, a higher gross (FIFO (First In First Out) A storage method that retrieves the item stored for the longest time. Contrast with LIFO. See traffic engineering methods. FIFO - first-in first-out ) method of inventory valuation to the last-in, first-out last-in, first-out n. A method of inventory accounting in which the most recently acquired items are assumed to have been the first sold. In a period of rising prices, this method yields a lower ending inventory, a higher cost of goods sold, a lower (LIFO (Last In-First Out) A queueing method in which the next item to be retrieved is the item most recently placed in the queue. Contrast with FIFO. LIFO - stack ) method. This Statement carries forward that example (as Illustration 2 in Appendix A) for illustrative il·lus·tra·tive adj. Acting or serving as an illustration. il·lus  tra·tive·ly adv.Adj. 1. purposes without implying that such a change would be considered preferable as required by paragraph 13 of this Statement. 10. Retrospective application shall include only the direct effects of a change in accounting principle, including any related income tax effects. Indirect effects that would have been recognized if the newly adopted accounting principle had been followed in prior periods shall not be included in the retrospective application. If indirect effects are actually incurred and recognized, they shall be reported in the period in which the accounting change is made. Impracticability Substantial difficulty or inconvenience in following a particular course of action, but not such insurmountability or hopelessness as to make performance impossible. 11. It shall be deemed impracticable to apply the effects of a change in accounting principle retrospectively only if any of the following conditions exist: a. After making every reasonable effort to do so, the entity is unable to apply the requirement. b. Retrospective application requires assumptions about management's intent in a prior period that cannot be independently substantiated. c. Retrospective application requires significant estimates of amounts, and it is impossible to distinguish objectively information about those estimates that: (1) Provides evidence of circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact. 2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or that existed on the date(s) at which those amounts would be recognized, measured, or disclosed under retrospective application, and (2) Would have been available when the financial statements for that prior period were issued. (3) Justification for a Change in Accounting Principle 12. In the preparation of financial statements, once an accounting principle is adopted, it shall be used consistently in accounting for similar events and transactions. 13. An entity may change an accounting principle only if it justifies the use of an allowable alternative accounting principle on the basis that it is preferable. However, a method of accounting that was previously adopted for a type of transaction or event that is being terminated or that was a single, nonrecurring Non`re`cur´ring a. 1. Nonrecurrent; as, the costs of a layoff are considered as a nonrecurring expense s>. event in the past shall not be changed. For example, the method of accounting shall not be changed for a tax or tax credit that is being discontinued dis·con·tin·ue v. dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing, dis·con·tin·ues v.tr. 1. To stop doing or providing (something); end or abandon: . Additionally, the method of transition elected at the time of adoption of an accounting pronouncement shall not be subsequently changed. However, a change in the estimated period to be benefited by an asset, if justified by the facts, shall be recognized as a change in accounting estimate. 14. The issuance of an accounting pronouncement that requires use of a new' accounting principle, interprets an existing principle, expresses a preference for an accounting principle, or rejects a specific principle may require an entity to change an accounting principle. The issuance of such a pronouncement constitutes sufficient support for making such a change provided that the hierarchy established for GAAP is followed. The burden of justifying other changes in accounting principle rests with the entity making the change. Reporting a Change in Accounting Principle Made in an Interim Period 15. A change in accounting principle made in an interim period shall be reported by retrospective application in accordance with paragraphs 7-10 of this Statement. However, the impracticability exception in paragraph 11 may not be applied to prechange interim periods of the fiscal year in which the change is made. When retrospective application to prechange interim periods is impracticable, the desired change may only be made as of the beginning of a subsequent fiscal year. 16. If a public company that regularly reports interim information makes an accounting change during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year and does not report the data specified by paragraph 30 of APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting (as amended a·mend v. a·mend·ed, a·mend·ing, a·mends v.tr. 1. To change for the better; improve: amended the earlier proposal so as to make it more comprehensive. 2. ), in a separate fourth-quarter report or in its annual report, that entity shall include disclosure of the effects of the accounting change on interim-period results, as required by paragraph 17 of this Statement, in a note to the annual financial statements for the fiscal year in which the change is made. Disclosures 17. An entity shall disclose the following in the fiscal period in which a change in accounting principle is made: a. The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, including an explanation of why the newly adopted accounting principle is preferable. b. The method of applying the change, and: (1) A description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted, if any. (2) The effect of the change on income from continuing operations continuing operations Parts of a business that are expected to be maintained as an ongoing segment of an overall business operation. Income and losses from continuing operations are reported separately if any segments have been discontinued during the , net income (or other appropriate captions of changes in the applicable net assets or performance indicator), any other affected financial statement line item, and any affected per-share amounts for the current period and any prior periods retrospectively adjusted. Presentation of the effect on financial statement subtotals and totals other than income from continuing operations and net income (or other appropriate captions of changes in the applicable net assets or performance indicator) is riot required. (3) The cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings or other components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. (4) If retrospective application to all prior periods (paragraph 7) is impracticable, disclosure of the reasons therefor there·for adv. For that: ordering goods and enclosing payment therefor. Adv. 1. therefor , and a description of the alternative method used to report the change (paragraphs 8 and 9). c. If indirect effects of a change in accounting principle are recognized: (1) A description of the indirect effects of a change in accounting principle, including the amounts that have been recognized in the current period, and the related per-share amounts, if applicable. (2) Unless impracticable, (4) the amount of the total recognized indirect effects of the accounting change and the related per-share amounts, if applicable, that are attributable to each prior period presented. Financial statements of subsequent periods (5) need not repeat the disclosures required by this paragraph. If a change in accounting principle has no material effect in the period of change but is reasonably certain to have a material effect in later periods, the disclosures required by paragraph 17 (a) shall be provided whenever the financial statements of the period of change are presented. 18. In the fiscal year in which a new accounting principle is adopted, financial information reported for interim periods after the date of adoption shall disclose the effect of the change on income from continuing operations, net income (or other appropriate captions of changes in the applicable net assets or performance indicator), and related per-share amounts, if applicable, for those post-change interim periods. Change in Accounting Estimate 19. A change in accounting estimate shall be accounted for in (a) the period of change if the change affects that period only or (b) the period of change and future periods if the change affects both. A change in accounting estimate shall not be accounted for by restating or retrospectively adjusting amounts reported in financial statements of prior periods or by reporting pro forma As a matter of form or for the sake of form. Used to describe accounting, financial, and other statements or conclusions based upon assumed or anticipated facts. The phrase pro forma amounts for prior periods. 20. Distinguishing between a change in an accounting principle and a change in an accounting estimate is sometimes difficult. In some cases, a change in accounting estimate is effected by a change in accounting principle. One example of this type of change is a change in method of depreciation, amortization, or depletion for long-lived, nonfinancial assets (hereinafter here·in·af·ter adv. In a following part of this document, statement, or book. hereinafter Adverb Formal or law from this point on in this document, matter, or case Adv. 1. referred to as depreciation method). The new depreciation method is adopted in partial or complete recognition of a change in the estimated future benefits inherent in the asset, the pattern of consumption of those benefits, or the information available to the entity about those benefits. The effect of the change in accounting principle, or the method of applying it, may be inseparable from the effect of the change in accounting estimate. Changes of that type often are related to the continuing process of obtaining additional information and revising estimates and, therefore, are considered changes in estimates for purposes of applying this Statement. 21. Like other changes in accounting principle, a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle may be made only if the new accounting principle is justifiable jus·ti·fi·a·ble adj. Having sufficient grounds for justification; possible to justify: justifiable resentment. jus on the basis that it is preferable. For example, an entity that concludes that the pattern of consumption of the expected benefits of an asset has changed, and determines that a new depreciation method better reflects that pattern, may be justified in making a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. (6) (Refer to paragraph 13.) Disclosures 22. The effect on income from continuing operations, net income (or other appropriate captions of changes in the applicable net assets or performance indicator), and any related per-share amounts of the current period shall be disclosed for a change in estimate that affects several future periods, such as a change in service lives of depreciable assets. Disclosure of those effects is not necessary for estimates made each period in the ordinary course of accounting for items such as uncollectible accounts Uncollectible account An account which cannot be collected by a company because the customer is not able to pay or is unwilling to pay. or inventory obsolescence; however, disclosure is required if the effect of a change in the estimate is material. (7) When an entity effects a change in estimate by changing an accounting principle, the disclosures required by paragraphs 17 and 18 of this Statement also are required. If a change in estimate does not have a material effect in the period of change but is reasonably certain to have a material effect in later periods, a description of that change in estimate shall be disclosed whenever the financial statements of the period of change are presented. Change in the Reporting Entity 23. When an accounting change results in financial statements that are, in effect, the statements of a different reporting entity, the change shall be retrospectively applied to the financial statements of all prior periods presented to show financial information for the new reporting entity for those periods. Previously issued interim financial information shall be presented on a retrospective basis. However, the amount of interest cost previously capitalized Capitalized Recorded in asset accounts and then depreciated or amortized, as is appropriate for expenditures for items with useful lives longer than one year. through application of FASB Statement No. 58, Capitalization capitalization n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and expenses as capital assets (property, equipment, fixtures) for accounting purposes. 2) the amount of anticipated net earnings which hypothetically can be used for conversion into capital assets. of Interest Cost in Financial Statements That Include investments Accounted for by the Equity Method, shall not be changed when retrospectively applying the accounting change to the financial statements of prior periods. Disclosures 24. When there has been a change in the reporting entity, the financial statements of the period of the change shall describe the nature of the change and the reason for it. In addition, the effect of the change on income before extraordinary items, net income (or other appropriate captions of changes in the applicable net assets or performance indicator), other comprehensive income, and any related per-share amounts shall be disclosed for all periods presented. Financial statements of subsequent periods need not repeat the disclosures required by this paragraph. If a change in reporting entity does not have a material effect in the period of change but is reasonably certain to have a material effect in later periods, the nature of and reason for the change shall be disclosed whenever the financial statements of the period of change are presented. (Paragraphs 51-58 of FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations, describe the manner of reporting and the disclosures required for a business combination.) Correction of an Error in Previously Issued Financial Statements 25. Any error in the financial statements of a prior period discovered subsequent to their issuance shall be reported as a prior-period adjustment by restating the prior-period financial statements. Restatement requires that: a. The cumulative effect of the error on periods prior to those presented shall be reflected in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the first period presented. b. An offsetting adjustment, if any, shall be made to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that period. c. Financial statements for each individual prior period presented shall be adjusted to reflect correction of the period-specific effects of the error. Disclosures 26. When financial statements are restated to correct an error, the entity shall disclose that its previously issued financial statements have been restated, along with a description of the nature of the error. The entity also shall disclose the following: a. The effect of the correction on each financial statement line item and any per-share amounts affected for each prior period presented b. The cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position, as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. In addition, the entity shall make the disclosures of prior-period adjustments and restatements required by paragraph 26 of APB Opinion No. 9, Reporting the Results of Operations. Financial statements of subsequent periods (8) need not repeat the disclosures required by this paragraph. Effective Date and Transition 27. This Statement shall be effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date this Statement is issued. This Statement does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements, including those that are in a transition phase as of the effective date of this Statement. The provisions of this Statement need not be applied to immaterial items. (1) The Board's technical agenda includes a project that could result in the issuance of a Statement of Financial Accounting Standards that identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental enterprises that are presented in conformity with GAAP. The Board issued an Exposure Draft of that proposed Statement (2) This requirement is not limited to newly issued ac counting pronouncements. For example, if an existing pronouncement permits a choice between two or more alternative accounting principles, and provides requirements for changing from one to another, those requirements shall be followed. (3) This Statement requires a determination of whether information currently available to develop significant estimates would have been available when the affected transactions or events would have been recognized in the financial statements. However, it is not necessary to maintain documentation from the time that an affected transaction or event would have been recognized to determine whether information to develop the estimates would have been available at that time. (4) Compliance with this disclosure requirement is practicable unless an entity cannot comply with it after making every reasonable effort to do so. (5) An entity, that issues interim financial statements shall provide the required disclosures in the financial statements of both the interim period of the change and the annual period of the change. (6) However, a change to the straight-line method Noun 1. straight-line method - (accounting) a method of calculating depreciation by taking an equal amount of the asset's cost as an expense for each year of the asset's useful life straight-line method of depreciation at a specific point in the service life of an asset may be planned at the time some depreciation methods, such as the modified accelerated cost recovery system Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) A 1986 act that set out rules for the depreciation of qualifying assets, allowing for greater acceleration over longer periods of time. , are adopted to fully depreciate depreciate v. in accounting, to reduce the value of an asset each year theoretically on the basis that the assets (such as equipment, vehicles or structures) will eventually become obsolete, worn out and of little value. (See: depreciation) the cost over the estimated life of the asset. Consistent application of such a policy does not constitute a change in accounting principle for purposes of applying this Statement. (7) The requirement to disclose the effects if a change in estimate is material is carried forward from Opinion 20. The Board did not reconsider re·con·sid·er v. re·con·sid·ered, re·con·sid·er·ing, re·con·sid·ers v.tr. 1. To consider again, especially with intent to alter or modify a previous decision. 2. the need for that requirement in the project that led to issuance of this Statement. Numerous Statements have been issued by the Board subsequent to Opinion 20 that address required changes in estimates. Those Statements also include various disclosure requirements. This Statement is not intended to impose new disclosure requirements or change the existing disclosures that GAAP requires for specific changes in estimate. (8) Refer footnote Text that appears at the bottom of a page that adds explanation. It is often used to give credit to the source of information. When accumulated and printed at the end of a document, they are called "endnotes." 5. This Statement was adopted by the unanimous vote of the seven members of the Financial Accounting Standards Board: Robert Robert, Henry Martyn 1837-1923. American army engineer and parliamentary authority. He designed the defenses for Washington, D.C., during the Civil War and later wrote Robert's Rules of Order (1876). Noun 1. H. Herz Herz is a German surname meaning heart. Famous Herzes:
George George, river, c.345 mi (560 km) long, rising in a lake on the Quebec-Labrador boundary, E Canada. It flows N through Indian Lake (125 sq mi/324 sq km) to Ungava Bay (an arm of Hudson Strait). J. Batavick G. Michael Michael, archangel Michael (mī`kəl) [Heb.,=who is like God?], archangel prominent in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. In the Bible and early Jewish literature, Michael is one of the angels of God's presence. Crooch Katherine Katherine “intolerably curst and shrewd and froward.” [Br. Lit.: The Taming of the Shrew] See : Shrewishness Schipper Leslie E Seidman Edward W Trott Donald M. Young Space considerations prevent publishing here the appendices ap·pen·di·ces n. A plural of appendix. to FASB Statement no. 154. Since the appendices often are important to understanding FASB statements, readers are advised to obtain complete copies. For additional copies of FASB statements and/or information on applicable prices and discount rates, contact the FASB order department, 401 Merritt 7, P.O. Box 5116, Norwalk, Connecticut Connecticut, state, United States Connecticut (kənĕt`ĭkət), southernmost of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (N), Rhode Island (E), Long Island Sound (S), and New York (W). 06856-5116. Telephone: 800-748-0659. Copyright [c] 2005 by Financial Accounting Standards Board Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Board composed of independent members who create and interpret Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). . All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying photocopying, process whereby written or printed matter is directly copied by photographic techniques. Generally, photocopying is practical when just a few copies of an original are needed. When many copies are required, printing processes are more economical. , recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion