Ch 24 Flashcards
Full disclosure principle
Financial reporting of any financial facts significant enough to
Influence the judgement of an informed reader
In the 10 K, what is subject to FASB rules?
1 Financial statements
2 notes to financial statements
3 supplementary info
Information overload
Reporting is so detailed users have difficult time absorbing the
Info
3 reasons for increase in disclosures on 10 K’s
1 complexity of business environment
2 necessity for timely info
3 accounting as control and monitoring device
Interim data
Published financial forecasts recommended by SEC
Accounting as a control and monitoring device
The government has sought public disclosure of managment
Compensation, off balance sheet financing and related party
Transactions
Differential disclosure
Different disclosure for public companies vs. Non public
Ex. Non public companies don’t need to disclose FMV of
Financial instruments
Notes of financial statements
Means of amplifying or explaining the items presented in
Main body of financial statements
Accounting policies
Specific accounting principles and methods company
Currently uses
And considers most appropriate to present fairly its financial
Statements
Major note disclosures: inventory
Companies should report basis of amount of inventory stated
(Lower cost or market)
And method used to determine cost (FIFO, LIFO, avg. cost)
Major note disclosures: Property, Plant, Equipment. 4 disclosures companies must make
1 basis of valuation, balances of assets by nature and function
2 depreciation expense for period
3 ACC. Depreciation
4 description of depreciation method used
Major note disclosures: creditor claims
Financial statements must disclose for each following 5 years
Following date of statements, the aggregate amount of maturities
And sinking fund requirements for Longterm borrowings
Major note disclosures: Equity holders’ claims
Disclosure relates to contracts and senior securities and
restrictions involving earnings available for dividend distr.
Ex. Description of convertible debt and stock options
Major note disclosures: contingencies and commitments
Company may have Gain or loss contingencies not disclosed
In Main body of financial statements
Ex. from litigation, debt, Tax assessments, renegotiation of gov contracts, sales of receivables, recourse, dividend restrictions, purchase agreements, hedge contracts, employment contracts
Major note disclosures: Fair Values
Companies that have assets and liabilities measured at FMV
must disclose both cost and FMV of financial instruments in
Notes
Gives 3 levels on how to measure fair value on fair value hierarchy
Major note disclosures: deferred taxes, pensions and leases
Extensive disclosure on off balance sheet commitments, future financing needs and quality of companies earnings