FAR 1 Flashcards
Which organization’s standards are the most authoritative in the hierarchy of international accounting?
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
Where is the first place management should look for guidance on international recognition and accounting policies?
The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the IASB
Which framework helps to develop standards for international accounting?
The IASB Framework
- The framework is NOT a standard itself
- The framework does not supersede any standard’s authority
What is the objective of the IFRS framework?
To provide users with information on international accounting.
Which assumptions are followed within the IRFS framework?
Entity is a Going Concern
Entity uses the accrual basis of accounting.
What are the Qualitative Characteristics of accounting information within IFRS?
Relevance & Faithful Representation
Relevance - Makes a difference to the user
Includes:
Predictive Value - Future Trends
Confirming Value - Past Predictions
Faithful Representation
Includes:
Completeness - Nothing omitted that would impact the decision-making of a user
Neutrality - Information is presented is without bias
Free from Error - No material errors or omissions
What are the Enhancing Characteristics of IFRS?
Comparability - Allows users to compare different items among various periods
Verifiability - Different people would reach a similar conclusion on the information presented
Timeliness - Information is made available early enough to impact the decision making of users
Understandability - Information is easy to understand
How does comparability differ under GAAP versus IFRS?
Comparative information from prior year is required under IFRS.
GAAP requires that if multiple years are presented they are consistently prepared however it doesn’t require prior year comparative statements.
What is the Pervasive Constraint within IFRS?
Cost vs. Benefit
Which items are considered reporting elements under IFRS?
Asset Liability Equity Income Expense
What are the criteria for recognition on IFRS financial statements?
Probable future economic benefit
Can be measured reliably
If the value or outcome cannot be measured reliably IFRS requires the use of the Cost Recovery Method.
When transitioning to IFRS what type of financial statement must be produced for the first reporting period?
A full comparative statement using IFRS.
If IFRS was implemented in June 2012 for use in the December 31 2012 financial statements what is the Date of Transition?
January 1 2011 because a full year of comparative statements is required from the previous year
For Property Plant and Equipment which election is the most efficient method for converting assets to IFRS?
The Fair Value election
Where on the financial statements are adjustments for adopting to IFRS made?
In the entity’s retained earnings or equity
How is going concern different under IFRS than from GAAP?
Going Concern is an assumption under IFRS
How are extraordinary items treated under IFRS?
IFRS doesn’t allow extraordinary items.
How is the completed contract method used under IFRS?
Completed contract method is not allowed under IFRS.
How is LIFO treated under IFRS?
IFRS does not allow LIFO.
Which financial statements are required under IFRS?
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Statement of Changes in Equity
How is the term income used in IFRS?
Income is used instead of revenue and encompasses BOTH revenue and gains.
How is the term profit used in IFRS?
In IFRS the term profit is used instead of Net Income.
How does IFRS treat gains?
They are treated the same as revenue and are not separated on the financial statements.
How does IFRS treat losses?
In IFRS losses are treated the same as expenses but they ARE separated on the financial statements.
How does refinancing of current liabilities to long-term liabilities under IFRS differ from GAAP?
Under IFRS current liabilities can only be refinanced into a non-current liability if the refinance agreement is EXECUTED prior to the balance sheet date.
GAAP requires only intent to refinance not actual execution.
How do contingent liabilities differ between GAAP and IFRS?
Under GAAP there are three classifications of contingent liabilities - Probable Reasonably Possible and Remote.
Under IFRS contingencies are uncertain future events and are classified as a provision if probable and measurable even if uncertain in timing or amount.
How are bonds recorded under IFRS?
Bonds may be recorded on the Statement of Financial Position using one of two methods
Fair Value through profit or loss
- Liability revalued at the end of each period
- Gain or Loss recognized in period
Amortized Cost
*Using Effective Interest Method
How are deferred taxes treated under IFRS?
They use the liability method - all deferred tax liabilities must be reported but only probable deferred tax assets can be reported.
They are non-current on the statement of financial position.
When can deferred tax assets and liabilities be netted under IFRS?
ONLY if they are related to the same country/taxing authority
For example China Deferred Tax Assets can’t offset Japan Deferred Tax Liabilities
Which tax rates are used for calculating deferred tax assets/liabilities under IFRS?
The enacted rate or substantially enacted tax rate.
GAAP is the enacted tax rate only
Which items are recorded on the Income Statement in IFRS?
Income Finance Costs Tax Expense Discontinued Ops Profit/Loss Non-controlling interest in Profit/Loss Net profit/loss attributable from equity
How are property plant and equipment (PP&E) recorded and valued under IFRS?
Recorded at cost
Valued using either:
Cost model - asset carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment loss
Revaluation model - asset adjusted to fair value less accumulated depreciation
What are the requirements for using the revaluation model for PP&E under IFRS?
Asset must be able to be reliably measured
Must be applied to whole class of assets not just one asset
No guidance on how often assets should be revalued under IFRS
How is investment property reported under IFRS?
Initially recorded at cost
Revalued using either Fair Value model or Cost model
How is profit or loss recorded in the current period for investment property under the Fair Value model of IFRS?
Recorded on the Income Statement
Investment P/L : IS
PP&E P/L : OCI
Under IFRS how is investment property reported under the Cost Model?
Carried at Cost minus Accumulated Depreciation
Fair Value must still be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements
How are leases reported under IFRS?
Operating Leases can be recorded as Investment Property if measured at Fair Value
All other investment property must use Fair Value Model if one asset uses it
How are intangible assets valued under IFRS?
Using either the Cost Model (cost less Accumulated Depreciation and Impairment Loss)
or
the Revaluation Model (Fair Value less Accumulated Depreciation)
How is internally generated goodwill reported under IFRS?
It is not recognized.
How is amortization of intangibles handled under IFRS?
If asset has a finite life it is amortized over useful life.
If asset has indefinite life it is not amortized but is tested for impairment at the reporting date.
When must a lease be recorded as a Finance Lease under IFRS?
If the substantial risks of ownership have passed to the Lessee then the Lease must be accounted for as a Finance Lease
How are defined benefit plans recorded under IFRS?
Project-unit-credit method calculates the PV of the defined benefit obligation
How are interest expense and/or finance costs classified on an IFRS statement of cash flows?
They can be classified as either Operating or Financing
Once a classification is chosen all future costs must be classified there
How are significant non-cash transactions recorded on an IFRS statement of cash flows?
They must be included in the notes to the financial statements.
How are Available-For-Sale securities recorded on the Balance Sheet?
At Fair value as either Current or Non-current assets.
How are Available-For-Sale security Unrealized G/L treated?
Included in OCI (Other Comprehensive Income)
How are Unrealized G/L for Available-For-Sale securities that are reclassified to Held-to-Maturity or Trading Securities treated?
HTM - Stockholder’s Equity
/ Trading Securities - Current Period.
How are Held-to-Maturity securities recorded on the Balance Sheet?
Amortized cost as Current or Non-current assets.
If reclassified as AFS - Unrealized G/L go to Stockholder’s Equity
If reclassified as Trading Securities - Unrealized G/L recognized in Current Period
How are Held-to-Maturity securities Unrealized G/L treated?
Trick question - Unrealized gains or losses are not applicable because they are HTM
How are Trading Securities recorded on the Balance Sheet?
At Fair Value as a Current Asset
Unrealized gains/losses are recorded on the Income Statement
If they are reclassified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale- there is no effect upon transfer.
How are Trading Securities Unrealized G/L treated?
Recorded on the Income Statement
If they are reclassified as HTM or AFS - there is no effect upon transfer.
What is a temporary difference related to deferred taxes?
GAAP says to recognize a revenue/expense in one period and tax laws say to recognize it in another
Example: Dividends from a subsidiary accounted for using the Equity Method - tax income but not book income
What is a deferred tax asset?
Deduction will reduce future income taxes expense.
What is a deferred tax liability?
Income will be taxable in a future period and will increase future tax expense
Which period’s tax rate is used to calculate a deferred tax asset or liability?
The FUTURE enacted tax rate not the current one.
It is never discounted to present value.
What valuation allowance is used with respect to a deferred tax asset?
If it isprobable that not all of a Deferred Tax Asset (debit) will be realized then the Deferred Tax Asset account must be written down (credit) to reflect this
What effect do permanent differences have on deferred income taxes?
They have no tax impact.
When calculating the total differences between book and tax income subtract the permanent differences from the total before applying a future enacted tax rate
What is deferred income tax expense?
The sum of Net Changes in Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities
GAAP Method for calculating is theAsset and Liability Approach
Note: IFRS uses the Liability approach only
How are deferred tax assets classified as current or non-current on the balance sheet?
Current Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities will impact income tax expense within 12 months. All current amounts are netted and reported as a single amount on the Balance Sheet
Non-Current Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities will impact income tax expense 12 months or more fromt he Balance Sheet Date. All non-current amounts are netted and reported as a single amount on the Balance Sheet
When is the fair value method used for recording interest in a separate company?
20% Ownership or Less
Accounted for as a purchase
If amount paid is less than fair value; results in a gain in current period
When is the equity method used when purchasing another company’s stock? How is it recorded?
Ownership 21% to 50%
Gives significant influence
Purchase Price - Par Value : Goodwill
Dividends received from the investee reduce the investment account and are not income
When are companies required to file consolidated financials? How is it recorded?
Ownership of other company is greater than 50%
Investment account is eliminated
Only parent company prepares consolidated statements; not subsidiary.
Acquired assets/liabilities are recorded at Fair Value on acquisition date.
Eliminating entries for inter-company sales of inventory & PPE; also inter-company investments
When is consolidation not required?
Ownership less than 50%
OR
Majority owner does not control - i.e. bankruptcy or foreign bureaucracy
What occurs under a step acquisition?
Acquirer held previous shares accounted for under Fair Value Method or Equity Method; and are now re-valued to Fair Value
Results in a Gain or Loss in current period
What is the difference between an acquisition and a merger?
Acquired companies continue to exist as a legal entity - their books are just consolidated with the parent company in the parent’s financial statements
Merged companies cease to exist and only the parent remains
How are acquisition costs recorded in a merger?
Expensed in period incurred - i.e. NOT capitalized:
Accounting; Legal; Valuation; Consulting; Professional
Netted against stock proceeds:
Stock registration and issuance costs
How are changes in accounting principle applied?
Retrospective Application:
Prior Periods adjusted
Retained Earnings adjusted
Completed Contract to % Completion
Ex: LIFO to FIFO
Would a change from Completed Contract to Percentage of Completion be a change in accounting principle- or a change of estimate?
How would it be applied?
A change of principle.
Applied retrospectively.
Would a change from LIFO to FIFO be a change in accounting principle or a change of estimate?
How would this change be applied?
A change in accounting principle.
Applied retrospectively.
How is a change in accounting estimate applied?
A change in accounting estimate is applied prospectively (going forward).
No backwards adjustment is made.
Would a change from straight line depreciation to double declining balance be a change in accounting principle or a change in estimate?
How would this change be applied?
Change in depreciation method would be a change in accounting estimate.
It is applied prospectively.
How is a correction of an accounting error made?
Cumulative effect of error gets adjusted to the beginning balances of assets and liabilities in the earliest period presented in the comparative statements.
The correction of the error must be included in the footnotes.
What are the requirements for a prior period adjustment?
Effect is Material
Is identifiable in Prior Period
Couldn’t be estimated in Prior Periods
How is a change from a non-GAAP accounting method to a GAAP method recorded?
It is treated as a correction of an accounting error.
Cumulative effect of error gets adjusted to the beginning balances of assets and liabilities in the earliest period presented in the comparative statements
Correction of the error must be included in the footnotes
How does an inventory error effect the financial statements?
Effect on Ending Inventory : Effect on Net Income
If one is overstated- both overstated. If one is understated- both understated.
Misstating inventory corrects itself after TWO periods.
How is a change in entity recorded?
Applied retrospectively.
All prior periods presented for comparative purposes must reflect the change
Footnote disclosures must be made
Changing to Consolidated Statements
What items are included in operating activities on the Statement of Cash Flows?
Cash received from Customers- Interest & Dividends- Trading Securities
Cash paid to Vendors- Suppliers- Interest- Taxes- Trading Securities
What items are included in investing activities on a Statement of Cash Flows?
Cash received: Sale of PP&E- Sale of Investments- Loan Principle
Cash paid: Loans- Acquisitions- AFS or HTM Securities- Taxes- Trading Securities
What items are included in Financing Activities in a Statement of Cash Flows?
Cash received: Issuance of Stock- Issuance of Debt
Cash paid: Dividends
What is the direct method for a Statement of Cash Flows?
Starts with Income from Continuing Operations
Adjusts for changes in accounts like A/R- A/P- Inventory and non-cash revenues- expenses- gains- losses
If used- the Indirect Method must also be shown
What is the Indirect Method for a Statement of Cash Flows?
Starts with Net Income
Adjusts for changes in accounts like A/R- A/P- Inventory and non-cash revenues- expenses- gains- losses
What is a current asset?
Cash plus other assets that are expected to be sold or converted to cash during the current operating cycle
Includes: Demand deposits, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, pre-paids, and short-term investments
What is a current liability?
A liability expected to be paid within 12 months or less
How is the Quick Ratio calculated?
(Cash + A/R + Trading Securities) / Current Liabilities
How is the Current Ratio calculated?
Currents Assets / Current Liabilities
How is Working Capital calculated?
Currents Assets - Current Liabilities
How is A/R Turnover calculated?
Credit Sales / Average A/R
How is Inventory Turnover calculated?
COGS / Average Inventory
How is Day Sales in Inventory calculated?
365 / Inventory Turnover
How is Days to Collect A/R calculated?
Average A/R / Average Sales per Day
How are gain contingencies recorded?
They are NOT accrued due to Conservatism
When are loss contingencies recorded?
If Probable - they are accrued (if estimable) and disclosed
If Reasonably Possible - they are disclosed
If Remote - don’t accrue or disclose
Which Personal Financial Statements are required?
Statement of Financial Condition & Statement of Changes in Net Worth
How are assets and liabilities valued in a Personal Financial Statement?
Estimated current value
How are estimated taxes that would be paid if all assets were converted into cash and all liabilities paid presented on a Personal Financial Statement?
Presented on Statement of Financial Condition between Liabilities and Net Worth
What is the general presentation on a statement of financial condition?
Assets
- Liabilities
- Estimated taxes on assets sold
: Net Worth
How is life insurance presented on a Personal Financial Statement?
Only shown if there is cash surrender value
It is shown net of loans against the policy
How are business interests shown on a Personal Financial Statement?
Business Interests that constitute a large percentage of total assets should be separated from other investments
What is the discreet view in an Interim Financial Statement?
Interim period is a separate accounting period - not GAAP
Same accounting principles used for annual reporting should be used.
What is the integral view in an Interim Financial Statement?
Interim period is a part of the annual period - GAAP
Gross profit method may be used to estimate COGS and inventory
Temporary declines in inventory aren’t recognized
How are discontinued operations & extraordinary items reported in Interim Financial Statements?
Aren’t prorated
Fully recognized in Interim Period as incurred
If it occurs in Q3 - it’s recognized in Q3
How are cumulative gains and losses reported in Interim Financials?
Reported as if they occurred in the first quarter
How is inventory valuation handled in Interim Financials?
If inventory experiences a decline in value during an interim period - the loss is recognized in the interim period
If the loss is expected to be only temporary - no loss is recognized
What is one of the primary problems with interim reporting?
The matching principle gets messed up - Expenses incurred in one period may benefit future periods
For whom is Segment Reporting required?
Publicly traded companies
What factors cause a segment to be significant and therefore to be reported separately?
Revenue of segment is 10% or more of total
Profit is 10% or more of total
Segment assets are 10% or more of total
75% Test - All segment revenues must equal 75% of total external revenues
What is the disclosure requirement regarding sales of 10% or more for one customer?
If 10% or more of enterprise revenue comes from one customer - the segment making the sales must be disclosed
Which financial statements are required for not - for - profit organizations?
Statement of Financial Position
Statement of Activities
Statement of Cash Flows
Statement of Functional Expense (Volunteer Health Organizations Only)
What are the major classifications found on a Statement of Financial Position?
Similar to Balance Sheet:
Assets
Liabilities
Net Assets
Unrestricted Assets
Permanently Restricted Assets
Temporarily Restricted Assets
What are the major classifications in a Statement of Activities?
Similar to an Income Statement - organization - wide:
Revenues
Expenses - ONLY deducted from Unrestricted Revenues
Gains and Losses
Changes in Net Asset classes
Unrestricted
Permanently Restricted
Temporarily Restricted
What are the characteristics of a Statement of Cash Flows for not - for - profits? What are the major classifications?
Both direct and indirect methods are OK
Operating Activities - Unrestricted Revenues and Unrestricted Expenses
Investing Activities
Financing Activities - Endowments and restricted contributions
Which organizations are required to present a Statement of Functional Expenses?
Volunteer Health Organizations
Which statements are required for non - governmental hospitals?
Balance Sheet
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Statement of Cash Flows
Financial Statement Notes
Which basis of accounting is used for revenues and net assets?
Accrual basis of accounting is used
Only external parties can restrict the use of assets (permanent or temporary)
Assets earmarked internally by management are still classified as unrestricted
What are the characteristics of unrestricted assets or revenue?
No restrictions or conditions placed on entity in order to use the resources
Note: assets earmarked internally by management are still unrestricted
When are revenues on contributions recognized?
Revenues on contributions are recognized in the year received - not the year the contribution is spent and are recorded at Fair Value on the date received
When are services rendered considered contributions?
If the organization would have otherwise paid for them
or
They increase the value of a non - monetary asset
Is hospital charity care revenue?
NO.
It is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements only.
How are unconditional pledges to contribute recorded?
Classified as revenue in the current year only - multi - year future contributions fall under Temporarily Restricted.
Which revenues are expenses deducted from?
Expenses ONLY deducted from Unrestricted Revenues - not Temporary or Permanently Restricted Revenues/Assets
What are the characteristics of temporarily restricted assets/revenue?
Use is restricted to a future time - which could then convert to unrestricted - Class: Temp. Restricted Revenue
Unrestricted contributions promised (including multi - year contributions) - but not yet received are actually restricted by time and are therefore classified as Temporarily Restricted Assets - Multi - year contributions are recorded at the present value of the future contributions
What are the characteristics of an endowment?
Use of investment is restricted - but income from investment could be either restricted or unrestricted
Must be under control of receiving entity (Quasi Endowment) in order to be recorded in unrestricted net assets
Otherwise - a memo entry is recorded
When is the donation of an art collection recognized as a contribution or asset?
Not recognized as assets or contribution revenue if they are held of display or education’ or their sale results in the purchase of similar items
When both Temporarily Restricted Assets and Unrestricted Assets are available for use - which assets are used first?
Temporarily restricted assets are used before Unrestricted assets.
How is a refundable advance recorded by a not for profit?
Classified as a Liability
Promise to contribute assets pending on certain conditions being met
Becomes unconditional once the possibility that it won’t happen is remote
How are investments recorded and valued in not - for - profit accounting?
Fair Value is mostly used
Exception - Equity method used when significant influence exists
How are scholarships recorded?
As a reduction of revenue - netted against college’s tuition
How is depreciation expense recorded by a not - for - profit?
Depreciation expense is allocated proportionately to various functions