FAR - Specific Transactions, Events, & Disclosures - Financial Instruments

Question 1

Financials Instruments are

Answer 1

1) cash (demand deposits + foreign currency)
2) evidence of ownership interest in an entity (stock, PTP interest, LLC interest)
3) contracts (exchange of cash or ownership interest) OR impose contractual obligation and contractual right (A/R, A/P, Invest in Bonds/B/P, N/R, N/P)

Question 2

Financial Instruments identified

Answer 2

Assets: cash, A/R, investments

Liab: A/P, B/P

“Special” - options, futures, forwards, swaps

Question 3

Financial Instrument Valuation/presentation

Answer 3

Most likely valuation = FV (depends on type of instrument)

IF carried @ FV, disclosure requirements exist so users understand basis of FV

Question 4

IFRS - Financial instruments

Answer 4

GAAP:

1) don’t define assets/liab separately
2) no specific category for “loans/receivables”
3) impairment testing completed relative to FV

IFRS:

1) defines assets/liab separately
2) identifies specific categories for “loans/receivables”
3) impairment testing completed relative to recoverable amount

Question 5

FV Disclosure Requirements

Answer 5

Following info must be disclosed for which it is practicable to estimate FV:

1) FV
2) Related CV
3) whether instrument is an asset/liab

Required disclosures in either

1) body of financials, OR
2) notes to financials

Question 6

Practicable to Estimate Defined

Answer 6

means that FV estimates can be made w/o incurring excessive costs (cost-benefit assessment)

If FV = not practicable to estimate, entity must disclose:

1) why not
2) additional info:
a) CV
b) effective interest rate
c) maturity date/value

Question 7

Concentrations of Credit Risk Disclosure

Answer 7

must disclose all concentrations of credit risk:

1) credit risk: possibility of loss from failure of other party to perform according to contract

2) concentration of credit risk: contracts of material value w/parties that have same characteristics:
a) same industry
b) same country/region
c) same economic characteristics

Question 8

Info to disclose about each significant concentration of credit risk

Answer 8

1) info about activity, region, other characteristics
2) max amount of loss that occur due to each credit risk
3) entity’s policy of requiring collateral or other security to support credit risk

Question 9

Market Risk Disclosure

Answer 9

For financial instruments are NOT required

• market risk disclosures encouraged
• market risk = possibility of loss from change in MKT value due to changes in economic circumstances:

1) changes in market rate of interest
2) changes in rate of inflation

Question 10

true/false

All entities must disclose all significant concentrations of credit risk arising from all financial instruments, whether from a single entity or a group of parties that engage in similar activities and that have similar economic characteristics

Answer 10

true

Question 11

true/false

Disclosure of the fair values of an entity’s financial instruments is required when it is practicable to estimate those fair values.

Answer 11

true

Question 12

Derivatives defined

Answer 12

Financial instrument w/following elements

1) “underlying” AND “notional amount” OR “payment provision” (IF -> THEN)
2) Requires no/very small initial investment
3) Permits/requires settlement in cash, in lieu of delivery

Question 13

“Underlying” and “Notional Amount”

Answer 13

Underlying - specified price/rate

• stock price
• commodity price
• foreign currency exchange rate

Notional amount - specified unit of measure

• shares of stock
• pounds/bushels of commodity
• number of foreign currency units

*IF -> THEN (much like a bet)

Question 14

Derivative Examples

Answer 14

1) option contracts - stock options
2) futures contracts - contracts made w/ clearinghouse for exchange in future at current price
3) forward contracts - similar to futures, BUT directly between contracting parties (not clearinghouse)
4) swap contracts - swap fixed rate debt for variable rate debt or vice versa

Question 15

Recognition/Measurement

Answer 15

Entities that hold derivative instruments must:

• recognize as either assets (contract. rights) or liab (contract. obligations)
• measure @ FV
• changing FV = gains/losses recognized in earnings unless meets specific hedging criteria

Question 16

Embedded derivatives

Answer 16

portion/term in a contract that acts like a derivative which is embedded (hidden) in a “host” contract

EX of host contracts:

1) debt instruments
2) equity instruments
3) leases

*if embedded derivative = definition of a derivative, you may need to bifurcate (separate)

Question 17

Bifurcation of embedded derivatives

Answer 17

If host contract & embedded derivative are NOT clearly/closely related -> must be separated into 2 instruments:

1) embedded derivative
2) non-derivative host contract

EXCEPTION: when host contract = FV

Question 18

Clearly & Closely Related

Answer 18

1) Debt Instrument:
- inflation
- interest rates
- creditworthiness

2) Equity Instrument
- Share price of equity instrument

3) Lease
- Inflation
- Interest Rates

Question 19

Accounting for Embedded Derivatives

Answer 19

1) allocate CV of hybrid contract between
- new embedded derivative
- remaining host contract

2) allocate CV by:
- recording derivative @ FV
- assigning remaining CV to host contract

3) Acct treatment:
- embedded derivative = derivative instrument
- host contract using relevant GAAP

Question 20

Derivatives Held for Speculation

Answer 20

Not designated (or qualify) to hedge risk

Entered into to obtain profit

Adj. FV @ B/S Date:

DR: Derivative Instrument
CF: Gain on Derivative (I/S)

Question 21

Hedging

Answer 21

Hedging is a risk management strategy which involves making an investment (the hedge) so as to offset (or counter) another investment (the hedged item) so that a loss on one investment (the hedged item) would be offset (at least in part) by a gain on the other investment (the hedge), and vice versa. A perfect hedge is achieved when the hedge investment has a 100% inverse correlation to the initial investment (hedged item) so that there is no possibility of future gain or loss. A perfect hedge rarely exists.

Question 22

value or settlement amount of a derivative determined?

Answer 22

multiplication (or other calculation) of the notional amount and the underlying

Question 23

true/false

intrinsic value of a call option is the difference between the exercise (strike) price and the market price

Answer 23

true

Question 24

true/false

derivative does not require contractual satisfaction by delivery of the subject matter of the contract

Answer 24

true

*contract that has it settlement value tied to an underlying notional amount best describes a derivative financial instrument

Question 25

Hedging Elements

Answer 25

Hedging item - recognized asset/liab, firm commitment, or transaction subject to risk of possible loss Hedging instrument - contract/arrangement to mitigate/eliminate risk of possible loss with hedged item

Question 26

Natural/Economic Hedge Hedge Acct

Answer 26

use derivative to offset price of commodity, interest %, anticipated purchase, foreign exchange exposure, etc. - no special hedge acct, market-to-market derivative/exposure through earnings Use a derivative to offset price of commodity, interest %, anticipated purchase, foreign exchange exposure, etc. - when criteria met, there is special act for hedging instrument/hedged item

Question 27

Items eligible for hedge acct

Answer 27

commodity risk price - risk of loss due to commodity value foreign exchange risk - risk of loss due to exchange rate change interest rate risk - risk of loss due to interest rate changes credit risk - risk of loss with credit risk changes FV risk - risk of loss due to change in FV of hedged item Convert fixed risk -> floating CF risk - risk of loss due to change in CFs of hedged item Converts floating risk -> Fixes * other identified risks are forms of FV/CFs risk - EX: 1) foreign currency risk 2) net investment in foreign operations

Question 28

Forecasted Transaction

Answer 28

expected to occur when there is NO firm commitment b/c no transaction/event has yet occurred, when transaction/event does occur, it will be at prevailing market price

Question 29

Firm Commitment

Answer 29

agreement with unrelated party that is binding on both parties/usually legally enforceable; specifies all significant terms (quantity, fixed price, timing) and includes disincentive for nonperformance that is large enough to make performance probable. * firm commitment = purchase commitment

Question 30

Forecasted Transaction benefits/limitations

Answer 30

Benefits: - flexibility - allows due diligence - increased possibility for price concessions - prices may go down Limitations: - shortage of supply - no opportunity to build relationship w/ vendor - prices may go up

Question 31

Firm commitment - benefits/limitations

Answer 31

Benefits: - certainty of vendor, price, quantity, quality - permits better budgeting - develop relationship w/vendor - increase likelihood of obtaining product if there is shortage - mitigates risk of prices increasing Limitations: - prices may decrease - vendor may go bankrupt - less opportunity to build relationships w/other vendors - cannot take advantage of last minute discounts

Question 32

four different possible uses of derivatives.

Answer 32

1) Derivatives not used as a hedge; 2) Fair value hedges; 3) Cash flow hedges; 4) Foreign currency hedges.

Question 33

true/false risks associated with a foreign currency that can be hedged can be either the risk to fair value in the foreign currency or the risk to cash flows in the foreign currency

Answer 33

true

Question 34

true/false Derivative instruments can be used not only for hedging purposes but also for speculative purposes. In addition, derivative instruments can be used not only to hedge fair value, but also to hedge cash flows.

Answer 34

true

Question 35

true/false fair value of an investment accounted for using the equity method of accounting cannot be hedged for accounting purposes.

Answer 35

true

Question 36

FV Hedge

Answer 36

Hedge of an exposure to changes in FV of asset, liab, or unrecognized firm commitment from a particular risk * unrecognized firm commitment = legally binding contract not yet recognized as asset/liab under GAAP * FV hedge converts fixed price exposure -> floating price

Question 37

Requirements for FV Hedges

Answer 37

Derivative (hedging instrument) asset, liab, or Firm Commitment (hedged item): 1) must have formal doc of hedging objective/relationships, risk being hedged, and how effectiveness will be assessed 2) derivative must be highly effective in offsetting changes in FV of hedged item, with assessment at least quarterly & at B/S date

Question 38

FV Hedge of Fixed Interest %

Answer 38

FV hedge of a fixed interest % would convert the fixed rate to a floating rate - Only benchmark % may be hedged - Only 2 rates are benchmark rates 1) Direct US Treasury Obligations 2) London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR)

Question 39

Hedge of Non-financial asset/liab

Answer 39

Risk hedged = risk of change in FV of asset/liab - FV of portion of asset/liab cannot be hedged item

Question 40

FV Hedge Acct

Answer 40

1) Adj. hedging instrument to FV @ B/S date 2) Adj. hedged item (asset, liab, Firm Comm.) to FV @ B/S date 3) Recognize in current income gain/loss from revaluing both * to extent gain/loss on derivative doesn't exactly offset loss/gain on hedged item = net gain/loss in current income

Question 41

conditions under which an "unrecognized firm commitment" exists

Answer 41

entity enters into a contract to buy or sell but has not yet booked the transaction

Question 42

accounting requirements for a change in the fair value of a fair value hedging instrument and the asset, liability, or firm commitment being hedged?

Answer 42

1) Adj CV of the derivative/hedged item to FV | 2) Recognizing gains/losses from revaluing the derivative and the hedged item in current income.

Question 43

formal documentation required at the inception of a fair value hedge?

Answer 43

1) hedging relationship; 2) objective/strategy for undertaking the hedge; 3) Identification of the hedging instrument; 4) Nature of the risk being hedged; 5) How effectiveness of the hedge will be assessed.

Question 44

true/false derivative cannot be used to hedge the risk associated with an unrecognized forecasted transaction, primarily because, since the transaction is only "forecasted," there is no established fair value to hedge

Answer 44

true

Question 45

true/false firm commitment occurs when an entity has a contractual obligation or contractual right, but no transaction has been recorded (and no asset or liability recognized) because GAAP requirements for recognition have not yet been met. Nevertheless, the subject matter of the firm commitment is at risk of change in fair value and can be hedged.

Answer 45

true

Question 46

FV Hedge Current Year Net Income (Loss)

Answer 46

changes of FV of the hedged item and hedging instrument offset each other resulting in net income (loss)

Question 47

Effective vs Ineffective Portion of hedges effective - OCI ineffective - net income (loss)

Answer 47

changes of FV of the hedged item and hedging instrument offset each other resulting in net income (loss) -> the net income (loss) represent ineffective (loss) and effective (income) portions of the hedge.

Question 48

CF Hedge

Answer 48

hedge of changes in CF associated with asset, liab, forecasted transaction "forecasted transaction" - planned transaction w/ another party for rights/obligations not yet established - CF hedge converts floating price -> fixed price

Question 49

Requirements for CF Hedge

Answer 49

derivative (hedging instrument) and asset, liab, or forecasted transaction (hedged item): - must have formal docs of objective, risk being hedged, and how effectiveness will be assessed - derivative must be highly effective in offsetting changes in CF of hedged item, with assessment at leas quarterly and at B/S date

Question 50

Exclusions from CF Hedge

Answer 50

1) business combo 2) parent's equity in a sub 3) entity's own equity instruments

Question 51

CF Hedge Acct

Answer 51

- Determine/adj. derivative for changes in its FV - Determine change in PV of expected CF of hedged item (asset, liab, forecasted) - Recognize change in FV of derivative: Up to amount of change in PC of expected CF as OCI - effective portion - Amount different than change in PV of expected CF in current income - ineffective portion

Question 52

conditions necessary for a forecasted transaction to be the hedged item in a cash flow hedge?

Answer 52

1) Specifically identified as a single transaction or group of individual transactions with the same risk exposure; 2) Probable of occurring; 3) With an external party (with limited exceptions); 4) Capable of affecting cash flows and earnings; 5) Not for acquisition of an asset or incurrence of a liability accounted for at fair value with the change reported in current income.

Question 53

true/false To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument offsets the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the hedge is effective, and that amount is recognized in other comprehensive income, not current income. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is different than the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the hedge is ineffective, and that amount is recognized in current income

Answer 53

true

Question 54

true/false When the fair value of a financial instrument is hedged, gains (and losses) from changes in the value of the hedged item and the hedging instrument (derivative) are recognized in current income. When the cash flow of a financial instrument is hedged, gains (and losses) from changes in the value of the hedged item are recognized in other comprehensive income, along with the change in the value of the hedging instrument (derivative) up to the change in amount of the hedged item. Any change in the hedging instrument in excess of the change in the value of the hedged item is recognized in current income.

Answer 54

true

Question 55

Foreign Currency Hedge

Answer 55

Mitigate changes in value of assets, liab, and forecasted transactions that are denominated in foreign currency - "denominated foreign currency" = asset, liab, or planned transaction settled in a foreign country - hedge is to mitigate changes in exchange rates between currencies

Question 56

Foreign Currency Hedges Examples

Answer 56

1) forecasted tranaction - CF (OCI) 2) Firm Commitment - FV (I/S) or CF (OCI) 3) Recognized asset/liab - FV (I/S) or CF (OCI) 4) Invest. in Avail-For-Sale- FV (I/S) 5) Net invest. in foreign operations - FV (I/S) of converted financials or CF (OCI) gain/loss offsets translation adj.

Question 57

Effectiveness of hedging

Answer 57

2 terms associated w/effectiveness 1) assessing hedge effectiveness - "right" to use hedge acct 2) measuring ineffectiveness - determination of how much the hedge needs to be recognized in earnings

Question 58

Assessing Effectiveness Prospective assessment

Answer 58

forward-looking assessment of entity's expectation that a planned hedging relationship will be effective over future periods - consider all possible changes in hedged item/hedged instrument - approaches: 1) regression analysis 2) qualitative assessment 3) probability-weighted analysis

Question 59

Assessing Effectiveness | Retrospective

Answer 59

on-going assessment of hedging relationship for effectiveness and to measure any ineffectiveness - carried out @ each B/S date and at least every 3 months - approaches: 1) cumulative dollar offset: how well the dollar changing in hedging instrument offsets dollar change in hedged item 2) regression analysis 3) qualitative assessment

Question 60

Measuring Ineffectiveness

Answer 60

change in hedging instrument doesn't offset change in hedged item change in derivative value /change in hedged item value *recognize income in current period of change

Question 61

Effectiveness Short-Cut Method

Answer 61

Applies ONLY to interest-rate risk hedge of recognized interest-bearing financial asset/liab using interest-rate swap Very difficult to qualify

Question 62

Derivative Disclosure Requirements

Answer 62

entities that issue/hold derivative instruments must disclose: 1) objectives, context for objectives, strategies to meet each 2) FV hedge - gain/loss recognized in period 3) CF hedge - gain/loss recognized in income in the period in OCI and an estimate in next 12 months * for hedges of net invest. in foreign operations - G/L included in cumulative translation adj.