Memory Aids Flashcards
Governs the form and content of financial statements and financial disclosures
Regulation S-K
Governs the form and content of nonfinancial disclosures, like the MD&A
SEC reporting requirements
10-K, 10-Q, 8-K
Basic accounting equation for the balance sheet (statement of financial position)
Other basis of accounting, cash basis, modified cash basis, and income tax basis
Other basis of accounting
Statements not in conformance with GAAP.
Cash basis
Revenues and expenses are only recognized when cash is received or paid.
Modified cash basis
Cash basis is used for regular operating activities but modifications are used for reporting items like inventory, accruing income taxes and capitalizing and depreciating fixed assets.
Income tax basis
Applied to calculate income tax liability.
Accounting changes
Changing from one GAAP principle to another like LIFO to FIFO. This requires retrospective application but is not considered a restatement.
Changes in accounting estimates occur from new information. The change is recorded in the period of change and any future periods.
A change in estimate is inseparable from a change in principle and will be accounted for as a change in estimate.
Error correction
A mathematical mistake, a mistake in GAAP application, or an oversight or misuse of facts when the statements were originally prepared.
A change from non-GAAP to GAAP is an error correction, not a change in principle.
Previous statements need to be revised and restated. Carrying amounts are adjusted for the cumulative effect (CE) of the error on the prior periods.
Level 1 inputs - most reliable since quoted prices come from identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 inputs - observable inputs where quoted prices can be found in similar active and nonactive markets, and inputs that are not quoted prices.
Level 3 inputs - least reliable since there are no observable inputs and should be quoted based on the best available information for the circumstances.
Inventory items in transit
FOB Shipping Point - the control of goods passes to the buyer once shipped
FOB Destination - the control of goods stays with the supplier until the items arrive at the buyer
Weighted-average method
A periodic inventory system that determines the average cost at the end of the period.
Uses the lower cost of net realizable value
FIFO
Use the lower cost of net realizable value
When prices are rising using FIFO, COGS is the lowest and provides the highest net income, also the highest ending inventory.
Costs are the same under both a perpetual and periodic system
Lowest COGS, highest net income, highest ending inventory.
LIFO
Uses lower of cost or market
When prices are rising using LIFO, this gives the highest COGS and lowest net income, and lowest ending inventory
Under a perpetual system LIFO will have different inventory values than a period system because a cost is assigned after each sale.
Last item purchased is the first one sold.
Higher costs of sales in period of rising costs
Highest COGS, lowest net income, lowest ending inventory.
LIFO provides tax advantages because it causes lower net income.
LIFO liquidation is when the oldest layer of cost is reduced because more units were sold in the current year than purchased, which taps into the older “layers” of inventory.
Dollar value LIFO
This is using LIFO ‘pools’ to track inventory by using conversion index
FIFO - LIFO
Items included in the cost of inventory
● Purchase returns
● Freight-in (shipping costs to get the inventory to the warehouse)
● Sales tax on acquisition
● Insurance on transit
Items excluded in the cost of inventory
● Freight out- this is a selling expense
● Interest on purchase - this is financing
Inventory errors
If a purchase on account is not recorded and not included in ending inventory COGS and net income are unaffected, but current assets and current liabilities are understated.
If purchases and beginning inventory are properly recorded but items are excluded from ending inventory COGS is overstated. Net income, inventory, retained earnings, working capital and current ratio are understated.
If goods are properly recorded in inventory but the purchase is left out, net income is overstated because COGS is understated. Current liabilities are understated and working capital is overstated.
Errors from transactions recorded in the wrong period may reverse in the subsequent period.
PPE includes
● Buildings
● Machinery and Equipment
● Land- only asset that is NOT depreciated
● Land improvements- these have a finite life, so they are depreciable
● Natural resources- oil well, coal mine. Instead of “depreciation”, these assets
are “depleted”.
Capitalized costs
Costs that are included in the the asset account and not expensed.
● Costs to get the asset ready to use
○ Usually any cost necessary to bring the asset to its intended use and location, so it would include: sales tax, testing costs, shipping costs, etc.
● Costs to extend the asset’s useful life or increase productivity
○ If a cost just maintains the asset, like an oil change, this is a regular
expense and is NOT capitalized
