Reporting the Results of Operation Flashcards
What three things are accounting changes?
Changes in:
- accounting principle
- accounting estimates
- the reporting entity
Correction of errors in old financials is not an “accounting change”
What is restatement?
Revising old financials to correct an error
What is another term for retrospective application?
Retroactive restatement
How should prior period adjustments be reported?
Highlighted on statement of retained earnings
Shown as adjustment to beginning RE, net of tax
What is it called when prior period adjustments are reported with their net tax effect?
Intra-period tax allocation
What qualifies as a change in accounting principle?
A change between generally accepted accounting principles
-May be because old principle is no longer generally accepted (or not)
Change in method of applying a principle
What does not count as a change in accounting principle?
Adoption of principle to record transactions for first time
Adoption of principle to record effects of transactions that were previously immaterial
What is the only justification for changing accounting principles?
Required by new pronouncements
Entity can justify it by proving it is preferable
What is involved in retrospective application?
Cumulative effect of change in principle is reflected in BV of assets and liabilities at the beginning of first period presented (or earliest possible period)
Offsetting adjustment (if necessary) to opening balance of RE for that period
Financials for each presented prior period should show period-specific effects of new principle
Only direct effects of a change in principle are included
What are indirect effects of a change in accounting principle?
Changes to cash flows resulting from a change in principle
E.g. a royalty payment based on a reported amount, such as income
What happens if it is impracticable to apply principles changes to prior periods?
Principle should be applied to earliest date possible
Under what circumstances can a change in principle be deemed impracticable?
Entity has made every reasonable effort
Application requires knowledge of management’s intent that can’t be determined
Application requires estimates which cannot be objectively supported
What disclosures are needed for accounting principle changes?
(1) nature and reason for change, including method of applying it
(2) prior-period info that’s been retrospectively adjusted
(3) effect of changes on income before extraordinary items, net income, and related per-share amounts
(4) cumulative effect of change on RE or other components of equity or net assets
(5) disclosure of reasons why any application is impracticable
What happens if a change in estimate and change in principle are inseparable?
Accounted for as change in estimate
E.g. change in depreciation method to match asset’s benefits
What are examples of changes in estimates?
Useful lives and salvage values
Uncollectible receivables
Warranty costs
How should changes in estimates be reported?
In income from continuing operations
Only reported in periods that the change affects
No retrospective adjustment required
What should be disclosed for changes in estimates?
Effects on (a) income before extraordinary items, (b) net income, and (c) related per-share amounts
Should be disclosed for period of change and any future periods that are affected
What estimates do not need to be disclosed?
Estimates made in ordinary business that aren’t material or long-term (e.g. bad debt estimate)
How are changes in reporting entity reported?
Retrospectively apply changes to financials for all presented prior periods
Do NOT report (a) the effect of the change on beginning RE or (b) pro forma effects on net income and EPS
What are examples of changes in reporting entity?
Consolidated financials
Changing subsidiary companies for which consolidated financials are prepared
What should be disclosed for changes in reporting entity?
Nature and reason of change
Effect of change on (a) income before extraordinary items. (b) net income, (c) OCI, and (d) related per-share amounts
How are changes from unacceptable to generally accepted accounting principles reported?
As a correction of previous errors
NOT as change in accounting principle
How should previous errors be reported?
Reported as prior-period adjustment by restating prior period financial statements
What should be included in restatements of prior period financials for error corrections?
Cumulative effect of error should be reflected in BV of assets and liabilities
Offsetting adjustment to BRE
Corrections of period-specific effects of the error
What should be disclosed for error corrections?
- that previously issued financials have been restated
- description of error
- effect of the correction on each line item and per-share amounts affected
- cumulative effect on RE (or other relevant parts of equity or net assets)
- effects (both gross and net of tax) on net income – should be disclosed in annual report
How should accounting errors be classified?
By time of discovery, or according to effect on income statement, balance sheet, or both
What happens if an error is discovered in a different period than it occurs?
Effect of error is recorded as direct adjustment to BRE
What happens if an error is discovered in the same period as it occurs?
Directly corrected with a JE
What happens if revenues or expenses are misclassified on the income statement?
Net income wouldn’t be affected, so no correction is necessary
Restatement of comparative financials is still required
What are counterbalancing errors?
Errors in both the balance sheet and income statement that offset each other over two consecutive accounting periods
E.g. if accrued wages are not charged at the end of the fiscal year, they will be charged to the next year
The required method for reporting income involves a compromise between which two concepts?
Current operating concept – income should reflect ordinary operations
All-inclusive concept – income should reflect even the unusual items
How is the compromise between the two main income concepts reached?
All regular items, including unusual and infrequent ones, are included in net income
Income from discontinued operations and extraordinary items are reported separately
Prior period adjustments are adjustments to BRE, not income