A new accounting standard on credit losses goes into effect in 2020 for public companies and 2021 for private ones. It will result in earlier recognition of losses and expand the range of information considered in determining expected credit losses. Here’s how the new methodology differs from existing practice. Existing
Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), there are strict rules on when to recognize revenues and expenses. Here’s important information about end of period accounting “cutoffs” as companies start to adopt the new revenue recognition standard. Cutoff games How closely does your company follow the cutoff rules? The end
The sweeping new revenue recognition standard goes into effect soon. But many companies are behind on implementing it. Whether your company is public or private, you can’t afford to delay the implementation process any longer. 5 steps Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requires companies
When companies reissue prior financial statements, it raises a red flag to investors and lenders. But not all restatements are bad news. Some result from an honest mistake or misinterpretation of an accounting standard, rather than from incompetence or fraud. Here’s a closer look at restatements and how external auditors
Do you dread the year-end physical inventory count? Business owners and managers often view these procedures as time consuming and disruptive. But a well-executed inventory count is more than a matter of compliance. It can also provide valuable insight into improving operational efficiency. Here’s how to run your count to
When a company reissues or revises its financial statements, some people automatically assume that management is cooking the books. But there can be legitimate reasons for restatements, beyond management incompetence and fraud. So, before leaping to conclusions, it’s important to understand what went wrong — and find ways to prevent
Navigating the tax code — and staying atop the latest tax law developments — can be challenging for business owners. In turn, financial reporting for uncertain tax positions (UTPs), such as pending IRS audits or lawsuits, is complicated and subjective. Here’s some guidance to help clarify matters. Applying the threshold
How much do you really know about accounting for property, plant and equipment? U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) permits some leeway when deciding whether to capitalize or expense a fixed asset purchase, as well as in choosing depreciation methods and useful lives. Such leeway is part of the reason
A landmark financial reporting update is replacing about 180 pieces of industry-specific revenue accounting guidance with a single, principles-based approach. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) unveiled Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In 2015, the FASB postponed the effective date for
