Dealers and brokers seeking hedging exposures to the Overnight Index Swap rate (OIS) are in luck. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently issued final guidance that allows dealer-brokers to designate the US OIS, the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate, as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes.
Tags: Business & Legal, SEC, Accounting & Tax, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), under their joint Leases Project, propose to substantially revise the existing rules for lease accounting.
Tags: Business & Legal, Accounting & Tax, Lease Accounting, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP
Companies and users of financial statements should be alert to the potentially far-reaching consequences of a June 27, 2013, proposal issued by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). If adopted, the proposal would likely change how certain companies that provide insurance (not policyholders) account for insurance contracts. Maybe most importantly, the proposal would affect financial accounting by many companies that don’t consider themselves an “insurance company.” Financial institutions, including banks, are just one example. Undoubtedly, the scope of this proposal will surprise many—possibly even the FASB. This proposal, titled Insurance Contracts (Topic 834), is a whopping 405 pages in length—not exactly light reading!
Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, Accounting & Tax, Audit Standards, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP, Insurance
On July 1, 2013, the FASB issued three proposals designed to reduce the complexity of certain accounting requirements for private companies. While that is certainly the intent, some unintended consequences may result as discussed below.
Tags: Business & Legal, SEC, Accounting & Tax, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP
This blog article discusses the formal post-implementation review (PIR) process for U.S. accounting standards used by companies, not-for-profit entities, and state and local governments.
Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, SEC, Accounting & Tax, Audit Standards, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP
This is my third and final blog article on my thoughts on developments that may occur in 2013 in “Accounting Land” in the United States. I cover the activities at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Public Company Oversight Board (PCAOB), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and, finally, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Tags: Corporate Governance, Business & Legal, SEC, Accounting & Tax, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP, IFRS
My last two blog postings discussed what happened in “Accounting Land” in the United States in 2012. But that’s history. What about the future? Let’s dust off the crystal ball and I’ll share with you my thoughts on developments that may occur in 2013, in a series of three blog articles.
Tags: SEC, Accounting & Tax, Lease Accounting, Accountants, US GAAP
This is the second of two blog articles on 2012 changes in the literature frequently used by accountants. Previously, I covered accounting developments in the United States and internationally. This article covers developments affecting companies (registrants) subject to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversight and auditing developments.
Tags: SEC, Accounting & Tax, Audit Standards, Accountants, JOBS Act, US GAAP, GAAP, IFRS, Internal Control
As 2012 comes to a close, it is time for accountants in the United States to reflect on new financial reporting rules or developments and what may transpire in 2013. This is the first of two blog articles on the topic. In this article, I cover accounting developments in the United States and internationally. The second article will cover Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) developments and auditing developments.
Tags: SEC, Accounting & Tax, Lease Accounting, Accountants, US GAAP, GAAP, IFRS, Decision on IFRS
It has been more than two years since the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued their joint proposal on lease accounting. In fact, the proposal was issued on August 17, 2010, and the boards were seeking comments on their proposal by December 15 of that year.
Tags: Business & Legal, Accounting & Tax, Lease Accounting, US GAAP, GAAP