FASB plans to research concerns about the usefulness of its fair value measurements standard for users of financial statements of employee benefit plans, not-for-profits, and private companies. The concerns arose during a post-implementation review conducted for the board’s parent body, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF). The review was completed last
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Spending and sentiment on the rise for U.S. finance professionals
Businesses show a sustained desire to spend on technology and employee training while expecting profits to increase—signs that economic sentiment among U.S. finance professionals is improving. Respondents in the AICPA Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey previously have projected rising profits. Until now, that expectation hasn’t been mixed with much
Simplified employer health care coverage reporting announced
On Wednesday, the IRS released final regulations to implement simplified reporting requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, which requires employers to report health care coverage information under Secs. 6055 and 6056 starting in 2015 (T.D. 9660 and T.D. 9661). Also Wednesday, the Department of Health
Use data privacy to gain a competitive advantage
Data privacy doesn’t have to be an issue that keeps executives awake at night. Instead, companies that approach data privacy the right way can use it to differentiate themselves, said Carolyn Holcomb, CPA, the leader of PwC’s data protection and privacy practice in the United States. “We see companies that
FASB takes step forward in streamlining of disclosures
FASB took a step forward Tuesday in its effort to make disclosures in notes to financial statements more useful to investors. The board is building a framework that is intended to reduce unnecessary disclosures and highlight information that investors need most. On Tuesday, FASB issued a proposed concepts statement that
GASB proposes new GAAP hierarchy for state and local governments
A new GASB proposal is designed to help state and local governments clearly identify the appropriate guidance to apply to their financial reporting. GASB on Thursday issued the proposal, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for State and Local Governments, as an exposure draft. The proposed statement would change
Guidance on repair regs. updates accounting method change procedures
The IRS issued the second part of the guidance on accounting method changes under the so-called repair regulations, which govern the treatment of expenditures incurred in acquiring, producing, or improving tangible assets (Rev. Proc. 2014-17, modifying and superseding Rev. Proc. 2012-20). The first part of the updated procedures on accounting
PCAOB to hold round table on auditor’s reporting model
The PCAOB will seek feedback on its auditor’s reporting model proposal during a public meeting to be held April 2–3 in Washington. Panelists will be invited to share their views with the board on the proposal, which would include a requirement for auditors to identify and describe “critical audit matters”
Plans bear responsibilities in multiple-employer pension reporting
Transparency is increasing in state and local government employee pension reporting, and financial statement preparers and auditors need to be ready for the changes new GASB pension standards will bring. GASB Statement No. 67, Financial Reporting for Pension Plans, and GASB Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions,
IRS issues final instructions for net investment income tax form
The IRS finally released its eagerly awaited final instructions for Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax—Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, on Thursday. The instructions, which are 20 pages (for a one-page form), were released in draft form in the beginning of January. Practitioners and taxpayers have waited almost a month after
2014 car, truck depreciation limits issued
On Tuesday, the IRS issued the 2014 inflation adjustments to the depreciation limitations and lease inclusion amounts for certain automobiles under Sec. 280F (Rev. Proc. 2014-21). Prior-year versions of this annual guidance had included figures for first-year bonus depreciation, but because bonus depreciation is not in effect for 2014, the
Final substantial-risk-of-forfeiture rules are released
The IRS on Tuesday finalized regulations that clarify when a substantial risk of forfeiture exists on the transfer of stock to an employee that is treated as compensation under Sec. 83 (T.D. 9659). If a substantial risk of forfeiture exists, the employee does not have to recognize the income at
Report reveals breadth of criminal tax activities
From shady tax preparation businesses to identity theft gangs to corrupt IRS agents, the IRS Criminal Investigation division’s annual report reviewing its accomplishments in 2013 reveals the wide range of criminal tax activities it investigated in the past year. And, the report points out, despite a continued significant decline in
Fair value standard fulfills purpose, review finds
A Financial Accounting Foundation review team’s positive feedback on FASB’s fair value measurements standard was tempered by one finding: Some investors question its usefulness for financial statements of employee benefit plans, not-for-profits, and private companies. According to the review team, FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, generally provides investors
How real work experience can help students, businesses
Getting work experience while in college can give accounting and finance students an edge in their post-graduation job search, according to a new survey. Meanwhile, businesses that provide work opportunities for students can build a network of promising talent that will pay big dividends in the future, experts say. Eighty-three
AICPA, CPA Canada to collaborate in forensics, technology advisory services
Members of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) will have access to a broad portfolio of specialized information through the AICPA Information Management and Technology Assurance Section and its Forensic and Valuation Services Section. Under an agreement announced Friday, CPA Canada members can join those sections and will
Final FATCA rules are issued
On Thursday, the IRS released a large package of regulations needed to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA, enacted as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, P.L. 111-147, requires U.S. withholding agents to withhold tax on certain payments to foreign financial institutions
FASB endorses private company VIE alternative for lease arrangements
FASB voted on Wednesday to endorse a GAAP alternative initiated by the Private Company Council (PCC) that will exempt private company lessees from a requirement to consolidate variable-interest entities (VIEs) in common-control leasing arrangements. The exemption will be allowed only if: The private company lessee and the lessor entity are
New international framework takes broad look at audit quality
A new international framework for audit quality takes a broad look at how the stakeholders in the audit process can work to make audits better. The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) released Tuesday a framework that is designed to encourage auditors, audit clients, audit firms, regulators, and others
FASB to focus on targeted GAAP improvements for insurance
FASB will consider targeted changes rather than a significant overhaul of U.S. GAAP’s financial reporting requirements for insurance contracts. The board voted Wednesday to consider potential targeted improvements to long-duration insurance contracts. For short-duration contracts, the board will consider targeted improvements that will be focused solely on disclosures. Board members
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