The standard setters are preparing for transaction-based rates.
Accounting & reporting
AICPA seeks guidance on adjustments for conversions from S corp. to C corp.
A reduced corporate tax rate could encourage changeover.
SEC addresses IPOs, ETFs, retail investor protections
All issuers will be allowed to ‘test the waters.’
FASB votes to delay effective dates for 3 major standards
A separate standard for insurance contract accounting also was delayed.
FASB proposes changes aimed at improving codification
FASB proposed minor changes as part of its annual effort to clarify and correct unintended application of its Accounting Standards Codification.
FASB issues narrow-scope changes to credit losses standard
An Accounting Standards Update makes improvements to certain technical and other aspects of implementing FASB’s new accounting standard for credit losses.
Valuation in spotlight as SEC mulls expanding investment opportunities
The SEC is considering expanding opportunities for nonaccredited investors. That means more investors may be relying on private-equity fund valuations and auditors’ assessments of those valuations.
FASB officially delays 4 major standards
FASB issued two Accounting Standards Updates that finalize delays to various effective dates for new standards on current expected credit losses (CECL), leases, hedging, and long-duration insurance contracts.
FASB approves guidance to assist in reference rate transition
FASB approved guidance to assist companies in their transition from interbank-offered rates to new reference rates.
FASB proposes clarifying hedge accounting standard
FASB is attempting to enable a better, more consistent application of its new hedge accounting standard with proposed clarifications to certain sections of the guidance.
FASB addresses share-based payments to customers
Share-based payments made to customers will be accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 718 as a result of new rules.
IFAC seeks consistency, accountants’ engagement in corporate reporting
The wide variety of frameworks and standards initiatives prevents consistency in corporate reporting, according to the International Federation of Accountants.
FASB proposes delay in long-term insurance standard effective date
The board put forward a new philosophy on effective dates.
CECL isn’t just for banks anymore
Revised financial instruments standards that impact all industries and apply to a broad range of financial assets have begun to take effect. The effective date for SEC filers is years beginning after Dec. 15, 2019.
FASB proposes guidance to ease transition to new benchmark rates
Reference rates are seen as less susceptible to manipulation.
FASB makes a second effort to improve balance sheet debt classification
The reproposal addresses unused long-term financing arrangements.
FASB debt classification reproposal sparks concerns
FASB’s attempts to simplify the classification of debt in a classified balance sheet may have unintended consequences, according to a comment letter sent by the AICPA Technical Issues Committee.
Lease accounting: Keep pushing ahead
Despite FASB’s delay in the lease accounting effective date for private companies and certain other entities, there’s not a lot of time for companies to handle a complicated implementation.
FASB votes to delay effective dates for 3 major standards
Effective dates will be delayed for private companies and certain other entities for FASB’s standards on accounting for leases, credit losses, and hedging after a unanimous vote by FASB.
Opinion: FASB proposal jeopardizes health care entity financing
A FASB proposal could render obsolete a valuable financing option for health care entities known as variable-rate debt obligations (VRDOs).
Features
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Five years ago, a grieving Angel Zhen started his own CPA firm with no clients and no revenue. Today, he has 300 clients, $600,000 in revenue and 12 weeks of annual vacation. In this JofA article, he shares how he set up his firm and how you could do the same.
