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Revenue Recognition Proposals to Be Re-exposed in Third Quarter

FASB and the IASB agreed Wednesday to re-expose their revised proposal for a common revenue recognition standard. The decision comes following joint deliberations on stakeholder feedback received from a June 2010 exposure draft that would create a single revenue recognition standard for both U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The proposal, which

IASB, Japanese Board Provide Update on Standards Convergence

The leaders of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Accounting Standards Board of Japan (ASBJ) pledged to deepen their cooperation in preparation for a decision expected in 2012 on the mandatory application of IFRS in Japan. During a meeting in Tokyo June 6–7, Sir David Tweedie, chairman of

Hong Kong, Beijing CPA Institutes Form Alliance

The Hong Kong Institute of CPAs and the Beijing Institute of CPAs signed a letter of intent May 28 to boost cooperation among small and medium-size accounting firms in both cities. By signing the letter, the institutes agreed to establish an alliance to foster communication and exchange technical knowledge, expertise,

Third Phase of XBRL Implementation Takes Effect June 15

The third phase of the SEC’s XBRL implementation program takes effect June 15, with nearly all public companies using U.S. GAAP now required to submit data in the fully searchable, digital format. Over the past two years, the largest SEC reporting companies have begun submitting financial information in XBRL. The

FASAB Guidance Helps With Historical Cost Estimates

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) issued implementation guidance in Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Technical Release (TR) 13, Implementation Guide for Estimating the Historical Cost of General Property, Plant & Equipment, to address the historical cost estimating of general property, plant and equipment (G-PP&E) as it applies to

New Online Tool on Financial Reporting Techniques Makes Content Interactive

The AICPA recently released eXacct: Financial Reporting Tools & Techniques, a Web-based tool built on the framework of Accounting Trends & Techniques, an AICPA publication that provides guidance on U.S. GAAP presentation and disclosure requirements, as well as statistical reporting trends and examples from the AICPA’s survey of annual reports

Financial Reporting

The AICPA called on the SEC to contribute funds to support the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation, the parent organization of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In a comment letter (available at tinyurl.com/4x7svbh) to the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board, the Institute wrote, “We believe any solution by the SEC

International

The SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Federal Reserve are drawing attention to the release of a consultative report on Principles for financial market infrastructures (tinyurl.com/4pxhzgs), which the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said contains new and more demanding international standards for payment, clearing and settlement systems.

SEC Staff Presents “Condorsement” as Possible Method for Move to IFRS

A staff paper published Thursday by the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) presents in detail and solicits comments on the so called “condorsement” approach to incorporating IFRS into the U.S. financial reporting system. “The Staff’s discussion in this Staff Paper is not intended to suggest that the Commission

FASB, IASB Issue “Largely Identical” Guidance on Fair Value

FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) on Thursday issued guidance on fair value measurement and disclosure requirements that the boards said in a press release is “largely identical” across IFRS and U.S. GAAP. The guidance, set out in IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement, and FASB Accounting Standards Update

FAF Holding Webcast on Post-Implementation Review

The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF), FASB’s parent organization, is hosting a webcast May 20 on its post-implementation review effort, which is focused on generating real-world feedback on accounting and financial reporting standards. A pilot of the post-implementation review process has begun on a FASB standard, the details of which will

FASAB Modifies Definition of “Deferred Maintenance”

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) issued a standard that it said is aimed at resolving problems created, in part, by agencies’ use of different interpretations of “deferred maintenance.” The board said that Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards (SFFAS) no. 40, Definitional Changes Related to Deferred Maintenance and

FASB Amends “Effective Control” Criteria for Repo Transactions

FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that it said is intended to improve financial reporting of repurchase agreements (“repos”) and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. The board said the amendments in ASU no. 2011-03, Transfers and

Financial Reporting

  The AICPA’s Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC) released a working draft of the revised practice aid Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, also known as the “Cheap Stock” practice aid. It is an update of the practice aid originally issued in April 2004. The working

AICPA Appoints New Chairman of Financial Reporting Committee

Richard Paul, a partner in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s accounting standards and communications group in Wilton, Conn., was named chairman of the Institute’s Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC). FinREC is a volunteer committee that serves as the Institute’s official voice on financial reporting matters and develops industry-specific accounting guidance. The

FASB Prepares to Reprioritize: An Interview With Chairman Leslie Seidman

FASB Chairman Leslie Seidman, in an exclusive JofA interview, explained how the board plans to finish priority convergence projects on financial instruments, revenue recognition and leases. She also shared how the board intends to reprioritize remaining projects, better serve the needs of private companies, and how its role could change

News Highlights for May 2011

FASB’s parent organization, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF), announced in March it is forming a working group to review the adequacy and effectiveness of FASB’s efforts in setting standards for the private company and nonprofit sectors. The creation of the working group follows the release earlier this year of a

SEC Report Recommends No New SOX 404(b) Exemptions

An SEC study of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act recommends no new exemptions to the requirements. The study by the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant was mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Its scope was restricted to companies with a market capitalization between

FASB Issues Goodwill Impairment Proposal

FASB issued an exposure draft of a proposed Accounting Standards Update intended to simplify how businesses are required to test goodwill for impairment. “Nonpublic companies have expressed concerns to the Board about the cost and complexity of performing the goodwill impairment test,” FASB member Daryl Buck said in a press

IASB and FASB Report Progress on Convergence

FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) on Thursday published a progress report on their joint convergence projects. Since their previous report in November, the boards have: Completed five projects. In the next few weeks, the IASB will issue new standards on consolidated financial statements (including disclosure of interests

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Promises of ‘fast and easy’ threaten SOC credibility

CPAs warn that an ongoing push for high-volume SOC services may come at the cost of quality and objectivity.