Private companies must adopt the new lease accounting standard starting in 2022. This article includes important information that companies should be aware of as they update their processes and systems to reflect the changes. Read more
Cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly common as a method of payment (as well as an investment). This article discusses feedback from investors and FASB members on whether a cryptocurrency project should be added to the FASB's five-year agenda. Read more
Internal controls have been a hot button issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as remote working arrangements have become more common. This article discusses the importance of evaluating internal controls over financial reporting. Read more
Businesses periodically need to add equipment to grow their operations and replace outdated assets. This article discusses factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or lease equipment, including how recent changes to the lease accounting and federal income tax rules have muddied the waters. Read more
ERISA generally requires employee benefit plans with 100 or more participants to have their annual reports audited. Plan administrators have fiduciary responsibilities to hire independent qualified public accountants to perform quality audits. Read more
Private companies and not-for-profits are wrestling with accounting for the employee retention credit that qualifies eligible employers for payroll tax reduction under COVID-19 relief laws. Read more
The FASB recently issued new guidance to simplify the accounting rules for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity's own equity. Though narrower than initially proposed, the changes will provide investors with more-comparable information that is easier to understand. Read more
Some recipients of PPP loans have been unclear as to how to account for these loans. Should these arrangements be treated as loans or grants under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles? Read more
On June 3, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-05 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Leases (Topic 842). Read more
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has rightly become the focus of massive public attention in recent weeks. In addition to concerns about the health of their workers, businesses may be concerned about how it will affect their financial results and the performance of their supply chain partners. Read more
The AICPA's Auditing Standards Board ("ASB") issued a revised attestation standard in December 2019. The revised standard gives accountants more flexibility when performing agreed-upon procedures ("AUP") engagements. Read more
Outside financial audits may seem like an extravagance to not-for-profits working to contain costs and focus on their mission. However, undergoing regular audits allows an organization to identify risks early and act quickly to prevent problems. Read more
Debt-strapped private companies have been exploring ways to avoid having to use the lease accounting rules for new contracts. Implementing the updated leases standard might cause some companies to trip their loan covenants and how to safeguard against this potential pitfall. Read more
Equity-based compensation awards can help companies attract skilled workers and boost performance. But accounting for these payments can be complicated and costly. Read more
In recent years, smaller public companies and private entities have been struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of change in accounting rules. In response, the FASB has proposed changing its philosophy for establishing effective dates for major new accounting standards. Read more
A solid system of internal controls translates into more reliable financial reporting and can help companies prevent, detect and correct financial misstatements. Read more
In July, the FASB voted to propose a sweeping set of split deferrals for certain entities. The proposal would delay new accounting rules for 1) leases, 2) credit losses on loans, 3) long-term insurance contracts, and 4) hedge accounting. Read more
Ideally, investors should be able to get sufficient information about a company's future cash flows by looking at the income statement. But they currently do not because expense information is too densely reported, according to recent discussions by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Read more
In February, Amazon backed out of plans to open a second headquarters in Queens, New York, because of community opposition to roughly $2.5 billion in government incentives. Read more
Many corporate directors want to increase board diversity to capture the benefits. This article highlights key findings from recent boardroom diversity studies and some characteristics, beyond gender and race diversity, that boards should look for in new members. Read more