Accounting 541: Audit of Share-Based Payment and Special Purpose Entities

The information in this report regarding the accounting standards for private companies is as stated in the proposal stage. The three options discussed are options being considered and the Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) has issued an

The purpose of this memo is to document the planning of the financial statement audit

In 1973 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) was established to set the financial accounting standards in the United States of America for nongovernmental entities. These standards are collectively called U.S. Generally accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants acknowledge the authority of these standards (FASB, n.d). A “proven, independent due process” is used to collect the viewpoints of the financial statements prepares and users for the constant improvement of these standards. An Accounting Status Update(ASU) is not an authoritative source however documents the amendments to communicate the changes in the FASB Codification for a user to understand the reason and future of those changes (FASB, n.d).

I am writing to analyse the company's current balance sheet and income statement. Particularly, I will critique on the company's results, compare it to past years, compare it to competitors, and make recommendations on how to improve its financial position.

In 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) was created and their mission is “to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting for the guidance and education of the public, including issuers, auditors, and users of financial information.” (FASB.org, 2009a). The FASB is a private, not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to develop generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) within the United States. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) designated the FASB as the organization responsible for setting accounting standards for public companies in the U.S. Therefore, the FASB plays a vital and important role in protecting the financial well being and the overall stability of our

We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of X Entity as of December 31, 20X1 and 20X0, and the related statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

The field of accounting is constantly evolving. This is true not only for the theory of accounting itself but also the entities that govern its theory and practice. Presently, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are faced with some of the biggest challenges to date. To understand the significance of these two boards, it is necessary to understand their histories, relations between the boards, and the standards that they set. Also how the knowledge of these boards and the field they lead, gained through the masters of science in accountancy

Since 2002, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB) have been working toward “convergence” of US General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). They have made significant progress in efforts to converge critical accounting standards such as those dealing with revenue recognition, financial instruments and leases. Once these projects are complete, the "era" of convergence will be at an end. Nevertheless, the benefits for investors of eventually getting to consistently applied, high-quality, globally accepted accounting

Fast forward to 1970, where the APB’s main contribution “Basic Concepts and Accounting Principles Underlying Financial Statement of Business Enterprises was highly critized for achieving too little too late. Ultimately, resulting in the AICPA suggesting that the standard setting role be turned over to an autonomous body known as the Financial Accounting Standards Board

10 states that an entity shall account for compensation cost from share-based payment transactions with employees in accordance with the fair-value-based method. Under the fair-value-based method, the cost of services received from employees in exchange for awards of share-based compensation shall be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. A10-A17 discuss the acceptable methods of calculating fair value at the grant date. The grant-date fair value of the Murray options is $6. Following the guidance in Illustration 4(a), Share Options with Cliff Vesting, of FAS 123(R), compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006 & 2007 is $200,000 per year (calculation attached hereto).

The intent of this memo is to answer questions regarding the pension plans and operating segments of the company we recently acquired with 100% ownership. This company has two operating segments, each with its own pension plan. Reporting requirements for these issues are explained below.

FAS 123(R) 5 states that an entity should recognize services received in a share based payment transaction when those services are received. 10 states that an entity shall account for compensation cost from share-based payment transactions with employees in accordance with the fair-value-based method. Under the fair-value-based method, the cost of services received from employees in exchange for awards of share-based compensation shall be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. A10-A17 discuss the acceptable methods of calculating fair value at the grant date. The grant-date fair value of the Murray options is $6. Following the guidance in Illustration 4(a), Share Options with Cliff Vesting, of FAS 123(R), compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006 & 2007 is $200,000 per year (calculation attached hereto).

IFRS 13 provides a principles-based framework for measuring fair value in IFRS. This is based on a number of key concepts including unit of account; exit price; valuation premise; highest and best use; principal market; market participant assumptions and the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is an important measurement on the basis of financial reporting. It provides information about what an entity might realize if it sold an asset or might pay to transfer a liability. In recent years, the use of fair value as a measurement basis for financial reporting has been expanded. Determining fair value often requires a variety of assumptions as well as significant judgment. Thus, investors desire timely and

ACC307 INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT TASK 1: Contemporary Issues of Accounting Theory Fair Value Measurement Overview After the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) released the IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement in May 2011 for the purpose of completing its joint project with the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on fair value, the Australian Accounting Standard Board (AASB) released the Australian equivalent - AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement in the September of the same year. This standard permitted early adoption but generally started to take effect for the financial reporting periods beginning from 1 January 2013. This new standard requires no new requirement for the adoption and but it was accompanied with the issuing of AASB 2011-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from the AASB 13 which has made consequential changes to 32 standards and 9 interpretations for the adoption in Australia. The new standard attempts to unify IFRS and US GAAP by specifying how entities should apply the fair value measurements that applied in previous IFRS standards. It clarifies and redefines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date”, sometimes referred to as an “exit price”. It also sets out a single source guidance for a robust measurement framework to ensure that the requirements are applied consistently and have clear

12 months of the reporting date are measured at their nominal amounts based on remuneration rates which are expected to be paid when the liability is settled. All other employee benefits or liabilities are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made in respect of services provided by the employees up to the reporting date.