Accounting Theory 4

Financial Instruments A financial asset is something which is defined as an entitlement of future cash flows. However, a financial instrument is a broader term used to describe financial assets and other assets in which there are no organised secondary markets to trade them. However, a financial security is something that can be traded in a secondary market. Attributes of Financial Assets Financial assets are those that: • • • • Have a return of yield expressed in terms of percentage. Have risk in which there is probability the actual return will differ from the expected return. Are liquid in that they can be sold at current market prices with reasonable transaction costs. Are expected to have a set time-pattern of cash flows in or out.

Investments. “The analysis and process of choosing securities and other assets to purchase.” (Cornett, Adair, & Nofsinger, 2016, p. 7).

Samuelson believes that the assets definition should concentrate upon property rights that are concerned with wealth, which provides a true balance sheet orientation, rather than being concerned with revenue generation, Samuelson’s definition may lead to an exit value orientation for assets. One of the key points about the property rights approach lies in exchangeability of the asset. Samuelson’s viewpoint would result in certain deferred charges being expensed immediately even though their incurrence may bring about future economic benefits.

When the FASB originally deliberated Statement 144, it considered and rejected requests for a limited exception to the fair value measurement for impaired long-lived assets that are subject to nonrecourse debt. Some constituents believed that the impairment loss on an asset subject entirely to nonrecourse debt should be limited to the loss that would occur if the asset were put back to the lender. The FASB decided not to provide an exception for assets subject to nonrecourse debt. In its basis for conclusions, the FASB explained that the

Once a gain or loss is recognized, a taxpayer must determine how the recognized gain or loss affects the taxpayer’s tax liability. The character depends on a combination of two factors: purpose or use of the asset and holding period. The purpose or use of the asset is important because the law does not treat all assets equally. The general use categories are: (1) trade or business, (2) for the production of income (rental activities), (3) investment, and (4) personal. Based on these criteria, we can categorize an asset into one of three groups: (1) ordinary, (2) capital, or (3) section 1231. Characterizing the gain or loss is important because all gains and losses are not equal. Ordinary gains and losses are taxed at ordinary income rates, regardless of the holding

as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) exceeds its fair value.

E1-5 Cougar’s Accounting Services provides low – cost tax advice and preparation to those with financial need. At the end of the current period, the company reports the following amounts: Asset – 19000; Liabilities – 15000; Revenues – 28000; Expenses = 33000

ASC 820 requires that the measurement of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed should be based on the

The subsequent valuations are consistent with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards no. 157, defined 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.”

The excess of the fair value of a business over the fair value of all net identifiable assets.

uses budgeted fleet hours to allocate variable manufacturing overhead. The following information pertains to the company 's manufacturing overhead data:

The fair value of an asset is defined as ‘the price that would be received to sell an asset paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date” (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2012). It is a market based measure (Averkamp, 2014). Over the past few years, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles has called for the use of fair value measurement in a company’s financial statements. This is what is referred to as the fair value principle (Kieso, Weygandt, & Warfield, 2012). The fair value of an asset or liability is based on an estimate of what the asset should be worth at the time of sale. This gives rise to some conflict among accounting professionals. It is believed that fair value may not be as accurate

Often there are assets that do not appear on the balance sheet of the investee; however as per initial measurement guidance all identifiable assets must be measured. According to ASC 805-20-25-10 “An intangible asset is identifiable if it meets either the separability criterion or the contractual-legal criterion described in the definition of identifiable.” This means that if an asset is separable from the entity or arises due to contractual rights, even if it lacks physical substance, it must be recognized at fair market value. Often the value of the entity cannot be seen on a balance sheet and it is important to realize that even if an asset is not in the acquired entities financials but it holds value, there is a distinct possibility that it will meet the separability criterion and thus must be valued at fair market value as of the acquisition date.

AASB 138 defines intangible assets as “identifiable non-monetary assets without physical substance”. Such assets include but are not limited to goodwill, trademarks, patents and research and development. AASB 138 Intangible Assets has been implemented to prescribe the accounting treatment for intangible assets that have not been specifically dealt with in any other standard. Therefore, this standard only applies to intangible assets that have not been previously dealt with. Furthermore, it can be established that this standard is an example of normative accounting theories because the standard prescribes what should be done, rather than predicts what people may do. According to AASB 138 Intangible Assets, in order for an asset to be recognised in the financial statements it must meet specific criteria. The required criterion states that the asset must be identifiable, the entity has control of the asset, future economic benefits are probable and the cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

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