Article analysis for Revenue Recognition Timing and Attributes of Reported Revenue: The Case of Software Industry’s Adoption of SOP 91-1 by Yuan Zhang
Timing of revenue recognition is a crucial part in revenue recognition. According to US GAAP, revenue should be recognized when it is realized/realizable and earned (FASB, 1984, Para. 83).
However, a number of software firms recognized revenue prior to product delivery or service performance in the past, which potentially violated one or both of the conditions of the revenue recognition principle. In response, AICPA released Statement of Position (SOP) 91-1 in Dec. 1991, which stipulated that if collectability is probable, license revenue should be recognized upon delivery and service
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Therefore, the author made a Hypothesis: Ceteris paribus, reported revenue under early revenue recognition is more timely in providing economic information than that under SOP 91-1. An efficient stock market impounds value-relevant information of economic transactions in a quick and unbiased fashion. The author tried to find the relationship between reported revenue and stock return to prove the hypothesis by employing reverse regression methodology. After analysis of data, the author’s conclusion is that early revenue recognition increases the timeliness.
In section 5, the author hypothesizes that the accounts receivable accruals map into the cash flow realizations to a lesser extent than those under SOP 91-1. The author points out that the earlier the recognition, the more likely the customer is to not pay. Circumstances such as acceptance, commitment to pay and/or needs for customization may change prior to or upon delivery of the software or rendering of the service that may not be foreseen at the time of contract signing or earlier than as specified in SOP 91-1.
In order to test his hypothesis, the author followed the Dechow and Dichev (2002), which examines the standard deviations of residuals from a regression of accounts receivable accruals on corresponding cash flow realizations. The model uses information related to accounts receivable, sales cash collected during the periods, and errors in accounts receivable accruals (sresid). The author
Revenues are recognized at the POS, when a fixed sales price is established, and collection is probable. For most product sales, these criteria are met when a product is shipped. Online sales are deferred until the customer receives their product, and the transfer of liability is completed.
Net sales consist primarily of revenue from the sale of hardware, software, digital content and applications, peripherals, and service and support contracts. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. Product is considered delivered to the .customer once it has been shipped and title and risk of loss have been transferred. For most of the Company's product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. For online sales to individuals, the Company defers revenue until the customer receives the product because the Company legally retains a portion of the risk of loss on these sales during transit. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of hardware products (e.g., Macs, iPhones, Wads, iPods and peripherals), software bundled with hardware that is essential to the functionality of the hardware, and third-party digital content sold on the
This is not in compliance with the provisions of GAAP or SAB 101. Revenue should not be recognized until it is realized or becomes realizable and earned. If we followed this statement the company did not have realized revenue Furthermore, the penalty payments if enforced could not be paid till the year 2005 as stated in the contract. Also, the journal entry resulted in recognizing revenue when it was not earned or
The conditions for this alternative are very similar to alternative #2 in the aspect that the only thing that has changed is the condition for the collectability. If we decide to recognize the partial revenue of $15,000 on October 4, 2015, when the customer pays the remaining $15,000, collectability is assured 100 percent because all the payment has been paid. In
Coverage of revenue recognition in intermediate accounting courses is typically limited to learning and applying the criteria for revenue recognition outlined in the Financial Accounting
Revenue is the gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the ordinary course of activities. Revenue should be recognized when the future economic benefits that will flow to the entity can be measured reliably. The new standard will significantly change how companies recognize revenue. It creates a whole new codification in a new era of revenue recognition by replacing hundreds of pages of guidance that are specific for each industry to a single comprehensive standard applicable to virtually all industries. The recognition criteria are usually applied separately to each transaction, but sometimes and under specific circumstances, it is necessary to apply the recognition criteria to the separate recognizable parts or of a single transaction in order to reflect the substance of the transaction. In aviation industry, the revenue transaction or events takes a significant period of time in order to complete because of the nature of product delivering against the sum of money. The five‐step revenue recognition process for this transaction are as follows:
In order to confirm the accounts receivable balances, I decided to use positive confirmations since this was my first time auditing the company and the collateral for the loan would be the receivables. The confirmations helped to verify the accuracy and existence of the accounts. I also calculated the Receivables Turnover Ratio in order to better evaluate the overall success of collection on accounts. The sample size that I chose was determined by the factors of tolerable misstatement, inherent risk, control risk, achieved detection risk
Accounts receivable are amounts owed by customers on account. They result from the sale of goods and services on credit. These receivables are generally expected to be collected within 30 to 60 days. They are typically the most significant type of claim held by a company. Accounts receivable and notes receivable resulting from sales are also known as trade receivables. Accounts receivable resulting from sales are referred to as trade receivables in Alcatel's financial statements.
According to Kimmel, Kieso and Waygandt (2011), "the revenue recognition principle requires that companies recognize revenue in the accounting period in which it is earned." Basically, this means that revenues should be recognized (or in other words recorded) on completion of the process of revenue generation i.e. once revenue has been earned. This is as per the accrual basis of accounting. Essentially, revenue recognition derives its significance from its utilization when it comes to the determination of the specific accounting period in which earnings should be recorded.
The interview with Colin Smith, from Office Products Depot, meant I was able to identify the accounts receivable subsystem they used and their accounts receivable management. I focussed on their policies for the offering and checking of credit, managing credit levels, charging the credit customers, receiving payment from credit customers and the general management of credit customers. I will be using the information from the interview with Colin as well as information from fictitious accounts receivable to explain their policies.
After over a decade of extensive deliberation, the IASB and FASB officially released their joint revenue recognition standard to be applied under both GAAP and IFRS. The FASB and IASB which they have been in collaboration for a converged revenue recognition principle since 2008. The new revenue recognition standard represents a milestone in the convergence process, as it is the first fully integrated joint standard. The purpose of the new revenue recognition principle is to standardize across the board how companies should recognize revenue recorded in financial statements.
Wareham SC Systems, Inc. is a capital equipment and testing instrument manufacturer and supplier comprised of three divisions: the Glendale Division, the Advanced Technology Division and the Technical Devices Division (Anthony, Hawkins, & Merchant, 2011, p. 137). In 1999, Somai Desai, the company’s chief financial officer, received news that the Security Exchange Commision (SEC) issued a new set of revenue recognition and reporting guidelines which were to be implemented no later than the fourth quarter of 2000. These new guidelines called the Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 (SAB 101), provided more specific criteria for revenue recognition and are listed as
On May 2014, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) had jointly issue the converged standard, IFRS 15, on the Recognition of Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard create a common revenue recognition standard for both IFRS and US GAAP, it clarify the principle for recognizing revenue, enable consistently application in regardless of transactions, industries or capitals
The accounting practices at Carlton normally permit revenue recognition after the shipment of the computer systems. Peale, Gower and Quill, Carlton’s auditors, are worried about the accounting practices regarding revenue recognition of certain transactions during the
1. What factors might have led analysts to question Oracle Systems’ method of revenue recognition in mid-1990? Are these legitimate concerns?