FAR — Financial Accounting & Reporting (Core)·Select Transactions

Section: Select Transactions

Estimated study time: 55 minutes

Content:

Business combinations (ASC 805): Acquisition method required for all combinations (pooling-of-interests eliminated). Acquirer recognizes 100% of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value on the acquisition date. Goodwill = consideration transferred + fair value of NCI + fair value of previously held equity interest − fair value of net identifiable assets. Bargain purchase: gain recognized immediately. Transaction costs expensed; contingent consideration measured at fair value at acquisition date with changes in fair value recognized in earnings for financial instrument liabilities.

Goodwill impairment (ASC 350): Two-step test replaced by simplified one-step: compare fair value of reporting unit to carrying value (including goodwill). If fair value < carrying value, impairment = excess of carrying value over fair value (not to exceed goodwill balance). Qualitative assessment (Step 0) may bypass quantitative test if more likely than not that fair value exceeds carrying value.

Investments: Equity method (ASC 323) — significant influence (presumed at 20–50% ownership); record at cost, adjust for investor's share of investee net income/loss and dividends. Investor's share of investee income increases investment; dividends decrease investment. Fair value option available. Trading securities — mark to fair value; gains/losses in P&L. Available-for-sale securities — mark to fair value; unrealized gains/losses in OCI. Held-to-maturity — carried at amortized cost (no FV adjustment). Equity securities (post-ASU 2016-01): all equity securities measured at fair value through P&L (except equity method investments); no longer AFS or HTM categories for equity.

Foreign currency translation (ASC 830): Functional currency determines translation method. If functional currency = foreign currency → Current Rate Method: assets/liabilities at closing rate; equity at historical rate; revenues/expenses at average rate; translation adjustment in OCI. If functional currency = USD → Temporal Method: monetary items at closing rate; nonmonetary items at historical rate; remeasurement gain/loss in P&L.

Derivatives and hedging (ASC 815): Derivatives measured at fair value with changes in P&L unless designated as a qualifying hedge. Fair value hedge: hedges fair value of a recognized asset/liability; gain/loss on derivative and offsetting loss/gain on hedged item both in P&L. Cash flow hedge: hedges variability of cash flows; gain/loss on derivative in OCI until hedged transaction affects P&L. Net investment hedge: hedges net investment in foreign subsidiary; gain/loss in OCI (CTA).

Key Terms:

  • Goodwill (Business Combination): Excess of acquisition price + NCI + previously held equity interest over fair value of net identifiable assets
  • Bargain Purchase: Fair value of net assets exceeds consideration transferred; gain recognized immediately in P&L
  • Equity Method: 20–50% ownership / significant influence; adjust carrying value for share of income/loss and dividends
  • Current Rate Method: Translates foreign subsidiary financial statements using closing rate for B/S items and average rate for I/S items; translation adjustment in OCI
  • Fair Value Hedge: Derivative designated to hedge fair value of recognized asset/liability; both derivative and hedged item adjustments flow to P&L
  • Cash Flow Hedge: Derivative designated to hedge variability of future cash flows; fair value changes go to OCI until the hedged transaction affects P&L

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