The Financial Reporting Blog

A weekly update on financial reporting topics curated by Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation professionals.


FASB Endorses GAAP Exceptions for Private Companies

The FASB recently endorsed two GAAP exceptions for private companies. The first exception permits private companies to amortize goodwill and implements a simplified model for goodwill impairment testing. The second exception offers a practical expedient that allows private companies to qualify for hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815. Final standards for each are expected to be issued by the end of the year.

Equity-Based Compensation: Are Non-GAAP Earnings Misleading?

During the 1990s debate over the status of stock options as a corporate expense, the big technology companies argued passionately that, since stock option grants to employees don’t ding the corporate checkbook, they should not be recognized as an expense. Despite winning the initial battle (SFAS 123), the tech companies ultimately lost the war (SFAS 123R). Regardless of the ongoing debate about how best to measure earnings, stock-based compensation is a tool used by companies of all sizes and in all industries. In order to deliver the most reliable information to investors, companies need to carefully evaluate the value of such compensation packages when granted.

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