FASB’s Agenda Consultation
Have you ever wanted to influence the topics that FASB covers in its standard setting? Well, now here’s your chance. Today, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued its Invitation to Comment (ITC) that asks individuals to provide feedback on its future standard-setting agenda. The ITC offers examples of topics provided by various stakeholders during the consultation process but provides opportunity to give additional thoughts to what FASB should focus their time on. Comments are due September 22, 2021.
Q2 in Review
It’s time to wrap up the second quarter of 2021. The quarter was pretty slow for issuances of final standards. In this blog, we’ll give an executive overview of the standards issued in the second quarter by FASB, GASB and the AICPA. This will keep you up to date with the changes in financial reporting and auditing.
CPA Evolution Curriculum Update
The AICPA and NASBA have issued information about the changes coming to the CPA exam. They have released the new model curriculum which provides insight into the 3 core areas of the CPA exam content (broadly described as accounting, auditing and tax with a focus on IT and data) as well as the 3 discipline areas (accounting, IT and tax). The topics are broken out into modules and learning objectives for a new look at what we expect from the CPA of the future.
FASB ED: Discount Rate for Nonpublic Lessees
The FASB has issued an exposure draft regarding the use of the discount rate alternative offered to nonpublic entities. After receiving feedback that the risk free rate was not as widely adopted due to relatively low interest rates, the FASB is now proposing permitting the use by class of assets as opposed to the current requirement at the entity level. Comments are due July 16, 2021.
GASB ED – Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
The GASB has issued an exposure draft, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections an amendment of GASB Statement No. 62, to update an area of accounting that hasn’t seen much change. The original guidance came from FASB standards that date back to the 1970s. The GASB reviews the guidance through the lens of a governmental entity and provides definitions as well as accounting guidance on accounting changes and error corrections. Comments are due August 31, 2021.
Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk
President Biden has issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to look at financial risk related to climate change including potentially requiring public entities to disclose certain items. ESG disclosures are a growing area for disclosures and entities like the SASB and GRI have been providing best practices.
QM Proposal Comment Period Extended
The AICPA has extended the comment period for the trio of Quality Management proposals from June 11, 2021 to August 31, 2021; likely due to the extended tax season and lots of other exciting happenings. They have also provided a few glossary documents that provide executive summaries about the proposals and a sample comment letter template for those who may not be comfortable with writing feedback from scratch. They are also hosting a series of round tables in May and June that are open to the public that will feature a summary of the proposed statements followed by a live Q&A. Each roundtable will offer up to 1.5 hours of CPE and be limited to no more than 50 participants.
IESBA Ethics Changes
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants® (IESBA®) has issued two new ethics standards. The first addresses fee-related prohibitions. Firms may not permit the audit fee to be influenced by the provision of services other than the audit to the audit client. In addition, they revised the non-assurance services rules to clarify the circumstances in which firms may provide nonassurance services to an audit or assurance client.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this blog is provided for informational purposes only. Viewing this material does not qualify for CPE credit. Additionally, this general knowledge is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, legal, or financial advice from a professional accountant with specific knowledge of your organization. Finally, watching this blog and/or subscribing to the newsletter do not create an accountant-client relationship.
