Genuine Learning Blog
The Genuine Learning Blog is a video series designed to keep you abreast of the latest developments in accounting and auditing. This is a not a teaser, marketing tool. This blog breaking down new proposals from GASB, FASB, and the AICPA into short manageable videos. Watching this series will make you better informed than your peers!
Proposed Ethics Interpretation: Fees
On March 15, 2023, the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) issued an exposure draft relating to fees. The exposure draft includes new interpretations for determining fees for an attest engagement and new fee dependency interpretations, as well as a revised conceptual framework for independence interpretation and revised client affiliates interpretation. Comments are due by June 15, 2023.
Proposed ASU: Income Tax Disclosures
The FASB has issued an exposure draft regarding new disclosure requirements relating to income taxes. In addition to new disclosures, the proposal also includes removal of existing disclosure requirements. Comments are due May 30.
Q1 2023 in Review
Q1 2023 started off slow but ended with a burst of activity. We’ll review the standards issued by the AICPA and FASB in the first quarter of 2023 including the new leases under common control standard as well as SAS 149 for group audits.
Proposed Ethics Interpretation: Cheating in CPE
The AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) has issued an exposure draft to make falsifying attendance records or sharing answers (when not permitted) in CPE an act discreditable to the profession. This expands the rules around sharing answers or requesting answers to the CPA Exam. Comments are due by May 15.
FASB Issues Crypto ED
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued an exposure draft to address feedback from users, preparers and auditors that crypto currency disclosures needed attention. The proposal would require entities to measure crypto assets at fair value (with adjustments flowing through net income). It would also add disclosures around significant holdings, restrictions, and changes in those holdings. Comments are due June 6!
Proposal for International Non-Profit Accounting Guidance
Taking a big first step towards a global nonprofit accounting framework, IFR4NPO has issued the first of 3 expected exposure drafts for public comment. The exposure draft addresses scope and basic framing for the development of a new global framework for nonprofit organizations. Comments are due March 31.
FAF Rolls Out Free Access to Codification & GARS
GLS is very excited about the recent roll out by the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) of its free (and enhanced) access to the FASB Codification and the GASB’s Governmental Accounting Research System. This makes accessing and researching accounting more accessible especially for smaller entities to comply with the standards. The fact that it is free will help reduce barriers to entities following GAAP. We are excited to see the impact this change will have on smaller organizations!
OMB Proposed Changes to 2 CFR
The OMB provided notice of Request for Information (RFI) and notification of proposed guidance to 2 CFR. The OMB, through the RFI and the proposed rule revisions, is seeking to harmonize the regulations of federal grants and agreements to improve efficiencies, allow for greater transparency, and create a more effective process for both grant recipients and federal agencies. Feedback on the guidance and revisions to 2 CFR are due on or before March 13, 2023.
FASB Affirms Changes to Leases (Topic 842)
On February 15, 2023 FASB affirmed the proposed changes to Topic 842, Leases for related parties under common control. The Board unanimously affirmed a practical expedient for private entities & nonprofits without conduit debt under common control arrangements to allow these entities to use the written terms and conditions of their leases to apply Topic 842. FASB also affirmed a change to the amortization of leasehold improvements for all common control entities including public entities. Leasehold improvements between entities under common control will amortize improvements over the useful life of the leasehold improvement as long as the lessee controls the use of the underlying asset through the lease. The final Update will be effective fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The FASB indicated that the new ASU is expected to be issued by the end March.
Proposed SBITA Implementation Guide Question
The GASB has exposed one additional question related to cloud computing arrangements and the scope of GASB 96. The question provides guidance on how to evaluate cloud computing arrangements in the context of a SBITA. Comments are due March 10, 2023.
Proposed Changes to Yellow Book
GAO has issued a proposed update to GAGAS. The main changes include, similar to the AICPA, a movement to quality management and a more risk based approach to quality and quality reviews. They also provide application guidance around key audit matters. Comments are due by April 28, 2023.
2024 CPA Exam Blueprints
The AICPA has issued the final blueprints for the new CPA exam which will launch in 2024. Based on the comments received in the exposure draft phase, the AICPA made updates and tweaks to the proposal and has issued the final blueprints.
New Ethics Interpretation: Compliance Audits
The AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) has issued a new ethics interpretation around Compliance Audits. The interpretation adds two new definitions and revises a third definition. In addition, several Q&As were added to provide context for the application of the independence rules for these engagements.
FAF Strategic Plan
The FAF has released its strategic plan which includes the mission, vision and values of the FAF which is the parent entity to the FASB and GASB. The plan lists out the goals that FAF has set for itself.
2022 in Review
We kick off 2023 with a look at the final standards that were issued by the FASB, GASB and AICPA throughout 2022. We’ll give an executive overview of what was issued and how it may impact financial reporting, auditing and ethics.
Proposed Changes to Peer Review Standards
The AICPA has issued proposed changes to the peer review standards. The proposal is filled with several technical corrections and wording changes with the intent to improve clarity of existing standards. Comments are due January 31, 2023.
GASB Proposal – Implementation Guide 2023
GASB has issued 9 questions for public comment that relate to leases, SBITA and accounting changes. The implementation guidance which would be issued in 2023 would be authoritative interpretations of the related standards. Comments are due January 20, 2023.
Proposed Changes to Lease Accounting (Topic 842)
FASB has proposed changes to Topic 842, Leases for related parties under common control. The proposal would change the evaluation of the lease term for private entities under common control to allow the use of what was in writing. The proposal would also change the amortization of leasehold improvements for all common control entities including public entities. Comments are due January 16, 2023.
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.
