GASB has proposed its Exposure Draft which would improve the financial reporting model. The proposal includes changes to MD&A, extraordinary items, presentation of proprietary funds, and implements the short-term financial resource measurement focus for governmental funds which was introduced in an ED earlier this month. Comments are due February 26, 2021.
GASB has issued a preliminary views document which is their second phase in updating revenue and expense guidance. Building on the ITC issued in 2018, the PV continues to develop the model for categorization, recognition, and measurement. In lieu of the 3 methods proposed in the ITC, GASB has developed a Category A / Category B. For those familiar with the FASB guidance in Topic 606, the introduction of performance obligations for Category A should feel somewhat similar. Due to the scope of the project, COVID19 and upcoming fiscal year ends for many governments, comments are not due until February 2021.
GASB has proposed major changes to the concept statements for recognition. The proposal further develops the concept of the short term financial resources measurement focus. It makes changes to these concepts from the prior preliminary views document. Comments are due February 26, 2021.
This week we review the standards issued and proposed in the second quarter of 2020 for GASB, FASB, and the AICPA. While it was a slower quarter, GASB did manage to finalize quite a few final standards while also issuing exposure drafts for the conceptual framework and a preliminary views document on revenue and expenses. FASB focused solely on COVID19. The AICPA addressed COVID19, as well, while also issuing the final standard in their reporting suite and four TQAs.
This week found our regulatory agencies working hard to address COVID-19. OMB expanded its administrative relief to entities impacted operationally by current conditions. The AICPA provided guidance on how to audit inventory when you can’t be on site. The SEC provided disclosure guidance to address COVID. GASB has indicated potential delays of two major standards in response to operational issues. FASB has worked with the federal agencies to address loan modifications and TDRs in light of banks helping customers dealing with COVID fallout. Standard setting may be on hold while they all take the time to address the current situation.
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.
Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.
Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.
She also serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council, and the AICPA’s Women’s Initiative Executive Committee (WIEC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), the VSCPA’s Board of Directors, and is a past Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. In addition, Melisa is the author of Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic Accounting which is available on Amazon or anywhere you purchase books online.
Melisa received a Top 50 Women in Accounting Award in 2021 by Ignition, is a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient, and was honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.
