Chapter 24: Question 17Q (page 1452)

What is the fair value option? Explain how use of the fair value option reflects application of the fair value principle.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The fair value option is the option provided to the firms to use the fair value method while measuring financial assets and liabilities. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) believes that the fair value option used for measuring financial assets and liabilities provides appropriate and understandable information compared to the historical cost.

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of Fair Value

The fair value indicates the existing price of an asset which is acceptable by both the purchaser and the seller. With the use of the fair value method, valuations are more accurate, provide a true measurement of income, can adapt to various types of assets, and helps in the survival of the business.

02

Ways to show that the fair value option indicates the application of the fair value principle.

According to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the fair value measurement for financial assets and liabilities provides information that is suitable and understandable as compared to historical cost.

Fair value is considered to be highly relevant as it shows the current value of cash equivalent of financial instruments.

Hence, firms now can use the option of recording fair value in their respective accounts for most financial tools comprising items like receivables, investments, and debt securities.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Distinguish between ratio analysis and percentage analysis relative to the interpretation of financial statements. What is the value of these two types of analyses?

Your firm has been engaged to examine the financial statements of Almaden Corporation for the year 2017. The bookkeeper who maintains the financial records has prepared all the unaudited financial statements for the corporation since its organization on January 2, 2012. The client provides you with the following information.

ALMADEN CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEET

DECEMBER 31, 2017

Asset

Liabilities

Current assets

\(1,881,100

Current liabilities

\) 962,400

Other assets

5,171,400

Long-term liabilities

1,439,500


Capital

4,650,600

\(7,052,500

\)7,052,500

An analysis of current assets discloses the following.

Cash (restricted in the amount of \(300,000 for plant expansion)

\)571,000

Investments in Land

185,000

Accounts receivable less allowance of \(30,000

480,000

Inventories (LIFO flow assumption)

645,100

\)1,881,100

Other assets include:

Prepaid expenses

\( 62,400

Plant and equipment less accumulated depreciation of \)1,430,000

4,130,000

The cash surrender value of life insurance policy

84,000

Unamortized bond discount

34,500

Notes receivable (short-term)

162,300

Goodwill

252,000

Land

446,200

\(5,171,400

Current liabilities include:

Accounts payable

\) 510,000

Notes payable (due 2020

157,400

Estimated income taxes payable

145,000

Premium on common stock

150,000

\( 962,400

Long-term liabilities include

Unearned revenue

\) 489,500

Dividends payable (cash

200,000

8% bonds payable (due May 1, 2022)

750,000

\(1,439,500

Capital includes:

Retained earnings

\)2,810,600

Common stock, par value \(10; authorized 200,000 shares, 184,000 shares issued

1,840,000

\)4,650,600

The supplementary information below is also provided.

  1. On May 1, 2017, the corporation issued at 95.4, \(750,000 of bonds to finance plant expansion. The long-term bond agreement provided for the annual payment of interest every May 1. The existing plant was pledged as security for the loan. Use the straight-line method for discount amortization.
  2. The bookkeeper made the following mistakes.
    1. In 2015, the ending inventory was overstated by \)183,000. The ending inventories for 2016 and 2017 were correctly computed.
    2. In 2017, accrued wages in the amount of \(225,000 were omitted from the balance sheet, and these expenses were not charged on the income statement.
    3. In 2017, a gain of \)175,000 (net of tax) on the sale of certain plant assets was credited directly to retained earnings.
  3. A major competitor has introduced a line of products that will compete directly with Almaden’s primary line, now being produced in a specially designed new plant. Because of manufacturing innovations, the competitor’s line will be of comparable quality but priced 50% below Almaden’s line. The competitor announced its new line on January 14, 2018. Almaden indicates that the company will meet the lower prices that are high enough to cover variable manufacturing and selling expenses but permit recovery of only a portion of fixed costs.
  4. You learned on January 28, 2018, prior to completion of the audit, of heavy damage because of a recent fire to one of Almaden’s two plants; the loss will not be reimbursed by insurance. The newspapers described the event in detail.

Instructions

Analyze the above information to prepare a corrected balance sheet for Almaden in accordance with proper accounting and reporting principles. Prepare a description of any notes that might need to be prepared. The books are closed and adjustments to income are to be made through retained earnings.

What is an operating segment, and when can information about two operating segments be aggregated?

Dierdorf Inc., a closely held corporation, has decided to go public. The controller, Ed Floyd, is concerned with presenting interim data when a LIFO inventory valuation is used. What problems are encountered with LIFO inventories when quarterly data are presented?

(Disclosure of Estimates) Nancy Tercek, the financial vice president, and Margaret Lilly, the controller, of Romine Manufacturing Company are reviewing the financial ratios of the company for the years 2017 and 2018. The financial vice president notes that the profit margin on sales ratio has increased from 6% to 12%, a hefty gain for the 2-year period. Tercek is in the process of issuing a media release that emphasizes the efficiency of Romine Manufacturing in controlling cost. Margaret Lilly knows that the difference in ratios is due primarily to an earlier company decision to reduce the estimates of warranty and bad debt expense for 2018. The controller, not sure of her supervisor’s motives, hesitates to suggest to Tercek that the company’s improvement is unrelated to efficiency in controlling cost. To complicate matters, the media release is scheduled in a few days.

Instructions

  1. Give your opinion on the following statement and cite reasons: “Because Tercek, the vice president, is most directly responsible for the media release, Lilly has no real responsibility in this matter.”
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