In brief: FASB and IASB make progress on revenue redeliberations; more to come (No. 2012-44)

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The FASB and IASB (the “boards”) met on September 24 and 27 to discuss their joint project on revenue recognition. They reached decisions on certain topics relating to the constraint on recognizing variable consideration, collectibility, time value of money, and distributor and reseller arrangements. The boards’ decisions are tentative and subject to change. The boards directed their staff to conduct further analysis on certain items, including aspects of the variable consideration constraint and presentation issues relating to collectibility. Other key issues still to be redeliberated include licenses, contract modifications, allocation of transaction price, disclosures, and transition. This In brief article provides an overview of the decisions.

What's new?

The FASB and IASB (the "boards") met on September 24 and 27 to discuss their joint project on revenue recognition. They reached decisions on certain topics relating to the constraint on recognizing variable consideration, collectibility, time value of money, and distributor and reseller arrangements. The boards’ decisions are tentative and subject to change. The boards directed their staff to conduct further analysis on certain items, including aspects of the variable consideration constraint and presentation issues relating to collectibility. Other key issues still to be redeliberated include licenses, contract modifications, allocation of transaction price, disclosures, and transition.

What are the key decisions?

Constraint on recognizing variable consideration

The proposed model requires variable consideration that is recognized as revenue to be constrained to the amount to which the entity is “reasonably assured” to be entitled. The boards agreed to clarify that this constraint applies to contracts with a variable price and to contracts with a fixed price where it is uncertain whether the entity will be entitled to that consideration even after the performance obligation is satisfied. The boards also agreed to remove the term “reasonably assured” to avoid confusion as that term has different meanings under current IFRS and U.S. GAAP guidance.

The boards discussed enhancements to the guidance for determining when an entity’s experience is predictive of the amount of variable consideration to which it will be entitled. Further discussions are expected at a future meeting after the boards perform additional outreach.

Collectibility

The boards confirmed that initial and subsequent impairments of receivables should be presented in the same financial statement line item. They did not conclude, however, on where the impairment should be presented in the income statement. This debate also raised once again the question of whether collectibility should be a threshold for recognizing revenue. The boards asked their staff to perform further analysis including evaluating the potential consequences of a collectibility threshold, and whether it would be consistent with the core principles of the proposed model. Further discussion is planned for a future meeting.

The boards also considered when revenue should be recognized for contracts with nonrecourse, seller-based financing. They agreed to provide additional implementation guidance about whether a contract with a customer exists based on when the parties may or may not be committed to perform their obligations under the contract.

Time value of money

The boards agreed to retain the proposed guidance that requires adjustment to the transaction price for the effect of time value of money if the contract has a significant financing component. They will, however, consider providing additional implementation guidance for inclusion in the final standard at a future meeting. They also decided to retain the practical expedient that does not require an adjustment for time value of money if the time difference between performance and payment is one year or less.

The boards clarified that an entity does not need to reflect the effect of time value of money for advance payments when the timing of the transfer of goods or services is at the discretion of the customer.

Contract combinations for distributor and reseller arrangements

The boards clarified that promised goods or services in a contract might include offers to provide goods or services that the customer can resell or provide to its customer. They confirmed that these promises are performance obligations even if they are satisfied by another party, and are different from promises to pay cash to the customer, which are accounted for as a reduction of the transaction price.

Is convergence achieved?

Convergence is expected for revenue recognition, as the same principles will be applied to similar transactions under both U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Differences might continue to exist to the extent that the guidance requires reference to other standards before applying the guidance in the revenue standard.

Who's affected?

The proposal will affect most entities that apply U.S. GAAP or IFRS. Entities that currently follow industry-specific guidance should expect the greatest impact.

What's the proposed effective date?

We anticipate the final standard to have an effective date no earlier than 2015.

What's next?

The boards’ timeline indicates issuance of a final standard in the first half of 2013. The boards will continue to redeliberate over the next several months and perform targeted outreach on some of the more significant changes.

Questions?

PwC clients who have questions about this In brief should contact their engagement partner. Engagement teams that have questions should contact members of the Revenue team in the National Professional Services Group (1-973-236-4377).

Authored by:

Dusty Stallings
Partner
Phone: 1-973-236-4062
Email: dusty.stallings@us.pwc.com

Craig Robichaud
Partner
Phone: 1-973-236-4529
Email: craig.r.robichaud@us.pwc.com

Anurag Saha
Senior Manager
Phone: 1-973-236-5038
Email: anurag.saha@us.pwc.com

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