Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans—an interpretation of APB Opinions No. 15 and 25
Summary
This Interpretation clarifies aspects of accounting for compensation related to stock appreciation rights and other variable stock option or award plans. The Interpretation specifies that compensation should be measured at the end of each period as the amount by which the quoted market value of the shares of the enterprise's stock covered by a grant exceeds the option price or value specified under the plan and should be accrued as a charge to expense over the periods the employee performs the related services. Changes in the quoted market value should be reflected as an adjustment of accrued compensation and compensation expense in the periods in which the changes occur until the date the number of shares and purchase price, if any, are both known.